"Ellison? I just want you to be happy."
I smiled. "Believe me when I say that for the first time in a long, long time ... I am happy. Maybe the happiest."
She nodded, and Tyler led me down the hall and out the front door to his truck. He held open the door, and I climbed in, settling in while he slid in behind the wheel.
"That was..." I began.
"Intense." He chuckled. He slid his fingers between mine, lifting my fingers to his mouth. "I think it went well."
I wrinkled my nose. "Really?"
"Yeah. Everything's going to be all right."
I held my hand in front of me, admiring my diamond. "Think happy-ever-afters can happen for someone like me?"
Tyler's phone went off, and he pulled it out, squinting to read the message. "Fuck."
"What?"
"Called in. Colorado Springs. Oh, no."
"What?"
"Taylor's already there with Zeke and David Dalton."
I frowned, not recognizing the second name.
"Jew," he explained. "They haven't reported back. They're getting ready to list them as missing."
I covered my mouth. Tyler looked at me.
"Let's go," I said.
"Baby..."
"I'll stay at the hotel. Drive. Drive!"
"Promise me you'll stay put."
"I'll stay at the hotel." I recoiled from Tyler's stern stare. "I promise!"
Tyler yanked the shifter into drive, surging forward. He called Chief on the way, letting him know we were heading south.
The drive down seemed to fly by--probably because Tyler was driving twenty miles over the speed limit. As soon as we ran into the lobby, Tyler joined the other hotshot crews in the conference room.
"Ellie!" Darby said with a smile. "I was hoping you'd come."
"I'm here. Need a room."
While Darby checked me in, I turned to wave at Stavros.
"Do me a favor," I whispered to Darby.
"Sure," she chirped, staring at the computer monitor and clicking on her mouse.
"I'm not going anywhere near Stavros while I'm here."
Darby's head popped up, and she stared at me, confused.
"I don't drink anymore," I said.
"Oh ... oh! Yeah. Last time was ... that was bad."
I nodded once. "And it didn't get better after that."
Darby's eyes widened, and she reached over the desk to grab my hand. "Chicken nuggets, it can't be too bad! Congratulations! Tyler?"
"Yeah," I said with a smile.
She released my hand. "Hot damn, that is pretty. I'll let Stavros know you're on the wagon."
"Thank you," I said, deciding in the moment that I hated that euphemism.
She gave me two cards and winked, and I glanced down at the envelope to check the room number. I glanced over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of Tyler standing in the conference room, his arms crossed.
I carried my camera bag to the elevator, pressing the button for the second floor. Our room was at the end of the hall, a corner room, and I looked down to see the lot lights illuminating the news and hotshot vehicles crowded around Tyler's truck.
I sat on the bed and tapped the remote. It didn't take me long to find a news channel covering the fire. News of the missing Alpines was already scrolling across the bottom of the screen in yellow letters.
I called Jojo to let her know I was south covering the fire. Just as I plugged my phone into the charger, it chimed.
Going to get Taylor. Love you.
Be safe. I've got plans for you. Love you, too.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The sun was getting low in the sky when the main lobby doors slid open and Trex walked through. He didn't seem surprised to see me, but he was surprised to see the ring on my finger. "Congratulations," he said.
"Have you heard anything about the Alpine crew?" I asked.
"The rescue crew was helo'd in. That fire's a beast."
I stood behind the sofa, watching the large flat screen next to Darby's desk. Stavros brought me a glass filled with something clear and fizzy.
"Sprite," he said. "Just Sprite. Are you hungry?"
"No, thank you."
Stavros returned to the bar, and I returned my attention to the television. CNN was reporting that the smoke plume could be seen from the space station, and then they interviewed the US Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell.
"This is bad," I said, folding my arms across my middle.
"My people say they have eyes on the rescue crew," Trex said, checking his phone for the dozenth time.
After another meeting was held in the conference room, officials filed out and converged around the television. My stomach growled, but I didn't move. Darby had clocked out at three, but she stayed with me, knowing I was worried and alone.
