Page 20 of Falling for the Hotshot

“You know, I’ve never thought about it like that. But now that you say it… Other than Jesus, yes. I love autumn. It’s the best season there is. In fact, I’d eat the desserts all year round if I could. And I can, so you better believe that I do.” My mind suddenly went to the memory of the gorgeous redhead woman at the Fairy Falls Grocery Store buying the pumpkin trifle. But seeing that woman didn’t compare to talking to this one. There was a banter between us already—a familiarity, a comfort, that I hadn’t found with other people. As we talked, I learned that she was a Christian, a lover of desserts, fall, and that she was a last minute fill-in for this position and had only been here for half the season.

“Why is that? What made you want to drop everything and leave everyone to be a firewatcher in a remote tower?”

“Ah, it’s a long, boring story that I’ll save for another time,” she teased. My heart felt like it squeezed at her words. I wished I could have known right then and there, but I respected that it was none of my business, and she wasn’t ready to share that. Melody stood near me, looking at me expectantly. I sighed and put the radio back on its receiver.

“Hi, Melody. Looking for a lighter?” I pointed to her candle that had almost diffused itself due to the wick burning down faster than the wax could dissolve.

“We just need to remember to keep things… Professional around here.” I nodded in agreement.

“Will do, Melody. Although if you are referring to me talking to the people who are living alone, in completely remote settings, up high in fire towers not being professional, then I really don’t know what to say to that. It’s not like we have anything else happening right now.” Melody shrugged and walked off, the small flame in her candle fighting for its life. I leaned over and blew it out.

Chapter 20

Heat Advisory

Autumn

After our conversation the day before, I couldn’t stop thinking of Blaze. And I knew dispatch usually showed up to work early in the morning. If I had no chill, I would have called the moment I thought he sat down, but I waited the longest I could. Finally, it was time.

“Tower Three to Dispatch,” I called on the radio, with a smile plastered on my face. Blaze quickly answered, as usual.

“Dispatch to Tower Three, what is your report?” I couldn’t say for certain, but if I had to guess, it sounded like he was smiling, too.

“Visibility, ten miles.” I paused, deciding to add a little more. “Still hot and dry, with winds gusting up to thirty. Morale, medium.”

“Copy, medium morale.” I laughed out loud, followed by a little snort. I was pleased that my finger hadn’t been on the radio button.

“When it’s September, I expect September weather,” I teased, although I wouldn’t change this hot and dry season to go back home. I wasn’t ready yet. While I felt healed, I wasn’t mentally prepared to start over back home. Figuring things out, solo. Not much would change, I supposed. I would be keeping my same apartment, instead of moving in with Ray. I just needed to find a new job. And the longer I was up here, the more exciting this line of work became. Perhaps I’d like to work for Maple Haven Fire District? Blaze interrupted my thoughts.

“The weather is crazy in Wyoming. It’s never what you expect. My coworker here is burning a pumpkin candle, so it definitely feels like autumn at my level.”

“Is that allowed?” I laughed out loud again, imagining a candle burning in a dispatch center for fire.

“That’s what I asked. Oh no. She can hear me and now she’s threatening to pour the hot wax onto my arm.”

“Sounds like you are working in pretty dangerous conditions.”

“Compared to what I’m used to, this is pretty scary, actually.” His statement left a question in my mind.

“What are you used to?” A long pause followed my question. I was about to assume another call came in that took precedence, when he finally followed up.

“I’m a hotshot firefighter, but I hurt my leg pretty good early in the season.”

“Hotshot as in ground crew, fighting the fire by hand and shovel, or hotshot as in you are the best in the business?” I asked, the smirk still on my face.

“Definitely the latter,” he replied, and my heart picked up its pace. This banter came so naturally, so easily… And it was the first time I’d ever experienced anything like it.

“I’m sorry about your leg,” I said, under my breath. I wanted to ask the extent of his injuries, but we weren’t quite there yet.

“This old thing? I’ll be okay. I am starting to limp around on it. I’m hoping to lose the crutches by the end of the month.” An instinct to care for this man I had never met kicked in.

“Do you need anything?” A question that felt silly in nature, as I was above the clouds, only leaving my post once a month, and he was on the ground. But he took the question in grace.

“I think for now, I’m set. We’ve got ample baked goods here. Melody has her collection of fall candles. I thought it was just the one, but she swapped it out for a full one about five minutes ago. The flame is burning so strong, it may make our jobs more interesting here any minute. And Kerry has just brought in a vat of hot apple cider. If it wasn’t in the high 80’s still, I’d grab my flannel shirt and say that you and I should take a stroll to the pumpkin patch.” I was certain he was saying that playfully, but I couldn’t stop my cheeks from reddening. The heat moved into my chest and arms, too. Here I was, playfully chatting with a dispatcher who sounded cute, and now he was teasing about going somewhere together.

“Only if you are one of those people who enjoy hay rides. I can’t go to a pumpkin patch and not ride backwards on a wagon.”

“And I can’t leave without being covered in small pieces of hay.” My face hurt from smiling.