Chapter 1
Lee
It felt good to strip out of my uniform. I unbuttoned the beige collared shirt and dropped it on the floor along with the shorts. Once I was down to my sweaty socks, I added them to the pile, climbed into the shower, letting the water run over my body. The smell of pine and dirt filled the bathroom as I scrubbed away the smell of nature that clung to me every day after doing my rounds on the mountain.
I was a Forest Ranger, working with the Packwood Tourism Board to keep the hiking trails and surrounding forests safe. I had grown up around these woods and nature had always been the place where I felt comfortable. I understood it. Cities didn’t work for me. There were too many people and not enough green.
Packwood was situated between three Mountains in Washington State. I was surrounded by valleys and mountain ranges and miles of lush green forests. I spent my days outside, being one with nature. It was the only life I knew, the only life I wanted. It was wild, it was free, and honestly, if it wasn’t for my uniform tethering me to reality, I could lose myself out there.
Sometimes, the smell of pine and fir was so strong in my cabin it took me back—to a place where civilization didn’t exist. Once upon a time, nature had prevailed and man had been aware of how small he was. Out here, it was easy to slip back into that mentality. Mother Nature was in charge and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This weekend, Hank was on duty. We tag-teamed our schedules so we each had every other weekend off, and we always alternated staying late or heading out very early. Hank was a lot like me, unsupportive of modern civilization. Together, we took care of the hiking trails and the forests, putting out fires or going on search and rescue missions.
On my off days, like this weekend, I didn’t sit on my ass at home and recover from a long week’s work. I hated being idle. Instead, I worked as a bartender at my sister’s pub, The Pint. Up in the mountains, I was so isolated it was easy to become a hermit. I made a point of joining society every once in a while to remind myself of who I was and where I fit in. Besides, Hannah could really use the extra help. My sister was a little too social to focus on work alone and sometimes the customers took advantage of that. Even though she was five years older than me, I kept an eye on things, making sure she stayed responsible.
Once I was ready, I headed down the mountain in my truck. It was Friday night and I looked forward to the change of pace for the weekend. The sun was setting behind the mountain, painting the sky in shades of scarlet and tangerine. This was what I lived for and nothing would ever replace this for me.
The Pint was packed, as always. Situated at the base of one of the biggest pine trees in the county the pub was a tourist attraction and a local favorite. The huge tree had fallen over years ago, and the gnarled roots reached over the bar like protective hands, creating the structure of the place. The tree still had a few roots in the ground which somehow still kept the tree alive. Civilization and nature somehow coexisted at The Pint and it was spectacular to see. I had worked here for years and I still loved how I stepped into the tree when I walked through the front door.
The minute I walked in, Hannah came to me and gave me a hug.
“Right on time, happy hour just started,” she said with a grin.
My sister had my dark hair and eyes, but where I was tall and muscular, she was small and slight. Her personality didn’t match her stature at all. Hannah was larger than life and well known around town, and even anyone who had just visited Packwood knew who she was.
“I’ll be at the bar,” I said, and moved into place where I took the first orders. Dustin worked the bar with me and we shook hands between orders. Dustin was younger than I was and worked at the bar full time. He was quiet and I didn’t know much about the guy other than the fact that he knew every cocktail recipe I’d ever heard of by heart, and he could put a spin on a drink like no one I had never seen. He was pale with dark hair and a huge Adam’s apple that bobbed when he talked. He smoked a pack a day and his fingers were yellowed with nicotine. Despite silent demeanor, he always got more tips than I did. I didn’t know how he did it, but they loved him.
The Pint had a warm atmosphere. The lighting inside was dim and warm with rustic decor. Nothing was nailed to the tree itself, where the big trunk made up the walls. We respected the tree and in return, it stayed alive and didn’t rot away.
“What will it be?” I asked the next customer.
“Two Bud Lights. Oh, and a Savanna for the beautiful lady over there.”
He nodded to where Hannah stood. She winked at the guy when he caught her eye and he grinned.
I shook my head and did as he’d asked. My sister was a terrible flirt. She had gone through a tough marriage and divorced before they’d had any children. She was single and used that to her advantage all the time. She flirted with everyone. She was almost as big a tourist attraction as The Pint itself.
When it was this busy at The Pint I had my hands full and time passed quickly. Before I knew it was past midnight and the customers only increased. In the corner, a group of men sang something very off-key together and a glass dropped close to the entrance, sending Hannah to investigate.
