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He sighs. “Hard to do with all the campers.”
“Yeah, we’re all on unofficial duty, all us volunteers. Forrest’s planning nightly campground tours to make sure nothing’s burning.”
“Let me know when and if you need me.”
Thing is, the expression on his face is one of concern and doubt.
He’s not fucking wrong. We can all only do so much, and no matter how above and beyond and diligent we are, it doesn’t change the fact not everyone camps in designated areas. People don’t follow the rules.
The benefits of the last storm have literally dried out and we have days and days of higher-than-normal temperatures and clear skies.
“Thanks, Dad. We do what we can, right?”
With that, we go and join everyone else.
* * *
One of my cousins and her family drive off, and I wave, leaning against the beam of the porch’s fence. I need to take Sidney back soon. Maybe to the cabin, maybe to my place. But I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if she stayed here.
In town.
With me.
Sweet is the word that winds through my veins.
Sweet and right.
Because more and more I see her as mine. My woman. Once, only once, a long, long time ago, did I have those same feelings.
Thought I was gonna marry her. Had a future mapped out, and . . . she cheated. We were so fucking young, and I don’t ever think about it anymore. College shit. My wound healed.
Now, at thirty-fucking-six I’m feeling it again. No map this time. No one’s cheating, and I’m not thinking of buying some stupid ring.
But I feel that my woman vibe with Sidney.
Stronger. Deeper. More. . . real?
She’s passing through.
No matter what my family might say about changing minds, that’s hard to do when she has a pretty fucking solid end goalpost. With a house.
And—
“Hey.”
I turn to Lawson. “If there’s a fire, I’m not going to be happy.”
He doesn’t smile. “Just got a call. About Sidney.”
“What?” I straighten slowly.
“Whatever she told you is a lie.”
ChapterNineteen
Sidney
Something’s changed. It’s in the air as we get into Mack’s pickup.
