Reed’s sudden presence in the woods had scared her, but she’d felt immediate relief not to be alone, even if it was Reed—a guy who didn’t even try to hide how annoying he thought she was. Though that day, he’d been nicer to her than usual...

But that didn’t last when they disagreed on the right direction back to the campgrounds and they’d gotten even more lost, moving farther into the woods, away from the campsite.

She still couldn’t say for sure whose fault it was, and she’d probably deny it was hers until the day she died... But watching him now, she had a sinking suspicion that she was to blame.

He knew exactly the right things to do in a situation like this.

Just as he had that night.

She remembered how he’d removed his jacket to place over her shoulders as night fell and the temperature dropped, and how he’d held her, not asking any questions as tears fell down her cheeks and how when she’d finally fallen asleep, exhausted and worn-out, he’d stayed awake all night...protecting her.

A tightening in her gut increased when his gaze met hers as he wrapped up the session.

He’d been a source of comfort for her on the worst day of her young life.

And she’d forgotten how much that had truly meant until that very moment.

Damn, things with Reed could get so out of hand if she let them.

Kaia approached with a wide-awake Diva, and Erika stood, helping to clean up by adding several plastic chairs to the pile a volunteer was forming. “So, did you learn a lot?” the little girl asked.

More than she’d thought possible. Mostly about Reed. Mostly about just how wrong she’d been—had always been—about him. “Very informative.”

“Great!” Kaia beamed, then she glanced at her boots. “Do you know when Cassie will be back?”

“In five days.”

She looked relieved. “Oh good. She’s supposed to take me shopping for a Christmas concert dress... I’m in the school junior choir and I’m singing a solo this year, so I’m supposed to wear something nice. I don’t have a dress, and Dad doesn’t know the first thing about fashion, so Cass said she’d help,” she said.

Wow, Cassie had really taken on the role of female confidant to the little girl. “I’m sure she will as soon as she gets back. Maybe I can tag along—I’ve got pretty good taste in clothing.”

Kaia sized her up. “Okay, sure. Will you be here for Christmas Eve? We always have a big party.”

All of a sudden, she wished she would be. By Christmas Eve she would be back to her busy life in Anchorage and starting the clinical trials. Which was far more important than celebrating the holidays. “Afraid not.”

“Kaia, come on!” another kid yelled from the doorway.

“Gotta go. Bye, Diva,” she said before rushing to follow some kids her age as they left the station.

Erika hung back, waiting until the last of the kids and their parents had gone before slowly approaching Reed. “That was great.” She had no doubt that the kids had learned information that could save their lives in an emergency.