"Turn that up!" someone called from across the room.
Darby scrambled for the remote and pressed the volume several times. A female reporter was standing in front of tall grass and burning trees holding a microphone. My heart ached, knowing Tyler couldn't be far.
I turned around in my seat, looking to the TAC team. They were talking quickly in hushed voices, and I turned around, watching the television with my fingers over my mouth.
"The last reported communication with the Estes Park crew was at six o'clock this evening, right about the time the two main fires converged. They've reportedly deployed their fire shelters."
My eyes filled with tears, and everything began to move in slow motion. I stood, scanning the faces of the men around me, looking for someone who might know where my boys were.
Darby handed me a tissue, and I wiped my cheeks quickly, refusing to think the worst.
"They're okay," one of the firefighters said, patting my arm.
I turned to the television, praying that any second the words scrolling across the bottom of the screen would change.
"Ellie!"
I turned to see Falyn running into the lobby from the parking lot, looking as panicked as I felt. I ran to her and threw my arms around her shoulders, sniffling.
"I just heard," she said. "Any news?"
I shook my head, wiping my nose with the tissue Darby had given me. "Nothing. We arrived just after seven. Tyler drove like a maniac. He's out there with the crews, looking for them."
She hugged me. "I know they're okay."
"Because they have to be," I said, holding her at arm's length with a forced smile. "I heard ... about the baby. First Maddox grandbaby. Jim's ecstatic." Falyn's face fell, and my heart sank. "Oh God. Oh, no. Did you ... are you not pregnant anymore?"
She stared at me, seeming equally confused and horrified.
"You're right," I said. "This isn't the time. Let's go sit. Trex is getting updates every half hour from his people."
"His people?" Falyn asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know. He just said his people."
Falyn sat with me on the sofa in front of the television, surrounded by firefighters and hotshots. As the night wore on, the crowd thinned, but Falyn, Darby, and I remained, waiting for any word other than Trex's updates that really weren't updates at all. The only thing we knew is that no bodies had been found.
Falyn held my hand and squeezed, her body sinking further into the sofa. Darby brought us coffee and a plate of donuts, but no one touched the food.
Trex came over, sitting in the chair adjacent to the sofa.
"Any word?" I asked.
Trex shook his head, discouraged.
"What about the rescue team?" Falyn asked.
"Nothing," Trex said. "I'm sorry. My guys only give visual confirmation, and they haven't seen anyone in an hour. The helos are up with spotlights, but the smoke is making it difficult to see." He glanced at Darby, wishing he had better news. "I'm going to call them in ten minutes. I'll let you know the second I hear anything."
I nodded, and then the lobby doors swept open.
Tyler walked in, his skin black with soot. He removed his hard hat, and F
alyn stood and I jumped up, sprinting toward him and hitting him at full speed.
"Oh my God," I cried softly into his ear. "Oh my God, you're here. You're back." I leaned back, seeing the matching clean streaks striping his cheeks. I hugged him again, and he squeezed me tight.
"We didn't find him. I can't find him, Ellie," he choked out.
"We had to drag him out," Jubal said, wiping his dirty forehead with the back of his wrist. He looked exhausted, clean lines fanning out from around his eyes.
"No!" Falyn cried.
Tyler released me and walked over to Falyn, pulling her into his arms. He whispered in her ear as she shook her head, and then her knees gave way, her wails filling the lobby.
My eyes blinked open, hearing the middle of Tyler and Falyn's conversation. She was going to work, unable to sit around and wait any longer.
"Are you going back out?" she asked.
"I'm not sure they'll let me. I might have punched one or two people before they removed me from the area," Tyler said.
"He's your brother," Falyn said. "They'll understand."
Tyler tensed, and I reached up to touch his shoulder. "He's going to walk in that door any second. They haven't found them. That's a good thing."
He nodded.
