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Whit went to work today and texted me between classes. They were conducting a controlled burn, everything was fine and I brushed it off. He’d done these dozens of times and they were perfectly safe. Nothing to worry about, right?
“I’m sure it’s nothing. Whit said they were doing a few controlled burns to help contain some junk on the mountain.”
“Lia, this doesn’t look under control at all.”
I peeked outside and used my camera to get a closer view. Sure as sunrise the sky was painted with a swath of darkness and smoke filled the view for miles between the mountains.
“What the hell?”
“I told you. You better call him and make sure he’s okay.”
“Yeah.” I mumbled reaching for my cell phone. I dialed his number and it rang several times before hitting voicemail. I got nothing and the anxiety swirled like a tornado. My fingers flew into text mode.
Lia: Hey Ranger Jones, I can’t reach you, and I see fire on the ridge. It’s kind of freaking me out. That’s silly right?
I waited five minutes. It was rare that Whit didn’t get back to me. Even if it’s just him telling me he’s busy and not available, he always got back to me. It’s one of the things I loved about him because he didn’t let me hang and I never had to think he might be up to something.
Lia: Okay, I know you’re probably busy and wearing some pseudo hot fire gear right now, but when you get a chance just let me know you’re okay. My Spidey senses are going haywire and I don’t like all that crazy smoke. Is it supposed to look like that?
My head kept driving the logical reasons he couldn’t get back to me but my heart was another factor I couldn’t put the brakes on. “Shit.” I bit my lip and called the next number I could think of that I had access, Taylor Jane Bryant whose bachelorette party I attended.
She answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Hi Taylor. This is Lia, Whit’s friend, girlfriend, really good friend.” My nerves got me wound up.
“Oh hey there, what’s up?”
“This is going to sound weird, but Whit went to work, and I can’t reach him. I’m wondering if anyone heard from him today.”
“Nope, but let me text Hunter. If anyone can find him, Hunter can.” She said kindly.
“Thanks, call me back or let me know.”
“Of course, sweetie.”
I hang up the call feeling a knot wind tighter in my stomach wondering if maybe this is all nothing and I’m making a fool of myself for no good reason. I don’t want to reach too far, but something doesn’t feel. I’ll look like the crazy needy girlfriend.
Moments later Taylor called me back.
“Yes?” The anxiety rippled off me.
“Hunter reached his boss who said they were doing the controlled burn, but it got out of hand. Lia, he’s on the mountain.” Her voice loses its calm.
“What?” I shouted into the room startling Dinah. I sunk to the floor unable to stand and unsure what to do next. We all knew my survival skills sucked, I got lost easily, and I had no business being around a fire.
“Where are you?” She asked and I heard her fumbling for keys jingling in the background.
“Home, but don’t come here, I’m going to him.” I told her.
“No, Lia, I think that’s a bad idea. Hunter said to sit tight, he’s on his way. Hunter grew up around here, he can find Whit for you.” I knew she was trying to reassure me but it wasn’t working.
“I can’t. Sorry.” I hang up the phone. Dinah stared at me mouth gapping open catching flies for a change instead of yapping. I don’t say anything except to grab my purse and my camera. Both are dumped inside my little shit can car and I take off for the mountain following the billow of smoke. I can only drive so far before the road is blocked by a police cruiser.
“Whoa, nobody goes up there.” Officer Evan Rooney eyed me up and down blocking my access into the park area. I knew it was him because of the name on his badge and hearing about him from Whit and Damien. Fire trucks abound as well as an ambulance, and I tried side stepping him.
“Please, I know Whit is there. I need to see him.” I’m not too proud to beg, but Evan doesn’t budge.
“Lia, no. I can’t let you pass for safety reasons.” His hand halted me but I wasn’t giving up.
