She turned, coffee pot in hand, and the smile she gave him did that thing to his insides—a sensation that still caught him off guard. Every time.
“Smooth talker,” she said, but the pink tinge climbing her neck told him she didn’t mind. “Save it for after we finish the training report for Reynolds.”
“You’re the one who wanted to become an official SAR team,” he reminded her, accepting the mug she handed him. Their fingers brushed, and even that small contact carried a current that he hoped lasted until they were both old and gray.
“Best decision I ever made.” She leaned against the counter, studying him over the rim of her own mug. “Though I maintain that Reynolds’s face when I told him will remain the highlight of my career. He actually looked impressed.”
Noah laughed. “As he should be. Team Colton-West is already making waves. He mentioned that three other freelance agencies have called asking about our track record.”
“Good. I can’t wait to become known as the best team in Utah.”
“Speaking of the job—” He paused, remembering she’d mentioned the selection committee would be contacting the district ranger applicants this morning. “Did they call you yet?”
Something flashed across Sabrina’s face. “Oh, that. Yeah, they called.”
“And?” He couldn’t help the anticipation building in his chest. She’d worked so hard for this, competed ferociously against Bonner for months. The promotion had been her driving goal since before they’d met.
“I got it. And I turned it down.”
None of those were words he’d prepared to hear. “You what?”
Sabrina shrugged, but the gesture wasn’t casual. It carried the weight of careful consideration. “I declined the position. Informally. I have to go do some form to make it official.”
Noah set his coffee down, trying to process what this meant. “Sabrina, you’ve been gunning for that promotion since day one. Beating Bonner was your whole mission.”
“It was.” She met his gaze steadily. “But missions change. Priorities shift.”
“Was it because of us? Because if you think I wouldn’t support—”
“It wasn’t about us,” she interrupted, though her expression softened. “Or not directly, anyway. It was about me. What I want now versus what I thought I needed then.”
Noah studied her face, searching for any hint of regret or sacrifice. He found none. Just clear-eyed certainty.
“Tell me more,” he said simply.
“The district ranger position—” she crossed her arms, leaning back against the counter “—I wanted it for all the wrong reasons. To prove I was better than Bonner. To validate myself to Reynolds, to my father, to everyone who ever doubted me. It was never about the actual job.”
Noah nodded, understanding dawning. This was the Sabrina he’d fallen for at her brutally honest, fierce self.
“But SAR work, that’s different.” Her eyes lit up in that way that made his heart stutter. “It’s not about being better than anyone else. It’s about being the best version of myself, pushing my own limits, making a real difference. And doing it with the right partner.”
Brightness bloomed in his chest, expanding with every word. This wasn’t Sabrina sacrificing her ambitions. This was Sabrina evolving, choosing her path not out of defiance or competition, but authentic desire.
He was so amazed by her.
“Besides,” she added with a smirk, “Reynolds asked if I’d consider heading up the new K-9 division instead. Building it from the ground up, my way. I told him I’d think about it.”
Noah couldn’t help the grin spreading across his face. “Let me guess. You’re thinking it might pair well with a certain SAR team’s training schedule?”
“Convenient, isn’t it?” She matched his grin. “Almost like I planned it.”
“You’re brilliant, no doubt,” he agreed, pulling her against him. “I’m impressed.”
“You should be. I’m very impressive.” She looped her arms around his neck, the teasing light in her eyes warming to something deeper. “So, is this the part where you tell me you’re proud of me for choosing what I really want instead of what I thought I should want?”
“Nope.” He brushed his lips against her forehead. “This is the part where I say I’ve never been more certain that you’re the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met. And that I fall more in love with you every day.”
Her expression turned serious. “Even when I’m not trying to be the best at everything?”
