Alaska spark, p.32
Alaska Spark, page 32
part #1 of Blazing Hearts Wildfire Series
Tupa and the rest of the Afi Slayers Squad formed a line and did an abbreviated version of the Haka. They slapped and stomped, their grunts and cries solid as any New Zealand All Blacks’ pre-game chant. People loved it and when they finished, more cheering ensued.
“Now that’s team-work. You guys should take it on the road,” laughed Tara, impressed her Afi Slayers Squad had perfected their moves in complete unison. Warmth flowed through her as Tupa’s words echoed in her brain.
We are family.
After the formalities, Ryan drove Tara to downtown Fairbanks and pulled into the crowded parking lot of Snowcastle Bar & Restaurant. He hopped out and opened her door. He took her hand to help her out. He couldn’t wait to be alone with her. “Aurora has been given the day off and wanted to surprise you with a party. How could I say no?”
“You couldn’t. Or Tupa and Rego would pummel you. But I don’t want to stay long.”
“We won’t,” promised Ryan. “But you need to make an appearance.” He opened a rear door to the party room entrance, then slid his arm around her waist, taking care with her burns.
His eyes slowly adjusted to the dark interior of the backroom of the bar. Cheers went up as they walked in, beer bottles and pint draughts raised in homage.
“Let’s hear it for Ryan and Tara. Woot, woot!” It occurred to Ryan they sounded like a flock of inebriated owls.
“About time you two showed up,” croaked Silva from his seat at a large round table.
Pizza dotted the tables along with pitchers of Alaskan Amber. Ryan spotted Gunnar and Angela curled around each other in a dark corner and doing what Ryan wished he were doing with Tara about now. Liz rested her forearms on an old-fashioned juke box, feeding it coins. She chose a song, then pointed at Ryan and Tara.
“You two. Front and center.” Liz snapped her fingers and motioned them to the dance floor as Burnin’ For You played, by the Blue Oyster Cult. One of Aurora Crew’s favorite songs.
“Hey, the more cowbell guys,” someone yelled, and everyone laughed.
When the song ended, Liz selected Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Ryan drew Tara to him in a tight, slow dance. He loved the feel of her and slipped an arm around her waist.
She spoke in his ear. “Have you ever seen the movie, Always?”
“Yeah, Richard Dreyfuss and Audrey Hepburn. Spielberg movie.”
“Get out. You’ve seen it?”
He chuckled. “Well yeah. It’s about wildland firefighting. As I recall, the tanker pilot survived, like you did. It was a miracle.”
“Only because of you.” She gazed at him like he was the only person in the world.
“I did what I was trained to do, just as you did.” He pulled her close and she rested her head on his shoulder.
Liz pulled Silva out for a slow dance. He persistently placed his hands on her ass and she persistently brushed them off. Silva caught Ryan’s eye and lifted his brows in a can’t-blame-me-for-trying look.
After Jon resigned from AFS, he applied for an EMT job at the hospital. He told Ryan he planned to finish his certification for arson investigation. But first he had to go to California to help with the family winery. Ryan noted Jon was back to his charming self, putting his signature moves on Liz.
The song ended and Tara’s phone sounded. Ryan let go of her and she tapped to answer. “Jim? How are you?” She gestured a wait-a-minute, then went outside to talk.
After a while Tara came back in and grasped Ryan’s hand, grinning from ear to ear. “That was Jim Dolan in Missoula. The Forest Service offered me the crew boss position for the Lolo Interagency Hotshot Crew. Can you believe it? It’s what I’ve always wanted. I have to tell Angie.” She crossed the room to find her.
Ryan wouldn’t ruin Tara’s joyful moment by asking her to give up her dream job to stay in Alaska. Half of the fire season remained. What a disappointment it would be if she were to return to Montana. Ryan pulled up a chair to the round poker table as a pang zinged his chest.
Silva, Liz, Rego, and Boone sat around the table playing strip poker. Rego was shitfaced. He held a cigar stump between his teeth, oblivious to cards now and then dropping from his poker hand. He had stripped down to his boxers, with only his furry chest visible above the table.
