Levi’s hand lands on my knee, but I can’t feel it. “What happened, Butterfly?”
Walker whips out his own phone, and we all attempt to listen in despite the person wailing into the microphone. “Jo, what’s going on?” Nodding his head, Walker’s face grows serious. “I’m on my way.” He stashes his phone back in his pocket and stands as he pulls me up from my seat and slips my arms into his coat. “Come on,” Walker directs to Levi and Santiago, who are already on their feet and ready to go.
Walker places his hand on my back to guide me forward, but I dig my heels in, panic overtaking my body.
Levi wraps an arm across my shoulders. “We need to check on Bear.”
My heart hammers as my stomach drops.
Bear. I need to find Bear.
I allow Walker to lead me to his truck, and Levi joins us as Santiago jogs to his own. Walker hops in the driver’s seat, and holding my hand, Levi slides into the passenger seat and pulls me in after him. He places me on his lap, shuts the door, andsomehow gets the seatbelt over the two of us. We’re a jumble of limbs, but it still soothes me.
Walker peels out of the parking lot, and Santiago zooms behind us.
Levi traces circles on my back, releasing the tension there.
When we pull up to the motel, I have no trouble recognizing a scene I’ve become too familiar with—wild embers.
My car is on fire.
The flames climb several feet into the starry night sky. The windows have already blown out, and a tire pops like distant gunshots.
The billowing smoke rolls from my car windows. The smell of burning rubber fills the car before we’re even in the parking lot.
“Oh, my God,” I breathe out.
Red and blue lights flash in the evening darkness, reflecting off the white snow.
Yellow turnout gear darts through the smoke, and reflective stripes catch the rotating emergency lights. A firefighter braces the hose while another enters the cloud of steam and smoke. The firetruck sits at an angle across the motel entrance, its emergency lights washing Moose Gap Lodge in red and white.
The few guests staying at the motel are outside, wrapped in blankets and robes, looking as if they had haphazardly dressed to watch the show. One guest is filming the entire scene on their phone while another tries to wrangle a grumpy child in their arms. Mason is running around placating the guests and tending to their needs.
I’m out of the cab and running forward before Walker can bring the truck to a stop.
Levi’s voice trails behind me. “Blake!”
Arms encompass my middle, yanking me backward. “Slow down,mi Cielo.”
Walker strides past us, approaching one of the firefighters.
When I stop flailing about, Santiago sets me back on my feet, and he and Levi escort me to Walker.
“We’re almost done putting it out,” the firefighter informs Walker.
“Thanks, Tad.” Walker pats him on the shoulder. “Was there a dog in the car?”
“Not that I could see,” Tad answers honestly.
“I’m going to check your room for Bear,” Santiago mentions, then jogs toward my room on the second floor.
Another fraction of tension releases in my shoulders.
Levi grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers together. “It’s a rental, right?”
I nod.
“Did you have insurance on it?” Levi follows up.
