Page 7 of Birchwood Burn
We stare at each other, and I don’t know about him, but I’m learning every one of his features. His bright blue eyes, black short hair, and a five o’clock shadow that is more like ten o’clock. He has soot all over, and sweat streaks down his face, creating a dirty appeal that makes him embody the hero aesthetic.
I’m soaking it all in, because I’m going to be imagining this face for a long time, and I want to make sure I get it right.
“Close your eyes and get some rest, Trouble. You need it.” His voice is edgier than it’s been before, and it’s sexy, but it hurts a little because it doesn’t sound the nicest. I wish I knew him better so I could gauge the meaning behind it, because nobody will ever be able to tell me this isn’t the sweetest man ever. He just might have a hard shell.
Sighing, I continue to inhale the oxygen and lean my head back because he’s right. I’m exhausted. Since meeting him, I’ve been running on pure adrenaline, and every inch of my body aches or hurts. The crash is going to hit hard and fast, and I can already sense it coming over me.
Resting proves to be difficult as I continue to cough, but I try. It also doesn’t help that I can't get comfortable in the helicopter. Nothing on this thing is made to do anything but transport people and rescue them. It’s made to fit as many people as possible, but I’m not complaining.
The whopping sound of the blades becomes soothing and helps me to focus on something more relaxing than life-changing heroics or a hot-as-sin firefighter who is raising my blood pressure just by being sexy.
Several minutes later, the pilot says, “We’re getting ready to land.”
I open my eyes and find Jace sitting across from me, watching me, and I blush. Not realizing he moved and how revolting I must appear to be right now. I turn to the window and watch as we drop lower and lower. Several canopies are all around the area. Slews of people are running around, working to make sure all the firefighters are supplied with essentials, animals are being tended to, and food and supplies are given out. It’s one huge operation, looking well-maintained.
The helicopter lands, and I let out a sigh of relief. There’s a group of EMTs running to the helicopter, and Jace takes all the equipment off me. Bradley opens the door while the pilot talks into his radio.
Jace and I stare at each other once more, and we’re both taking last second we have to appraise each other. I open my mouth to say something, but before I can, another man and woman step in with an emergency kit and start asking me a million questions about how I’m feeling and what needs to be looked over.
Jace moves to the side, and my shoulders slump as he names off everything they need to check me over for, and what to tell the doctor. It’s fast and chaotic, then before I know it, I’m on a stretcher, and Jace walks me to the ambulance. He holds my hand, and I want to cry because this is our goodbye. I mouth to him, ‘thank you’, and he mouths back, ‘you’re welcome’ and gives me a hundred-watt smile that makes my heart want to leap out of my chest.
“Oh my God, Larissa. Larissa!” Someone is screaming my name, and it jars enough to distract me. I turn to find two of my friends running toward me. I frown when I notice there are only two. Where’s Beth?
The EMTs load me into the ambulance, while my friends apologize and tell me they love me. They will follow me to the hospital. Selfishly, I peer beyond them for one last glimpse of my hero, but he’s already walking away, talking to a few very important-looking people. My energy drops. The ambulance door closes, and I drop my head onto the pillow on the stretcher and close my eyes. I’m exhausted and sad.
FIVE
JACE
The last twenty-fourhours have been intense. The fire is much more manageable, so my squad is on a break to shower and sleep while other squads and departments keep working on lessening the blaze.
The smart thing would be to go home or at least the fire station, take a hot shower, eat a hearty meal, and crash, but it won’t happen. Larissa has been on my mind on repeat, and I can’t get her out of there. Even while fighting the fire and working my body to the bone, my worry for her is at the forefront of my mind.
This obsession and instant connection to her have me reeling. I don’t understand any of it, but for the first time in my life, I’m not inclined to push it away. But first things first. I need to check on her and make sure she’s okay. When I spoke to the EMT, he was adamant she’d be admitted for smoke inhalation. Her lungs were in bad shape, and they’re bound to do a bunch of tests on her.
So here I am, walking through the doors of the big hospital next to Black Timber Peak. The main hospital is within ahundred and fifty-mile radius. I use a rag I grabbed out of my truck to wipe my face and head toward the nurses’ station. If I can see my Trouble again, then maybe I’ll be able to relax enough to get some sleep.
I stop at the counter and mentally shake some sense into my head.When did I start thinking of her as mine?
The idea of it is tempting, but I need to let it go. She’s not from around here, and her friends said she was going through a bad time. I need to keep my distance from her, but I’ll feel better knowing she’s being taken care of.
Rhonda, Coop’s wife, is the head nurse working. I’m relieved and lucky. She’ll help me out and give me updates on her condition.
“Jace. Hey, what are you doing here? You okay?” She looks me over, and I cringe. I should’ve taken that shower.
“Yeah. I’m just checking in on a patient, admitted earlier, Larissa Green.”
Rhonda studies me, and a smirk plays on her face as she crosses her arms and enjoys watching me squirm.
“The woman you almost died saving?”
“We didn’t almost die. Your husband is the hero.”
“Not the way I’m hearing it.”
I sigh.Maybe it would be better if another nurse who doesn’t know me as well as Rhonda helps me.They at least wouldn’t give me as much shit.
“Holy snickerdoodle. You like her.” Rhonda gives a little jump, where her feet never leave the floor.