Liz sat next to him and reached over to rub her hand on his hairy chest. She looked up at Ryan and winked, her hands full of cards. “I do this for good luck.”
Rego protested. “Hey! Get out of my goodies. O’Connor, she’s harassing me.” He pointed at Liz, pretending to be offended.
Ryan couldn’t help laughing. Rego had turned out to be an okay guy.
Tara returned and seated herself next to Ryan at the poker table. She reached under it and squeezed his leg. Ryan put his arm around her.
Rego abruptly stood and another card fell from his hand. “Let’s toast Tara Waters! The best woman in fire.” He raised his beer. “You can be my crew boss anytime.”
Everyone clapped and cheered. Ryan liked how people respected and admired Tara. And she was his. I need to somehow convince her to stay.
Rego dipped into his meager coin pile and flicked one at Ryan. “O’Connor, play North to Alaska, by Johnny Horton.”
Ryan grinned at him and went to the antique jukebox. He marveled at how all the old jukeboxes with vinyl seemed to wind up in Alaska. When he returned to the table, Liz was down to jeans and a lacy bra, not the least inhibited. He chuckled, considering what else she did for a living.
Silva was also feeling no pain and employed his full arsenal to win her affection. “Liz, you’re my hero. I love you.”
“Well, puppy dog, I guess it’s okay since we don’t work together anymore.” Liz gave Silva a peck on the cheek, then caught Ryan’s eye. “What’s a girl to do?”
Yes, thought Ryan, gazing at Tara.
What was a girl to do?
Chapter 41
When Tupa and the rest of the Afi Slayers squad began the Haka, Ryan suggested that he and Tara should make their getaway. They edged their way out the door into the much quieter afternoon.
Angela caught up to them, halfway to Ryan’s Mustang. “Tara, hold up. Go on ahead, Ryan honey. I want to talk to Tara.” She waved him ahead, then pulled a gift-wrapped box with a large blue bow from behind her back.
“You won’t have this on long, but that’s the whole idea.”
Tara accepted the box and hugged her friend. “Angie, thanks. I don’t know what to say.”
“You risked your life for me. I’ll never forget it. Can’t wait for you to be our crew boss.” Angela pressed a couple of flat packets into Tara’s palm and folded her fingers over them. “Be safe.” She winked and ran back inside.
Angela’s words meant everything to Tara, yet twisted her heart, knowing the looming decision she had to make. But not now. All she could think of was spending alone time with Ryan.
Ryan had her door open and he stood next to his. “What did she give you?”
“This box.” Tara could hardly keep a straight face that Angela carried condoms. When Ryan fished for his keys, Tara jammed the packets into her skirt pocket.
Gunnar abruptly appeared as Tara was about to get in the car. “Ryno, before you go. I have an Operation Badass report.”
“What’s that?” Tara looked from Gunnar to Ryan.
Ryan shrugged and gave her an innocent look. He made his way over to Tara’s side of the car.
“I’ll explain. No, that’ll take too long.” Gunnar held up a thumb drive. “Instead I’ll tell you. This is a recorded confession of Mike Hudson. How did I get this, you may ask?”
Ryan slid on his Ray Bans and smiled.
Gunnar grinned back. “Operation Badass was a howling success. Shortly after Hudson got out of the hospital, Those-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named dangled him below an unidentified rotor aircraft, flew over a fire and threatened to toast him like a marshmallow. When they reeled him in, Those-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named made him confess. Made him retract his lies about Tara and post apologies on social media. He admitted to sabotaging Angela’s pack test and harassing women firefighters. Best of all, no fire personnel or aircraft were involved in the making of this recording.” Gunnar seemed proud of his disclaimer.
Tara stood still, her mouth hanging open.
“Nice work, Gunns.” Ryan grinned.
“Let’s put it this way,” crowed Gunnar. “That little dick won’t be on a fire ever again. Hudson’s Stepdaddy, AFS Director, Duncan Martelle, received a copy of the recording in snail mail.” Gunnar straightened, like a noble warrior. “Am I a good bro or what?”
“You’ve gone above and beyond.” Ryan glanced at Tara.
She widened her eyes at him in a what-the-hell-did-you-do look.
