Chapter 13
Sophie remindedherself that people her age did not skip down the sidewalk. It was amazing what a good night’s sleep could do. Plus, with the new day’s sunshine beaming down on her face, the morning’s earlier call from the bank about the barn loan’s approval, and the man she was about to see, she couldn’t help her smile.
Her phone rang from her pocket. She paused outside the Jude County Fire Headquarters and squinted at her new phone. Marley’s name flashed on the screen.
Sophie swiped and answered. “Hey, how is Lew?—”
“You at home?” Marley asked. “I have a flower order for you.”
Sophie frowned at the door in front of her.
Marley kept going without a breath. “I was going to run it over before I headed back to the hospital.”
“What are you doing at work?”
Marley sighed. “I needed a break from all the beeping monitors and gossip. And Betty. Lewis was sleeping, so I thought I’d grab a bite to eat.”
“At work?”
“Well, why are you not at home resting like you’re supposed to?” Marley countered.
Sophie wrinkled her nose. “Marley, I’m fine. Last night wasn’t your fault. I promise I’m not the one you need to worry over.” Plus, it had been about twelve hours since she’d seen Houston, and somehow that was already too long. “How’s Lewis?”
After a moment, Marley said, “He woke up this morning and then went back to sleep. Still no problems from the surgery. They say he should recover. Finn and Preston too. There’s an officer guarding their hospital rooms. I’m scared that my brother will want to lock me up in jail along with the boys for allowing his son to get into all this trouble.”
“Lewis knew what he was doing was wrong,” Sophie whispered. “You did your best. We tried to help him.”
Marley sniffed. “I know. It still hurts though.”
Sophie shifted on her feet. Her ankle was not much of an issue, and her stitches on her head no longer hurt. “I’m meeting Houston for lunch, and then I can swing by your shop and pick up the flowers…”
Hold on. If Houston was here, why would he send her flowers?
Sophie squinted back to the parking lot to where Houston’s truck sat beside hers. Who else would send her something? “Marley, what does the card say?”
“Oh, well, I’d assumed Houston…hang on.” A shifting of papers came over the speaker. “The invoice says three sunflowers for Sophie Lamby, huh? Maybe someone wrote your name wrong.”
Lamby.“Did you say sunflowers?” Her hand went to grasp her necklace. She pulled the rings out and stared down at the engraved sunflower on her mother’s ring.
Crispin.
“I can open the card if you want.”
Sophie managed a grunt that she hoped encouraged her friend. But she was pretty sure her brother was sending her a message. One that he was going to be okay.
“Finally got it open. Okay. It says…See you soon. Let’s have a root beer float. My treat.” Marley paused, probably flipping the card over. “There’s no name. So…maybe Houston isn’t great with love notes, or first date plans, but my vote is he’s still a keeper.”
“Thanks, Marley.” Sophie choked out. “You’re right. He is.” Even though he wasn’t the one the flowers were from. When Sophie had gotten her driver’s permit, her brother had handed her the keys and said she was treating him to a root beer float for him having to teach her how to drive.
Sophie cleared her throat. “Why don’t you take them to your place, and I’ll swing by later and catch up. I’ll grab you your favorite smoothie too.”
“No, girl. I need to grab you a smoothie. You’ve been through enough.”
“Doesn’t mean I want to ignore your burdens. You’ve had a rough night too. See you at five-ish?”
Marley’s sigh filled the silence. “Sounds lovely. Thanks, girl.”
Sophie hung up and stepped into the headquarters. A small bench was by the front door, but laughter led her down the hall where a group of hotshots, smokejumpers, and other staff sat in a space filled with sofas and a television.
None of them were Houston.
Charlie noticed her. “Hey, Sophie.”
She waved. “Do you know where…”
But the sound of a chair scooting back had Sophie looking beyond the couches and back to the long kitchen table.
Houston threw down his cards. “I fold.”
Someone complained about Houston’s forfeit, but Sophie couldn’t take her eyes off the man who’d gone from practically an enemy to someone much more.
Houston led her out of the room and wrapped her up in a hug. He slid his fingers around hers and tugged her down the hall. He stopped just by the front bench. “Hi.”
Sophie’s hands were placed over his heart, right where she seemed to be planting herself. Instead of answering, she levered herself up on her toes and touched her lips to his. Once again, his arms went around her, and it felt like home.
After the sweet kiss ended, he smiled down at her. “I think I like your greeting much better than mine.”
“I would offer another, but I also want to know how your meeting went this morning.”
Houston took in a deep breath. “The chief wanted to rehash my hesitations.”
Sophie shook her head. “You didn’t hesitate last night with Finn and the fire.”
He rubbed his hands up her back. “That’s when I realized I no longer wanted to be a hotshot to prove myself to anyone.”
She frowned. “Are you leaving Ember earlier than planned?” She had told herself that she was willing to compromise for Houston, and she still was. But it wouldn’t be easy. However, he was worth it.
“We lived through so much over the last few days. I think, in the end, all of it will help me be a better hotshot. But I want to save both physical and spiritual lives. I’m thinking of applying to the open position at Ember’s Community Church.”
