Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 95886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Several hotshot, engine, and smoke-jumper crews were already either en route or on the scene as fire management teams had been working since the early morning hours on developing an attack plan. This fire, while in a remote location, had the potential to do some real damage if it was allowed to spread toward rural communities potentially in its path. The less experienced hand crews like Rain’s would dig fireline some distance from the fire while the other crews worked on the more challenging spots closer in.
“I’ve got the GPS on my phone set.” Garrick plugged it into the dashboard. God, this was weird, acting like there wasn’t a Crater Lake–sized gap between them, acting like this was simply another workday commute when the truth was he’d been begging rides from Ryland and his dad for several days now. Avoiding Rain was so much easier than this, being close enough to touch and smell and not knowing a damn thing to say that might relieve this awful tension.
“Were you dyeing fabric with your grandma?” he asked at last as the miles ticked by and the silence became oppressive, a heavy weight that seemed to make him hyperaware of each breath and each small movement of Rain’s, like how he was drumming on the steering wheel.
“Yup. Shirts. Big sale coming up in Klamath Falls in a couple of weeks. She’s excited about a weekend away. I volunteered to watch her bratty dogs, so I’m hoping it’s before I get a call about California.”
“Ah. You...uh...put in for that hotshot crew?”
“Not yet.” Rain’s jaw had a stubborn tilt to it as he studied the road ahead. “But what else am I supposed to do? Thought that’s what you wanted me to do.”
“I was just asking. I didn’t say to not do it!”
“Of course not.” Rain sounded more resigned than disappointed, which honestly made Garrick feel even worse.
“What did your grandma say about the idea? Can she spare you?”
“Ha.” Rain snorted, more of that bitterness to his tone. “She says to go, says I need to chase my big adventure like I’ve always talked about.”
“See? She’s not wrong. This is a good chance for you to do exactly that.”
“Yeah.” Rain’s sigh was so empty that Garrick’s chest hurt.
“Does it help if I admit that I’m going to miss you like crazy? I already do. Cookie too. She’s been pouting for days now.”
“Poor Cookie. Could...could I come take her out maybe? Cheer her up with a run?” Rain neatly avoided acknowledging Garrick’s admission about his own missing him.
“You’re welcome anytime. You know that.” But Rain’s answering frown said maybe that wasn’t true. Maybe Rain didn’t know that Garrick would happily squeeze every last drop of togetherness out of his remaining time in the area. His conversation with his dad came filtering back into his brain. A clean break might be the easiest and smartest thing, but hell if Garrick could seem to stick to it. “I want you around. For Cookie but for me too. I meant it. I miss you.”
“Damn it. I—”
“Turn left in 900 feet,” the GPS bleated, cutting off whatever Rain had been about to say, and after he made the turn, his tone was a lot less soft.
“It’ll just make it hurt that much more when I do go.”
Garrick couldn’t argue with that, but being with Rain had a way of making all logic and good sense fly out the window. The scenery outside was much more rugged now, signs of civilization few and far between, and a haze hung over the forest. Something about being out here, only the two of them, made him more honest than was probably wise. “Maybe it would be worth it.”
A muscle worked in Rain’s jaw as he took several long moments to consider this. “You’re always going to be worth the heartache. I wish it didn’t have to hurt so damn much though.”
Damn it. Something broke loose inside Garrick’s chest, and he needed them to not be in this car, the road needing Rain’s primary attention. He needed to be able to hold and touch him, try to take away some of that pain in his voice.
“Come over. After this is done, come over. Please.”
Rain opened his mouth, but the stupid GPS interrupted again with another turn and then they were at the fire camp—a collection of makeshift tents and old logging structures repurposed by the forest service. Trucks and equipment from several different agencies also occupied the clearing, and activity buzzed, people barking orders, personnel putting on gear, others checking on equipment and studying maps. It never ceased to amaze Garrick how fast the interagency logistics crew could get a camp together, even in the middle of nowhere like this. Trailers had already been brought in for food, hygiene, and for admin to work out of.