Page 40 of Some Cowboys Brave the Flames

“Maybe we should stick to cooking classes,” Charlie said with a laugh, tossing her gym bag into the back of his truck. “You need more practice with that than I need at the gym.”

He scoffed, throwing his own bag into the back. “I take offense at that.”

She shrugged. “When you can make a whole meal without any direction from me, then we can talk.”

Ash only chuckled.

18

Charlie

Charlie sat on the front porch. She scowled at the clear blue sky. Not a single cloud, gray or otherwise, floated by. Each day that passed without rain had begun to put her on edge.

She hadn’t meant to let it get to her. Normally the weather had no effect on her mood.

But that was before she’d started dating Ash—before she’d started dating a guy who thought it was fun to jump into the middle of a fire.

“You keep scowling like that and your face is going to stay that way.”

Charlie rolled her eyes. “So I’ve heard.” Her gaze dipped to where Carter was moving toward her with Daniel at his side.

The older of the two was still just as stone-faced as ever. He’d always been quiet, thoughtful even, but now he seemed to be in a bad mood just like the rest of them.

Well, except Carter.

Daniel pushed past her without a single word, but Carter stopped a step from the top and glanced upward toward the sky. “What’s your problem?”

Charlie motioned to the sky. “Just look at it.”

He glanced upward again, then tilted his head when he turned his focus to her once more. “Looks like a beautiful day.”

“Exactly,” she ground out.

He pulled his hat from his head and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to explain why that’s a bad thing.”

She leaned her elbows on the porch railing and placed her head in her hands. “No rain. It hasn’t rained since that storm over a month ago.”

“I’m sure we’ll get some rain soon,” Carter offered, still sounding just as confused as ever. “The crops will be fine.”

“I’m not worried about the crops,” she said softly. “I’m worried about Ash.”

Carter grew still and understanding flooded his countenance. “You’re worried about the fires.”

She nodded. Her concern was more than draining. She’d been having a hard time sleeping, and any time she saw a fire announced on the news, she couldn’t help but worry that Ash would be called into action. That fear was all-consuming no matter what she did to try to forget it.

“Charlie…” Carter’s voice was calm, laced with empathy but also a hint of something that made her feel like he thought she was overreacting.

“Don’t talk down to me, Carter. We both know that Ash’s job is dangerous.”

“Well… yeah, but?—”

“No buts!” She wanted to scream, but she knew he’d probably think she was crazier than he already did. “Ash has one of themost dangerous jobs out there. Did you know that there have been thirty-two smoke jumper deaths?”

His brows shot up. “This year?”

She blushed and looked away. “Well… no…”

His expression flattened. “In how long, Charlie?”

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