“Miz Waters, thou shalt not speak a word of this, but thought you should be privy,” hiccupped Gunnar.
“But won’t Hudson tell HR what they did?” Tara was incredulous. Did she really want to know the whole story?
“Hard to identify people when you’re blindfolded. No one would believe that perverted little dick anyway.”
“Gunns, you’ve outdone yourself,” laughed Ryan.
“You owe me a Denali flight, bro. And a stay at your cabin. With beer.”
“Here.” Ryan reached in his pocket and tossed Gunns some keys.
He ambled back to the driver’s side. “The place is yours for a few days. We’ll fly after season ends.” He winked at Tara. “With another seasoned passenger along.”
“You kids behave.” Gunnar pointed at them. “On second thought, don’t do that. What the hell am I saying?” Gunnar gave them an un-military salute and headed into Snowcastle.
Tara always thought Gunnar’s ego had its own zip code, but she liked him. He would do anything for his jump partner. She smiled that some things never changed.
Ryan gazed at her provocatively across the roof of his car. “Ready to blow this pop-stand?”
She lowered her sunglasses and looked over them. “I was born ready. Can’t wait to show you how much I lov—” She stopped herself. “Um…how much I love—riding in your Mustang.” She opened the door and eased herself into the passenger seat.
This isn’t the time or place.
He climbed in beside her. “So, you love riding in this car. When you feel up to it, you should drive it.” His eyes stayed on her.
She looked at him. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“For a minute there I thought you were going to say something else.”
“Did you now.” She smiled out the side window as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.
Soon they were on the highway heading northeast of Fairbanks. Tara leaned her head back, enjoying the sun’s warmth through the windshield. She needed time to think: Crew chief of the AFS White Mountain Hotshots, crew chief of her coveted Lolo Hotshot Crew, and crew chief of Aurora were all wonderful options. But she was too overwhelmed to make decisions right now. She was happy to finally spend time with Ryan, away from planes and fires.
“What’s in the box?” he asked, nodding at her lap.
She snapped from her thoughts. “Should I wait or open it now?”
“Why wait? Open it.”
Tara pulled off the bow and tore at the wrapping. She opened the box and lifted out a dark green piece of silky lingerie, holding it up by the spaghetti straps. “Victoria’s Secret.”
Ryan gave it a once over. “Nice. Too bad you won’t have it on long.”
She shot him a look. “That’s what Angela said.”
“Great minds think alike.” He adjusted his Ray Bans, smiling at the windshield. “I’ve always wondered what Victoria’s secret really was.”
Ryan slowed the car and turned right at a mile-marker sign. He drove a quarter of a mile and parked in front of a rectangular building, surrounded by a tall, chain-link fence, a ‘Wildlife Rescue’ sign on the gate.
“Wait here a minute.” He got out and disappeared into the building.
Tara opened her door and inhaled the cool breeze of the sunny Alaska afternoon. Fireweed abounded everywhere. The flowers held significance for her now.
He returned and took her hand. “Come on.”
A woman led them to a gate to a fenced compound next to the building. Tara heard animal noises. Most notably, howling. “Good thing you called ahead for an appointment. We close early today.” The woman led them through the gate. She entered an enclosed pen and came back out, cradling a wolf pup under each arm. “Your boyfriend thought you’d like to hold one of the wolf pups he saved.”
My boyfriend. Tara smiled and shot Ryan a happy look. “Oh yes, I would love to hold one.”
The woman held out a wriggling pup, the same gray one Ryan held on TV. He stood back, enjoying the moment, while Tara snuggled the furry male, busy licking her hand.
“They’ve almost doubled in size in just a few weeks,” said Ryan.
“This little guy eats his weight every day. Careful, they have sharp claws. We clip them, but they grow fast.” The woman gave him the other wolf pup to hold.
Tara gingerly sat on the grass, taking care with her sore back and legs. She let the male pup ramble around her, sniffing at everything. He pounced on her shoelace, snagging it with sharp teeth, and made a puppy growl. She picked him up, stroking his fur.
“You’re going back to the wild someday, you know.”
