Safe Harbor, Ash & Sarah: #3 (Where Sage Meets Sky Series)

Second Story Books was officially closed, but the street lamp lights glowed through the windows as Sarah climbed the old wooden stairs. She found Ash in her favorite reading nook - a window seat overlooking Main Street, surrounded by stacks of books about mountain rescue and wilderness survival.

"Did homework, I see," Sarah smiled, noting the carefully placed bookmarks and sticky notes.

"Occupational hazard of bookstore owners - we research everything." Ash moved some books to make room. "Though I have to admit, rescue narratives are more compelling when you've actually been the rescuee."

Sarah settled into the window seat, accepting a cup of the special evening blend Mattie had sent over from Mountain Time. The bookstore after hours had a magical quality - warm lamplight catching the gold lettering on old spines, the smell of paper and leather binding mixing with coffee steam.

"Tell me about your most memorable rescue," Ash said, curling up with her own cup. "If you're allowed to share, that is."

"Most aren't classified," Sarah replied. "Though some stay with you more than others." She paused, considering. "There was one last spring - a family caught in a flash flood up Paradise Valley. Parents, two kids, dog. Water came up so fast they barely had time to get on their roof."

Ash watched Sarah's face as she told the story, noting how she came alive in the telling - her hands moving to illustrate the helicopter approach, her voice carrying the same quiet confidence it...