Firestorm - Ellie Masters Page 0,28
a wine maker?”
“Both, and a bit of a rancher, I guess. Although that makes me think of cattle and I don’t have those. I have a herd of plodding mares.”
“So you’re a fire fighting, cowboy, vintner?”
“I suppose so.” He shrugs. “How about a man of many talents?”
My brows pinch together because I’m not sure if he’s teasing me. “So, firefighter, wine-maker, and rancher? How does all that work?”
“Volunteer firefighter. It’s not my main job. The family business is the winery. I run it with my brothers, and we operate a trail riding business on the side. I have twenty mares who love walking the forest trails behind our vineyard, but only at their slow, plodding pace, which is perfect for the tourists.”
“How do you find time to do all of that and pull people from burning buildings?”
“I’m not that kind of firefighter. I’m on a helitack crew.”
“Hell-a-what? What’s that?”
“Helitack. We’re first responders to wildfires. That’s what I do. Forest fires, brush fires. Wildland fires are my specialty. I’m not one of those firemen with a pole, a shiny red truck, and a Dalmatian called Spot.”
“Explain helitack. I’ve never heard of that, and is ‘wildland’ a real word?”
“Yeah, it’s a real word, and a helitack crew are kind of like hotshots, everyone’s heard of those, but instead of parachuting into remote wilderness areas to put out forest fires, we rappel out of helicopters. Similar but different, and the focus is on forest fires not civilian fires. Does that make sense?”
“It sounds intense. I guess every profession has its specialists.”
“I suppose we do. One of my best friends is a firefighter. He’s the one who got me started in volunteering. You met his brother.”
“I did?”
“Yeah, Grayson’s the medivac pilot who brought you here.”
“Wow, a pilot and firefighter in one family. Their mom must be proud.”
“Yeah, Mrs. Malone is something special.” He gives a soft laugh. “Their older brother is a cop, so yeah. They’re a family of everyday heroes. I’m good friends with Grady. He’s the youngest and the firefighter. His brothers are a bit older. They’re good guys, solid, you know.”
“I bet your mom is proud of you.” I’m not as interested in his friends as I am in what makes Asher tick.
“I’m her favorite.” He gives a wink.
“You said you have brothers. Any sisters?”
“No sisters. Two brothers, both younger, and they’re a pain in my ass.” He places a strange emphasis on the word ‘younger’. “What about you?”
My stomach seizes with the question I should’ve seen coming. I deflect. I’m getting too damn good at it.
“I really can’t thank you enough for what you did for me. If you hadn’t—”
“But I did, so we don’t need to go into what might, or might not, have happened.”
“Fair enough.” I give him a soft smile. “Thanks.”
If he hadn’t found me, I would be dead and Prescott would be beside himself with the mess I would’ve left behind.
Shit. I need to give him a call. He and Gracie are probably worried sick I haven’t checked in.
“I’m glad you’re doing better.” He shifts a little closer and reaches for my hand, but then he draws back at the bandages.
Which sucks.
I want to see if that electric shock is still there, or if my oxygen-starved brain imagined that sizzling connection.
“I appreciate it.”
“And, I wanted to see if there was anything you needed? Anyone you need to call? A husband?” He pauses and watches the hitch in my breath.
“No husband.”
“Boyfriend?”
I’m careful with my words. “No, no boyfriend.” There’s no husband because my fiancé never made it to the alter.
“Good to know.”
“Why?”
“They said there’s nothing in your personal effects to identify you. I gave them your name, but I think you’re officially listed as a Jane Doe. You’re a bit of a mystery. Not sure how much help you want, but I can get a few things from your home. Since you’ve ridden me, I’m no longer a stranger, right?”
“Right.” It’s too easy to agree with him. No longer a stranger? “I’m not from around here.”
“Oh.” The corners of his mouth turn down. “Is there someone I can call?” He gives a long hard look at the hospital gown. “How about clothes? While you’re rocking the hot patient look, it might not be the best thing to wear around town when I take you out.” He’s trying to lighten the mood, but it only reminds me of everything I’ve lost.
“Actually…” I need to call Prescott, sort out my life, and pay for this hospitalization. I’ll need to