Page 47 of Fireline

Begging for forgiveness.

Okay, but wow. He hadn’t expected that kiss. He’d wanted to kiss her, sure. Just…hadn’t expected it.

Now he had to go rescue Crispin and end this with the taste of Nova on his lips. So sweet. But walking away was nothing but bitter.

Which meant he had limited time to get to jump base and find his gun.

But first, he needed to find a ride.

He jogged down the stairs and through the halls until he found the nurses’ station in the ER.

“I’m looking for Eric Dale. He’s with the Jude County Smokejumpers.”

“Just released.” The nurse didn’t bother to look up. She pointed to the exit door with her pen. “If you hurry, you might be able to catch him.”

Booth slapped his palm on the Formica counter. “Thanks.”

Why was he forced to choose between his old life and this new one? He knew the reason.

He couldn’t let Crispin die. Couldn’t let the bad guys win any more than he could let a fire destroy a town. He’d already lost Crispin once. Thought his friend was dead and gone. He couldn’t go through that again. The town needed him, but there were twenty-plus wildland firefighters working on it, with more to come. Who did Crispin have?

No one.

He pushed through the exit door into the parking garage, where he saw Eric walking arm in arm with his wife, Shelly.

He jogged over to him. “Hey, man, how you feeling?”

Eric held up his bandaged forearm. “Pretty good hot spot on my arm. I could probably work, but the doc is worried about infection.”

“And you’re going to listen to him this time.” Shelly was a pretty brunette, petite enough to fit in the crook of Eric’s arm. They had three children under the age of ten and lived in Ember to be close to Eric during fire season.

“Aw, Shelly knows I could’ve kept it covered and gone back to work. She just wants me home. You watch. She’ll have a honey-do list a mile long. My arm won’t be an excuse then.”

Shelly nudged him in the ribs. “You know I stopped waiting around for you and started on the list myself. Anyway, Booth, how’s Nova and Rico?”

“Nova’s good. I think she’ll be released to work today. Rico…well, he’s not so hot, but the doc is optimistic about the surgery.”

“He’s tough,” Eric said.

Booth nodded. “I think he’ll pull through, but he’s out for the season.”

Eric scratched at the bandage on his arm. “What about you? Headed back to the line?”

“Yeah, but I have something to take care of first. I was hoping you could give me a ride to jump base so I can pick something up.”

“Sure we can. Right, honey?” Eric looked to Shelly.

“Of course. We’re parked right over here.”

Eric and Shelly had quiet marriage talk in the front seat. Booth leaned against the window and tried to come up with a plan.

Whoever had taken Crispin had made a huge mistake. His past was calling, and Booth was more than ready to answer.

Shelly pulled into the lot of jump base and parked.

Booth leaned up and patted Eric’s shoulder. “Thanks for the lift. Feel better.”

“Stay safe, brother.”

---