But when a position opened up with The Nature Conservancy in the Lower Clearwater region that offered me the chance to combine my grant writing skills with my passion for all things wild—including plenty of fieldwork—I jumped. Switching to the private sector has been a much better fit. I love my wonderfully quirky coworkers and the projects we get to tackle. Even though the work I do now may only benefit a smaller region of my home state, its protection will never come under fire because of swings in politics or budget cuts.
As part of my hire, I asked to spearhead a renewed Winter Range Project to benefit the Snow Creek herd, but it quickly became Colton’s pet project. Though CJ oversees everything and The Nature Conservancy helps with funding, he’s in charge of organizing volunteer work parties like this one, though with my family and extended network of friends pitching in, we always have a full crew. Today marks our fifth, and my heart is practically bursting when I think of how much we’ve accomplished. Even if only one more antelope or elk or moose makes it down to the lower elevations without getting tangled up in this old fencing this winter, it’ll be a win.
Dad’s friend Luke and Sheriff Rumsey worked for months to help CJ track down his sister, but it wasn’t the answer he was hoping for. Molly Parks died of an overdose at a truck stop outside of Prosser, Washington. CJ was devastated, and sick with guilt, but thanks to his therapist and the love and support from me and my family, he’s learning to let her go.
I catch up to him in a patch of shade, where Zach and Sofie have set up a cooler with cold drinks. He hands me a can of sparkling water, then leans in for a kiss.
I lean in, closing my eyes, and savor the scent of pine and sun-warmed earth and the softness of his lips.
He hums in delight, then leans back with that sultry smile that knocks me flat. “Your dad’s getting around pretty good.” He cracks open a can forhimself.
“Is it weird now that we’re both gone?” Dad needed almost six months of rehab before he was cleared for duty. Some of that time was spent in the role of temporary Deputy Director, thanks to Scott Shay getting the promotion he so wanted after taking credit for IDFW’s role in rescuing me—the scoundrel.
But Dad only spent nine months back in the job before he turned the Clearwater Lower Bitterroot over to CJ. His new hip has allowed him to be more active again, and he hasn’t slowed down since. He’s either hiking in the mountains with Colton, or adventuring with Skye, Curren, and Tanya, or going on horseback rides with Keo, or skiing with me, or working on projects with CJ, like the house we bought this spring. A fixer-upper but with good bones and a practically new barn for Jasper, his pack horse Jambalaya, and my mare, Oreo.
CJ cocks his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I miss cornering you in your office. I miss that desk.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “The kitchen counter seems to be working just fine.”
He leans in to kiss the place below my ear, sucking just a little. “Maybe at quitting time, I can drive us into the woods and bend you over my tailgate.”
I turn to nibble at his ear, my pulse tapping lower. “Think we have time before the picnic tonight?”
He winks. “Time management is one of my many skills.”
I wrap my arm around his neck. “You’re on, cowboy.”
“I love you, Linnea Jaymes.” He kisses me again.
Even though we’ve been saying these words to each other for over a year now, hearing them still gives me butterflies.
I let my lips linger on his and roll my body closer. “Love you back.”
Later that night, after the promised detour and a quick stop at home for showers and to pack up our potluck contribution, we head to Hazel Creek Campground, my family’s favorite spot.
This gathering is special because not only are CJ’s grandparents joining us nowthat they live in Finn River, but Maryanne and Bear, just returning from their honeymoon, are coming too, and Dad’s friend Luke Ballard is coming down from Maple Canyon where he relocated to help out on his family’s ranch.
Losing his fiancée in the conflict with Sons of Eden made it impossible for him to continue working in law enforcement. Dad says being home with his big family is helping him heal, and I hope it’s true.
After a yummy picnic dinner of barbecued chicken and Barb’s famous potato salad and singing campfire songs led by Morgan, Charlotte, Jesse, and Skye around the big bonfire, we roast s’mores and tell stories with lots of laughter.
CJ hasn’t left my side all night, and even though we made good use of his tailgate earlier, I can’t wait for later, when he’ll take me home.
I pull my perfectly roasted marshmallow from the coals, but the pair of graham crackers I had waiting on my knee is gone. “Bruneau!” I say on a groan while my family laughs.
CJ lunges for the box. “I’ve got you.”
But when he offers it to me, the look on his face makes my stomach swoop. It’s intense and tender all at once. A look that says we’re two halves fitted together to make a whole. That we belong. A look that saysI love you,all of you.
Puzzled why he’d look at me like this with a box of graham crackers in his hand, I reach inside.
When my fingers brush soft velvet instead of crackers, I jump to my feet, dropping my roasting stick and clamping my hand over my mouth.
“What?” I whisper as I tighten my hold on the velvet box.
The chatter around the fire goes quiet. This can’t be happening. Is this really happening?
CJ sets the graham cracker box aside then drops to one knee.