Easton was fine with no one else ever coming to Moose Springs, but he was invested enough in his clients to want River’s documentary to turn out well. Sometimes Easton felt torn in what they were doing here. He’d always fallen hard on the side of “no tourists,” but Moose Springs was changing, slowly but surely. Lana and Graham had worked hard to try to balance the fiscal needs of the town versus the needs of the people to be left in peace.

Lana single-handedly getting the bulk of the town’s commercial property out of corporate hands and into the hands of the residents had done a lot to smooth ruffled feathers. But even though Lana had become much more accepted in Moose Springs, no one loved her condo project next to the resort. If Graham managed to keep them from being completed, tying Lana up in red tape for the next century, no one would protest. Except for maybe Rick.

And yes, he didn’t want strangers overrunning his town. But tourism had brought Zoey and Lana into his friends’ lives. Glancing over, Easton watched River drink in the mountain that was so important to him, relishing the weight of her form pressed against his side.

See? Tourism wasn’t that bad.

The marmot chirped, an unhappy sound, then wiggled between their legs so it could lean against Easton too.

He could have stood there with her for as long as she wanted, enjoying her while she enjoyed the view. The marmot…he could have gone without it snuggling in closer. But Easton knew the safe hours for traveling were ticking down while he lingered. Finally, he stepped away. “I’m going to scout ahead. Let Ben know if you need anything.” She didn’t answer, not until he murmured her name. “River?”

“Hmm?”

“You sure you’re okay?”

Maybe it was just him, but her color was a touch off, too pale for the blustering wind chilling their skin. Her eyes were still on the world around them, and for a moment, he thought she hadn’t even heard him. Finally, she turned back to Easton, eyes bright.

“I’m amazing.”

• • •

When Easton suggested she take a nap, River was grateful. She’d tried her best all day to ignore her growing headache. The pressure in her head had been steadily building, like a headband squeezing too tightly around her temples. Every hour of climbing had felt like four, and setting up camp was even worse.

Sadly, as good as that nap sounded, she couldn’t take him up on it.

They all shared the tasks around camp, and asking someone to pick up the slack so she could rest wasn’t okay. Instead, she helped finish setting up camp while Easton left them to check the route ahead, the marmot at his heels.