Page 51 of Some Cowboys Brave the Flames

Charlie’s feet felt like lead. Each step she took down the hallway toward Ash’s hospital room felt like she was getting closer and closer to the end of something she didn’t want to relinquish.

She couldn’t explain it, but she could sense him slipping through her fingers. It wasn’t even logical. The doctors had assured her that Ash would make a full recovery. He’d been given the all-clear; his body was just working through the trauma from what had happened in those mountains.

Ash’s name was now synonymous with heroism. There would have been two casualties instead of one if Ash hadn’t been quick on his feet and known how to get his friends out of there.

The family of the other man—Cooper—had come to visit and check on Ash a couple times. Cooper had even asked for Ash once, but they’d had to tell him Ash was still out.

Her emotions had gone haywire. One moment she was crying, holding his hand, and begging him to return to her.The next she wanted to yell and scream at him for letting this happen. She’d wanted to accuse him of being a liar when he’d told her he’d be okay.

Technically, he was okay.

Daniel walked beside her. He pulled out his phone and then glanced at her with something akin to relief. “He’s awake.”

Charlie didn’t register anything that happened next. The hallways were a blur. She must have been running, and thankfully she hadn’t collided with anyone on her way to Ash’s room. She barreled into the room and stopped when her eyes landed on him.

He sat up in his hospital bed, looking haggard but alert. His cheeks were sallow, but other than that, he had no visible injuries.

Charlie gasped and lunged for him, only vaguely noting the way Mason slipped from the room with Daniel in tow.

She threw her arms around him, holding him, clinging to him as if any second he might slip away. His hands came around her back and he rubbed them up and down. Charlie didn’t realize she’d been crying until she pulled back and noted the dampness on his hospital gown.

Letting out an embarrassed laugh, she swiped at the tears that continued to spill down her cheeks. When Ash reached up, she stilled. He placed a palm to her cheek and rubbed his thumb along the dampness. There was moisture in his eyes as well.

Charlie couldn’t do anything else but hug him again in that moment. He was alive. He was alert. And he…

She pulled back, frustration overtaking the relief she had in seeing him. “Do you have any idea how terrifying it was to hear that there had been a casualty? That there were two smoke jumpers who were injured? And when no one would tell us?—”

Ash placed a finger on her lips, and she stiffened. “I’m sorry.”

A mixture of emotions rippled through her. She hadn’t expected him to apologize. Logically, she knew it wasn’t his fault. It was silly to blame him for something he had no control over.

His eyes scanned her face, and he smiled weakly. “I love you, so much, Charlie.”

“And I love you…” she whispered. “I don’t think I would have been able to survive if you hadn’t made it.” Charlie’s voice cracked and she looked away from him. “I don’t think I can do this again.”

Ash went still, and his hand dropped from her face. Without looking at him, she knew he understood the meaning of her words. She didn’t want him doing this job anymore.

Charlie knew it wasn’t fair to ask such a thing, but she couldn’t see another option. The way she’d suffered for the last couple of days made it clear there had to be a change. And if he wasn’t willing to change his career? Then she’d have to be the one to make a change, if only for her own sanity.

“Charlie…” he whispered.

She turned her eyes on him. This had to be the most difficult thing she had to do. And she wasn’t sure she’d be strong enough to follow through. “Please… don’t. Just…” She shut her eyes, then let out an unsteady breath. “I’m not strong enough to sit through another one of your speeches where you tell me that this is a random occurrence.”

“But it is.” Exasperation already laced his tone. “This is the first time?—”

She shook her head and clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “Ash, I can’t,” she pleaded. “Your job might not feel dangerous to you, but my imagination runs wild every single time you get called to a scene. I can’t help but think about the worst-case scenario, and this time… it wasreal.” Her voice cracked. “The whole drive here—every single minute of that long drive—all Icould think about was if you’d make it through. When I closed my eyes last night, all I saw was your limp body.”

“Charlie—” he said desperately. “You can’t?—”

This time she held up a hand to stop him. “You don’t need to be a hero. It wouldn’t kill you to find another job.Ineed you. Be there forme.” She was well aware of how selfish she sounded. She could hear it, and with each word, she grimaced inwardly. Charlie had never wanted to be that person. She’d never dreamed it would come down to setting out an ultimatum.

His face had filled with color, but it wasn’t the healthy glow she’d wanted to see. He was mad. She’d pushed him into a corner, and the only way out was for him to do something he didn’t want to do.

It was for his own good. And for hers. She would allow herself to become the villain if it meant that he would be safe.

She sought out his hand, but he removed it from her reach. Charlie tried to ignore the hurt that came from his dismissal. Instead, she focused on what she had planned to tell him. “I love you so much, Ash. I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you—not to this.”

Ash shook his head, but he didn’t speak. She couldn’t tell if he was holding back something or if he was simply too angry to utter a word.

---