“I got a call from Syd.”
Her boss didn’t even blink. “Did you assure him all is fine?”
“I did.” Devin rose to her feet. “I’ll leave you to snooze in the sun. By the way, great job on those rapids. You really did look impressive, and I know that took some effort.”
He cracked open one lid. “It was a rush in the same terrifying way rollercoasters are. Never could understand why people enjoy those things.”
“I adore rollercoasters and bungee jumping and hang gliding and—”
He closed his eye again. “You’re crazy.”
“So I’ve been told. Have a nice nap.” Stepping carefully across the slippery ledge, Devin made her way over to the guides.
The men broke off their conversation and turned to face her. Jon spoke first. “Something we can do to help you?”
Her gaze flicked from the older man’s wide grin to Sawyer’s closed expression. He was definitely hard to read, and after their conversation the previous night, she wasn’t at all sure what he thought of her.
She cleared her throat. “I was wondering how long we’ll stay here.”
Sawyer glanced toward the congressman and back. “We were just discussing that. Walton looks wiped out. I think we’ll hang out for a while before heading down to our campsite. No reason to rush.”
“In that case, maybe I’ll go for a short hike. I’d like to stretch my legs.”
“Why don’t you go with her, Sawyer?” Jon poked his boss with an elbow. “Make sure she doesn’t get lost since there’s not much of a trail to follow.”
Devin backed up a step. “You don’t have to—”
“Actually, I’d love to get in a little exercise.” Sawyer interrupted her protest then flashed a quick smile. “We won’t be gone long.” Laying a hand on her arm, he guided her up the hillside studded with rocks and trees.
“I’m not exactly dressed for a serious hike.” She glanced down at her neon orange bikini top paired with flowered board shorts and water sandals.
“As long as the shoes have decent tread and are comfortable, you’ll be fine. We aren’t scaling any mountains.”
“If you say so.” She waved toward the hillside. “Looks pretty mountainous to me.”
“We aren’t going to the top. A few years ago I discovered a spot with a terrific view only a short climb from here.”
Devin panted a little as she dropped behind him on the trail up the rugged slope. The man had the skills of a mountain goat. She didn’t have any breath left for a conversation and was thankful he didn’t seem to expect one. Pushing her sunglasses up her nose, she wiped sweat off her brow and wondered what his definition of a short climb was.
When they reached a tricky section with a steep pitch and loose gravel, he reached back to take her hand. “Watch your step here.”
“You think?” She inched along, afraid to pry her gaze off her feet. The big hand clamped around hers added a layer of confidence she sorely needed on the open cliff face with its narrow ledge. “I’m glad I’m not afraid of heights. Not much, anyway.”
He hesitated then shot her a concerned glance. “Sorry, the thought never even occurred to me. You seem so ultra-confident about everything.”
“Thanks, but this is a little outside my comfort zone.” She let out a sigh when they reached the other side and the ground leveled out a bit. “However, I’m always up for a challenge.”
“Good to know.”
Devin skipped a step to catch up as the trail widened and they were able to walk side-by-side. “I’ve been missing my dog and feeling guilty for hiking without him, but now I’m glad he isn’t with us.”
Sawyer glanced down at her. “Oh, why’s that?”
“Tiny is a total klutz. He’d have fallen over his own feet and nose-dived off the cliff.”
A grin flashed, and he squeezed the hand he still held. “I thought dogs were supposed to resemble their owners. Nothing uncoordinated about you.”
“Good thing, or I wouldn’t have made it across that ledge.”
“Yeah, you would have. Anyway, we’ve arrived.”
They rounded a bend, and the vista opened up to majestic splendor. Below them, the Salmon River sliced through an evergreen bowl studded with patches of early fall color, bright nuggets in a sea of green.
Devin drew in a breath. “Beautiful.”
His gaze held steady on her face. “Without a doubt.” He motioned toward a low rock. “Want to sit for a while?”
“Sure.” She dropped down then slid over to make room for him. “Thanks for bringing me up here. The view is worth those few minutes of nail-biting.”
He leaned back, one elbow brushing hers. “I needed a little peace and quiet away from the group.”
“Funny, I was thinking the same thing earlier.”
“Until I busted in on your alone time?” He gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that.”
“I’m not. You’re restful to be around. Not a lot of chatter. No drama. No whining.”
His grin sent a flutter through her chest before his expression sobered.
“You’re the opposite of restful.”
She drew back. “I am?”
He nodded then ran a finger down the length of her arm. “When I’m around you, I spend most of my time thinking about only one thing.”
The heat in his eyes stole her breath. Her response was a mere whisper. “What do you think about?”
“This.”
Chapter 4
Sawyer couldn’t help himself. Taking Devin’s chin in his hand, he kissed her. She tasted of raspberry soda, sunshine and woman, and smelled almost as good. A mixture of sunscreen, river water and something uniquely Devin. Those full lips were as soft as he’d imagined while lying awake the night before, and she responded with an enthusiasm that set his heart racing. His fingers threaded through silky hair to cup her head as he deepened the contact.
A blue jay squawking in a nearby tree intruded before what he’d intended as a casual kiss got completely out of control. Reluctantly, he broke away.
She let out a gusty breath. “Wow, I guess I was right.”
He pulled back a little farther to look into sparkling blue eyes. “Huh? Right about what?”
“That you’d make me forget all about—” She clamped her teeth together. “Never mind. That was some kiss.”
The brilliant smile that accompanied her words fogged his brain. He cleared his throat and dragged his gaze away. “Uh, I should apologize. I don’t know why I—”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m not. That kiss was on the horizon from the minute we met, as inevitable as the sunrise. The only thing in question is what we want to do about it.”
“Are you always this straight-forward?”
“Pretty much.”
He grinned. “My godfather did warn me—”
“He what!” Her shriek drowned out the squawking jay.
Sawyer held up both hands. “Not in a bad way. He merely mentioned you tell it like it is…and don’t suffer fools.”
Her eyes