Page 73 of Love in the Time of Wildfires

“Okay,” he replied, unsure where this was going.

“Even after my insurance, which isn’t great because I’m still on probation, I’m going to owe about thirty thousand for all the medical stuff.”

“Okay.”

“No, it’s not okay,” she said, getting teary. “I think I need to find a different job, because I need to make more money, or that’s going to be my whole life. I mean . . . I just ruined my life over trying to find a silly fox. What’s even the point anymore?”

Before River could continue to spiral, Logan jumped in. “You’re not going to quit your job. You love it. You don’t have to. We’ll figure it out.”

“We shouldn’t have to do anything. It’s my problem. I don’t want you throwing yourself at all the good fires just because of me. I’m not asking for that.”

While he was touched by her worrying about him among all her other concerns, he’d rather have her back.

“River, I have the money. We’ll take care of it.”

Because at the end of the day, it was just money and not the most important thing to him.

Not anymore.

Not when there was her.

Chapter Twenty-five

River stopped at this statement. At first, she was confused. What the heck was he talking about? Who had that kind of money lying around?

Then she remembered and, as much as she was touched, there was no way she would accept it. Not after all the trouble she put everyone, including him, through. “No. Absolutely not.”

“River,” he started patiently.

“No. Logan, I’m not taking your cabin money. I can’t take your dream like that.” River refused to give up her dream for Michael, and there wasn’t any way she was going to let Logan give up his dream for her. She cared for him too much.

“It’s not really a big deal—”

“Yes, it is! That’s a lot of money. I didn’t even spend that much on getting my used car. I can’t let you do it. It’s too much. I’m the one who made a bad decision. It’s not fair for you to pay the consequences of something I did. I can’t do that to you, Logan. I’m not worth it.” Logan deserved someone better than her. Even if it crushed her, she wouldn’t blame him for walking away. River wanted him to get a cabin in the woods. After everything he had been through, he deserved it.

Logan scooted nearer, taking her face between his hands. She was struck by how he looked at her, as though he had it all figured out, his gray eyes soft, gentle, steady—so large an expression, it could submerge her.

“My dream was to find a cabin in the middle of nowhere because I just wanted to cut myself off from everything. I wanted to be some old, sad man that was alone and didn’t have to deal with anything or anyone ever again, until it all burned up. Is that what you want for me?”

When he put it like that, no, she didn’t want that for him. River wanted him to be with her so she could hug and kiss him when he needed it. Because she’d seen things from the other side, how dealing with nature, when it was ruthless, could be terrifying, and how quickly it made a person vulnerable. River had always thought she had respect for it, but she hadn’t had enough. She’d been living in a bubble, not realizing how easily it could crush a person’s spirit. Yet, Logan kept doing his job regardless. He was the strongest person she knew, and she’d never felt such admiration.

She loved him. Adored him. The feeling had never been so big in her life.

River gave him a soft smile, shaking her head in response to his question.

He smiled warmly. “So you see. The dream has changed. I want you. I love you. I don’t care about the bill.” Logan encouraged her closer to press a light kiss on her cheek. “Come back to me,” he whispered against her skin.

She pulled back to study his face, reaching to trace her hand along his temple. “Oh, osito. I might love you more than foxes.”

The most beautiful expression lit his face. “Yeah?”

“And you love me more than fires, right?”

“Obviously.”

“I still don’t feel like I deserve you.”

“It’s okay. I’ve always felt like I didn’t deserve you. I guess both of us need to get over it.”