From Park Ranger To Phoenix

r bones, a chill that had nothing

mpersonal guest room on the v

d Mia couldn't refuse without causing

her cabin, a formal invitation had

as different. Distant. The vo

k. There' s a charity gala. It would me

sh, a tiny, stupid spark of

to explain. Mayb

d the moment

state, a place so grand

toria Sterling was by his side, dripping

toria said, her voice syrupy sweet, but

est. She was an exhibit. Or perhaps a chaperone of so

eliers, champagne, and people whose clo

olden couple, laughing, touch

ictoria, his hand resting

to find hers, his fingers lacing thro

chin resting on her head, m

arely loo

le navy blue one she' d bought for a

buffet table laden with exot

up of her friends

e of them whispered, n

hat is she wearing?" another said,

ression. "Ethan has such a kin

face

nearby. He

mfortably. "La

eak defens

ould have pulled her away, his eyes

back to Victoria, who was now clinging to his arm, p

a small, drab bird in

grand speech. He spoke of charity,

ia with another gift. A s

, my love," he said, his voic

breath

is voice husky with emotion, when he'

ia. The color of t

fresh wave, s

er palms, fighting back tears. She would not cry

nded. Mia was exhaust

as an engagement party on

, the sky growing dark,

ching the churning water, fee

the yacht. Wind howl

lurched v

e scr

t herself tipping, then a hor

er envel

ing, the waves cra

n the water nearby. Vict

railing, his face

from Victo

s met. Mia saw a flicker of

aze fixed o

ut he swam to

g her towards a life preser

d seeping into her, he

waves were relentless, and her s

ping Victoria bac

t look ba

in the churnin

d began to numb her, a crew member finall