Page 22 of Five Alarm Love
“Yeah,” he muttered.“Maybe soon.He said that the town and mine working group has got things tied up in red tape.”
“The group includes the village and owners of land abutting the mining claim.”It wasn’t a secret that there were provable minerals in the ground in the Ray Mountain range outside of town.
It also wasn’t a secret that a working group had been formed to decide how best to manage the resource.But something niggled in the back of her mind.She tried to focus on it, but it floated away like a yellow poplar leaf drifting off in the fall breeze.
“The group could use me.”He sat up, shoulders pushed back.“I’d be great at managing the mine.I got my associate’s degree in mine operations a few years back.”
“But you’re working as a firefighter.”
“Opportunities show up in different ways.I enjoyed the safety parts of my degree.Firefighting was a good way for me to do more with that interest in public safety.It also allowed me to get back to Yukon Valley.Make some money.”
Something still didn’t fit.“You’re a volunteer firefighter.”Who apparently didn’t have a regular job, not that it was her business.
However, for a guy about to move out of his dad’s house, where did he get his income?
“We do get paid for callouts.”He gave a serious nod.“Also, I have a plan to move up in the ranks.”
There was only one rank higher than staff firefighter in town, and that was the fire chief position.
Lou peered at the confident set of his shoulders.“Hmm.”So many questions.“What about the mine?”
“I can help while still working with the fire department.The mine, wow, it’s an opportunity to create something special in Yukon Valley.Help the local economy and improve the area.Make Yukon Valley great.Develop a local mining business.Let everyone ride the gravy train.”
Yukon Valley already was pretty great, in Lou’s opinion.“That’s not your call.It’s not an operational mine yet.”
“Seems unfair.That’s an untapped resource just sitting there.It can make a lot of money if we get it up and running soon.”
“That’s for the working group to decide.”
“Not everyone in the working group owns property in the target area.Doesn’t that seem unfair?”
Alarmed, she leaned back.“No, but we all bear the responsibility for the resource and caring for our land.”
“All I’m saying is, if you’re not at the table, then you’re on the menu,” he said.Hunter’s smile froze for a beat, then he spluttered, “Of course.You’re right.Sorry.I sometimes get excited about opportunities.I want to put my training to good use here.You know how that goes.”
“I do,” she conceded.“I’m starting the paramedic program next week.”
“Really?”
“Got in under the wire for this semester’s courses.It’s a combination of online classes and hands-on courses in Fairbanks.”
“You’d be great.Saving even more lives.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I’ve missed this.The view.Being here.”
“This is the perfect time of year.We’re in the sweet spot between mosquitos and blizzards.”
Hunter’s laugh rang out, again too loud.Although volume was helpful for keeping bears away.
“So true.”He turned toward her.“I’m glad we had time to catch up, Louise.This, us, together.It’s nice.”He paused.“After your breakup with Ryan, I didn’t know if you would want to talk to me.”
“You didn’t break up with me.”She made a face.“Ew, weird, right?”
He laughed for a few seconds, then sobered.“I know, but Ryan is—was—my best friend.”Shoving a hand through his hair, he added, “At one point, he was a nice person.”
“Well.Um, yes.”On the one hand, she hated interpersonal conflict.
