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all right. Just ask that snowdrift over there.”
    She swatted at him. “Guess I’ll never live that one down, will I?”
    “Nope.” He held up a tiny camera. “And I got a great picture of it, too.” Clint brought the view screen over to Zack. “It’s a great shot, isn’t it, Ranger Taylor?”
    Karon grabbed for the camera. “You’re asking for it, Clint.” For a moment she looked embarrassed, and then the laughter started again.
    Zack adjusted his goggles. “I think I should plead the fifth.” The picture was hilarious. Arms and legs splayed with the snow exploding around her as she hit. But Karon probably wouldn’t appreciate hearing that.
    Brother razzed sister a little more. “This would make a great post on Facebook, don’t you think?”
    Karon finished brushing off snow and stood straight, not missing a beat. “Only if you want the picture of you as a baby with your bare little hiney exposed to the world.”
    “Oh, you play dirty.”
    “I learned from the best.”
    Zack watched the interchange. He’d never had siblings, so the banter was new to him. Sarcasm and Southern accents flew across the snow, but the warmth that radiated from the two made him yearn for more.
    Clint smiled. “Thank you, thank you very much.”
    “For what?” She placed her hands on her hips.
    “For saying I’m the best.” He took a bow.
    She smacked him. “Pfft. I didn’t learn anything from you, baby brother. I was talking about my kindergartners.”
    Zack laughed out loud at that one.
    Lionel walked up to him and held out his hand. “Ranger Taylor. How’re you this fine day?”
    “Good, Lionel. Good.” The guide’s presence reminded him to focus on the task at hand. “You all set?”
    “Yes, indeed,” the guide answered. “We’ll be here tonight and tomorrow night to acclimate before we ascend.”
    “All right. I have to check with the others. Let me know if you need something.” Zack hesitated. He wanted a reason to come back and check on this party.
    Karon and Lionel pulled sleds and gear away. She waved to him as she left.
    Clint stepped closer to Zack. “Excuse me, Ranger Taylor?”
    Zack stopped. “Yep?”
    “Do you like to read?”
    He narrowed his eyebrows. “Read?”
    “Yes, read. As in books.”
    “Um, sure. I guess.” Where was this going?
    “My sister is a book buff.”
    Zack scratched his head. “A book buff.”
    Clint let out a sigh. “As in, she loves books. Inhales books.”
    He still didn’t get it. “Okay. And I need to know this, because …”
    “Are all rangers this dense?”
    If it hadn’t been so funny, Zack might’ve been offended. “I sure hope so.” Otherwise, he really was an idiot.
    Clint laughed at that one. “I’m trying to help you out.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “With my sister. Karon.” Clint crossed his arms. “You like her. I saw how you were looking at her in the briefing … your reaction when she said I was her brother.”
    Whoa. Zack held up his hands.
    “Don’t deny it. You already stuck your foot in your mouth, and if you looked at her much longer today, I guarantee there’d be drool frozen to your chin.” He turned to walk away. “If you want to talk to her again, ask for a book. That’s all I’m sayin’.”

    Karon couldn’t believe it. Her first night sleeping in a tent on the side of Denali and she threw off the sleeping bag because she was hot. Maybe she wore too many layers. Or maybe the fact that the sun still shone played tricks on her mind. Her brother snored on the other side of the small tent, his long arms extended. That man needed a king-sized bed just for himself. Shoving him over, she smacked his arm. “You’re snoring, you big lug. Be quiet.”
    A grunt and then a snort and then blessed silence. Karon peeled off her top layer and slid back into her bag. Tomorrow she might see Zack again. That alone made the delay in ascension worth it. At first, she hadn’t been too happy with the schedule, but the need for her