Page 60 of Fireline

The fire’s roar outside the cave intensified. Abilene didn’t flinch. Didn’t shuffle her feet. She stood strong.

Nova squared her shoulders.

She met Henry’s gaze. “I’ll do it. I’ll ride out.”

Henry gave a sharp nod. “You can do this, Nova. Trust the horse. Trust yourself. Trust God.”

As he helped her onto the saddle, Nova felt the familiar rhythm of the horse beneath her. Trust in the plan. Stay safe. She could do this.

“How do I know where to go? I don’t even know where I am.”

Henry untied the reins and handed them to Nova. “Don’t worry, Abilene knows the way. You’ve got some supplies in her saddlebags.” Henry stepped back. “Now, go on. Get.”

She smiled at Henry. “Thank you.”

Nova split the reins and turned Abilene around to face the flaming wilderness outside.

Fire licked at the edges of her vision. A wall of heat and smoke crowded in. It wasn’t too late to turn back around.

No.

Nova nudged Abilene forward. The horse moved with a grace Nova hadn’t expected. The fire loomed ahead. Nova’s heart echoed the rhythm of the horse’s hooves.

Things were different. This time, she wasn’t leaving a loved one behind.

She was riding toward him.

Did she…? Yes. She did love Booth.

Against all odds, she would find a way to him—the man she loved. Together, they’d face whatever challenges awaited them beyond the flames.

TWELVE

Floyd’s truck screeched to a stop near the airplane hangar at jump base, and Booth jumped out. He slammed the truck door with a clang. Scanning the area, he spotted Aria and jogged toward her.

“I need that next plane out.” His breathing was labored. “Have to get back to the fire.”

Aria’s eyes clouded and she glanced down. “Booth, it’s bad out there. You heard about what happened to Nova?”

He gave a terse nod. “JoJo told me. That’s why I need to go up with the crew. I have to find her.”

Aria shook her head, her ponytail swaying with the motion. “Booth, there is no crew! The wind is too unpredictable right now. It’s too dangerous for jumping. Retardant planes are doing their runs, and the search-and-rescue choppers are scouring the area. Miles hasn’t given the green light for a new crew yet, and I’m grounded until he decides it’s safe enough for anyone to jump.”

Booth scrubbed a palm across his tired face. Nova might be out there, injured or worse, and she mattered more than protocols. “I can’t just sit here, Aria. I have to find her.”

Studying him, she said, “You’re in love with Nova, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I am. More than I ever thought possible.” He swallowed. Blinked against visions of Nova’s broken body obscured by smoke and flame.

No. She was a survivor. He had to believe that.

A seismic shift moved deep within.

Booth let go of some of the tension that had haunted him. All this time, he’d been torn between his past as a Homeland Security agent and the new life he’d found with the smokejumpers. Nova was the bridge between the two. He could see that now.

No matter where he stood—no matter who he was?—he loved her.

“Please, Aria. Let’s go look for her.” He tucked a hand in his pocket and dipped his head. “I love her. I can’t lose her.”

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