Page 30 of Fireline

Miles folded his arms. “How are Tucker’s crews handling things?”

And there it was. The question that had needled since the accident that’d taken out their crew chief. Oh sure, Miles was sly about it, not coming right out and asking who he should tap for acting crew chief. But they both knew what he meant.

Her pulse kicked as she considered responses. Play it humble? Ultraconfident?

The line between capable and conceited was thin.

“Honestly?” She tempered her tone even as ambition burned hot. “The team needs a leader. I’ve stepped up. Tried to take the lead. But without someone in charge, we’re not the cohesive unit Tucker built.”

“Tucker runs a tight crew. Hate to see him laid up, but he knew something could go wrong out there at any moment. He’s trained you to be smokejumpers he can count on.”

Okay, so no glowing nominations yet. She tried another angle, hoping her readiness showed. “I’m happy to take on more responsibility wherever it helps most.”

“With this wind, it’s gonna be a chess match balancing containment with safety. Good leadership is key in the field.” His hand went to his chin, scrutinizing her through narrowed eyes. “Here’s the deal. I wanted to check the landscape before restructuring leadership. Tucker runs a top-notch crew deployment model. Hate tampering when it’s not broke.”

He raised his palms. “But maybe this unfortunate accident is the nudge we need to shake things up. Give capable prospects like yourself a chance to step up.”

A smile teased the corner of her mouth at hearing exactly what she’d wanted. “Appreciate the vote of confidence.”

“For now, I’ll let the crew keep rolling as is.” His mouth slanted. “Of course, that could change should we find the right person. You know your fires. Far more than most. But you also need to know how to manage and work with your team. How to trust them. Do that, and I’ll see if you can take Tucker’s place.”

“Yes, sir.” Nova turned to leave but halted midstep.

There, outside the corral, stood Booth. In the shade of the barn, his forearms rested atop the weathered rails. Laugh lines etched deeper as he watched the antics of the horses jostling in the field. He had a day’s scruff and tousled, windblown hair. How someone could appear both soft and rugged at the same time baffled her.

He shifted sideways and caught sight of her. Lifted his chin and looked away.

She couldn’t deny being attracted. But it wasn’t only his physical appeal needling her determination. What really shook her was how he kept surprising her. Like listening to her story in the barn.

And frustrating her by telling none of his own.

But she’d been a little sensitive earlier, and blast if she didn’t need to apologize for it.

Nova squared her shoulders and cut across the field, straight toward Booth. “Look, I’m sorry for walking away like that. It’s just…” She sighed. “You’re such a mystery. And I opened up something deep inside by telling you my story. Sure, most everyone knows my parents died, but they don’t know how deep the wound goes. I didn’t want you to see that side of me. That…weakness.”

There was a full twenty seconds of silence. Nova swallowed and prepared to walk off when Booth finally spoke.

“You see that mare?” He pointed to the brown horse Nova had fed earlier. “The white guy keeps nipping but she doesn’t flinch.”

Nova studied the old horse, noting that tiny detail. “Yeah. She’s got no reaction.”

“Right. Total emotional resilience. My sister was like that.” He paused. “I mean…in big, emotional moments, most people panic or freeze. But Raelynn always knew what to do. Saved my hide more times than I can count.”

She glanced at him. “You have a sister?”

“Three years older than me.” He snagged a tendril of hair blowing across his forehead and pushed it back. “I was an ornery little punk. Constantly getting in trouble.”

“Now, that I believe.” Nova smiled.

“Anyway…” He shifted sideways, one elbow resting on his bent knee so he faced her. His golden tone turned solemn.

The humor in her dissipated.

“When Raelynn was twelve, she wanted to be first across the lake soon as it froze. I warned her to wait till Dad checked it to be sure the ice was thick, but she laughed, calling me a sissy.” Booth studied his palm, tracing lines only he could see.

In her mind, Nova could see a little girl with Booth’s eyes, teasing her brother.

“I finally got up nerve to cross, but about fifteen yards from shore, I crashed through.” He flexed his hand open and closed. “I’ll never forget the sound. Sharp cracks like thunderclaps, and I plunged into that dark water. It happened so fast I didn’t have time to breathe.”

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