“Well, yes.” Sophie shifted from one foot to the other, unsure if she cared for the intensity of Jessica’s gaze. “But it’s not as if he has any other choice. He has to get her used to it—the puppy, that is. Bubbles will be heading out with him during the fire season for hours at a time, so they both have to be comfortable with the pouch. It’s good practice.”

“So…it was your idea?”

“Yeah. I read a few case studies. It’s the best way for someone as active as Harrison.” And a puppy as skittish as Bubbles, but she didn’t say that part out loud.

“You just handed him a baby sling, and he put it on?”

“I mean, he wasn’t excited about it, but I hardly expected him to be.” Sophie smiled, remembering his expression. “He came around in the end. I knew he would. He’ll do anything for that puppy.”

Jessica release a long, low whistle and shook her head. “You’re a stronger woman than I, that’s for sure. I doubt I’d have made it through Harrison’s training if my ex hadn’t been so determined that we do this together. I cried three times the first day.”

“He made you cry?” Sophie asked, incredulous. This woman looked like she drank tears for breakfast.

“He makes everyone cry.” Jessica heaved a sigh. “Well, he didn’t make my ex cry, but I learned that was only because the jerk doesn’t have a heart. We broke up not too much later, but Harrison fought to make sure I got the wildfire crew in the split, so it wasn’t all bad. He saved me in a way. Volunteering was one of the only things that got me through that mess. You’ll like it—you pick stuff up much quicker than you realize.”

Sophie raised her hands and took a step back. “Oh, I’m not part of the team. I’m just here to—”

She bumped into a warm male body. Two hands dropped to her waist to steady her, lingering long enough for her heart to leap in her chest. She turned, trying to temper her reaction to one that was more appropriate to the time and place, but there was no need. It wasn’t Harrison coming to see how she was faring; it was Derek.

Like Jessica, Harrison, and pretty much everyone besides Sophie, he looked fearfully capable of handling any and all feats of outdoor athleticism. His shorn head and fatigue-style camouflage spoke to a military past, but his wide smile made him highly approachable.

“I came to see how you were holding up,” he said. “She’s terrifying, right?”

“Oh, no, Jessica’s been lovely—” Sophie began, but Derek laughed and turned his attention to the other woman.