Page 49 of Special Agent Anastacia

“Please.”

Searching for words, he scratched at his scarred face before answering. Finally, he said, “It’s the job. The winning. Saving property and people. Being the good guy. It gets into your blood. Don’t know how better to explain.”

Ana nodded, understanding washing over her like a tidal wave, forcing her to see the love of what he did through his eyes. Reaching out with a trembling hand – something that didn’t come easy – she rasped, her voice still not perfect. “Thank you.”

He nodded and stood, giving her room to stand herself.

“Am I good to go now?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right behind you.”

Chapter Thirty-five

Even though he’d gotten his lady to safety, Nash’s stomach still clogged his throat. And the sweat pooling under his clothes wasn’t solely from the excessive heat. Never having experienced these symptoms before, he knew the truth. Today, he personally understood what others endured at the thought of someone they loved being caught in the very enemy he’d fought all these many years.

Seeing that fucking, glorious ATV racing at them through the flames had left him sobbing in relief, and his men cheering. Goddammit, he never wanted to live through torture like that again.

He glanced over at the truck, wondering what took Tiger so long in applying a bit of ointment. Knowing he was needed out here to help his men, give them orders, and keep everyone focused, he forced himself not to go back and check.

Almost at the point of giving in, he watched the two exit the truck, old Tiger helping her like a gentleman, holding Ana’shand as if they’d shared a moment. Maudlin from the sight, he forced himself to get back on track. They needed to maintain control over the wildfires rocketing towards them.

“Keep the roadside clean as you can, boys.” He watched as the men brushed aside burning, fallen tree branches that the fire had destroyed. “Leave the truck behind us until we see a clearing ahead. We gotta keep it safe. They’re depending on us to get our equipment back to help in town.”

Nash glanced across the lake at the hospital where more houses and businesses could be seen in the distance. On the hills behind, the red glow of a moving fire showed itself, waving flames torching from one area to the other… the beast jumping and skipping through the treetops like a happy toddler without a care in the world.

While the hotshots worked zealously with Ana and her cousin alongside them, he moved to Ono and pointed to where they could best place their suction hose that drained water from the lake.” Now that this area is cleared, let’s hook up the pumps and fill the tanks on the truck. Then unblock the road ahead as much as we can. We need to keep that rig safe.”

“On it.” His second in command, Chuck Ono’s nod showed his agreement with the plan.

Answering the call blasting through on his radio phone, Nash listened to the static message. Then he tried using his cell to no avail. Giving up, he moved to where Ana stamped with her boots at the small fires that caught in the dry underbrush.

“Dave’s on the radio phone. He’s worried about the Roddam’s place. Said he tried contacting them but no answer. I just called Sam now and same thing. Do you have a different number for Hattie?”

“Yeah but my phone’s somewhere back at the house. Sorry. I don’t remember her number.”

Nash called out to Dave waiting on the line. “Did you hear that? Hattie has her own phone. Can you try reaching her?”

Nash’s hearted plummeted. “Christ. Okay. We have access to a boat out on the lake. What if we try getting to them from that direction?”

Dave’s voice crackled, sounding like a million miles away. “Could work. The Roddams actually have access to the lake behind their house. Sam planned to buy a boat later this year and build a dock. He talked about it in the bar when they were here for Easter.”

Once Nash hung up, he turned to Ana. “Dave said the road is completely blocked to their property.” Then he pointed at a smaller raft riding the choppy waves the winds were creating. “Is that your motor boat?”

“Ahh… yeah. It must have broken loose from where I moored it.”

“Do you have a key to start the engine.”

“Not on me, but I know where Dad keeps one hidden. I’ll come with you.”

He hesitated but knew he’d need backup getting three people to safety. “Fine. Let’s go, baby. But you do whatever I tell you. Got it?”

“Yes, sir. I surely do.”

His narrowed gaze pinned her in place. “Don’t be cheeky.”

“Who me? Wouldn’t dream of it.” Ignoring his glare, she led the way to the lake, kicked off her boots and tied them together, throwing them around her shoulders. Then she lifted her shirt and locked the gun in the holster on her waist. Lastly, she dove in and began swimming toward the boat like a trained Olympic athlete.

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