Tundra Threat. Sarah Varland
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thoughts from his mind, knowing distraction could get you killed out here. “As I’ll ever be, I guess.”
They stood slowly. Will still couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched. And this time, when the next bullet cracked through the air, before he could take McKenna down, she yelled, “Run!” and took off in the direction of the plane.
Will ran after her, both of them sprinting fast enough to have made their high school track coach proud. The uneven ground of the tundra seemed to be working against them—spraining an ankle or worse would be too easy out here.
The shots continued, but McKenna showed no sign of slowing. “Get down!” he yelled, believing it was their best chance of surviving but knowing he’d never take cover if she wasn’t going to.
“We can’t!”
Stubborn woman. Panic clawed at him again, as it had when they’d walked up on the scene and he’d realized how much danger it could put McKenna in. She was too inexperienced for this.
He’d like to sit down and tell her so, but if she was going to run, so was he. She sprinted on and he followed until the plane was finally in sight. It looked fine.
“Get in and fly this thing!” she yelled as she climbed up.
He mentally ran down the list to see if there was anything in the preflight checklist that couldn’t wait.
Another shot fired.
No. Everything could wait.
He climbed in and did as she said, taking off more roughly than he had since he’d first started flying.
But they were up and in minutes would be out of range.
For now.
Will focused on the instrument panel, clenching and unclenching his fists on the wheel to try to calm his nerves. When he was sure they were safe, he turned to McKenna. “What were you thinking? You should have gotten down!”
“I knew what I was doing.”
“You almost got us killed. You’re new at this, McKenna.” He let the frustration of the past however many hours loose in his tone.
“I’m new to the area not to the job. I’ve been doing this for years, and I really do know what I’m doing. It’s my job, Will. Not yours.”
“I have experience, life experience you don’t have.”
“Five years more, Will. That’s it. I’m not a kid.”
“I still wish you’d listened to me.”
“This is my job, Will. I have to make split-second judgments and not look back. But I am trained to do it. And if we’re going to be working together, you’re going to have to trust me to know the right course instead of second-guessing me.”
Will took a deep breath, powering down emotions that had gone wild at the thought of her being hurt or killed. Yeah, this was her job. Theoretically she had the necessary training for it. But that stupid running-to-the-plane stunt while they were taking fire...
“Okay.” He could think of nothing else to say.
“Couldn’t you hear that the shots were fired from closer range the second time?”
He hadn’t noticed that. “You’re sure?”
She nodded, face more serious than he’d ever seen it. “I’m sure.”
So the shooter had been creeping closer the whole time they’d been waiting him out, hoping he’d leave. That made sense since his first couple shots hadn’t hit his mark.
“I guess I owe you an apology then.”
“No need. You saved my life the first time by taking me down with you.”
He nodded, knowing she was right. But she’d saved his life, too, by insisting that they run for the plane. This time, their shared skills and experience had been enough to keep them safe. But the shooter wasn’t someone to underestimate, and he’d almost certainly strike again. Will just hoped his own abilities and McKenna’s would be enough to protect them through the next skirmish, too.
* * *
Will hadn’t said another word until they’d reached Barrow, landed the plane and were unloading.
“Be careful, McKenna,” he finally said. His eyes met hers and the intensity in them made it impossible for her to look away.
“I will be. I can take care—”
“Of yourself. You’ve made that clear.”
She couldn’t read what emotion was in his eyes. Couldn’t come close to naming it. But whatever it was stirred something inside of her, and maybe it was that, or the stress of the day, but she couldn’t picture going home with no human company. Not yet.
“Want to come over for coffee?”
He glanced at his watch. “It’s five-thirty and you’re more worried about coffee than dinner?”
McKenna shrugged, feeling herself blush. She hadn’t even thought about what time it was, had just come up with any reason she could to spend a little more time with Will.
“How about I fix dinner for us and then we’ll have coffee, maybe watch a movie,” he offered.
She searched his face for any indication that he was doing this out of pity for her, or that he knew she was scared, but saw none.
He must have misinterpreted her silence, because he hurried to clarify. “Not as a date or anything. Just two old friends, hanging out, if that’s what you’re worried about.” His easy smile, meant to reassure her, made a blush creep to the edges of her cheeks.
For a split second, she squeezed her eyes shut. Imagined what it would be like to actually be on a date with Will Harrison. Then just as quickly she shoved the thought back where it had come from. The last thing she needed was to get caught thinking such embarrassing things about someone who was only her friend.
“I thought you couldn’t cook?” she said as soon as she remembered.
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he laughed. “By fix dinner I meant bring pizza.”
“Is there a pizza place in this town?” She didn’t remember seeing one. But she hadn’t been everywhere yet.
“Bear’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria is as good or better than anything you’ll find in the city. They have a deluxe pizza that’s unbelievably good. I’ll swing by your house as soon as I pick it up. Sound good?”
“Works for me. But don’t pile up the pizza under loads of stuff. I want to be able to taste the cheese.”
“Trust me, will you? I promise you’ll like it.”
His words still rang in her ears as she climbed into her car and drove toward her house. She did trust him. With her life. She just knew better than to ever again trust him with her heart.
She parked her car on the gravel pad beside her house and climbed the stairs to the front door with caution, looking around to make sure nothing had been disturbed while she was gone. She eased the door open and Mollie came barreling toward her, tongue hanging out of her mouth.
“I’m guessing you missed me?” McKenna laughed as she petted the dog and pulled the door shut behind her. “I would have brought you if I hadn’t been afraid you’d attract wild animals I would rather not run into.”
The dog just wagged her tail and continued to dance around excitedly.
“Will’s coming over tonight,” she found herself telling the dog. “To hang out with me.” In case that part needed clarification. It was strange to her to think that after all these years they’d picked up their friendship practically where they’d left off, ignoring the awkwardness that had started between them just before Will left for college