He swiped his last French fry through ketchup and pointed it at her. “And yet you, with your shit together, are here doing certification training for something you’re not qualified for?”
Now she did wince. “The only part I’m not qualified for is the rock climbing. And I have actually done some climbs that weren’t in the gym. Taylor’s taken me a few times, but since I started grad school, there hasn’t been time. Look, Taylor knows the handbook backward and forward. She’s certified in first aid, CPR, and a whole laundry list of other things you probably saw on her application. She absolutely is qualified to deal with the rock climbing, and she’ll be back by the test on Friday in plenty of time to prove it.”
Beckett’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re asking what, exactly?”
“I’m asking you not to blow the whistle.”
“You’re asking me to lie.” The hard tone told her she’d lost this battle, but she made one last effort.
“I’m asking you to wait. She needs this job. More, she desperately wants this job, and she’ll be great at it. And if, for whatever reason, she doesn’t pass the certification tests, then whatever the consequences are, they’re on her. I’m just asking you to give her a chance.”
Shoving the plate away, he sat back and studied her, finally shaking his head. “I won’t lie to Michael. I won’t pretend the person I’m working with is qualified, when she’s not.”
Sarah’s hope withered. She blew out a breath. “I understand. I had no right to ask you to cover for her. For us. I’ll find the Tullys when we get back to camp and explain.”
“No, you won’t. You’re going back to camp, and we’re going back to that equipment shed. And I’m not letting you leave it until you can name everything in there, piece-by-piece. Then tomorrow morning, you’ll be up with the sun to start all over again.”
She stared at him. “Excuse me?”
“I won’t lie. But I’ll get you certification-ready myself.”
For a long moment she simply sat in stunned silence. “Why would you do that?”
“Much as I disagree with what you’re doing, I appreciate the motivation behind it. I get what it means for somebody to give you a chance when the odds are stacked against you. Add to that, I like you.” His mouth snapped shut after the admission, a little like slamming the barn door after the horses had gotten out.
“Thank you. Truly. My sister and I will both owe you.”
Beckett waved that way. “Not worried about that. Now finish your burger. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
~*~
Beckett was going to regret this. What the hell was he thinking, promising to certify an almost totally green climber by the end of the week? Irritation—with himself, with the situation, with her—made his movements jerky as he unlocked the equipment shed and let them inside.
You weren’t thinking with your big boy brain.
Which was also ridiculous. She’d be gone in a week. Where did he think this was gonna go?
He blamed Michael and Heather and their absurdly infectious happiness. He blamed this place. Most of all, he blamed the fact that he couldn’t bet against the underdog. He’d been one too often in his life, so he had sympathy for the real Taylor. And a helluva lot of respect for the sister who was willing to put herself out there trying to help her.
“Sit,” he ordered.
She did, without complaint, waiting as he gathered up gear.
By the time he sat across from her at the work bench, he was calmer. “I’m not going to ask you what you already know. I’ll teach you as I’d teach any novice.”
“Okay.”
He slipped into instructor mode, repeating the lecture he’d given so often to beginner classes in the past. He went over components, explained their purpose, showed how each worked together. Through it all, Sarah listened, intent. And when he asked her to repeat the details back, she did, without error.
“You’re a good student.”
“Ought to be. I’ve practically made a career of it.”
That’s right. She’d mentioned she was in grad school.
Beckett picked up one of the harnesses. “Now we’re going to suit you up.” As he took in her expression of alarm, he added, “Not to climb tonight. Just to show you proper harness fit and begin introduction to the knots you’ll be using.” He held it out so she could step into it.
Hesitating only a moment, she laid her hand on his shoulder for balance and slipped one leg through, then the other. Beckett rose and worked the harness up, which pulled her nearly flush against his body. He’d been in this position countless times before, but his blood had never begun to pump like this. Her hand was still on his shoulder and her pupils dilated wide, those Bambi eyes tempting him to dive in and drown.