Firestorm by Lisa Phillips

Author:Lisa Phillips
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

NINE

“Thanks for letting me come with you.”

Orion kept walking along the trail, ahead of Charlie. “Free country.”

“Is that really the reason why you didn’t object?” Charlie scanned the forest—void of animals, who had moved on to safer areas. Smoke hung in the air. They’d seen the smokejumper team land hours ago and finished up their day of work. The bus had picked up the rest of the crew—taking them back to the Ember base camp for the night.

Another day done. No lives lost, and no property destroyed by fire.

Something to celebrate.

Only God knew what tomorrow would bring. Certainly the weatherman didn’t.

“It’s not exactly complicated figuring why you’d want to go to the fire camp for the night.”

Charlie couldn’t tell if the kid was mad or bitter or what. “Keep talking. Tell me what’s going on.”

“Couple days, you’re already moving in.”

“You think I’m trying to start something with your mom?”

“Why wouldn’t you? She’s great.”

Charlie didn’t think Orion saw that as a good thing. “Because you saw me kiss her cheek this morning when we left, or what?”

Orion said, “You tell me.”

They’d reached the lake, which meant it wasn’t far to the camp. Clouds stacked up above the mountains to the west, huge expanses of smoke high in the sky. Ash fell to the ground around them. Charlie saw a shed. “What’s in there?”

It would make a terrible shelter, but it was the only thing out here. If it came down to making a run for it and they had to flee camp, the lake was their best shot. A helicopter could land on the beach and rescue the campers.

“Bunch of canoes. You gonna take my mom out on the lake? Get her to kiss you under the stars?”

Charlie said, “Is your mom’s love life really any of your business? She’s an adult, and so are you. Pretty sure you don’t get a say until maybe something permanent happens.”

Charlie might not be around for that, and he wouldn’t want to see her marry some other guy anyway, but he didn’t want Orion getting all tangled in knots over his mom falling in love.

“I do if she’s making another mistake.”

“There’s nothing about you that was a mistake.” Charlie couldn’t believe the kid would even think that. “Maybe not the wisest choice, but who you are is up to you and not the decisions your mom and I made. Not at this point in your life.”

“So tell her to be happy for me.” Orion glanced back. “I wanna be a smokejumper next year. I need her blessing.”

“Do you?”

“I want it.”

“Okay.” Charlie nodded. “I’ll help her work through it so she can be happy for you.”

Orion eyed him, like he hadn’t been sure it would be that simple. Then they were at the camp, so there was nothing else to say that the others wouldn’t hear.

Bridget, the older woman who worked here, came out of the main building. “Did you see Sparky on your way in?”

Orion shook his head.

“Who?” Charlie didn’t know who they were talking about.

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