Chapter 38
Three Months Later
Janice knelt beside the examination table, her hands gentle as she checked the bandage on the young hawk's wing.
Three months since Alaska, and she was back where she'd started…
her parents' veterinary clinic in Washington State, surrounded by the familiar smells of antiseptic and animals, with the soundtrack of barking dogs and meowing cats filling the air.
"How's he looking?" Her mother appeared in the doorway, still wearing her surgical cap from the animal she’d just saved when it had been brought in with a broken leg.
"Good. The fracture's healing nicely." Janice ran her fingers carefully along the wing, feeling for any swelling or heat that might indicate infection. "Another week and you can start working on flight conditioning."
Her mom moved closer, peering at the hawk with the practiced eye of a veterinarian who'd spent thirty years treating everything from hamsters to buffalo. "You did good work setting that wing. Clean break, perfect alignment. He'll fly again."
"That's the goal." Janice returned the hawk to his recovery cage, making sure he had fresh water and the small pieces of meat she'd prepared earlier. "Wild things deserve to stay wild."
Her mother's hand landed on her shoulder, warm and familiar. "You sound like me when I was your age.
Janice smiled, thinking of all the times she'd shadowed her mother on wildlife calls as a kid. Injured deer, orphaned raccoons, a bald eagle that had been hit by a car. Her mom had taught her that the goal wasn't to tame wild animals but to heal them and send them back where they belonged.
Just like that red fox in Alaska. The memory of him sitting in the snow, watching her leave, still made her chest tight with emotion.
"Speaking of wildlife," her dad called from the front office, "Janice, you've got a call on line two. Says it's about the Alaska research."
Janice stripped off her gloves and moved to the phone, her heart picking up speed. She'd been waiting for this call, hoping it would come before she left for Montana tomorrow.
"Dr. Lynch speaking."
"Janice, it's Marcus." Her former supervisor's voice came through clearly. "I wanted to give you an update on the Alaska situation before you heard it through official channels."
"What's happened?"
"The EPA completed its assessment of the contamination.
Your water quality data and wildlife documentation were crucial in establishing the extent of the damage.
" Marcus paused. "Charles Penson and three of his senior executives were indicted yesterday.
Federal charges included environmental crimes, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
They're looking at serious prison time."
Janice sank into her dad's desk chair, relief flooding through her. "And Cheryl Whitten?"
"She cut a deal. Testified against Penson in exchange for immunity. Turns out, she had been documenting everything for months, including financial records, internal communications, and photos of the illegal operations. Her testimony is what made the case airtight."
"She saved my life," Janice said quietly. "I'm glad they recognized that."
"The university wants you to know that your research is being published.
Modified, obviously—it's no longer just about climate change impacts.
Now it's a case study in how corporate greed can devastate an ecosystem.
" Marcus's voice held pride. "Your name is going on it as lead researcher.
This is going to be significant for your career, Janice. "
She should feel excited. This was the kind of recognition that could open doors and lead to grants and positions at prestigious institutions. But all she felt was tired satisfaction that justice was being served, even if she was pissed at the university.
"Thanks for letting me know, Marcus."
"There's one more thing." He hesitated. "The university is dealing with some embarrassment. Turns out a major donor who'd pledged significant funding was connected to Northern Summit. You can imagine who. The board is scrambling to distance themselves from the whole mess."
Janice's stomach tightened. "Good!"
"Your work exposed corruption we never would have caught otherwise." Marcus cleared his throat. "So what's next for you? Coming back for more research? I could arrange funding."
Janice looked around the clinic, seeing the hawk in his cage. She knew that in the lobby was a woman checking out as she held a carrier with a nervous cat, and her father was finishing surgery on a cat who’d come in.
This was home. This was where she'd grown up, where she'd learned to love animals, where she'd discovered her calling. But it wasn't where she belonged anymore.
"I'm moving to Montana," she said. "There's someone there I need to be with."
Marcus laughed. "I’m not surprised."
Janice's chest warmed at the thought of Cole.
Three months of long-distance dating through phone calls that lasted hours, video chats where they talked about everything and nothing, and stolen weekends when he flew out to see her or she flew to Montana.
