Ellie filled the mug with coffee and pulled out another generic one for Travis. When he reached the kitchen, Travis was shivering in his tee shirt and reaching out for the warm mug. He stood next to her, close enough so she could wrap her arm around his waist, partly in an effort to warm and partly in an effort to be warmed. He kissed the top of her head before taking a long sip of the black coffee. In that moment everything felt normal. And she was happy. And she knew she could trust him with her future, but still . . .
Ellie turned her head to the side, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. One day she’d tell. Really, she would. One day . . . when she knew the truth of who was writing to her, if it was really Steve and if he was beyond saving . . . when she knew Travis would understand, when Amelia was ready to face the ghost from her past . . . when Ellie finally remembered who carried her out of the brush fire the morning of the explosion.
But for now she’d wait. Ellie tipped her head back and looked Travis in the eyes.
“I love you, babe,” she whispered. Travis looked down at Ellie as though she’d told him he’d won a million dollars, his mouth turned up on one side in a crooked smile.
“Nah, I love you.” He brushed his lips against hers and then wrapped his arms around her waist until they were so close, it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. She shook her head again. It wasn’t time . . . not yet.
Ellie was finally out of Broadlands, but now she had to figure out how to get Broadlands out of her.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Chris Hanson—thank you, first for your service as a Portland firefighter/paramedic and second for your willingness to share your knowledge and experience with me to make Working Fire as accurate as possible. Your stories and expertise are the foundation of this story. Thank you for donating so much time to this project and for that truly awesome tour of the cadaver lab that made me go “OH!” and “Ewww” at the same time.
I have the most amazing writer’s group full of women who not only give great feedback but are strong, insightful, and a great example to me. Joanne Osmond, Mary Rose Lila, Kelli Neilson, Deborah Brooks, Paulette Swan, Tiffany Blanchard, and Candice Toone—you ladies are smart, beautiful, and the best support an author could ask for.
Thanks to my fellow Lake Union author, Catherine McKenzie, who reached out to me over and over again to provide support and advice and opportunities for growth. It has been fun to go from fan to colleague to friend.
To my fellow author Mallory Crowe, thank you for checking in on me, sending me the BEST songs to inspire me, and for showing me what it means to work hard and constantly seek to better myself and my work. You have no idea how much you have helped me over the years. Thank you for being my long-distance support. You deserve all the success you find.
Thank you to Kelli Neilson, author, critique partner, and friend. Thank you for being there for me professionally and personally. I can’t explain how much I love attending conventions together and working through plot lines. Thank you for talking to me for endless hours and welcoming me in your home when needed most. I love how your mind works and how you help me grow every day.
Emily Hanson . . . to think I started this book leaning on Chris’s expertise and ended it leaning on yours day in and day out. You are the BEST assistant any author could ever ask for. You are also just a stunning person and friend. I’ll never stop being grateful you moved to Illinois when you did. I love you and who you are. Thanks for taking care of me, making it possible for me to balance writing and being a mom, and all the other experiences life has brought to us.
Thank you to the author team at Lake Union. I’m sure if I pulled back the curtain, I’d find a team of wizards at work. Gabriella Van den Heuvel and Dennelle Catlett and all the other hands, eyes, and brains that made this book possible—you guys rock . . . sincerely.
Tiffany Yates Martin, your hard work and input while editing Working Fire has been priceless. Thank you for helping me make this story all it could be and inspiring some crucial and truly beautiful changes. It was an honor to work with you, and I look forward to keeping a good thing going.
Danielle Marshall—my editor and guide—thank you for your patience, guidance, and empathy. Your faith in me and continued direction were not only well timed but also a tender mercy in my life. Thanks for your passion and hard work. I always love seeing your name in my in-box.
My fantastic agent, Marlene Stringer—you called me on a cold February morning and changed my life by offering me representation. Then called me again when I was at Scout camp with my boys and told me of the offer from Lake Union. Thank you for your patience and support. I love being on the same team together. You are a force to be reckoned with. I look forward to all of our future adventures.
All of you who read Wreckage and When I’m Gone and took the time to recommend them, write a review, or even write me an e-mail—you have inspired me. It makes my day when I open my e-mail or Facebook and get a message from someone who was touched by my writing. Thank you for loving my characters and their lives. I hope you love Ellie and Amelia just as deeply.
My parents—you have been there for me so much. Thank you for being there, being proud and supportive. Not to mention your endless bragging and for letting me know you love me no matter what. Thank you as well for all your help and love for my kids. I love you.
My siblings—you each have shown your love and support in your own ways. Katie and Michael, thanks for always asking for status updates and spreading the word about my writing. Philip, thank you for all your phone calls and never-ending understanding. Thanks for showing interest in my interests, and I look forward to reading your acknowledgments one day (where you will thank me profusely . . . right?).
And, Elizabeth, so much of the love between sisters that I talk about in this book I learned from my relationship with you. If I listed all the ways you’ve been there for me throughout the years and this year in particular, I’d run out of room. You have always believed in me and are a stunning CP partner on top of it all. Thank you for reading a million drafts of this story and giving me honest and constructive feedback. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. I love you and believe in you. Always.
To my kids—you are my dearest friends of all. I love your spirit and authenticity. Your passion for life and your continued resilience are an example to me. Thanks for being my biggest fans and support. I love you guys with all my heart.