Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (Hot Cowboy Nights, #3)(20)

“But here we are, both still free, aren’t we?”

He didn’t answer. Yeah, technically he was free, and she was still the same Tonya, but the attraction he’d felt was gone. Dead as dirt.

She glanced at the phone in his hand. “Or was that more than just a friend?”

“Not yet,” he replied. “But I have hope.”

“Really?” Her lips curved into the slow, sexy smile that had once dazzled him but now had little effect. “Then so do I.”





Chapter 8


San Jacinto, California

Haley had barely dropped her duffel and backpack before her grandma folded her in a smothering hug. “Sweetheart! We’re so glad you’re finally back!”

“I’m glad to be home too, Grams, but it’s only for a couple of weeks. I’ve enrolled for the summer semester to try and make up for the nine months I spent in Alaska.”

“But weren’t you working on research while you were there?”

“Yes,” she said. “And I’ll get some special credit for it, but I still have another year to finish my undergrad degree. The good news is I’ve just been offered a position with the Wolf Recovery Alliance. They’re studying wolves in all the national parks.”

“So this is a paid position?” Gramps asked.

She pursed her lips. “Well…not exactly. It’s still voluntary, but there is a stipend. What matters is how it’ll look on my CV. I’m certain it will help get me into the master’s program at Montana State.”

He eyed her skeptically. “Sweetheart, while I fully understand a young person’s yen for adventure, are you really certain this is the career direction you wish to take?”

“Yes,” she insisted. Her work with the wolves had given her a feeling of purpose she’d never known before. “I’ve never been more certain of anything. You have no idea what it’s like to be out there in the wild. Wolves are unlike any other beings, Gramps. They’re affectionate, monogamous in their mating, and will die to protect their pack. They even mourn the loss of their loved ones. In some ways, I almost think they’re superior to us.”

“We appreciate your passion, Haley,” Grams interjected. “But perhaps you could work with wild animals in a more practical setting? How about in a zoo? They hire veterinarians, don’t they? All those creatures need care, and San Diego has a lovely zoo.”

“But they’re captive, Grams, don’t you see? Sure, they get food and medical care, but so do people in prison. It’s a miserable life for them. How could I ever be part of that?”

“But you could have a normal life,” her grandmother suggested with a look of concern.

“It’s my life, isn’t it? Shouldn’t I be allowed to decide? And what’s normal anyway, Grams? Maybe the wilderness is not what you would want, but living close to nature is normal for thousands of people.”

“You want to be one of them? With no electricity? No plumbing?” Gramps shook his head. “Why on earth would anyone want to go back to the Stone Age?”

“Maybe technology hasn’t advanced society as much as you think it has. Our lives are so rushed that no one takes time out to care about anything or anyone anymore. That’s what impressed me most about the wolves, how they look after one another.”

“So you’re saying you want to give up your car, laptop, and iPhone?” Gramps asked. “All for the betterment of society, of course.”

Haley flushed. “That’s not fair, Gramps. You know I need those things. How can I finish school otherwise?”

“But sweetheart, you just said…”

“You’re missing my whole point!”

“Then maybe you can explain it to me a little better?”

Haley exhaled a big sigh. “I’m just saying I want to make a positive impact in the world.”

“That’s admirable, Haley,” Grams interjected. “But perhaps you should take some time to think all this through. There are many careers that could give you a similar feeling of satisfaction. How about something in medicine? Nurses make a difference every day.”

“The universities are full of nursing students,” Haley argued. “But how many people are fighting to save the environment? Our wildlife? You can’t even begin to understand the magnitude of the issues until you’ve seen them with your own eyes. That’s why we’re making a documentary—to show the world what’s really happening.”

“Haley,” her grandpa began, “you know we love you and have always encouraged you to follow your dreams, but this time—”

She shook her head. “I love you too, Gramps, and know you only want the best for me, but I’m not a child anymore. This is what I want for my life. You’ll see. It’s not a mistake. I’ll make you proud. I promise.”

On that note, Haley hauled her gear to her bedroom and began unpacking. She was home at last, but felt almost as if she was a stranger in the house she’d grown up in.

She opened her closet to find Reid’s jacket still hanging there. She was suddenly reminded of his Christmas Eve phone call, almost four months ago. He hadn’t called her since. She wondered if he’d finally given up. She pulled the jacket from the hanger, wondering if she should just send it back to him. Something dropped from the pocket, landing at her feet. A Leatherman utility knife? She’d bought a similar one while in Alaska. Haley picked it up and shoved it back into the pocket only to encounter something else. Paper, but smoother, stiffer.