Every stroke of the pencil is firm and sure and I wonder how she isn't being featured in the best galleries in the world. Of course I'm only one person and am completely biased. I hand her back the sketchbook.
"These are amazing, my angel."
"I've decided these are going to be just for my private collection. I don't want women ogling you all over the country."
"Is that right?"
I come close to her and pull her into my arms. She feels right in my embrace, and it soothes my soul.
"Is it okay if I set up my easel and start painting this beautiful landscape?"
"You don't need my permission for anything, Iris. This is why I brought you out here, so you could spend your time doing what you love best."
"I'm not sure it's what I love best anymore."
There's a twinkle in her eyes when she admits that, and my heart starts beating faster. Did she really mean I'm what she loves best? It would be too much to ask of life for that to be true. I help her set up so she can work her magic and I sit down on the tablecloth and snack for a bit.
I love being out like this in nature. It's why I became part of the park ranger team and then moved to the SAR team. Hunter's Peak is a magical place, and I would love to make a life with Iris here. Her work is important, though, and I have to think hard about having to follow her to the city.
A lot of thoughts go through my mind and I realize I'm being silly. I just met Iris yesterday and am already planning our life together. My co-workers would have a field day with that information. I lie back down on the forest floor and take a nap.
When I wake up, my angel is looking down at me with a smile on her face. I'll never get used to how those smiles make her seem brighter and full of life. I'm starting to think I will have to start a conversation about feelings, even though we've barely met.
I know I'm being impulsive and reckless, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Whatever I do, I cannot let this woman leave the mountain without me.
Chapter 8
Harrison
Ihate being away from my angel during the day, but I've got to do an honest day's work. Today, I have the afternoon off and I'm going to surprise her. I enter her place and look for her in the solarium where she usually works in the afternoon.
I find a note saying she'll be back by noon, but it's already three in the afternoon. I'm always concerned when she's out there by herself, but being three hours late could be a thing if I make it a thing. I'm ready to call in my team to help me find her when a text comes in.
All it says is 911. I know the service up the mountain can be spotty and maybe this is all she could send out. A new text comes in and says she went northeast and is hurt. I start panickingwhen I remember who I am. I am a valued member of the SAR team here at Hunter's Peak and I can deal with this with no problem.
If she's hurt, though, we need Brock. I send him a message to meet me here as soon as possible and then send a message to my boss at the park ranger station where the SAR team usually gathers on their down time. I don't need the entire team to help me, but I'd like to have at least someone else helping me track her.
When I hear a knock on the door I see Brock is here and also Fletcher. He volunteers as needed to the SAR team. I'm happy they are both here and am able to relax because both of them know this mountain like the back of their hands.
We start our journey and every now and then Brock gives me words of comfort, but I'm in a haze where I don't hear anything but the sound of my own heartbeat. There are downfalls of living in the mountain and this is one of them. My angel is a city girl. Maybe we should move to Boulder or Denver.
She would probably have a better chance at selling her art and getting a job in one of those cities instead of in the middle of nowhere. Why am I talking as if she were mine? Because this more than anything convinces me we need to be together and I need to tell her how I feel about her.
I have a lot of feelings regarding Iris Drew, and they all come together in my mind to show me that I love her. I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her. As we work in grids trying to locate her, my heart starts to ache. I wonder how badly she's hurt and if this will scare her off.
My angel is a fighter, and I think we'll be fine. This month we've been together has been the best of my life and I know my heart. She's made paintings of the mountain, the lake and of myself and she makes me look good. No nudes though she mightpaint a calendar for next year's charity of the SAR team with our shirts off.
The longer it takes us to find her, the more I worry, and when Brock finally gives a shout, I'm relieved. I quickly move towards his position and find him checking Iris' leg. She has a big gash on her thigh and it's still bleeding.
"I'm so glad we found you, my angel. How are you feeling?"
"I'm weak. I think I've lost a lot of blood and I didn't have anything to do a tourniquet."
I kneel next to her while Brock works on the other side.
"This is going to need cleaning and stitches. I'm going to bind it so that we can get you to the clinic and get some hydration in you."
Brock is all business and I'm thankful for it. We manage to get her to the clinic, and then she's off to the operating room so they can do what they need to do. As long as Brock is with her, I've got nothing to worry about. He's the best at what he does, and a millionaire to boot. He doesn't really have to work, but we love him as a field doctor and appreciate his working with us.
