Diva stopped as they reached the other side of the street and instantly fell over...asleep.

“I need you here on Monday to go over preliminaries for the clinical trials,” her father said.

Now he was including her.

“You’ll be here?”

Was it really a question? “Yes. Of course.”

A dial tone on his end indicated the end of the conversation.

Tucking her phone away, she picked up the dog and cradled her in her coat as she turned back toward Cassie’s condo to pack her things and say her goodbyes.

* * *

REED SUPPRESSED A YAWN, struggling to keep his eyes open as he filed the last of the debriefing paperwork at the station. This one had taken forever. The search had been lengthy and complicated, with a lot of people involved and serious injuries. He’d needed hospital reports and statements from all the crew members. Cassie’s other tour guide, Mike, had taken care of notifying family members of the corporate executives and filling out the required claims for Snow Trek Tours.

The words in front of him started to blur. He hadn’t been getting much rest lately...even between rescue missions.

Though he was hardly complaining about the lack of sleep.

Reed checked his watch. After 10:00 a.m. His plan was to catch a quick nap, shower and then head to his sister’s place. Tank had texted to say her foot was casted and she’d been released that morning.

Erika had surprised him by wanting to stay until Tom was in surgery. Her support for him and his wife felt like a breakthrough. Her time back in Wild River had certainly changed her. Or maybe it just brought out the real Erika. One she didn’t feel she could be in her normal, fast-paced, stressful life.

“Hey, man, heading out soon?” Tyler asked, tapping him on the back.

“Yeah. Just finishing up.” He felt like an old man as he got to his feet—every muscle in his body ached. Maybe Erika would be interested in reciprocal massages that evening. Though he wasn’t sure running his hands all over her body would have the desired relaxing, therapeutic effect.

“Before you go, a few of us were wondering if you could sign off on this.” Tyler placed a support member nomination form on the desk.

Picking it up, Reed scanned it.

The crew wanted to nominate Erika. He grinned. “This your idea?” he asked Tyler. “’Cause if you’re still trying to get into her pants, you’d have to fight me for her.”

Tyler raised his fists, then immediately dropped them. “I could take your old man ass any day, but that’s not why I’m doing this. In fact, it was Wade’s idea. I just filled out the paperwork—he had to hurry home to Kim.” He gave a whipping leash motion and Reed laughed.