Page 69 of Falling for the Firefighter
"Two locations." I indicate the rock formations marked in red. My father’s careful notations are still visible in faded ink. "This outcropping provides coverage from three sides. And this cave system extends approximately thirty feet into solid rock. Both are last resorts, but they'll withstand direct flame passage."
"That cave system might be our best emergency option." Jackson Hart joins us, his experienced eye evaluating escape routes with the methodical assessment of someone who's pulled bodies from burning mountains. "I’ve used it during winter rescues. Stable air flow, multiple chambers."
The briefing continues, each team leader absorbing critical information about their assigned sector. I move among them, answering questions, adjusting deployments based on individual skills and experience.
It feels strange to be in command, to have Mac's authority transferred to me in his absence, but the responsibility settles across my shoulders with surprising comfort.
Eleanor Morgan approaches, her silver head barely reaching my shoulder, but her presence commanding absolute attention. "The supply lines are established. Hot meals and clean water every four hours to all positions."
"Thank you." I squeeze her weathered hand gently. "Mac's team especially needs consistent supplies. They're facing the worst of it."
"You care for him." Her eyes, sharp despite her age, study my face with knowing assessment.
"More than I should." It's not a question, but I answer anyway.
"Love isn't aboutshould, child." Her smile carries decades of wisdom. "It's aboutis. And what’s between you two is worth fighting for."
Before I can respond, my radio crackles again. This time it's Parker, Mac's second-in-command."Base Command, this is Alpha Two. We need immediate evacuation for injured personnel. Request medical team at northern staging area."
Scout senses the shift in my emotional state before I fully process Parker's words. Scout presses closer, her warm body a steadying presence as my hands shake while keying the radio. Her training has taught her to recognize medical emergencies, and the urgency in Parker's voice triggers her alert posture. She remains perfectly still during the radio exchange, understanding instinctively that this is a critical moment requiring absolute focus.
My blood turns to ice. "Alpha Two, this is Base Command. Nature and severity of injuries?"
"Two personnel down. Burns and smoke inhalation. Conscious but need immediate medical attention."
Not Mac. Please not Mac. "Copy that, Alpha Two. Medical team dispatching now. Status on Alpha Leader?"
"Alpha Leader is... Alpha Leader is operational. Continuing fire suppression operations."
The relief nearly buckles my knees. He's alive. He's fighting. He's coming home.
"Roger, Alpha Two. Medical support en route. Base Command out."
I turn to find Drs. Blake and Carrington grabbing their medical go bags. They race for the door.
The room buzzes with urgency as teams mobilize to support the frontline fighters, who risk everything to save our town.
Sheriff Donovan catches me coordinating supply distribution, his expression approving.
The radio crackles again—routine updates, supply confirmations, position reports. But no more word from Mac himself. I stand in the elegant ballroom turned war room, staring at maps that show his position as a simple red dot, wondering if those careful lines and measurements can possibly capture the reality of what he's facing out there.
Scout moves to my side, pressing her head against my hand in a gesture of comfort that grounds me. Her steady breathing and warm presence remind me that I'm not facing this alone.
She's weathered every crisis with me today, from underground rescues to command decisions, proving once again that the bonds forged in these mountains run deeper than fear.
Chapter 16
Chimney Rock
The radio cracklesto life at 1847 hours, just as the sun disappears behind a wall of smoke thick enough to choke out daylight. I'm bent over supply manifests in The Haven's ballroom, tracking water deliveries to the fire line, when Mac's voice cuts through the static—tight, controlled, but carrying an edge I've never heard before.
Scout's head snaps up from her position beneath the command table, ears pricked forward with sharp attention. She's been restless all evening, pacing between the radio station and the windows, her nose constantly working the smoky air.
Now she moves to my side, pressing against my leg as if sensing the gravity of what's about to come through that radio. Her brown eyes fix on the device with the same intensity she shows when tracking a scent trail, as if she can hear something in Mac's voice that my human ears might miss.
"Base Command, this is Alpha Leader."His usual steady composure has steel beneath it now, sharp and dangerous."We have a problem."
My hand freezes over the manifest. Around me, the command center's controlled chaos dims as heads turn toward the radio.
