Keeping a level head with her so close had been challenging. He hated that he was putting her safety at risk. It was dark, freezing and she wasn’t dressed properly or trained for long periods in the wild. His protective nature had to be kept in check several times.

He’d been out there to find the teens and he’d needed to focus on that, but now that they were found safe, he was happy she was there. “There are no injuries to treat,” he said, unable to resist the temptation to rub her arms gently. He couldn’t wait to get her back to warmth and the safety of his arms.

“Just put me to work. Whatever you need,” she said, seeming to have caught a second wind as relief flowed over the group. “Should I help Tyler and Wade pack up?”

“Um...” The idea of her working closely with Tyler didn’t appeal to him. He glanced around. One of the teens was off by himself, away from the group. Sitting by a tree, he swayed back and forth, his gaze straight ahead, locked on nothing. Reed could see his body trembling, despite the blanket.

“That kid seems to be going into shock.” It wasn’t uncommon in these situations that fear could take over, even once the lost were found. “Can you sit with him? Maybe just talk to him until the ski patrol units arrive?”

She looked like she’d rather set a bone, but she nodded. “Sure.”

As he continued his contact with the station and directed his crew, he watched her from the corner of his eye...

He’d given her a tough task. She’d admitted that comfort was not in her medical bag and as she sat next to the kid, he saw her hesitate before touching the boy’s shoulder.

Surprisingly, the kid leaned into her...and she wrapped an arm around him. He couldn’t hear what she was saying to him, but within minutes, the boy was responding and the faraway look in his gaze disappeared.

When the boy reached for Erika’s hand, she held his trembling one, Reed’s mouth went slightly dry. She continued to amaze him. He barely recognized her as the woman who’d walked into The Drunk Tank almost a week ago. “You guys okay?” he called out when she glanced his way.

She gave a tired smile and nod in response.

Man, he couldn’t wait to get her home. “The ski patrol are almost here and the van is waiting on Mountainview Road, where the trails meet,” he told the group.

Erika said something to the boy, then stood and approached him. “Are the parents coming?”

“They’ll meet us at the hospital. He okay?” He nodded toward the boy.