It’d not only suck to fly into a mountain, but he wasn’t about to risk Kit’s life. Ever.

He joined Ruston and Kit at the camp stove.

“I like her,” the retired Marine announced. “You should keep her.”

Kit sputtered, but her eyes danced.

“I like her too.” Hawk held his arm out and was pleased when she leaned against him so he could pull her close. He was enjoying the silent dance of consent between them. “We need to be off.”

“Okay.” Kit handed the Marine her mug. “There’s supposed to be fog in a while.”

“Damned stuff.” Ruston shook Hawk’s hand. “Fly safe. We’ll need a ride out of this place in another week or so.”

Hawk lifted his chin in acknowledgment.

As he tucked Kit into the cockpit, he saw the men working on stringing up the food storage wire between two trees. He’d also left them some bear-proof containers to use on the ground.

After strapping in, Kit donned her headphones.

He tossed a salute at Ruston and Foreman, then lifted into the sky and started the flight toward home.

Unfortunately, before they were halfway down the mountains, billowing white fog had started to conceal the passes.

Damn. He shouldn’t have brought Kit.

“That doesn’t look good,” she said quietly.

“Nope. We need to set down for the night.”

“But—Aric.”

“He’ll be safe. Best if we get you home to him in one piece.”

Her eyes widened, but although her hands tightened in her lap, she stayed calm.

Hell of a woman. A touch could send her into a panic attack, but a possible helicopter crash? She had it under control.

“We land, spend the night. The sun and wind will lift the fog in the morning.” He handed her the satellite phone. “Let Gabe know.”

“Right. Okay.”

As she talked with Gabe, he circled, keeping high enough the phone would work.

“He says he’ll let Frankie know.” Kit turned off the device. “And that she’ll like playing godmother.”

Frankie adored Aric. “Yeah.” Hawk dropped them into the next valley, searching for a spot to land.

Near a stream, the fog was patchy enough to see the ground—and there was a small flat clearing just calling his name.

He took them down.

Why did her phone always ring any time she left it upstairs?

Grumbling, Frankie ran up to the master bedroom. There it was. She’d left it on the dresser when she changed. Gabe’s name showed on the display.

“Hey, Gabe. What’s up?”

“The fog is going to keep Hawk and Kit from making it back tonight. They’ll spend the night in the mountains.”

Cavalo. Her knees went weak, and she dropped onto the bed. “Are they all right?”

“They’re fine.” Gabe’s easy-going laugh was reassuring. “Hawk’s flown into enemy fire, at night, into shitty terrain. A little fog isn’t a worry.”