Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
TRAVIS
“ C artwright, time to move.” I glance at my supervisor Kurt. Covered head to toe in charcoal-hued soot, he resembles a coal miner. The whites of his eyes and the enamel of his teeth gleam in stark contrast.
Days of nonstop digging and brush clearing have taken their aching toll on me, punctuated by brief breaks to shove an MRE in my mouth, guzzle water, or pass out for five minutes on the ground.
Every inch of my body throbs, the result of battling a voracious inferno poised to devour millions of acres in Central California.
But it won’t advance any further if the Rough & Ready Hotshots have anything to say about it.
“Where to, boss?” I ask, trying to sound enthusiastic. As a Hotshot, there’s no room for complaining. My comrades and I have walked through hell together day and night while warring this relentless blaze.
It’s tough for a soon-to-be family man, though. This thought has weighed especially heavy on me since talking to Faith and Birdie this morning. Contractions started around six in the morning, and while far apart, Birdie emphasized the situation’s urgency .
“But it’s too early,” I exclaimed, and I’m still thinking that now. I can’t refute Birdie’s words, though. She’s a seasoned nurse. Twenty minutes ago, I received a text, saying Faith, Zane, and Birdie were on the way to the hospital. Texts from the rest of my family have been pouring in ever since.
Between the call and the texts, I’ve worked like a maniac, carving out God-only-knows-how-much hand line and the possibility of an early departure.
What I read in that natural childbirth book weighs on me, and I want to be there for my woman when she needs me most. Faith has sworn she won’t hold a grudge either way, but I don’t want to risk it.
Leaving my fellow Hotshots one man down isn’t ideal, either, though.
Kurt replies, “Sounds like you’ve got somewhere to be.”
My insides twist at his words. How can I leave my crew behind during our most challenging roll this season? I shake my head. “I won’t let anybody risk their life for me, sir.”
“You risk yours for us all the time, Cartwright. You’ve pulled double duty all day, too. Besides, the Tahoe Hotshots are almost here.”
It’s the best news I’ve heard all day, apart from the fact I’m about to officially become a dad.
“That means all of us are about to enjoy a much-needed break. You just get to leave a little sooner.”
“Are you sure?” I start to counter but clamp my mouth shut instead. Who am I to question my superior—one of the most experienced Hotshots in California?
“The trick is getting you to where a bird can land.”
“Is Hawk on his way?” Hawk’s my foster brother and a helicopter pilot who works with the Gold County Sheriff's Department and Sierra Search and Rescue.
“Yep, nothing's going on in Rough & Ready Country, so he figured he’d swing by.”
I glare up at the sky, squinting through inky, impenetrable clouds. My heart drops. “He’s not flying in this.” We' ve faced this problem all week. High winds and thick smoke, preventing air support.
“Hawk’s got a spot. Now, it’s a matter of getting you there.”
Of course, Kurt has a plan—he always does. “Alright then,” I say with a grin. “What’s the hold-up?”
We head for one of the trucks. Throwing me the keys, Kurt calls, “You drive, son.”
Once we start moving, I ask, “Why am I driving, sir?” “Because I know what it's like having a baby on the way. You’re a bundle of nerves. You need something to keep your mind busy.”
Talk about the understatement of the year.
You’d think the total exhaustion of the past few weeks would have dampened the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Not so. I grip the wheel extra tight to keep my hands from shaking, and my pulse pounds in my temples.
I want to do right by Faith and our baby, which starts with getting to Ophir City Hospital.
We follow a US Forestry Service road running parallel to the fire. We’re in the clear as long as the wind doesn’t shift.
“What was it like having your first baby, Kurt? Do you have any advice for me?”
“Buy a shotgun and lots of ammo.”
“What?” I exclaim, squinting through the hazy windshield and keeping a watchful eye on the searing glow to our right.
“When you have three daughters as pretty as mine, you need a way to scare off suitors once the teenage years hit.”
“Teenage years? Hell, I think I’ll start with meeting my son first.”
“That’s right. You’re having a boy. Well, enjoy babyhood while you can. The moment they start walking, it’s all over. And right when you get comfortable with that, they start driving. All bets are off, then, and you come full circle. Back to the sleepless nights that started the whole thing. ”
“Thanks for the pep talk,” I grumble, furrowing my brow.
