Epilogue
All Clear
Autumn
Eight Months Later
“Wildflowers are growing around the burned patch,” Blaze reported to me, showing me photos he had just taken on his phone. “When I get back, we should hike up there to see it.” He smiled.
“Don’t forget to kiss me before you go,” I teased Blaze, who made a dramatic U-turn out of the dispatch office where I was now working full-time with Melody.
Thankfully, it wasn’t candle season yet, and with all of the heavy rain and snow we had received last fall, winter and spring, we shouldn’t have been experiencing a huge summer of fires.
That being said, Blaze had to travel to Montana and Idaho where there were a few flames already burning.
“I’m not leaving just yet,” he said, walking back and holding up his finger to my lips. We both walked outside where he hugged me again.
“I’ll only be gone for a few weeks,” he said like a promise, while petting my hair. I giggled and squeezed him again before letting go.
“And I’ll be here when you get back. It should be a really nice summer this year, after all that moisture. Maybe you’ll be off before fall kicks off, and you can take me to the pumpkin patch.”
“I’ll not only take you to the pumpkin patch, but we can go to The Pumpkin Perk Cafe and take one of those pie making classes.” My jaw dropped.
“You are so romantic,” I teased, pulling him close as he kissed my forehead.
“Expect it, pumpkin, for the rest of your life.” We knew we wanted to spend our lives together, but lately, Blaze had been making a lot of comments like this.
I hoped it meant what I thought—that he would be making it official soon, but I trusted God’s timing and was just so content being with Blaze, the rest of it was just really exciting, and I loved having our future to look forward to.
“Well, have a good few weeks, Blaze. I love you.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek and hugged him one last time before he left to meet with the rest of the group.
“I love you too, Autumn.” He smirked, looking at me. “You know what’s funny? I used to live for every moment of the fire season. I never wanted it to end. And now? Now, I can already tell that my summer is wasted dreaming of Autumn.”
May you have a wonderful autumn season and remember that the God Who brings rain is also the God Who walks us through the fires of life.