Page 134 of Smoke and Fire
“Someone can be present,” I said firmly. Just who thatsomeonewould be, I had no idea.
“With pictures?” she asked.
“How can we post pictures without outing me?”
“What if it was just pictures of the book and a coffee mug, or a bit of hair, or something?”
“That will only grow the interest behind who Jess really is. It’s like teasing the readers. That doesn’t seem very fair.”
She scoffed. “You are twenty-one chart-topping novels into this mess, Bastian. You are beyond teasing the readers. Give themsomething. Yes, there’s intrigue and mystery behind these vague pictures. Yes, that may only grow interest. Interest is a good thing. You’re just about to launch a #1 bestselling novel with preorders alone. That’s incredible. Let’s see it happen.”
Turmoil responded, but I thought of my latest paycheck. My publisher paid every three months, and I’d got a whopping $78,457. Enough to set aside a disconcerting amount for taxes, pay off a few monthly bills, another chunk of Dad’s mortgage, and tackle the savings account I’d set up for Inessa and her bills. It had been my biggest payout yet, but I’d need several more of those to keep my family in the clear.
Not to mention, at some point, live my own life.
“I’ll figure it out.”
“Okay,” she drawled. “I choose to trust you and the person that you hire. Best of luck, Bastian.”
“Anything else?”
“Stay safe, please?” A note of pleading entered her tone. I softened beneath it.
“Always.”
The phone cut off, going to a dark screen. I stared at it with a welling feeling of despair. How on earth would I make this happen?
The numbers stacked in my mind, but I shoved them back. No, this would be fine. If I kept churning out books and the novels topped the charts, then I’d have a great head start on unknown financial situations.
Given time, there would be enough money in both savings accounts that I wouldn’t have to worry for at least a few years. Wildland firefighters made $15 an hour, and only had work for a few months. Given the amount of overtime we worked, I could store away the extra like a squirrel and live happily through the winter by myself. With Inessa and my father on the line?
Not happening.
I stood, stretching my fingertips and forearms as I headed into the back for laundry, round six. A few more and the clothes would be washed and ready to go. No amount of soap removed the grime or the scent of smoke, but at least I wouldn’t be oily and stinky.
Unbidden, my thoughts drifted to Dahlia.Right now, I could go for a coffee, mixed with the scent of caramel and the hiss of a machine. Coffee shops were soothing. They were a reminder of life and noise and people, but without required interaction. Being around falling, burning trees, quiet forest, and filthy hotshots had a way of creating a bubble.
In that, Priyanka was correct: I definitely hid from something out there.
Also here.
Just what it was, I hadn’t yet figured out.
My mind skipped around, probably because I didn’t want to focus on this new problem. The day after tomorrow, I had to assemble with the hotshot team in the morning at 0500. We went back on active status and would no doubt get the fire assignment that loomed right in front of me. Not only was this fire in our region, it was in our town.
I glanced at my watch.
Which meant I had one day to figure out who would keep my career and my family from spiraling into a fiery crash.
“B-B-BASTIAN!”
A pair of warm arms looped around my waist as Dagny walked straight into me. She didn’t even welcome me off the porch, just stepped into my space. With Dagny, I didn’t mind, but few people held the honor.
Hernandez materialized behind her with a broad smile and shiny, still-wet hair. Just finished a shift and a shower, no doubt. He clapped my shoulder when Dagny finally extricated herself.
“Good to see you safe, my brother.”
We slammed chests and pounded each other on the back. Hernandez motioned me further into his house with a tilt of his head. He left the front door open for a cool breeze through the screen.