"Come on. Let's get you a shower." I stood, pulling Tyler with me. He stumbled to the elevator and then down the hall to our room. I guided him in and to the bathroom, where I unbuttoned his shirt, hooking it on the door, and then pulled off his undershirt, and then the rest of his clothes and boots.
I reached over to twist the knob to the shower, checking the temperature before I let him step in. He closed the curtain, but I could hear him crying.
I leaned my head against the wall, closing my eyes, taking in deep, cleansing breaths to ease the stress and the sudden, deep thirst making my entire body ache. I thought about Stavros and how easy it would be to talk him into a beer for Tyler. Just one. I was tired, and afraid, and worried for Tyler, but I had to be present. I had to stay sober. I stood up, refusing to give in. It was the first craving of many, but I only had to get through one at a time.
Tyler turned off the water and I handed him a towel. He dried off his face and then wrapped the towel around his waist, hugging me against the wall. I placed my hand on the back of his neck, kissing his cheek.
"He's coming back," I whispered. "We should get back down there. You'll want to be there when he walks in the door."
Tyler nodded, then wiped his nose, turning to rinse his mouth and dress again. He held my hand as we walked downstairs, stopping when he stepped into the lobby. His brother was chatting with a small group, just as filthy as Dalton and Zeke standing next to him. They were shaking hands and hugging the remaining Alpine crew.
"You stupid dick," Tyler said, stomping over to his brother. They hugged each other so hard I heard their fists pound their backs. Tyler lost it.
My eyes filled with tears, and Trex hooked his arm around my shoulders as we watched Taylor and Tyler reunite. I gave them a moment, and then I walked over to them, inserting myself into their embrace.
"Hey," Taylor said, a tear dripping off the end of his nose.
"Falyn was here," I said.
Taylor pulled away. "What? She was here?" he asked, pointing to the floor.
I nodded. "She waited here all night. Worried sick. You should call her."
Taylor patted his pockets, looking for keys. He pointed to Tyler. "Love you, brother. I gotta see about a girl."
"Get outta here, shit stain. Don't come back 'til she's yours."
Taylor ran to his truck, squealing his tires.
Tyler turned and threw his arms around me. "Fuck," he said, letting out a sigh of relief.
The crew patted him on the back, just as relieved and emotional as Tyler. I hugged Zeke and Jew, and then the rest of the guys while Tyler spoke with a few of the officials.
He came back to me, lifting me into his arms and carrying me to the elevators while the hotshots made ridiculous hooting noises and catcalls.
My eyes were suddenly heavy, and I leaned against his shoulder. The elevator chimed and Tyler stepped inside, maneuvering a bit so I could press the button to the second floor. He carried me to the room, and again waited while I touched the key card to the lock. The door clicked, and Tyler pressed down on the handle, pushed the door with his foot, and then lowered me to the bed.
I snuggled up to his neck, melting against him as he enveloped me in his arms.
"I didn't know Falyn and Taylor were having problems."
"Yeah, they're broken up."
"Even though she's pregnant? I don't see him letting that fly."
"Falyn isn't pregnant."
I sat up, slapping his chest. "Shut the front door! Are you serious?"
Taylor propped his head with his arm. "She broke up with him, and he went to California to see Tommy. He hooked up with one of Tommy's colleagues. I guess she's going to have it but doesn't want to keep it. How weird is that? Taylor is getting full custody."
"Whoa. You think they'll work it out?"
He shrugged. "She was here all night. She has to still care about him. Come here," he said.
I bent down, getting comfortable next to him.
He touched the back of his wrist to his forehead. "Wow. That was intense. I don't know what I would have done if something happened to Taylor. That makes us three-and-oh the last couple of years."
"What do you mean?"
"Taylor, Trent, and Travis have all had close calls."
I buried my face into Tyler's neck. "It's not your turn."
"Well, it damn sure ain't Tommy's turn. He's an ad exec."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
Tyler paused. "What makes you say that?"
"Well ... your family thinks you and Taylor are insurance salesmen. What if Thomas isn't what you think he is?"
"What do you think he is?"
"A cop."
Tyler snorted.
