Once Upon a Campfire (Meet Cute Romance 6)
Sarah set her empty cup down. “Teach me, oh wise one. What are we doing today?”
“You’re going to practice your knots, and then you’re suiting up and we’re going to practice falling.”
As she watched him grab the equipment, she didn’t think she needed any more practice doing that.
~*~
Beckett loved summer storms. To his mind, nothing beat a good thunderstorm for driving people inside and encouraging naps—or other horizontal activities. Not that Sarah was cooperating on either front, just now. She stood at the doorway to his cabin, looking out at the torrential downpour that had granted them an unexpected reprieve from all the hard work of the week. The other staff had mostly holed up at the big lodge for games. Those who hadn’t were ensconced in their own cabins, making the most of their leisure. He knew what he’d rather be doing with his.
“Will you come sit down?”
“Are you sure we can’t head down to the equipment shed? Do some more drills or something? I hate to waste practice time.”
It could never be said that Sarah didn’t take her tutelage seriously. “Honey, you’ve conquered Boulder Mountain and passed every demonstration and oral quiz I’ve thrown at you.” She had, in fact, excelled at every single challenge he’d thrown her way. She was a natural. “You’ve earned a break. C’mere.” Beckett patted the bed beside him.
With one last glance out at the rain, Sarah slipped off her sandals and flopped down on the mattress, frowning.
“That is not the expression of a woman happy to be in my bed.”
Her lip quirked into a half smile as she gave him the side eye. “I’m sorry. I just can’t settle. I’m worried about the certification.”
Beckett stroked a hand down her arm and laced his fingers with hers. “You’re not the one who has to take the test.” It was as much a reminder for himself as for her. He didn’t want to think about the fact that she’d be gone in a couple of days, and he’d be spending the summer seeing a woman with her face who wasn’t her.
“Yeah, but I’m in it now. I have to finish the training, have to be ready.”
“Just in case?”
On a sigh, she rolled toward him, snuggling against his chest. “Mostly just to prove that I can be.”
“Because everything’s a competition.”
Sarah hummed in agreement.
Beckett couldn’t wrap his head around that worldview. “Does it come from being a twin? This competitive streak? Were you and Taylor always trying to outdo each other growing up?”
“Some. But a lot of times the competition is with myself.”
He tipped his head down to study her. “What are you trying to prove?”
She considered the question. “I don’t know. When I was younger, I think some of it was to prove that I wasn’t like Taylor. That I could stick things out, finish stuff. Then I guess I got addicted to winning. I like knowing I can push myself to do better, be better.”
“Admirable,” he conceded. “But exhausting, I’d think.”
“Sometimes.”
Beckett shifted her closer, pleased when she tangled her legs with his. “I think there’s a place for competition and sticktoitiveness. But it’s not everything. Some things shouldn’t be finished. Fights. Brussels sprouts. Things that don’t make you happy.”
Sarah folded her hands across his chest and propped her chin on them. “Didn’t it bug you? Walking away from your MBA, when you were so close to done?”
He didn’t even hesitate. “No.”
“You didn’t feel like you’d wasted that time and money?”
“Some,” he admitted. “But I don’t think I’d have realized it wasn’t for me without doing it. So in that sense, it wasn’t a waste. I loved working for the National Park Service.”
“I’m sorry things turned out like they did.” Sympathy shone in those big, doe eyes.
“Eh, it’s a hard job. Harder than most people realize. People think it’s all hiking and climbing and doing fun outdoors stuff. It’s also rescues and being law enforcement and dealing with deaths and drugs and a million other things that happen under the surface, behind the scenes. I was headed toward burning out there, too.” Another three years, maybe five, he’d have been ready to move on.