Chapter 35

The forest and trees flew by as they drove from Doc Talbot’s. The moon, unobscured by clouds, threw pale light onto everything, the ghostly nighttime shapes just part of the Northern night environ.

Ryker was on the mend. Doc himself had said so.

And now, this was her mini celebration. She’d rolled her window down, and the crisp Fall air blasted into the jeep.

God. She loved this sense of freedom, the wildness of Canada’s north country intruding on her. The air was exhilarating.

But cold. It was damn cold. Heat. They needed heat. Amy turned the heat up, was gratified as it blasted hot air around their feet.

Nathan looked over at her, smiled. “Volcano at the bottom, Antarctica at the top?”

She grinned. “Something like that. I like the windows down, but I also like to keep my blood circulating. At least you know you’re alive.”

“That you do.” He seemed to want to say something else, so she waited. “I know we haven’t talked tonight, but thank you for helping me. For helping us out.” He paused, seemed to find it difficult to get the next bit out. “I don’t know what I—we—would have done without you.” He paused. “Actually, I do know. And it isn’t pretty.”

The words he had such a hard time saying hit a place deep in her. When it was difficult, it meant so much more. But this tough man seemed to be fragile at the moment, and she was very aware of that.

Hell. He had the oddest way of getting to her, when no other man, men who looked so much better on paper, hadn’t. And while she’d have helped anyone in need, he and Ryker…were special. “No need. I get it. That’s what neighbors are for. Out here, we need each other.”

He looked a bit surprised at that, but then seemed to accept it. “Just drop me off. I’ll keep you in the loop, and as soon as I hear from the Doc I’ll call you or text you. Your choice.”

But she had other ideas. And not just because she felt this man needed a friend.

She’d seen the way he’d winced when his head hit the coat rack beside the couch in the waiting room. The tenderness on the side of his head. And that had gotten her intrigued.

And when she’d done another round of pacing, made a point to investigate as surreptitiously as possible, she’d seen the mark.

Either someone had been at the cabin, beaten this man up, which she could hardly believe given his obvious strength, or…someone had beaten this man up. And she had an idea who might have.

She knew he’d been through a lot in the service, and also knew his world hadn’t been normal as a kid. Not like hers. “I thought you might want to come back to my place and crash. That is, if your schedule for tomorrow…I guess today…allows it. Then if there’s a call, we can be together, and get back to Ryker. I have things on, but they’re flexible.”

He frowned. “No, that’s okay. Thanks, but I’ll go back to my place. You’ve already done too much.”

She shook her head. “Not really. That’s how we do things out here.”

She heard the soft snort. “What. My life is your life?”

“Not every day, all day. But yeah, essentially. If stuff’s going on…yeah.”

“Thank you, but no. Not that I’m not grateful. I am. But…a man’s got to take care of himself. His charges.”

“He does. And by the looks of it, you do a damn fine job of it.” She hesitated a beat, then thought, what the hell. “You might find me banging on your door next time.”

She caught the momentary surprise in his eyes, then the pleasure that smoked through his gaze.

“Anytime, Amy. Anytime.”

That settled, they both relaxed. Though she hadn’t brought out her master weapon yet. And had faith in it, knowing the type of man she was reading him to be.

“Nathan?”

“Yeah?” She seemed to have dragged him from some personal rumination again. His elbow was out the window, and he’d turned from her, staring at the forest as it sped by. Or at nothing. Who knew.

“Not to be contrary, but how are you going to get back to Doc Talbot’s later today to pick the dog up?”

“I…I…” He looked at her. “Shit.” He frowned. “No car.”

She nodded. “Well, not a working car. At the moment.”

He exhaled, a punch of air. “I guess you have a point.”

She smiled gently. “I think maybe it works out that way.”

“Aw hell, Amy.” The second time he’d said her name in as many minutes and it felt good. More than good. “I’ll pay you back.”

Somehow this man didn’t want to be in debt to anyone. To owe anyone. And she actually understood that feeling.

“I know you will, Nathan. I trust you.”