Page 13 of Love in the Time of Wildfires

“Logan,” she said on a light breath.

“Hmm?”

“He’s gone.”

Robert had disappeared into the crowd as if he hadn’t existed at all. Instead of being able to have her all to himself, she immediately pulled away to walk toward the table of hotshots. He followed behind, his hand occasionally going on instinct to the small of her back to escort her before remembering they weren’t anything more than neighbors who started off on the wrong foot. Logan wasn’t really her osito.

“God damn, River! That was amazing,” Grace said as soon as they returned. “I love that song!”

“You definitely gave everyone a good show,” Damon agreed with a smile and a tip of his drink.

“Oh, thank you,” River replied with little fanfare. Damon scooted to allow her to reclaim her spot on the bench seat.

Instead of sliding in, River pressed a hand to her temple. “Actually, I think I’m all birthday’d out and going to head home. I’m a little tired.”

“Noooooo,” the squad protested. Logan didn’t say anything, but he didn’t want her to go either. This was the first time he wasn’t eager for things to end.

“You barely had any of your drink,” Damon said.

“That’s okay. I don’t need it. But it was so nice to meet all of you and thank you for making the new girl feel special.” She pulled a twenty from her purse, sliding it across the table to cover her tab on the barely touched drink.

“I got it,” Logan said, sliding the money to her.

She pushed the bill back. “I think you’ve done more than enough tonight. Good night.” With that, she turned and made her way to the door.

“Psst. Buddy,” said Grace, drawing his attention. She made an abrupt sweep with a hand as though to indicate he should be leaving with her.

Logan didn’t have to be told twice as he quickly followed. “River, wait.” Outside, the moon hung low, making the night sky brighter. “Let me walk you to your car at least.” Robert could be out here, waiting for her, and it was better not to take any chances.

She frowned in his direction. “That isn’t necessary.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

“Well, I do mind. And, also, I’m already here. This is my car.” She nodded her head toward the black SUV that had snagged a prime front spot. He was a bit puzzled at her short tone, as though she were mad at him. It wasn’t as if he were the one making grabby hands after she got off stage. That would be the other asshole. Logan, on the other hand, was osito. Maybe the moon wasn’t bright enough and she was having trouble seeing the difference.

“I had that handled,” she said, a hand going to her hip. “Do you think I want to deal with a fight breaking out around me on my birthday? I just wanted to have fun.”

Wait . . . she was mad at him? For sticking up for her? “I was just trying to help you,” he said with a huff.

“Yeah, well, I don’t need it—especially when you’re going to make the situation worse by coming in all hot and heavy. Again, I’m not a kid. I’m thirty-two—wait, I’m thirty-three. I’m a grown woman, and I don’t need the great Logan to protect me by starting a fight. Wildlife behaviorist here, remember?” River used a finger to circle her face with this last sentence.

He found all this to be ridiculous because, grown woman or not, she couldn’t control every person who decided they wanted to grab her, especially since she was barely over five feet tall. “I don’t even know what that means. And as long as I’m around, you’re not going to be manhandled like that. Being a wildlife behaviorist doesn’t mean you have to tolerate dealing with assholes by yourself.”

She released a bark of laughter but didn’t sound amused. “And yet what have I had to deal with since moving to this dang town? You should know. You were one of them.”

This stopped him. He couldn’t make any excuses because he knew she was right. “I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice. “I shouldn’t have been so hard on you. It’s just . . . well, it’s not a secret, but I’m not good with people. Why do you think I spend so much time in the middle of nowhere fighting fires?”

She softened at this, one side of her mouth quirking into a small smile. “Okay. So you’re not going to punch a guy in the nose on my behalf, right?”

He gritted his jaw because Logan wasn’t sure he could promise that. What if a guy came along that had a really punchable face like Robert did?

“You know it’s funny, right? You jump in when I don’t ask for it, but when I do ask you for help, you just tell me no and shut the door in my face. Are you purposely trying to be confusing and antagonistic?”

“I’m confusing and antagonistic?” Logan almost laughed at this but took a deep breath instead. “Okay, I’ll help you find your fox. Is that what you want?”

Her brows drew together in an expression of being irritated again. “No. Look, I get that you’re a really busy guy, and I have no right to expect any of your time, but all I wanted was for you to talk to me and draw a circle on a map or something. That was it. But I don’t want anyone to help me if they don’t want to. If you want to give me his number, I can just ask Damon—”

“You’re not forcing me. I want to help you, okay? I’ll take you out there.” Why was she making this so difficult?