Page 61 of Turbulent Fires

It feels like forever before we touch down in the staging area for the firefighting crews. It’s like landing in a war zone. Smoke is blanketing the hills as radios buzz all around. There’s a smoky glowing orange haze hanging in the air. It’s organized chaos and unbearable heat.

Audrey stays by my side as we’re handed bottles of water, and quick medical checks are done. We’re given new clothes that we quickly change into. This team knows how to move quickly. Unfortunately, they deal with dangerous situations far too often.

I spot Jayden pacing near the mobile command center, talking on his phone. Drake is wearing a headset and coordinating logistics like a man born for it. Both of my brothers live here, and they’ll protect our home. What’s more phenomenal is that the Armstrongs don’t live here, but dropped everything to jump in because of our friendship. That’s what love is all about.

“We have two more ridges flaring up,” one of the firefighters shouts. “We need more water planes up now or it’s going to jump the line and hit the edge of that neighborhood!”

I look at Audrey. “I have to go.” She nods before leaning in and giving me a quick kiss.

“Promise to be safe and come back to me.”

“I will,” I assure her. I turn and find Cooper.

“The plane over there is fueled. She’s ready to go.”

I nod. “Thanks.” I turn and start running for the plane, my body itching to get back into the sky. I caused this, and I damn well will help stop it.

The waterplane roars to life beneath my hands like an angry beast, ready to run. I welcome it. There’s something about fire in the distance and water beneath your wings that makes everything else in the world fade.

It doesn’t take long to launch into the sky. I fly low, skimming the lake to scoop water, then arc high toward the growing inferno. Every drop counts, and I have to be close. Each pass I make is critical. I stay on the radio and coordinate with the other planes and choppers in the air, each of us locked into the same mission — to save these hills and the neighborhoods. We must protect life.

I’ve left Audrey behind to do this, but I’m sure she’s already jumped in to help wherever she can. There’s not a chance she’ll sit back and wait. That’s not the woman I know, the one I’ve fallen head over heels in love with.

I make one drop, then another, and another, and before I know it, hours have passed. We work long into the night, and my adrenaline-fueled body keeps me alert and moving. No one gives up, no one stops the battle.

On one of my final passes, I see the flames far too close to a cul-de-sac filled with families, pets, memories, and history. I push the plane hard, faster than I should, and dump everything I have. Right behind me, other crafts do the same. I circle back and see the water hitting like thunder... and smile as the fire recoils and dies.

It’s been a hell of a battle, but finally we see the smoke turning from angry orange into soft gray. It’s been hours of pure hell with smoke so thick it feels like flying through fogged glass, and water drops that have to be timed to the second, but by the time dawn bleeds across the hills, the fire is almost out.

We’ve done it. We’ve saved the line; we’ve saved the community. I turn my plane and head back to the staging area, so exhausted that I know I don’t have much more in me. It’s all been worth it, though. It’s worth it... for her.

I land to cheers all around. The atmosphere has changed from when we first arrived. Now we know the major battle has been won. The war isn’t over, and we have to stay on top of it, but the fire that was out of control is now contained, and the mop-up crews will get the final flames out. I climb from my plane, my lungs aching, my arms like lead, and my body covered in sweat and ash.

I’m nearly knocked from my feet when Audrey comes flying from nowhere and throws herself at me, her arms locking in tight around my neck. I find the strength to hold her, lifting her from the ground as true joy fills me.

“You did it, Wolf, all of you did it,” she says with joy in her voice.

“We all did,” I tell her. She holds me tight.

What started as my worst living hell, has finally ended with all lives saved. I refuse to think about what could’ve happened. It didn’t, and I can’t dwell on it or it will eat me alive.

We’re soon joined by my brothers and friends. Everyone’s exhausted but filled with joyful relief. So many battles aren’t won, so we have to take pleasure in the ones that are. Everyone’s covered in soot, exhaustion, and happiness. We lost some of the mountain, but we saved the town. We’ll plant, and new life will begin where the fire started. The phoenix will rise from the ashes. I hold Audrey and know I’m home. It doesn’t matter where we are, as long as we’re together. And together we’ll conquer anything put before us.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Audrey

I’ve never been this exhausted. Every inch of me aches from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. It’s mid-afternoon, and we’re heading to one of Wolf’s properties. I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that this man has so much.

We arrive at his beach house and step inside. I immediately walk to the large patio doors to look out at the ocean and take in the calming sight, smells, and sounds of the Pacific. No matter what’s going on in my life, if I go to the water, it instantly grounds me. That’s always been my favorite form of therapy.

Wolf comes up behind me, his arms gently wrapping around my middle. I sigh in contentment as I lean against him, then chuckle.

“What?” he asks, his voice calm and sleepy.

“We really stink.”

He’s quiet for a minute, then his chest shakes against my back. “Those are words I never thought either of us would say to the other.”

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