Chapter 2

Two

Mia

"I swear, if I see one more idiot from Dallas with a Gucci fanny pack, I'm gonna lose it," Tessa complained, rolling her eyes as she tied her long brown hair into a messy bun. "Like, you're in the middle of a park, honey. Not Rodeo Drive."

I laughed, clipping Daisy's leash to her collar. "You're just mad because they're asking for directions to Starbucks while you're trying to sell them homemade trail mix."

"Damn right I'm mad," she shot back, pulling a hoodie over her ranger uniform. "It's like they think this place is one big Instagram photo op. The trails are a backdrop for their designer hiking boots, which, by the way, have never seen dirt."

I snorted. "I think you're just jealous you don't have designer boots."

"Oh please, if I wanted to waste money, I'd at least do it on something useful. Like wine." She gave me a playful grin as we started walking down the path, Daisy trotting happily alongside us. The air was crisp, and the late afternoon sun filtered through the trees along the dirt trail.

Tessa glanced over at me. "So, what's your excuse? You meet everyone that comes through the gate. You could bag a guy from one of those fancy cities and be sipping cocktails in a penthouse by now."

I let out an exasperated sigh, shaking my head. "You know how I feel about those types. Guys like that only care about themselves. And even if they don't, they smother the hell out of you."

Suffocating. That's the word that comes to mind. I've lost count of how many times I've felt trapped in relationships. Initially, each man appeared to be the perfect match—sophisticated, driven, and successful. However, my interest waned when they started probing about my delayed text responses. Or my preference for weekend hikes with my dog over upscale dining and networking functions related to their professions. And the worst part? They never seemed to understand where I was coming from.

"Smother you? Or... spoil you?" Tessa raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth lifting.

"Smother," I corrected, kicking a small rock off the path. "I like being able to breathe. Do what I want, when I want. No strings attached, no drama. Just me and Daisy, living our best lives."

Sure, it sounded like I was all about the peace and freedom of it, but part of me knew I just didn't want the hassle of letting anyone in. The last guy I'd let close had been charming—until he wanted to know everything I did, every moment of every day. That's when I started pushing him away, just like the ones before him. Daisy, my friends, and, well, the collection of toys in my trusty nightstand drawer were more than enough for me. They didn't ask for more than I was willing to give.

Tessa sighed dramatically, brushing off a leaf from her hoodie. "Yeah, yeah. You and your whole ‘freedom' thing. Personally, I wouldn't mind a little spoiling here and there."

"Yeah? You're gonna start dating the tourists now? Maybe catch yourself a sugar daddy?" I teased, nudging Tessa with my elbow.

"I'm just saying," she smirked, "I wouldn't hate a guy with a six-figure paycheck taking me out to nice dinners every once in a while. You, on the other hand, are happy being a nature-loving hermit."

"Damn right I am," I said, grinning as Daisy barked happily at a rabbit and sniffed at the ground. "You can keep your city boys. I'll stick to my quiet, simple life. No drama, no bullshit."

Of course, simple didn't always mean perfect. But I'd take quiet evenings on the couch with Daisy over suffocating expectations any day. That's the thing about relationships: they always started off fun, but they ended up being work—work I wasn't interested in. Why bother when I could have everything I needed without the emotional headache?

"Boring," Tessa sing-songed, flipping her hair over her shoulder as we continued walking. "One day, you're gonna meet a guy who knocks that ‘no drama' rule of yours right out of the park."

"I'd bet you fifty bucks that never happens."

"Oh, it's happening. You'll see. It'll be some tall, brooding guy with stacked abs who makes you rethink everything."

I scoffed. "Yeah, right. And then I'll wake up."

Tessa just smiled knowingly. "Whatever you say, Mia," she said, eyes scanning the trees as she changed the subject. "Hey, isn't that the type of bird you like? The one that makes that weird call? What's the name of it?"

I listened for a second before smiling. "Tufted Titmouse."

