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“You're right,” I admitted reluctantly. “We'll move the line.” I turned to my team. “Guys, reposition upstream!”
My team sprang into action. As I joined them, a strange tingling engulfed my hands, and something akin to adrenaline surged in my stomach. No, not adrenaline. It was like an excess of energy–a swirl of power that quickened within me, anxious to be free.
I shook out my hands and took a few deep breaths, and the sensation disappeared. What the hell was that? I didn’t have time to ponder it further as I joined my team, quickly bringing the blaze under control before it reached the tree line. I released a relieved breath. Seemed I had my sexy park ranger to thank for that.
He’s not yours, my mind whispered.
“Good job. Thanks for listening—I know you don't know me from Adam. I’m Emmett Furbane,” he introduced himself, confirming my earlier suspicions as he extended his hand.
“Amber Williams.”
Emmett’s hand swallowed my smaller one, and a tingle shot up my arm, tightening my nipples. His smile sparked an unwanted flutter in my chest. What the hell? I couldn’t recall ever having such a visceral reaction to a man I barely knew.
I tamped down my unsettling reactions, crossing my arms over my chest as if that would protect me from the overpowering pheromones Emmett was throwing off. “You seem to know what you're talking about.”
Emmett nodded. “My brothers and I have some experience with situations like this, but I appreciate you taking a chance on me.”
“That was some quick thinking. I'm glad I had you here,” I said, ripping my gaze from his to the smoking remains of the fire. “Looks like we make a good team.”
He grinned. “Seems that way. We should celebrate our victory. Let me take you out for a drink? I'd love to get to know Silverpaw Hollow’s newest resident.”
I hesitated, torn between my desire to accept and my need to maintain a professional distance. Emmett was charming, and there was no denying our attraction. But he was also a suspect in my investigation, and I couldn't let myself get distracted.
I bit my lip, cursing the heat rising in my cheeks. Get it together, Amber. He's a suspect—albeit a strong, handsome suspect who makes me feel things I shouldn’t.
I did not move here to get entangled with a local man, especially not one who might be an arsonist.
After my ex, I had major trust issues with men. “Thanks for the offer, but I've got an early morning,” I demurred. Maybe take a rain check?”
Emmett wouldn't take no for an answer. “Come on, just one drink. I won't keep you out late, I promise.” He flashed me a smile that made my knees weak.
“Sorry. I need to file an incident report and look at the arson investigation.”
Emmett's eyebrows shot up. “Arson?”
I winced internally. Rookie move, Amber. “I need to consider all possibilities,” I backtracked.
Emmett studied me for a moment, then shrugged. “Sure, yeah. Reports to write and all that. But let me know if you change your mind about that drink. I'd love to chat more about the area. Here’s my number if you change your mind.”
I waited while Emmett pulled a creased card from his pants pocket and handed it to me. Did he do this often, carry business cards and hand them out to women he barely knew? The thought caused an unwarranted surge of jealousy.
Nodding abruptly, I turned and strode away without saying any more. I released a slow breath, my pulse skittering against my will. I shook myself and headed toward the trucks to check our supplies. But I couldn't resist a last glance over my shoulder at Emmett.
He was already swinging an ax with smooth, powerful strokes, felling the charred trees to prevent wayward embers from reigniting the fire. Huh, clever. Sweat dripped down his thick neck into the collar of his shirt. The setting sun lit his skin golden, muscles flexing.
Damn, why did he have to be so attractive? Get it together, I scolded myself. I wouldn’t allow impossibly broad shoulders and a dimpled smile to distract me. Nope. Not happening.
Yet as I watched Emmett haul a heavy hose line up the ridge, I couldn't deny his offer of a drink hadn’t tempted me a little. Which was exactly why I had to refuse. I knew where entanglements with handsome men led me—nowhere good.
I'd come here for a fresh start, not a broken heart. Now the fire was contained, I needed to refocus on the arson investigation.
This meant keeping my distance from potential suspects like Emmett Furbane, no matter how distractingly alluring I found him.
After checking that I was alone, I radioed the fire chief from the truck. “The Furbanes joined the response again,” I told him. “I met another of the brothers, Emmett. He advised me on the fire response. He was right, too. He knew the terrain better than me.”
“Hmm. Get close to him if you can,” Chief Anders instructed.
I hesitated. The thought made my stomach knot. But I couldn't say no.
