Stephanie mustered a watery smile.

Amber’s eyes cut away to focus over Stephanie’s shoulder. “I guess that’s it for the truck, though.”

“It was pretty spectacular,” Wesley put in.

Alec frowned at him. “A small fire can do a lot of damage.”

Amber looked back at Alec. “Thank you,” she told him in a shaky voice.

“I’m just glad you’re all right.” His smile was so gentle that something warm bloomed to life inside Stephanie.

Amber was going to be okay, and it was because of Alec.

Royce’s truck appeared over the rise, tires barely touching down between high spots on the dirt road. A cloud of dust rolled out behind him.

And then he was sliding to a stop at the scene. He burst out of the driver’s door, hitting the ground running as the thump, thump, thump of the chopper blades sounded in the sky.

Alec watched the towing company employees winch the wrecked pickup onto the flatbed truck. He’d talked to Jared in Chicago, and they agreed to have it removed as quickly as possible. Royce had called to report that Amber would be released from the hospital in a couple of hours. Alec was relieved to learn that Amber’s recovery would be short.

She had a few stitches in her forehead, but there were no worries of a concussion. Other than that, she’d only suffered scrapes and bruises. Royce was getting them a hotel room in Missoula, and they were coming home in the morning.

Steel clanked and cables groaned as the half-burned hulk inched its way up the ramps. Several of the ranch employees stood to watch. But it was nearing eight o’clock, and most had returned to their jobs or their homes once they heard the good news about Amber.

Stephanie appeared beside Alec, tucking her cell phone into her pocket and pushing her messy hair back from her forehead. “Amber’s making jokes.”

Alec was also relieved to see Stephanie getting back to normal. She hadn’t been injured, but she’d seemed almost in shock there for a few minutes.