"Of course, you'd know that," Tessa said, shaking her head in amazement. "You're like a nature encyclopedia."

I shrugged. "I never forget bird songs. It's just one of those things."

"Girl, if I could remember anything that well, I'd never forget where I put my damn keys."

"Maybe you need a key holder in the shape of a Titmouse," I teased, and we both laughed, walking further into the woods.

By the time we got back from the walk, I was already running a bit late for finishing my shift at the gatehouse. Tessa waved me off as I jogged over, Daisy trailing behind lazily.

"You better hope you don't get some Karen giving you shit for being late," she teased, already heading back toward the gift shop.

I gave her a mock salute. "If I do, I'll send her your way."

The gatehouse was small, with a perfect view of the incoming cars and the stretch of forest behind me. I relieved the volunteer who had filled in while I was on break and slid into my seat. I pulled the logbook closer, ready to start my usual routine of checking passes and answering dumb questions about whether the park had Wi-Fi. As if anyone who came here to "escape" really wanted to disconnect. I rolled my eyes at the thought and stared out the window, waiting for the next car to roll through.

It didn't take long. A shiny black truck pulled up, looking way too clean for someone about to go hiking. It definitely didn't belong to a regular. I glanced up at the driver and nearly did a double-take. Darkish hair, a strong jaw, and a face that could easily be on the cover of GQ. Great. Another rich guy from Dallas slumming it in the woods for the day.

The window rolled down, and I leaned out with my best professional smile. "Good afternoon. Got your pass?"

He flashed it without much effort, barely looking at me, his eyes focused on something in the distance. But just as I went to hand it back, his gaze finally shifted toward me. Our eyes met for a split second, and I had to remind myself to breathe.

"Thanks," he said, his voice low and smooth. Then, before I could even process that, he winked.

Winked.

I blinked, momentarily thrown off my game, but quickly recovered. "You're good to go, Mr. Archer," I said, handing the pass back with an awkward cough. Then I added, "Enjoy, but remember the park closes in two hours."

He gave a half-smile, replied, "No problem," shifted the truck into gear, and pulled away like he hadn't just disrupted the quiet routine of my day.

I stared after him for a moment, mentally shaking myself. "Don't get distracted, Mia," I muttered under my breath, focusing on the approaching minivan. But I couldn't help the tiny flicker of interest that sparked in my chest.

"Nope. Not doing this," I reminded myself firmly. I wasn't about to let some smooth-talking city boy throw me off. I'd seen his type too many times before, and it never ended well. Besides, I was perfectly content with my no-strings-attached, drama-free life. Men like him? They only came with complications.

As the rest of the day trickled by, I kept busy logging visitor passes and fielding the usual questions about trail lengths and campgrounds. My mind, however, kept wandering back to that brief exchange. I hated to admit it, but there was something about those blue eyes that lingered in the back of my mind.

It was almost quitting time when the radio crackled to life.

"Emergency alert—injured hiker on the west ridge, possible broken ankle. Dispatch EMS helicopter to the location."

I straightened in my seat, adrenaline kicking in. This wasn't my first rescue mission, but the urgency always made my heart race. I grabbed the radio and quickly dispatched the helicopter, calling in backup. I was already halfway out of the gatehouse before I even realized I was moving.

A few minutes later, I was suited up and in the air with the team, scanning the ground below for any signs of the injured hiker. The wind whipped through the chopper's open door, and my stomach tightened with anticipation. We circled over the west ridge, and that's when I saw him.

The guy from the truck.

Liam, or whatever his name was, lay on the ground, clutching his leg with a pained expression. His truck was parked not far from the trailhead, and it looked like he'd made it pretty far before his luck ran out.

"Got him," I called into my radio, signaling the team to lower the helicopter.

I stepped into the rescue basket, gripping the sides as the crew carefully lowered me toward the ground. The wind whipped through my hair as I descended, keeping my eyes locked on Liam's prone form below. He was clutching his leg, his face tight with pain, but still trying to maintain some semblance of control.