"I'm ready to see what we can build together. "
"Well, congratulations. You deserve some happiness after everything you went through.
" Marcus's tone shifted back to business.
"I'll send you the final paperwork for the research publication.
And Janice? I meant what I said. You did exceptional work up there.
Any institution would be lucky to have you. "
After hanging up, Janice sat for a moment, processing. Penson was going to prison. The contamination would be cleaned up. Her research would be published and would make a difference in how corporations were held accountable for environmental crimes.
She'd done what she set out to do. Not the climate change study she'd originally planned, but something just as important.
A wet nose pressed against her hand. She looked down to find Bailey, the clinic's ancient golden retriever, leaning against her leg with the wisdom of a dog who'd comforted countless anxious clients over the years.
"Hey, old girl." Janice scratched behind Bailey's ears. "You know I'm leaving tomorrow, don't you?"
Bailey's tail wagged slowly, and she pressed closer, as if to say she understood but would miss Janice anyway.
Janice's dad appeared in the doorway. "Your mom and I are closing up early. Want to grab dinner at that Italian place you love? Last meal before you abandon us for Montana?"
"I'm not abandoning you," Janice protested, but she was smiling. "I'm just moving. You can visit. Cole said there's plenty of room."
"A former military pilot-security boyfriend with his own plane who promises to fly you home for visits whenever you want." Her dad grinned. "Your mother and I approve. Though we'll still miss having you around."
"I'll miss you too." Janice stood, giving Bailey one last pat. "But I need to do this, Dad. Alaska showed me I could stand on my own. Now I want to stand beside someone else."
"That's all we've ever wanted for you, sweetheart. To be happy. To be yourself." Her dad pulled her into a hug. "And from what your mother and I have seen during Cole's visits, he makes you happy. Really happy."
Janice hugged him back, grateful for parents who understood and supported her, even when it meant watching her move halfway across the country.
The evening passed in a blur of last-minute packing and a long dinner with her parents at the Italian restaurant where she'd celebrated every milestone growing up.
They talked about everything… her childhood, her time in Alaska, her plans for Montana, and what she might do for work once she got there.
Back home, Janice made one final check of her belongings. Most of her things were already in Montana since the movers had taken them two days ago. All that remained was her suitcase for tomorrow's flight and the carry-on bag with her laptop.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming video call. Cole's name appeared on the screen, and Janice answered immediately.
His face filled the screen, familiar and dear, his dark eyes warm with affection. "Hey, beautiful. All packed?"
"Almost. Just finished dinner with my parents." Janice settled onto her bed, propping the phone against a pillow. "Marcus called today. Penson was indicted on federal charges."
"I heard." Cole's voice gentled. "How are you feeling about all of it?"
Janice considered the question. "Relieved. Satisfied that justice is being served. Ready to move on." She smiled at the screen. "Ready to see you tomorrow."
"I'll be at the airport. Already got BB fed and your welcome sign made."
"You made me a sign?"
"Evie helped. It's very professional for a seven-year-old." Cole's grin suggested otherwise.
Janice's chest felt too full with emotion.
Three months of long-distance dating had only confirmed what she'd known that day in her cabin…
this man understood her. Cole saw her strength without expecting her to be invulnerable.
He appreciated her independence without feeling irrelevant.
He made her feel safe without making her feel small.
"I can't wait to actually be in the same place as you for more than a weekend. "
"Can’t wait either." Cole's voice was rough with feeling. "And tomorrow, when you step off that plane, I'm not letting go of you for at least twenty-four hours."
"Twenty-four hours, huh?”
His grin returned. "Get some sleep, sweetheart. You've got a long travel day tomorrow."
After they said good night, Janice lay in bed thinking of tomorrow. She was choosing uncertainty. Choosing to build something new in Montana with a man she'd known for only three months but who felt more right than anyone she'd ever been with.
Tomorrow, she'd step onto a plane and fly toward a new life. Toward Montana and mountains and a man who'd risked everything to save her. Toward possibility and hope and the chance to build something real with someone who saw her for exactly who she was.
Janice smiled in the darkness, thinking of red foxes and wilderness and the freedom that came from choosing your own path. She was ready.