Page 27 of Falling for the Hotshot

“So, now you know what my hair looks like. It’s only fair if you tell me what your hair color is.” If my smile had gotten any bigger, my jaw would have fallen off. On today of all days, the day I was to wed Ray, this distraction was an absolute blast.

“I don’t know. Brown, I guess.”

“Brown… You guess? Is that the best you can do?” He scoffed at my question.

“Okay, brown, as in the color of a tree stump in spring.”

“Alright…We’re getting somewhere, hotshot.”

“Dispatch, for now,” he teased.

“Do you plan on returning to firefighting when you are healed up?” I asked, realizing I didn’t even know what happened to his leg.

“Yes, absolutely. I want to be boots on the ground, fighting fires for as long as I am physically able. That just came a lot sooner than I expected.” His voice trailed off. I could feel the disappointment in his tone, and if nothing else, I knew what that felt like.

“I’m sure you’ll be back in no time. By the way, what happened?” A long pause followed. We both liked to do these long, dramatic pauses with each other, and I didn’t know about Blaze, but I was glued to the radio, waiting for even a breath from him.

“We were out on a fire, and it had just taken a turn. It was burning erratically, very unusual for the time of year, since it was still spring. But after this winter we had, or lack thereof…”

“Of course,” I said, not needing him to tell me again. I heard it from every angle, and now that I’d worked this job, I didn’t think I’d ever look at a mild winter the same again.

“And a new hotshot was on our crew. A tree started to fall, and she froze. Fear, shock, whatever it was, she couldn’t move. So, I pushed her out of the way, and here I am. With pins and this giant brace that squeaks ever so slightly when I walk, like a pair of shoes from a discount store. It’s really giving me a complex.”

“Well, you failed to mention until now that you’re also a hero…” My cheeks reddened as my flirting went through the roof. I had never been so emboldened before, but it was far easier to talk to a man over a radio than it was in person.

“I’m not a hero,” he said under his breath.

“I think that pushing someone out of harm's way and taking the brunt of it definitely constitutes a hero, Blaze.”

“You can’t see me now, but I’m shaking my head,” he said, with a little laughter. “I shouldn’t have had her that close to the tree to begin with. She was brand new; it was her first fire. She should have stayed right next to me or another crew member. Pushing her out of the way was what anyone would have done. Anyone a part of our team, anyway.” I nodded, understanding that this scenario brought him emotions that he was still clearly dealing with. Kind of like myself and calling off the wedding with Ray; or rather, he calling it off with me. I decided then and there that I would tell Blaze what happened.

“Remember earlier when I said that this was supposed to be my wedding day?” I waited, holding my breath for him to reply, hoping he didn’t have another call coming in soon. This would not be my favorite time for him to get another call.

“Yes. Do you want to talk about it?” I nodded in reply and started.

“I met Ray at church… And for most of our relationship, we had been apart. But do you know what kept me going?” He answered like rapid fire.

“What?”

“Everyone telling me that I hit the jackpot. It was like fuel to the flame. Like igniting a prescribed burn… You need the area to experience the fire, but not get out of control, if you will.”

“Are you using fire metaphors to me? By golly, I think I have a crush.” His words made me almost drop the radio. I squealed in response, jumping up from my seat, feeling like I could do a cartwheel. But I would’ve never attempted a cartwheel; one, because I was still holding the radio to my chest like a teddy bear and two, because a one-handed cartwheel would make me need a Life Alert button.

“Simmer down, pot roast,” I teased, and he busted up laughing.

“And I thought I was supposed to have the jokes? Looks like I’ll be opening for your comedy show.”

“Har har. Anyway… Where was I?”

“Any man who would let you out of his sight is a total tool. You were about to say that.” I had never felt so validated in my life. I paused for a moment and smiled up at God. If nothing else came from this, God had given me the chance to have the time of my life, and that was enough.

“Okay, did God put you up to say that?” I howled with laughter, never having needed to hear something so much in my life. “Anyway...” I continued. “You see, he was pre-med and the pastor’s son.” I dropped the words like an anvil.

“Doesn’t mean he’s worth anything in the life-partner department. And doesn’t mean he’s a good guy, and I’m getting the sense that he isn’t. In fact, I just want to jump the gun and ask a question,” Blaze said, and instead of feeling like I had more to say, I was relieved he was so into this discussion.

“Ask away,” I said.

“What’s her name?” My jaw dropped.