“Busy tonight, Lee?” Holly asked, sitting down at the bar. She worked as a waitress, moving between the tables to bring drinks and pub food to the customers who didn’t want to come to the bar. She was one of two women that braved the pub and she did a hell of a job keeping the customers happy.
Holly had honey-colored hair and hazel eyes. She was pretty as a button and about sixteen years too young for me. She had a huge crush on me though, and didn’t bother hiding it. If women were this aggressive about dating as a general rule, there would be no single men. But at thirty-eight, I wasn’t looking to be with someone who could almost be my daughter.
“Always busy, Holly,” I answered. “Don’t you have tables to tend to?”
“I’m taking a break,” Holly said. “I’m going outside for a bit. Do you want to join me?”
“Can’t you see how busy I am?” I asked.
“Let Dustin take over for a while. We can all use a break and I would love the company.”
I shook my head. Holly didn’t give up. It didn’t matter how many times I had told her she was too young for me, Holly was convinced we could make it work. “Love doesn’t know age,” she always said.
What Holly felt for me wasn’t anything close to love but she was young. She would figure that out eventually.
“Go on ahead, Holly. We’re not going to the back together, alone.”
Holly pouted. “You’re such a pain.” She leaned forward, pressing her breasts together, showing off her cleavage. I forced myself not to look. “But that’s okay. I love it when a man plays hard to get.”
She slipped off the barstool and shimmied away before I could comment. I sighed and looked out over the customers. A tall brunette caught my eye. I was taller than most, towering over everyone I met. It gave me a great vantage point when I looked out at the crowds. It also made it much easier for me to notice when someone else was tall.
She wasn’t only tall she was beautiful, and graceful. A lot of tall women tended to hunch because they felt out of place. This one was upright and proud. Her brunette hair hung halfway down her back, thick and glossy. She was curvy, despite how tall she was, and her face was like something an artist would draw. Delicate bone structure, with big bright blue eyes.
Hannah approached her and I watched them talk as I poured another round for the customers that sat in front of me.
Dustin asked if he could head out for a smoke break, so I manned the bar alone. It was double the legwork to keep everyone happy. I poured beers and shots and ran back and forth from one end of the bar to the other until Dustin returned. Holly came back into the bar a moment later and I wondered if they had sat together out there.
After every group of customers drank until they were tipsy or drunk, they left the bar to go home or take the party somewhere else. It took a while for the bar stools to fill up again. While I had a lull, Hannah came to the bar and she brought the beautiful brunette along with her.
“Lee, this is Farrah Jackson,” Hannah said to me. “She’s doing a project for the tourism board and she’s here to photograph the bar. Farrah, this is my brother, Leeland Roper.”
“Just call me Lee,” I said, holding out my hand. Farrah took it. Her hands were soft and warm, and something tugged at me when I touched her.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Farrah said. I noticed the camera around her neck. She cradled it in one hand, her long fingers curling around it. “This bar is quite something. I thought it was interesting when I saw the pictures on the website, but in person, it is really spectacular.”
“Thank you,” Hannah said.
“I plan on making it come across as amazing as it is, by updating the photos and really bringing the feel across.”
“Are you a photographer?” I asked. I had first thought she might be a consultant of sorts.
Farrah looked at me and nodded. I found I couldn’t tear my eyes away from hers. They were the brightest blue I had ever seen, and they were mesmerizing.
“Do you mind if I take a couple photos of you while you work?” Farrah asked. “I want to get the feel of the place down. Then I’ll come back when it’s closed as well and do the same.”
“No, go ahead. I’ll just be here, doing my thing.”
Farrah smiled. What a smile. Her face lit up when she did and I grinned back at her.
“I’ll let you get to it, then,” she said. She turned away from the bar to take her photos. Customers sat down and Dustin and I worked together to serve them. Hannah walked around, flirting with every man that was willing to give her the time of day. But I remained aware of Farrah the whole time. Every time I glanced up, I found her in the crowd. She asked the patrons if she could take their photo and instructed them to carry on as they were. She took photos of the bar itself, waiting for me to carry on before she snapped them. She caught shots of Holly serving tables, and of Hannah, smiling and laughing.
I imagined the photos would be great, but I wanted to speak to her again. I wanted her to come to me so I could see another flash of that beautiful smile. I was hyper-aware of her.