I’ve heard a lot about the first six weeks and the lack of sleep new parents face, so I don’t need a reminder.
Of course, long hauls without sleep are nothing new to me.
I worry about Faith shouldering the burden alone, at least until fire season ends.
Fortunately, it’s mid-November, so I'm only looking at a few more weeks tops. I'm also thankful that Faith has Birdie for additional support.
The somber veil of smoke grows thinner the longer we drive. Soon, it’s nearly transparent, and the world opens up again, hinting at blue skies and pristine air. Like we’re traveling through a portal into another world.
Suddenly, Hawk’s voice crackles over the radio. “Drive faster.”
Kurt and I look at each other and then towards the fire line. Shifting winds send orange, red, and gold columns of flame barreling in our direction. The narrow, tree-lined road leaves no wiggle room or possibility of turning around. Out of options, I gun it.
“Can’t this thing go any faster?” Kurt asks as the glowing wall of flames lick the vehicle’s passenger side.
He instinctively leans in my direction, and I grimly wonder if he's about to crawl into my lap.
The air heats, and the car sizzles. I lift up a silent prayer, white knuckling the steering wheel.
“I’m giving her everything I’ve got,” I growl through gritted teeth. This is too fucking close for comfort. After the shit I’ve seen and done as a Hotshot over the past six years, though, it’s also another day on the job.
Please, Lord, give me a little more luck. We race through the flames as they cross onto the road, reaching the black—the burnout area and safety—at the last possible second.
Kurt and I both let out sharp exhales, looking over our shoulders. Relief washes over me. As a Hotshot, rule number one is remaining cool under pressure. But I know this memory will stick with me, making me sweat for years to come.
“Fuck,” Kurt growls, laughing as he nods towards his door. “The damn side mirror melted.” I glance to my right, confirming his observation.
“I hope you’re not going to take that out of my paycheck,” I tease, trying to suppress the shake in my voice.
“Considering you kept me from melting, we’re all good. And look at it this way. You can tell Faith you drove through fire to be with her. Once she’s back in working order, I imagine you can get a little extra tail out of this story.”
I fight the urge to punch him in the face. I know this is just careless locker room talk, and I’ve been as guilty as the next man of running my mouth in the past. But Faith brings out a protective, possessive side of me I’ve never felt with another woman.
I take a deep breath, shrugging my shoulders and trying not to freak out on Kurt. After all, if it weren’t for him, I’d have no hope of getting to the hospital in time.
Black, burned-out plains have never looked so welcoming, our shield from the raging firestorm behind.
In the distance, I see Hawk’s helicopter touch down.
Breathtaking blue sky and clean air greet us, and I open my window, gulping deep, refreshing breaths, before parking a safe distance from the chopper.
Kurt claps his hand on my shoulder. “Looks like your coach is waiting, princess.”
I nod, another wave of adrenaline hitting me.
“You okay, Trav?”
“Yeah,” I answer breathlessly. I’m not big on telling white lies, but I don’t have time to sort out or explain the roiling tangle of emotions inside.
Hell, I’m not sure I can find the right words, either.
Although, lingering anger over Kurt’s comment, anxiety, fear, hope, and concern all vie for top spots .
I’ve read the most popular pregnancy books and should feel prepared.
The thought of Faith in pain puts an acute ache in my chest, though.
If I could swap places with her, I'd do it in a heartbeat. As I have for months, I also wonder if I’ll be enough for her and the baby.
I know one thing, though. I'll do everything in my power to become the man she and baby Ryder need. No matter what it takes.
As if reading my mind, Kurt reassures me, “You’re going to be a fantastic dad. I don’t have a doubt in my mind. It’s time to go, though.”
“What about you? I hope you’re not going back the way we came.”
“Hell no. The service road up ahead will loop me back to the main.”
“Alright, then. Good luck and thank you again.” I shake his hand before hopping out of the vehicle and jogging towards the helicopter.
“You look like shit, dude,” Hawk tells me as I climb into the seat next to him. “And you smell like burnt meatloaf.”
“Thanks, bro,” I reply. “But if we’re being honest this whole fucking place smells like that. Or a barbecue gone wrong. Fuck, you don’t know how good it feels to breathe a little fresh air again.”
“You call this fresh air? Wait until we get into Ophir City. It was all clear skies and a beautiful late November day when I left earlier. You ready to become a dad?”