Logan
Chapter forty-three
Most campers don’t realize the potential hazard that comes with leaving a campfire unattended. Even one that’s died down to a smolder can be the start of a raging wildfire. All it takes is for one ember to pop or for the wind to kick up and breathe life back into the dying flames.
Rideout Ranch is forty-five acres of campgrounds, riding trails, a main lodge, and a large stable for boarding horses owned by the Walker family, and if we hadn’t gotten here when we did, they could have lost everything.
One lone campfire, abandoned with burning coals, reignited last night when the wind picked up.
The people camping had retired to their cabins for the night after the flames of their campfire had burned out.
Despite the many signs posted around the area and the information packets given to campers at check-in, they opted not to douse the hot coals with water and assumed the fire would burn out completely on its own.
They assumed wrong.
Reinforcements were called in to drop fire retardant around the perimeter while groups worked to dig out a fire line.
Thankfully, the Rideout Ranch campgrounds are well-maintained and easily accessible to the trucks our station has.
Had the fire been anywhere else, we likely would have needed to call in Hotshots.
It took us hours to get the fire under control, and in the process, Rideout Ranch lost nearly ten acres of land, including a dozen cabins located on that stretch of property.
We got lucky that only a few of those dozen cabins were occupied and nobody was severely injured.
But Rideout is the Walker family’s livelihood.
Losing that many cabins is going to be quite the financial hit, and it all could have been avoided if the people responsible would have paid more attention and followed the rules.
Rules that are set and expected to be followed for a reason.
The ones who caused the fire simply said they didn’t think properly extinguishing their campfire was a big deal and thought this kind of incident only happens in the movies. Now they will likely face charges and forever carry the guilt of what they have done.
Exhaustion and the acrid smell of smoke cling to me as I heave myself up into the brush truck, my body melding into the seat as I place the firecoms on and pick up my phone from where I left it while we dealt with the fire.
Cain climbs in beside me and gets the truck fired up.
My stomach sinks when I see the countless missed calls and text messages from Tessa.
The last text came in not too long ago, so I decide to check those first.
I swipe to her most recent message.
Darlin: I’m at the bookstore with Luke. He seems completely relaxed and says you’re fine.
I hope he’s right. I just need you to be okay, Lo.
I can’t lose you. We can’t lose you. I will come over there and run through the damn fire myself if it means you’ll be safe.
Please, please call me as soon as you can. I love you.
Fuck.
I can practically feel the fear written in her words, even when she’s trying to make light of the situation.
I hate that I have caused her to spiral.
We have had several conversations about what my getting called out to a fire could look like, down to the likelihood of missed meals, dates, and holidays, but talking about it doesn’t necessarily prepare someone for the reality of it all.
She knows I can’t call her until we are back at the station; I wouldn’t be able to hear her over the roar of the engine anyway.
It’s at least comforting to know she’s with Luke.
I hate the idea of her being by herself while she is worrying about me.
Luke tends to shut down and pretend he’s calm on the surface, while on the inside he is scared and running through various terrible scenarios.
Me: I am so sorry, baby. I promise I’m ok. Not even a scratch! I will see you soon.
It’s the best I can do for now. We have to clean and do an overhaul as soon as we get back to the station. The overtime pay is nice, but I would forfeit it without hesitation if it meant I could get my arms around Tessa sooner.
“Logan.” My name flies from her mouth the second she answers the phone.
I thought about heading out of here without calling her, but I know she has likely kept her phone clutched in her hand, waiting to hear from me. So texting didn’t seem right.
“Hey, baby,” I breathe. “I’m leaving the station now and heading home.
” I haven’t officially moved in yet, but her place feels more like home than mine ever has.
The drive from the station to her house is an easy one, though a little longer than the one to my rental.
With how eager I am to get to her, I’m not willing to waste time sitting at red lights.
I’ll get there faster by avoiding the main street and taking back roads instead.
“You’re okay?” she asks, her voice soft.
“I promise I’m okay. Nobody got hurt. Are you still with Luke?” I ask, placing my phone in the dashmount as it connects to my truck’s Bluetooth.
“Yeah, but if you’re heading home, then so am I.”
“Can you do me a quick favor before you leave? If Luke is right there, let him know I’m okay.
He puts up a solid front, but don’t let him fool you.
” Her voice becomes muffled as she tells Luke I’m alright and that she’s heading home.
Whatever he says is a little harder to hear, but it sounds like he says something about Aaron.
Quite a few volunteers were called out to help with the Rideout fire, and he was one of them.
“Put the phone on speaker for a sec, baby.”
“Okay,” she says. “You’re on speaker now.”
“Luke, man, Aaron is alright. Relax and take a deep breath. Nobody got hurt this time.” I try to keep my voice as neutral as possible. I don’t want my brother to feel like I’m trying to intrude or be nosy, but if he’s worried about someone, he deserves to know that person is okay.
He mumbles something in response that warrants a laugh from Tessa.
“I’m leaving the bookstore now. I’ll see you at home?” she asks, needing confirmation that I’m for sure leaving the station now.
“Already in the truck and headed that way,” I tell her.
“Okay. I can’t wait to see you.” She falls quiet for a moment before a nervous giggle slips free.
“I think I’ve convinced your brother to let Liv and I use the bookstore to start a book club.
He’s not thrilled at the idea of groups of people meeting at the store, but I told him it would probably bring in more business, and that seemed to calm him down a bit. ”
“It would be good for him to be around more people. Are you to your car yet?” I ask, sensing that she’s trying to stay on the phone as long as possible.
“Just got in.” The sound of her voice changes slightly as she connects her phone to the SUV’s Bluetooth.
Hanging up the phone is the last thing I want to do, but I don’t want her to be distracted while driving. She doesn’t have far to go, but too many accidents happen when you’re only a few miles from home. “Drive safe, and I’ll see you in a few, darlin’. I love you.”
“I love you too, Lo.”
The fifteen minutes it takes to get to her place seem to crawl by at a snail’s pace.
She’s leaning against her parked SUV in the driveway when I pull up along the curb, and my lips tug into a smile as I grab my phone and climb out of the truck.
Tessa doesn’t give me a chance to form a verbal greeting.
She runs toward me, her arms flying around my neck as she collides with my chest, and I take a step back to steady us.
My arms twine around her back, holding her against me.
She buries her face in the crook of my neck. “You’re safe, you’re safe, you’re safe.” Her words are ragged as evidence of her tears dampens my skin.
With one arm wrapped around her, I bring the other to the nape of her neck and guide her mouth to mine, sealing my lips over hers. Her body shudders as I tighten my hold on her, hugging her through the kiss. She pulls back as a soft sob escapes her, and I drop my forehead to hers.
“I’m here, baby.” Taking her hand, I guide it to my chest and settle her palm over my heart, letting her feel its steady rhythm. “I’m safe.”