"I'm serious. Or something. He lives in San Diego, right? Isn't there a federal building there? He's something. So is his girlfriend. I saw Travis walking to their room the morning after the wedding, early."
"You have quite an imagination."
"Abby knows," I said.
"Abby knows what?"
"About you."
He laughed once. "No, she doesn't."
"Yes, she does. And she knows about Travis, too."
"What about Travis?"
"Whatever he's not telling her. She's smart. I'm smart, too. I'm a photographer, Tyler. I notice things. I'm always looking at people. I knew you were inherently good, didn't I?"
He frowned, unwilling to concede just yet.
"I think your dad knows," I said.
"What?" he said, lifting his head. "Where is all this coming from?"
"I've known. I watched them at Thanksgiving. Abby was asking you all of those weird questions, and she and Jim had a look."
"A look," he deadpanned.
Tyler's phone went off, and he dug it out of his T-shirt pocket. "Huh."
"Who is it?"
"Dad. He texted me."
"What does it say?"
"He's just checking in, asking if everyone is okay."
I leaned up to his ear, kissing his cheek. "Told you."
"No way," he said, tapping out a reply and then putting his phone away.
"He's a former detective. You think he can't figure you out?"
"Why wouldn't he say anything?"
I shrugged. "Maybe he's just letting you think you've fooled him. Maybe he knows there's a reason why you lied, so he's letting it go."
"Since Dad's psychic, maybe he can tell me when you're going to pick a date for the wedding," he said, only half-teasing.
I slipped my hand under Tyler's T-shirt, running my fingertips up his chest. "I thought you said you didn't care."
"Of course I care, baby. I'm just not going to pressure you about it."
Tyler's skin was warm under my hand, his ches
t rising and falling with each breath. I thought about when we first met, how sweaty and sexy he had been, trading punches in my parents' gallery room. We had conquered heaven and hell, fire and ice, and he'd stuck with me through it all.
"My mother seems to be very concerned about me affording the condo."
"Yeah, but your dad's not worried."
"If Taylor's going to be a dad ... won't he and Falyn need their own place?"
"Yeah, wow. I hadn't thought about that."
"Maybe you should give them the apartment, and you move into the condo with me?"
Tyler turned onto his side and propped his head with his hand. "What?" he said, suspicious.
I shrugged. "You can pay half the rent. We can get married after fire season..."
Tyler's eyebrows shot up. "After this fire season?"
"Too soon?"
He cupped my jaw, turning until his torso was hovering over me. "Baby," he said, pressing his lips to mine and sliding his tongue inside. I reached up his shirt, pressing my fingers into the muscles in his back.
"Like October? November?" he said against my lips.
I nodded.
He touched his forehead to mine, already emotional from the day. "Are you fucking with me?"
"I don't need anything fancy, do you?" He shook his head. "Pick a Saturday."
He scrambled for his phone, opening his calendar. "November seventh. That way we're sure fire season is over, and maybe some of the guys will still be around."
"Sounds great."
"November seventh," he repeated.
"Perfect."
"Last chance to change your mind. I'm texting Dad," he said, waiting for me to call his bluff.
I waited, amused.
He held his phone to his chest, closing his eyes. "If you're bullshitting me, it's going to break my fucking heart."
"Tyler Maddox!" I grabbed his phone, typed out the message, and sent it, turning the phone to show him. "It's sent. It's a done deal. I'm your wife on November seventh."
He touched my cheek with his hand, running his thumb along my jawline. "You sure you're ready?"
"What is there to be afraid of? You've already seen my ugly side and loved me through it."
"What if the situation was reversed?"
I bit my lip, staring at his. He was honest, he was strong, he was beautiful, and he was mine. "You're not the only one who would walk through fire for what you love."
He scanned my face, breathed out a laugh, and shook his head, pressing his lips against mine.
THE END.
READ MORE ABOUT TREX AND DARBY IN OTHER LIVES, A NEW CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE NOVEL RELEASING WINTER 2016.
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