Chapter 10
Sabrina’s office chair squeaked as she double-checked her SAR application. Everything looked perfect, each box ticked, every field filled in. She had enough experience with bureaucracy to know that one mistake would bounce her application back, delaying the whole process.
She needed this win. Kirk Bonner had already put in his application for district ranger, and he’d beat her out for this job over her dead body. Sure, he had more years of service, but she had more time in the wilderness. And if she had something extra—like SAR expertise—that could only help. Right?
“Got a minute?” Marcus Reynolds stepped into her office doorway, rapping against the frame.
“Yes, sir.” She stifled the urge to click out of the application and to a more innocuous screen. It wasn’t like he’d caught her doing anything wrong, but she still wasn’t sure how she felt about the SAR application.
What if she got rejected?
Reynolds glanced at her screen, just like she’d known he would.
“That your SAR application? It’s a good plan.
I was going to encourage you to apply, but I see you’re already on it.
Not that I’m surprised, but if I’m being honest, it felt like your interest in SAR might have a little more to do with Colton than the skill set. ”
“I’m not looking to add another notch to my bedpost,” she shot back with a withering glare. Just in case the thought had crossed his mind.
The look he gave her said that she was the only one who had gone there. “That’s no one’s business but yours. And Colton’s. Just keep it out of the office.”
“SAR appeals to me. I like dogs. I like the idea of being someone who can help in emergencies. And I figured it couldn’t hurt to add to my résumé, you know, to give me an edge.”
Reynolds perched on the edge of her desk, a rare casual move from a man who normally didn’t delve into buddy-buddy routines.
“If you’re worried about Bonner, don’t. He’s got seniority but lacks leadership skills.
Innovation. Adaptability. SAR is a perfect example of forward thinking.
The kind of thing that will look good to the selection committee. ”
Wait, was he…was her boss actually saying what she thought he was? That he might be putting his weight behind her instead of Bonner, if asked?
“Plus,” he continued, “Colton’s an excellent trainer. If you’re going to do this, it’s helpful that you already have an in with him. The Coltons are good people.”
“I don’t want this to seem like I’m just getting certified for promotional advantage.” She bit her lip. The other reason—Noah—probably didn’t need to be added to the mix, not after she’d flat out denied her interest in him.
“No one is going to think that.” His smile let her know he understood her concerns though. “Anyone who’s met you understands that if you’re going to do SAR, you’ll go all in. You don’t have another speed.”
He stood, as if realizing he’d extended his usual gruff demeanor past its normal limits. “Turn in that application ASAP.”
“Yes, sir.” She watched him leave, her head spinning. Had her boss just indicated the promotion was hers to lose? Why hadn’t he said anything before?
And since when did his belief in her matter so much?
Her phone buzzed.
Sexy SAR Expert: Come over tonight? Have something to show you.
All thoughts of promotions and advancement fled. After their conversation last night, her skin had hummed for hours. Today hadn’t diminished the buzz at all.
Noah was so different she hardly knew what to think. Not bad different, not yet anyway. She wasn’t the type to moon over a man, yet here she sat, fingers hovering over her phone like a giddy teenager texting with the hot guy in her English class.
Sabrina: What time?
Sexy SAR Expert: Now? Unless you’re still working.
She glanced at the time on her phone. Her shift had technically ended an hour ago. She’d only stayed to finish up the application.
Sabrina: Send me the address.
Fifteen minutes later, she pulled into Noah’s driveway on the outskirts of Dark Canyon, excitement bubbling in her stomach. And something else she had no idea what to call.
She’d spent hours reliving that first kiss in the parking lot. The unexpected one. The others had been good too, but the way he’d jumped in before they’d even taken a step toward the restaurant, as if he couldn’t wait to get to the next stage spoke to her.
When Noah opened the door, her stomach did a little dance. His worn jeans hugged solid thighs and a faded T-shirt highlighted his shoulders, reminding her exactly what that muscle definition felt like.
His hair killed her. He wore it a little long, messy and made for a woman’s fingers.
She made a fist so she didn’t actually reach out. Though she had a feeling he wouldn’t think twice about it if she did. It was liberating to think she could go with her natural tendency to fling herself off the cliff with no apologies if she wanted to.
“Hey.” His smile widened as he took in her uniform with a once-over that set her insides on simmer. “Come straight from work?”
