Page 22 of Smoke and Fire
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.
“C’mon. Dagny just finished dinner, and it’s going to blow your mind.”
The air lay thick with the scent of roast beef. The thought of mealy potatoes, hot and cracking open with the touch of a fork, made my mouth water. My body craved protein and carbs. On my two days off, I could rarely eat enough to satisfy the deficit created by weeks of whacking my way through mountains on a fire line, or hitting my way through project work in the national forest.
“S-s-simple stuff,” Dagny said with a wink, “always t-t-tastes the best.”
She shut the door as Hernandez led us toward the kitchen. Hernandez had a small house, but Dagny had taken it from militaristic-male-deputy life to a homey place after they married in the spring.
“Smells wonderful,” I said.
Without looking like a creep, I attempted to study the way they finished assembling dinner and quietly spoke with each other. What words quantified such warm expressions? How did I write the way watching this felt?
Without my computer under my arm, I felt restless. Naked. A bit unnerved, as if I didn’t know how to belong without my words. The written ones. Those flowed like water. Verbal ones were like stuck honey between my tongue and the roof of my mouth on good days.
Plates and a simmering pot roast waited on the table. Dagny had thrown a simple white tablecloth down, folded napkins over utensils, and had soft jazz music playing in the background. The warmth of the kitchen gave me an instant pang of jealousy for Hernandez. Did he return home to this every day?
Lucky dog.
Maybe I didn’t want to get married, but a warm greeting at the end of the day would be infinitely better than a cold house and a needy cat.
“Have a s-s-seat.” Dagny nudged me toward the far chair. “It’s all ready to g-go. Just b-barely tabled it.”
Hernandez pressed a hand to her back as he slipped behind her, then pulled her chair out. She shot him a smile full of adoration that I tried not to study too obviously. When thoughts of Dahlia interposed over Dagny, I shut them down completely. We settled into steaming pot roast that fell apart at the touch, and potatoes that steamed when I cut them open with the edge of my fork.
My ravenous stomach nearly doubled over in anticipation.
“How are things here?” I asked.
Hernandez shrugged. “Not bad. Pineville is the same.” His gaze darted to me. “Except for, you know, a raging forest fire. What’s up with that, amigo?”
“Not sure yet,” I said.
Hernandez raised an eyebrow. “You going on it next?”
“Probably. Just depends on what assets have already been assigned. I’ll spend the day with Inessa in Jackson City tomorrow, then go to active status with the crew the next morning. We’ll find out then.”
Hernandez whistled low. “Short break, my friend.” He sliced into a carrot that fell apart on the plate. “Hope you’re close, but I don’t want you in any danger. We’re tracking things just in case evacuation status comes, but they’re already anticipating a pre-evacuation going live.”
