He stared at me for a full five seconds. “I’m going. I’m going to save him.”
“We don’t have time.”
“Then help me. He could be barking to try and get someone’s attention. Maybe he’s with his people.” He didn’t wait, taking off.
He was right about that, but goddamn it, we were running out of time. I trudged along behind him, both of us pushing our way through slop and scrubby foliage. I constantly looked to my left, watching the direction of the flames. If we weren’t careful, there’d be no way we’d get to the safety zone. None.
While the rush of adrenaline remained, there was also a heaviness in my chest. Shit. This was utter crap.
We scoured the forest, Axe calling for the pup.
Sudden movement and the dog came bounding from the trees, barking up a storm. Axe rushed to secure his safety, almost tripping over a fallen tree.
“Grab him and let’s go.” I moved ahead, scouring the area to ensure the pup wasn’t with anyone.
“Anybody?” he called.
There was a sudden still, a calm that filled the air with suffocation.
As if the air was being pulled away by unseen forces. I remained where I was, still holding my breath as the fog driftedinto malevolent shapes. I backed away, the rush of sensations crowding my airways.
The wind had shifted yet again and with a single crack, my instinct screamed one thing.
And that one thing erupted from my lungs.
“Run!”
CHAPTER 21
Grace
While the vicious storm had lingered in the mountains, there’d barely been any rain in the valley. With my single client for the day arriving after lunch, I’d busied myself that morning with finalizing two grant applications and doing housework. I’d also taken a load to Goodwill.
Anything to keep my mind off the fact I’d not heard from Viper. The fire was ongoing, ravaging tremendous acreage. I’d stopped looking for new reports, trying to reassure myself the entire team knew what they were doing.
There was data on the site proving that. There’d been no deaths other than the Beckett brother in a freak accident for years.
Even that reminder didn’t make me feel any better. I was running on empty and nervous as I’d ever been. At least the last report I’d heard, between the smokejumpers and firefighters, they were finally making decent headway. With any hope, the fire would be out tonight.
While I had no idea how long he’d be gone after the fire was out, I sensed another sleepless night coming on.
I wasn’t even certain why I’d agreed to going to Ziggy’s other than that I couldn’t stand being alone any longer. The poor pups knew something was wrong, remaining cling-ons the entire day.
After showering and still wearing a towel, I pulled his to my nose. The rich, aromatic scent lingered on the soft terry even a day and a half after his shower. The fragrance of bergamot and sandalwood drifted to my nose. I hadn’t even realized he owned any cologne. In thinking he’d purchased some just for me, I was given a little thrill.
I could easily envision his sultry expression, especially if I’d challenge him about wearing something so manly. The man easily resided in my fantasies, which had been the case the night before. I almost felt guilty about using my vibrator to relieve my raging desire when he’d been working all night.
Not that guilty.
As I returned the towel to the rack, I allowed one more deep breath before moving in front of the mirror. I wiped the steam from the glass, catching my reflection. My eyes had always been the most expressive part of me, more so than my mouth.
They were a mixture of emotions, mostly anxiety from the consistent worry. While I smiled, there was no change, just a woman fearful of danger lurking in the shadows. My entire life had been focused, centered around one thing. Excellence.
I’d found comfort in being hardworking, extremely focused and disciplined, enough that I’d missed out on all the things people in their twenties enjoyed.
Bar hopping.
Excessive shopping.