Sophie swallowed. “You’re saying you want to stay in Ember?”
“Would that be awful? I think I still want to take a few seminary courses in the offseason. But probably online.”
“You can stay.” She tilted her head. “Only if you occasionally ride a horse now and again with me too.”
He full on smirked. “Depends. Will you stick me on a horse or a mule?”
She shrugged. “I’m not picky as long as they belong to the Sunflower Ranch.”
At Houston’s lowered brow, she showed him the engraving on her mother’s ring. “I’m thinking of renaming the ranch. The bank called on my way over, and they’re letting me build another barn. I thought it would be the perfect time. Plus, sunflowers were my mother’s favorite flower.”
“That’s perfect, Soph. Speaking of your brother’s necklace…have you called his friend to pass on that message yet?”
“It took forever to charge.” Sophie pulled out the phone in question from her purse. “But I wanted you with me when I did it.”
Houston leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Then that’s exactly where I want to be.”
Sophie dialed the only person in the worn phone’s contact list and put it up to her ear.
After the first ring, Houston laced his fingers through hers.
“What if no one answers?” Sophie asked. “We won’t be able to?—”
Someone else in the hallway jogged toward them. “Excuse me, James.”
The voice had both Houston and Sophie moving closer to the bench so the striking smokejumper coming down the hall could get past them to the exit. “Sorry, Booth.”
At the third ring, Sophie’s stomach squeezed. “Should I?—”
“Hello?” a man answered.
Sophie gripped the phone. “Yes, hi. Umm…” What was she supposed to say again?
“I think you have the wrong?—”
“I don’t have the wrong number.” She took a breath. “Crispin needed you to know that the brothers are back. No, that wasn’t what he said.” She squeezed the bridge of her nose. “It’s the brothers are here.”
After three heartbeats, the male voice lowered. “Who is this? How do you know Crispin? Wait, he’s alive?”
Sophie opened her mouth, but the presence of Houston’s fingers squeezing around hers reminded her that it wasn’t only her safety that could be in danger if she gave away too much info.
But also, the man she’d fallen in love with.
She ended the call, hanging up on Crispin’s colleague. Her brother hadn’t wanted the man on the other side of the phone to know anything more. She pressed her shoulder against Houston. He simply held her, and that was exactly what she needed.
“You’re a good sister.” He ran his fingers through the ends of her hair. “You did what you said you would.”
“We did what we said we would. Isn’t there a famous saying about once lab partners always lab partners?”
“Even if there isn’t,”—he lifted her hand off his chest and kissed the back of it—“I like the idea of always with you.”
All too soon, he sighed. “I know I said eleven o’clock, but can you wait a bit longer? It’s about time for our briefing.”
“Of course. I’ll wait.” She lowered herself to the bench in the hallway.
Houston turned to Sophie. “Soph, after everything…are you sure you’re okay with my job? I mean, I would do something else…”
He didn’t have to finish his sentence. She understood. He was willing to compromise for her too.
She smiled up at her handsome hero. “I couldn’t think of a better hotshot.”
He walked toward his crew but glanced back. “At lunch, maybe you could ask me again if I’m happy.” He winked right before he rounded the corner.
Sophie grinned. The last time she’d asked him if he was happy was after she had tightened her seatbelt while they were chasing Lewis. That seemed like a lifetime ago. Each twist and turn of their past had molded them.
They would still face trials, but even through life’s flames, God’s plans always led to His hope and perfect peace.
* * *
Thank you for reading Flashover! Gear up for the next Chasing Fire: Montana romantic suspense thriller, Flashback by Michelle Sass Aleckson. Keep reading for a sneak peek!
SECRETS. BETRAYAL. SACRIFICE.
THIS TIME, THEY”RE NOT JUST
FIGHTING FIRE.
He’s the last person she wants to see…
Allie Monroe is desperate for a fresh start. Grieving the loss of her first SAR dog, she’s gone to Montana to train her new K9, Scout. And when two boys go missing during a wildfire, she’s brought on board to find them.
But the one person tasked to help her is the last person she wants to see—arrogant and dangerous Dakota Masterson.
It’ll take exactly this man to save everything she loves.
Former SWAT officer Dakota Masterson is a new man after confronting the demons of his past, including his first unfortunate meeting with Allie. But admittedly, she’s the last person he thought he’d see again…or have to work with. Still, maybe this is his chance to prove to her that he’s a different man—because she’s the one woman he can’t seem to forget.
However, with the flames closing in, finding the boys might mean confronting the painful memories of their short-lived relationship. Then, Allie’s dog goes missing, suddenly someone is shooting at them, and they find themselves in a race against a wildfire and a threat that wants them dead. More, when Allie goes missing, Dakota’s past—and his issues—come roaring back.
It’ll take the SWAT officer in him to save the day, but will it cost them a future they both long for?
Get ready to be swept away in a world where survival, redemption, and second chances collide in book three of the Chasing Fire: Montana series.