Firestorm - Ellie Masters Page 0,40

and Grant just got hitched. I guess her home will be filled with grandkids.

I don’t want to impose, but my stomach decides to rumble. She waves me inside.

“Come in, Ace. Do you want a beer?”

It’s weird, her offering me a beer. It was always juice or soda growing up, but with the day I’m having, I could use a beer.

“That would be great.”

“Go on out back. Chief is out there and I’ll bring you something to drink.”

“Thank you.”

I make my way through her home without help. I don’t need it. Many of my fondest memories were made in this house. Grady and I are the best of friends. Brody and Cage hung out here too, but not nearly as much as I did.

My brothers and I are tight, always were, but we started keeping our own friends once we reached high school. I think that separation was something we needed as we separated our identities.

Chief Malone looks up as I step on the porch. “Ace?” His face breaks into a huge smile. “Haven’t seen you around in a while. How are things going at La Rouge Vineyards? I heard you lost some vines to the fire.”

My shoulders bunch a little. Evelyn asked if the fire was out, and it is, but not before it caused significant damage.

“We did.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Not too bad I hope?”

Most of the fire damage was contained to La Rouge property, but there were a few adjacent structures which burned to the ground. My team, along with Grady’s firefighters, were able to get it under control, but the blaze burned for days.

This is why I’m concerned about the arson charges against Evelyn.

She may be facing stiff fines and prison if they decide she deliberately set the fire, which from everything Grant mentioned seems to be the case. And we’re talking up to thirty years. It’s a big deal, especially since the fire had the potential to harm people in addition to buildings.

“We lost ten acres before containing the fire.”

“And your mom?”

“Mom’s cottage was right in the path of the blaze, but it survived without damage. The fire charged down the hills, split in two, separated, and moved around her home as it continued onward to destroy our vineyard.”

“That had to be tough to see.”

“Watching ten acres of La Rouge profits go up in flames is going to hit our bottom line. It’ll be a rough season and I’m worried.” Our survival is at risk.

“You need anything, just ask.”

“Thanks.” I left that bit out when Evelyn asked about the fires. We’ll pull through, barely, but only because Brody will be floating the family business cash until we can rebuild. “Regrowing the vines will take years.”

Chief Malone grimaces at the news. “I’m sorry to hear that. Grady mentioned your mom’s home.”

“Grady and his crew helped put out the fire around her cottage.”

“And she’s okay?”

“My brothers evacuated her. Nothing inside burned although she complains about losing her she-shack.” Sitting on the edge of the fire break, our mother’s prized artist’s retreat is now a pile of ash.

“He mentioned your brothers are in town. How are Brody and Cage?”

“Cage got back from his Everest ascent and has some awesome shots for the magazine. He’s hanging around for a few weeks until his next assignment.”

“What about Brody?” Chief Malone knows my brothers well. He’s one of the few people we were never able to fool when we switched identities growing up.

“He came to spend the weekend, but with the fire damage, he’s extending his visit.”

I’m thankful for my brothers’ help. Brody has to take time off from work, but he didn’t hesitate. Cage has a few weeks before he heads off on an expedition to Alaska to photograph polar bears. We have a lot of work ahead of us to clear the burned fields and begin the task of reconditioning the soil.

“Your mom must be happy having you all under one roof again.”

“She’s very happy to have all her boys home. It’s been years since she could properly smother us.”

“Now, that’s something I understand.” He glances toward the porch where the door opens.

“Who wants a beer?” Mrs. Malone lifts two bottles in the air.

I take mine and she gives the other to her husband. I say thank you while Chief Malone pulls her in for a kiss. They’ve always been an affectionate couple and their passion for each other is as strong today as it was when I first met them at the tender age of eight.

Back then, I