Page 47 of Love in the Time of Wildfires

River may not have expected anything quite like this, but she was getting the impression she was about to hear Logan spit straight fire, and it was giving those butterflies in her stomach a thrill. If people wanted Logan, they were going to get the straight, authentic version of him, not a watered-down one. The people in this room probably needed to hear it the most, and why should Logan waste the opportunity?

“We do it because we need to. It’s not some higher calling. It’s not us trying to be heroes. And it’s not just me. It’s a whole crew. It’s Damon and Grace and Jake, and well, everyone. The people who keep camp for us and make our food or set up towers so we have the service to touch base with our loved ones. This is just the job, to do whatever we can to save our community even if we don’t always feel connected to it. And we’re willing to make that sacrifice even when it seems like no one wants to sacrifice for us.

“Do you know in the last election we had a city bond that was supposed to provide better health coverage for state forest workers, including wildland firefighters? Never mind the fact that not many came out to vote in the first place. I think it was less than eight thousand in a population of at least fifty. It didn’t pass, and you want to know why?”

River slipped a glance around the room to see people’s reactions because the room was dead quiet. Looking to her right, she could see Damon and the rest of the crew nodding along with Logan. But on her left, where his mother and father stood, it was a picture of marble statues.

“Oh, Logan,” his mother said softly, with a shake of her head as though disappointed he wasn’t playing the game better. His father, with arms crossed over his barrel chest, loudly sucked his teeth before releasing a heavy breath.

“It’s because people didn’t want their property taxes to go up to pay for it. In the meantime, we’re giving up everything for your properties. We’re giving up our family, our lives, our health, and many firefighters are still not making more than minimum wage. So maybe next time you’re at the voting booth, you’ll think a little more about the people fighting to save your property and give us decent healthcare, because we need it. With climate change it’s only going to get harder, and we’re putting ourselves on the front line for you. We’re doing it to keep you safe, and we deserve the same. Thank you.”

Logan didn’t always say a lot, but when he did, he wasn’t wasting time saying nothing. Here stood a man of conviction. If someone gave him a microphone, he was going to take advantage of it whether he was being honored with a party or not. There was no doubt about it—Logan Sonelli was hot.

At the end of his speech, his crew cheered for him the loudest, along with River. Everyone else politely clapped, especially the on-stage politician who forced a smile and shook Logan’s hand again. While Ricky had originally rubbed a nervous hand along his forehead during the speech, he now nodded and patted Logan on the back.

As the man of honor made his way through the crowd, she watched as other people shook his hand. His warmest greeting was from his crew. They clearly loved him, and she could see why they’d be so protective of each other. River may have worried about him when he was out in the field, but it made her feel better knowing he was surrounded by this group. It was no doubt a good one.

He talked with them for a short period. She couldn’t hear the conversation because everyone else around her was chatting too, but through non-verbal cues it seemed as if Logan was giving Damon the plaque, who kept trying to give it back until Logan shrugged as though he didn’t really care. None of this was surprising, as he didn’t seem to be the type to put a lot of value in such trinkets.

He finally returned to her, and she had the urge to throw herself in his arms. When their gazes met, his face softened with a smile, which made her melt all over.

“You were amazing,” she said, low enough that he had to drop his head to hear her.

“You think so?”

“Yeah, I do,” she replied, lifting her face to him, wishing she could kiss him—as if they suddenly found themselves in their own secluded room while also being aware there was no privacy. For goodness’ sake, his parents were right there.

He laughed at her response. Maybe it was the alcohol in his system, but this was the lightest she’d ever seen him, as though tonight he didn’t have to carry the whole world protectively on his shoulders. The expression melted away when his mother called his attention. Carmela did her best to smile and act like everything was fine and perfect, as if Logan had received a presidential medal. His father kept the same stony expression on his face.

“Logan,” Carmela said, fanning a hand over her neck as though overly warm. “Well, now, that was definitely . . . something. Where’s your award? I wanted to see it.”

He merely shrugged. “I gave it to Damon to hold onto. I don’t really need it.”

“Don’t need it?” His mother gaped in disbelief. “Honey, you got an award from the mayor. It should be treated with more respect than a toy from a cereal box. If you don’t want it, at least let your parents have it. I wanted to take a picture to show my friends on Facebook.”

“Come on, Ma. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s just a silly plaque.”

“Logan, shhhh. Lower your voice. You shouldn’t be acting ungrateful. They probably paid good money for that—”

“I would rather have the money—”

“Logan!” His mother raised her voice but maintained a tight expression. She cast a nervous glance around the room, plastering on a bright smile as though everything were wonderful. River found the situation somewhat amusing because her family had their issues but they didn’t spend a lot of time being quiet about it.

Of course, the amusement faded when Anthony opened his mouth. “Hmph. At least you kids get something these days. Do you think I ever got any acknowledgments? I got never-ending bronchitis and ruined my back. And we were called forest technicians so they could treat us like shit. You kids have it all.”

Carmela’s face continued to hold the pleasant smile, as though she were a doll who never changed expressions no matter the situation. Although River didn’t miss the subtle elbow nudge into her husband’s side.

“Come on, Dad,” Logan said dryly as if he’d heard this speech a million times. River was perplexed about Anthony’s complaint, because Logan getting recognized for his work seemed like something his father would be proud of. If anything, Logan was trying to fix the exact things his father complained about—to make things better for all firefighters. Instead, it was as if Anthony resented his son for whatever pain his old occupation had caused him.

While River was starting to understand why Logan was reluctant to talk about the relationship between him and his father, witnessing it became uncomfortable. River bit her tongue, telling herself not to step in it. It wasn’t any of her business, and the last thing she wanted was to make enemies of Logan’s parents, even if they weren’t dating.

“They say it’s all a big grift. Not like the old days. People are saying they’re taking money from hard-earned taxpayers, and there aren’t actual fires going on. At least not real ones that aren’t controlled. Just so people can have all the money for themselves and blame climate change.”

Don’t step in it. Don’t step in it. Don’t step in it—

Screw it. River was going to step in it. Of course, if she were going to do it, she’d do it in her own special way. “Oh my goodness! Do people actually say that? That must be terrible for you to hear when you worked in the industry yourself.” River pressed a hand to a cheek, changing her expression to one of sympathy. “I’m so happy Logan has a father that can set people like that straight.”

She gave a soft smile, reaching out to touch Anthony’s forearm gently. “I bet you’re really good at telling people what it’s really like—the truth of it all. Isn’t it wild to be surrounded by such rumors? Can you believe people are saying that Logan, our Logan, is out there setting fires?” River knew she was taking a big risk in feeding some of the delusions, but maybe if Anthony heard it from a different voice, it might have an impact.