I seated them at the back table where Taylor had been seated for the last two months and handed them menus. “Kirby will be your server this morning. Enjoy.”

I froze when I recognized the man standing by the hostess station as Taylor. Covered in thick mud, he was still wearing all his gear, including his pack and hard hat. The creases next to his eyes were the only skin on his face not covered with soot.

I covered my mouth, stifling a sob.

He took a step, removing his hat. “They said you waited all night at the hotel.”

I couldn’t respond. I knew if I opened my mouth, all I would be able to do was bawl.

“Is it true?” he asked, his eyes glossing over. He fidgeted with his helmet.

Everyone in the room was staring at the filthy man who reeked of campfire, and then they all looked at me.

As soon as I nodded, my legs gave way, and I fell to my knees, my hand still cupped over my trembling lips.

Taylor rushed to the floor, falling onto his knees, too.

He touched my cheeks, and I hugged him, pulling him to me, grasping at his clothes like he might be taken away from me at any moment. I let the sob break free, my cries filling the café.

He held me as long as I needed, allowing me to hug him as tightly as I wanted. His coat and pack were hard to navigate around, but I didn’t pay attention to that. I just grabbed whatever my hands landed on and pulled him against me.

“Baby,” he whispered, looking down at me. He wiped my face, probably smudged from the layers of ash on his skin and clothes. “I’m okay. I’m here.”

“Does Tyler know?”

“Yeah. He’s the one who told me you were at the hotel. Who knew he would be such a big fucking baby when it came to me?” He smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

“Where have you been?” I asked, shivering uncontrollably.

“We holed up. Let it run over us. Used our fire shelters. Finally crawled out this morning.”

I hugged him again and then pressed my mouth on his, not caring that his skin was black with thick soot. He wrapped his arms around me, and everyone in the Bucksaw let out a collective sigh of relief and sentiment.

When I finally let him go, his eyes sparked. “Christ, woman. If I’d known I’d have to have a near-death experience to get your attention, I would have jumped into a fire months ago.”

“Don’t say that,” I said, shaking my head, tears blurring my vision. “Where are Dalton and Zeke? Are they okay?”

Taylor smiled, his teeth gleaming white against his dark face. “Everyone made it out. They’re back at the hotel. I came straight over when Ellie told me you’d waited up with them.”