And that was that. Trey stepped down from the engine to keep watch and alert any firefighter who might unknowingly be getting into danger. So far, all looked to be by the book. The booster was already in place. The engine’s lines were deployed. Morning Glory had charged hoses. When the first water gushed out onto the parched ground from the booster and engine, Trey raised a fist to the sky in triumph. Now they’d save the land and animals.
Time passed as the sun baked the ground—adding heat to the fire—and slowly moved from overhead toward the west. Trey spelled the other firefighters on the hoses so they could take a break and get a drink of cold water. Slowly but surely, they relentlessly tightened the noose of water around the conflagration until the fire had no place to go except burn itself out in the center of the tree farm.
Feeling a surge of triumph, Trey traded places with Kent, took off his helmet, grabbed a bottle of water, and poured half of the liquid over his sweaty face before he poured the rest down his dry and dusty throat. He put his helmet back on and glanced down at the end of the road. His pickup had been replaced by a DPS—affectionately known by some folks as the Dr Pepper Squad or technically correct as the Department of Public Safety—black-and-white Dodge Charger.
Vehicles had parked along the side of Wildcat Road. Folks were out taking photographs with cameras and smartphones. Misty stood talking with the trooper in his spiffy uniform. Trey felt a spurt of jealousy, but he pushed it down. No matter how many guys Misty talked to out there, she was soon going to be eating steaks with him.
He turned and walked back toward the fire. It was dwindling fast now. Little smoke in the sky. Few red-orange flames. Less stench. They’d done it. He clapped Kent on the back, and then stepped up into the engine again.
He keyed the mic. “Hedy, it’s Trey.”
“All still good to go?”
“Winding down.”
“What I like to hear.”
“We’ll retract lines on the engine and send it home.” He looked out the open door and saw the booster headed toward them. “We’ll leave the booster to watch for hot spots.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Later.”
Trey stepped down, feeling a great sense of relief as tiredness washed over him. What he wouldn’t give for a hefty hunk of buffalo steak right about now. But he could wait. He wanted to share it with Misty.
He heard vehicle engines turning over and the crunch of tires down at the end of the road. Folks were heading out. The DPS car wheeled out with the trooper holding out a hand in good-bye to Misty. She waved at him before she turned to look toward Trey. She grinned and gave a thumbs-up in triumph. He replied in kind, thinking she looked mighty fine.
The booster roared up but stopped well away from the hoses. Sydney and Jim Bob leaped out. Black soot streaked their gear and faces. Trey knew he looked about the same. He held up his palm and gave them both a high five.
“Good job,” he said, grinning at them. “You two up for staying here with the booster and watching for hot spots?”
“I live to serve.” Sydney jerked off her helmet and ran a hand through her damp hair. “Storm’s with Granny so I’m good to go.”
“If she’s staying I’m staying,” Jim Bob agreed. “But I expect somebody to deliver up barbeque and Dr Peppers.”
“Yum.” Sydney laughed. “I’m so hungry I could chase a horse—”
“You’re too tired to chase a horse, so don’t even go there.” Jim Bob winked at her. “Now I’m still in my prime after fighting a fire.”
“Hah!” Sydney laughed as she walked toward the engine with Jim Bob right on her heels. “Got any cold water left?” she called. “We’re all out.”
“Have at it,” Trey said as he glanced at Kent, who was retracting the engine’s hoses. He stepped up and sat down in the engine’s cab. He keyed the mic. “Hedy, it’s Trey again.”
“What’s up?”
“Jim Bob and Sydney need barbeque and Dr Peppers brought out here pronto to the booster.”
“Got it. Anybody else?”
“They’re going home or back to the station.”
“Good job.”
“Thanks. See you later.”
He keyed off the mic and leaned back against the seat. Another win. He couldn’t ask for more.
He jumped down from the engine and looked toward the end of the road. Misty stood there all alone beside his truck, waiting for him.
He felt warmth expand in his chest.
Chapter 27
Misty settled onto the front seat of Trey’s pickup while he stripped off his firefighter gear and stuffed it behind the driver’s seat. She took a deep breath, exploring her physical reaction in the aftermath of the fire. She felt some tightness in her chest but not too much. She’d come through another fire much better than she could’ve anticipated before arriving in Wildcat Bluff.
Trey sat down on the driver’s seat, heaved a big sigh, and looked over at her. “You okay?”
“Better question. How’re you doing?”
He grinned, looking happy. “We won!” He held up his hand for a high five.
She grinned back at him, feeling a sudden lightness of heart, and hit his hand with the flat of her palm. She glanced back up the road at the booster and the few tendrils of smoke rising into the air. “Feels good to win.”
“You bet. Now let’s go home.” He started the engine of his truck, backed up, and turned onto Wildcat Road.