Page 30 of Falling for the Hotshot

I’m sorry I missed you. Consider this payment for the radio calls that turned into free therapy.

-Tower Three

Kerry was back in a flash. I barely could put the pen down before she came barreling back into the building.

“Autumn, I’m sorry, but we need to go. I have to drop you before I head into the fire zone.” The adrenaline in her voice was contagious. I nodded, leaving the dessert on Kerry’s desk.

“Melody, this might need to go in the fridge if you have one…?” I hollered out behind me as I hastily left the building with Kerry.

Climbing back into the truck, my disappointment for missing Blaze was turning into real concern for this fire. Just as we started back up the mountain, a considerable amount of smoke started filling up the skies above. What was clear this morning was now getting socked in with thick, gray smoke. I was feeling real concern for our area as Kerry took call after call on the drive back.

When we reached the base of the hill where my tower sat, Kerry jumped out and filled the wagon. It had a wheelbase that was set up like a stretcher in an ambulance—it was light to pull and took all obstacles with grace and stride, never damaging what was inside. We loaded the wagon and before she could start out on the hike, I waved her off.

“Kerry, I can do this alone. You can go. I know you need to be in two places right now.” Kerry was hesitant, looking behind me and down at my shoes.

“I didn’t see you change back into your hiking shoes,” she said, looking at my wagon that wasn’t even that full. “Okay, if you are completely sure, I will go. But only if you are sure?” she asked me again, for good measure.

“Go, Kerry. I can do this. I can load the whole wagon into the pulley system; that's what I did with Don last month. It won’t require any extra effort on my part.” Kerry nodded again.

“Will you radio me when you get up there so I know you didn’t have any hassles?” I agreed.

“Absolutely. Thanks, Kerry. I’ll call you soon.”

Chapter 25

Closer Than You Know

Blaze

“Change of plans, Blaze.” Don’s voice filled the other end of the line.

“What do you mean?” My heart dropped, thinking he’d decided to move my position into some other role for the time being. I did not want to leave dispatch. I did not want to leave Autumn.

“Maple Haven Fire District needs a volunteer to man the fundraiser booth today.” My heartbeat leveled. Knowing I wouldn’t be removed from dispatch was a great relief.

“Alright, I guess I could help out.” A change of pace might not be a bad thing, especially since Melody was back in the office this morning, carrying two jumbo-sized pumpkin candles and one of those lighters that can reach a foot. The woman was trying to burn this place down for the sake of pumpkin spice.

“That’s my boy,” Don smiled. “It’s a little bit of a distance, so I can have someone pick you up if you're not feeling up to managing driving yourself.”

“Where is it?”

“The Pumpkin Perk Cafe.”

“As in, The Pumpkin Perk Cafe in Maple Haven, over an hour away?”

“The one and only. Say, will you grab me a few treats while you’re there? I haven’t had a good donut since the supply run with Autumn last month, and I’m really craving a—” I cut him off.

“With Autumn? You know Autumn?” And then it started. A whirlwind of questions and a spattering of answers, none of which quite satisfied my interest.

“Yes, I know her—I drove her to the grocery store last month—she’s a sweet girl—what do you want to know?” When we both came up for air, I paused and took a really hard introspect and a moment of prayer.

“Actually, don’t tell me. I want to get to know her organically.” Don laughed.

“That’s my boy.”

*****

I missed the check-in’s from the towers, since I immediately had to leave, but I trusted Melody to pass on the message to Autumn that I would be out today. I didn’t exactly tell her that, but I hoped that the unspoken language of a woman would pick up on it.