Ryan took photos and videos of her with his cell phone, while she played with the baby wolf. She held him next to her face, posing. The pup squirmed and bit her nose. “Ow, you little devil. Your teeth are sharp.”
“It’s dinnertime,” laughed the woman, offering to take the pup. “This one gets feisty if he isn’t fed on time.”
“Thank you for letting us spend time with them.” Tara smiled. Then she remembered. “Oh, how’s the squirrel from the fire?”
The woman crooked her finger. “Follow me.”
Tara followed her into a room. The squirrel was recuperating in a cage, its tail singed and a rear leg in a tiny splint. “Hey, it’s me. Remember, in the fire shelter?” Tara said to the squirrel.
Ryan stood behind her. “He hasn’t a clue what you’re saying.”
The squirrel nibbled a nut and whipped his singed tail. “I’m glad he made it without you having to give him CPR.” Tara glanced back at the gorgeous man standing behind her and noticed the woman gaping at him. Ryan was indeed a remarkable sight, all cleaned up, wearing jeans and a form-fitting shirt, accentuating his wide shoulders and muscled body.
“Thanks so much,” she said to the woman.
“You’re welcome, Miss. You were lucky from what I understand.” She turned to Ryan. “And thanks to both of you for risking your lives to protect our wildlands and for bringing us the animals,” she gushed at him.
“Here’s something to help feed the critters.” He pulled some bills from his wallet. “Thanks for staying open for us.”
Ryan deeply touched Tara by arranging this. Once in the car, she squeezed his arm. “Thank you. That was incredible.”
“I remembered you saying you wished you could hold one.” He handed her his phone.
“How on earth did you remember that?” She swiped through the photos.
“I pay attention.” He glanced at her and pulled the car onto the highway.
“That woman was crushing on you, O’Connor. Must be nice to have every woman worship at your feet.” She lifted her sunglasses at him.
“Only want one. No one else holds a candle to her.” He squeezed her thigh and a rush zoomed through her.
She had much to tell him and now was as good a time as any. “I haven’t had a chance to explain what happened with Hudson.”
“It’s a done deal now. He’s been dealt with.” Ryan’s gaze stayed on the road.
“But I want you to know what happened.” She filled him in with details of how Hudson threatened her.
“If I’d known…” He gripped the steering wheel and blew out air like a prizefighter. “Maybe it’s a good thing you didn’t tell me. I threatened the lying scum in the hospital. That’s how I got this.” He fished her faded orange bandana from his shirt pocket and offered it to her.
“You got it back! You did that for me?” She took the grimy, worn cloth from him and clutched it with both hands. “I wanted to tell you what Hudson did when you came up to fire camp. There wasn’t time, and then hearing about Travis…” She turned toward her window. “Well, he may have cheated on me, but he didn't deserve to die.”
“I know.” Ryan rested his hand on her thigh. “But I’m proud of you for reporting Hudson. He’ll never work another fire.”
She folded the orange bandana. “I don’t need this now. Don’t have to rely on luck anymore. I’ve faced down the red monster and lived to tell the tale. Keep it for me.” She handed it back to him.
“You sure?”
She nodded.
He stuffed it back in his pocket.
“I was afraid you’d believe those awful rumors Hudson spread around,” said Tara.
“Like I have time to go on social media. Besides, you said not to believe them. So, I didn’t.”
“Does that mean you’ll always do what I say?”
He gave her a mischievous grin. “Depends. But I do have one question. What did Tupa mean when he said you have a mean knockout punch?”
Tara gave him a look of surprise. “Oh, you heard about that. That night at the Yukon Roadhouse, Hudson groped me, so I decked him. Didn’t know I had the strength to knock him across the room.”
Ryan laughed. “Oh man, I would have given anything to see that one. Waters, you continue to amaze.” He smiled out the windshield.
A half hour later, Ryan pulled into Chena Hot Springs Resort. They got out and gathered their gear. “You’re going to like this.”
“It’s beautiful.” She took in the dense birch and spruce surrounding the hotel and pool, along with hanging flower baskets of fuchsia, geranium, and purple lobelia.
“The hot springs are over there.” He dipped his chin toward an area lined with huge boulders and steam rising on the other side of the main building. “We’ll explore later.”