The basket touched down with a soft thud, and I quickly climbed out, making my way to his side. "Hang in there," I said, kneeling beside him to assess the damage. His ankle was already swollen, the break clear as day, but he was holding it together—no panic just gritted teeth and a forced calm.

"Guess I pushed myself a little too hard," he muttered, managing a tight smile despite the obvious pain.

"It happens," I replied, unwrapping a support bandage from my kit. "When you're feeling good, it's easy to push past your limits." I glanced up at him with a reassuring nod. "But don't worry, we'll get you out of here."

"By the way, I'm Liam," he said, his voice slightly strained.

"Nice to meet you again, Liam. I'm Mia," I responded, keeping my tone light as I worked.

Again, his physique had caught my attention despite myself—the way his muscles tensed beneath his shirt, the strong lines of his jaw, and the resilience in his blue eyes, even as he fought through the pain. But that was none of my business. He was just another guy passing through Cedar Cove Park, and I had a job to do.

Once Liam was secured in the basket and lifted into the helicopter, I stepped back and took a deep breath, watching as the blades spun faster and faster until the chopper gained altitude. I felt a strange sense of relief knowing he was in good hands now, but something about the whole encounter left me rattled in a way I hadn't expected.

Focus, Mia. He's just another hiker. I reminded myself, trying to shake off the nagging thought that he was anything but ordinary.

With the helicopter gone and Liam on his way to the hospital, I gathered my gear and glanced around the now-empty trailhead. The adrenaline was fading, leaving only the quiet. I sighed, knowing there was no way I could hike back to the gatehouse before dark. Pulling out my phone, I called Tessa.

"Hey, can you swing by the trailhead and pick me up? The chopper left me stranded."

Tessa laughed. "Stranded, huh? I'll be your knight in shining... Jeep. Be there soon."

I grinned. "Thanks. Hurry, though, or I'll be talking to the raccoons in the dark."

A few minutes later, her Jeep pulled up. "Thanks for the rescue," I said, climbing in.

Back at the gatehouse, just as I settled in, the two-way radio crackled to life, cutting through the quiet.

"Mia, we need you to head to the hospital. EMS is requesting additional details from the scene," the voice buzzed through the static.

My reliable volunteer touched my arm. "Mia, I've got this. Go ahead. I'll lock the gate at closing."

I patted her hand, then spoke into the radio. "Copy that. On my way."

The familiar sense of responsibility kicked in as I quickly jumped into the park's Jeep and sped toward the hospital.

When I arrived, the emergency room was buzzing with activity. After delivering the park's incident report to the EMS team, I was about to leave when a nurse approached me.

"Are you the ranger who helped Liam Archer off the trail?" she asked, motioning toward one of the cubicles.

I nodded. "Yeah, that's me. Is he okay?"

"He's asking for you," she said with a smile. "Something about his truck keys."

Surprised, I followed her to Liam's cubicle. His leg was propped up, wrapped in bandages, and he looked pale under the fluorescent lights, though he still managed a weak smile when he saw me.

"Hey, Chief Ranger Mia," he rasped, his voice strained.

I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. "You're supposed to be resting."

He chuckled, though it turned into a wince. "I am. Just... need a favor."

I stepped closer, noticing his discomfort. "What kind of favor?"

"Can you park my truck somewhere safe out of harm's way?" He grimaced as he pulled out his keys.

I took them from him, our fingers brushing. "You're heading into surgery, right?"

"Yeah, broken ankle," he said, his tone lightening. "They'll fix me up, but I'll be here a while."

"Don't worry about the truck. I'll take care of it," I reassured him.

"Thanks, Mia. I owe you."

"Just focus on getting better," I said with a smile. "We'll talk favors later."

As I left, keys jingling in my hand, I couldn't shake my curiosity. Liam didn't fit the typical Cedar Cove visitor mold. He felt different, and Tessa's teasing words about drama came to mind. Maybe this was the start of something I wasn't ready for.

God, I hope not!