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

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?”