“Hey, don’t worry...these are nothing,” he said, moving to wrap his arms around her. The cold of her jacket against his still damp skin made him shiver but he didn’t care. He couldn’t be this close to her without having her in his arms. “And now that you’re here, maybe you can take care of me,” he teased, lifting her chin to force her gaze to meet his.

She looked distraught and his chest tightened, remembering the awkward way she’d left his apartment the morning before. The kiss after the rescue had him thinking they were okay, but maybe not. “Hey, did I do something wrong?” Whatever it was, he’d make it right.

She shook her head. “No, definitely not.”

But she had bad news, he could tell. “What’s the matter?”

“I’m leaving,” she said, sucking in a deep breath.

“Next week...right?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

Too soon. “Why?” He stiffened slightly. Had things gone too far between them? Was she second-guessing how he felt about her? How she felt about him?

“My dad called. He needs me back at the hospital.”

“The same dad that forced you to take vacation?” He’d never been close to Erika’s parents, but he knew her father was demanding and critical and rarely gave his daughter credit. He’d always dictated her life, according to Cassie, and the fact that he had so much control over her still annoyed Reed.

She nodded. “He heard about the rescue. He wasn’t happy that I’d taken such a huge risk.”

“There was no other choice—Tom would have died. We all know that.”

“He also heard about the job opening at Wild River Community once Dr. Smyth retires and I guess he’s freaking out a little.”

Reed’s hope lifted slightly. “Were you considering that position?” Maybe mountain life had started to appeal to her, made her realize she could have a fulfilling career in a more laid-back lifestyle. She had grown up here, after all, maybe being back here reminded her how great it was.

But she shook her head. “No. My career...my life is in Anchorage.”

That stung a little, but he had no right to hope that after their short time together, she’d consider such a drastic life change. “Of course.”

She moved closer, resting her head against his sore body, but he didn’t care—he held her tight. She was leaving the next morning. He thought he had another week of this. More time holding her, kissing her, making love to her... Convincing her to give them—together—a shot when she returned to Anchorage.

He kissed the top of her head. “How do you feel about going back so soon?”

“I don’t want to leave you,” she said.

He hugged her tighter. “Cassie’s at home? Is she okay?”