Page 213 of Smoke and Fire
I shook my head, brushing those thoughts aside. No, I had to focus on what was needed now. The horses, not affirmations from my crush.
Dahlia:Sure, but I've never driven horses before.
Sione:If you’ve pulled an RV, you can pull horses.
Dahlia: Done.
"Lizbeth!" I called.
She ducked out of the back room, eyebrows high. Noise from women laughing issued from the back room again.
"Sione just texted me."
Her face paled. "What is it? Something wrong with Adventura? The fire?"
I held up my phone. "Fine so far, I think. Some of the horses returned to the stable at Adventura, though. The hotshot crew said Mark could go get them, but he needs another truck and needs to leave now. Can I take Bastian's truck and go help him?"
Can I go see this guy I'm crazy about that I really want to like me?Inner Me tacked on, but I silenced her.
"Go. Yes. I got this."
"Pinegulch was just mandatory-evacuated." I ripped the apron strings off, balled it up, and tossed it onto the counter. "That includes the houses on the hills, up by my RV park and campground. Is that where Bethany lives?"
"Close, but not quite." Lizbeth gazed around, one hand on her hip. "Should we start kicking people out of here? If Pinegulch is evacuated, then Pineville will be next. I hate to send anyone home yet. Mav will be so happy to make up some lost revenue from this month being so slow, though, and we're safe with the reservoir right here . . ."
She trailed away. I couldn't help but wonder if Lizbeth found some solace in being around other people at a time like this.
"The evacuations aren't here yet," I said. "I'd wait until then and go from there." My gaze darted to Katrina, who had just fished some equipment out of a bag and started to fiddle with it. "Maybe give her a chance to get some video?"
Lizbeth glanced over, then nodded, lips pursed.
"Good idea. Besides, locals have started to come in and ask questions. They'll want somewhere to get updates and congregate anyway. The Frolicking Moose will stay open as a community support center."
"Sounds good. Thanks, Lizbeth."
A text vibrated in my hand. I glanced down.
Unknown number:Dahlia, this is Mark. I'm at the gas station at the corner of the highway with a trailer to hitch up to your truck. See you soon?
Dahlia:Be there in ten.
I grabbed my purse and tucked it under my arm.
"You good?"
Lizbeth shooed me away.
"A shop full of romance lovers gabbing about their favorite books and drinking coffee? Girlfriend, I got this."
The map on my phone displayed bright red lines around the active fire as I closed the browser and headed out the door.
To my eye, the fire appeared miles away from the highway still. Surely, enough time to drive up, help with the horses, see Bastian for a hot second if I got lucky, and head back down the mountain.
No problem.
I slipped into the smoke, my thoughts tangled up in fire.
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