“You said ‘now.’ Here I am.” Could he tell she’d broken the speed limit multiple times to get here? That her whole body had hummed in anticipation the entire way?
She stepped inside, cataloging details of his home. Neat but lived in. Training gear organized near the door. Dog toys scattered around.
A furry blur launched itself at her from the hallway. Not Dancer. This dog was chocolate brown and slightly smaller. And way more enthusiastic.
“Sabrina, meet Ripley.” Noah’s voice carried a tinge of something she couldn’t quite identify. “She’s been looking for the right partner.”
“Ripley?” Sabrina stared at the chocolate lab who had plastered herself against Sabrina’s legs, tail wagging furiously.
Noah’s grin widened. “She’s perfect for SAR work. If you like her.”
“She’s what?” The pieces clicked together in Sabrina’s mind. “A SAR dog? For me?”
She’d only just completed the application. Was it even legal to start working with a dog?
“Offering you a potential partner.” He crouched down next to them, scratching behind Ripley’s ears. “She’s young, smart and has the right temperament for search work. My trainer spotted her at a shelter last month. She’s been waiting for the right handler.”
Which was her?
Sabrina sank to her knees, letting Ripley snuffle her hands. The dog immediately rolled over, exposing her belly. Adorable. Was it possible for your insides to actually melt?
“I thought we were going to talk about the case. You don’t waste time, do you?” She meant it to sound teasing, but her voice came out all wrong. And she had no idea what emotion had clogged it.
“Life’s too short to wait when you see the right fit.” Noah’s hand brushed hers as they both petted Ripley, and it wasn’t an accident. “And you two? Definitely the right fit.”
He wasn’t wrong. Already Ripley had climbed right inside Sabrina with those soulful brown eyes and eager energy. But this was a huge step. A dog meant commitment, responsibility. Stuff she hadn’t fully reconciled in her head yet, figuring she had time.
“I just turned in my SAR application today,” she said slowly. “I haven’t even been accepted to the program yet.”
“You will be.” The certainty in his voice made her look up, meeting his concentrated gaze.
“Besides, you can get certified outside of the partner program you applied to, if for some reason you don’t get a slot.
There are all kinds of volunteer organizations, especially in this area.
Take the dog, get acquainted, and we’ll figure out what the next steps look like together. ”
Heat bloomed in her chest. Both from his faith in her and the realization that he’d been thinking about her future, planning this surprise—with the full intent of being right by her side the whole way.
“This is—” Crazy. Fast. Overwhelming.
But when had she ever shied away from the deep end? She was just used to being the one at the rudder, the one everyone else was telling to slow down.
But she couldn’t stop smiling as Ripley wriggled closer, clearly having decided Sabrina belonged to her now. “I’ve never even had a houseplant. What if I’m not cut out to own a dog?”
“Well, first of all, Ripley will be your partner, not just a pet.” His hand settled warm on her shoulder. “It makes a difference, trust me. You automatically step up when you think about her like that. But I have a good feeling about this.”
Dazed, Sabrina glanced up and blew out a breath. “Okay. Where do we start?”
Noah grinned. “You’re gonna need some supplies.”
They quickly made their way to the pet store.
“We’ll get the basics to start.” Noah grabbed a cart at the entrance like a man on a mission. “Food, bowls, leash, treats for training.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad.” Sabrina followed him, Ripley prancing between them on her borrowed leash, still glued to Sabrina’s side. The car ride had been…interesting. Full of man and dog, a combo that shouldn’t have been so appealing.
But definitely was.
“Oh, we’re just getting warmed up.” He steered them toward an aisle filled with what looked like every dog product ever invented. “SAR dogs need specific gear. We’ll start with the essentials and build from there.”
“There’s more than essentials?”
His answering grin made her stomach flip. “You have no idea. Wait until we get to the specialized training equipment.”
“I think my credit card just whimpered.”
“Good thing you’re getting that promotion.” He winked, then held up two different leashes. “Standard or retractable?”
“You’re the expert.” She gestured for him to choose.
Normally, she’d be all over making her own decisions, getting out in front, proving she could handle whatever got thrown in her lap.
But there was something really great about having Noah around. He made her feel supported instead of defensive. And she couldn’t quite figure out how he’d done it.