Page 59 of The Outpost (Jamison Valley 4)
“Holt said he was coming with us,” a guy at the sink said to the man behind him.
“Maybe he can keep Dylan in line,” another man muttered.
“Holt outranks Dylan and has more experience,” a man third-deep in line said.
“Well, if Dylan keeps pushing the limits, I’m transferring teams,” the guy at the sink announced. “Holt isn’t going to be around all season.”
“Dylan needs to pull his head out.”
A couple of men nodded. “Fuck, yeah. I’m done taking stupid risks.”
From the sounds of the team’s dissension, Beau wasn’t the only one who thought Dylan was reckless. Adrenaline junkies maybe, but these guys knew they were being pushed to the extreme. And though I didn’t care for the idea of Beau out fighting forest fires, I was glad that he’d be going along to make sure this young group made it back safely.
“Sabrina.” Beau was hovering in the doorway. I followed him outside and around the corner of the outpost where no one could hear us.
“You’re going up,” I said, knowing his answer. He nodded. “Be careful, Goliath.”
“I will, Shortcake.”
“How long do you think it will take?”
“It’s hard to say. If things go our way, a day or two. If they don’t, then it’ll be longer.”
“Okay.” I’d be back to pacing until he was back safely. I doubted even writing would keep my anxiety at bay.
“Listen, Michael’s going to stay here just in case. I didn’t tell him anything. I just said that with the fire so close, I didn’t want you here alone.”
“Okay. But I’m not going to be able to lie to him this whole time, Beau. Nick already knows something is off.”
“Do what you think is best. I trust my brother to keep quiet. But—”
“I get it. You’re protecting your little brother.”
He nodded.
“I won’t lie to him but I’ll do my best to keep us off the subject of me.” Though I had no idea how that was going to work. We’d be sharing close quarters for the next day or two at a minimum. The story of Sabrina MacKenzie was bound to come up.
“We need to talk about what happened in the kitchen,” Beau said softly. “Are you okay?”
He was worried about my feelings at a time like this? Beau Holt was one of a kind. “Don’t worry about me. Go. Save the forest. We can talk later.”
“You’re good with that?”
I smiled. “I’m good.” I had a lot of questions about our kiss and what had suddenly caused Beau to change his mind but they could all wait. He needed to focus on getting himself and these young men back without harm.
“The gun is on the fridge,” he reminded me. “I know you won’t use it but Michael will.”
“Okay.”
He pulled me into his chest for a tight but brief hug before kissing the top of my hair and letting me go. As he finished gearing up, I stood with Nick and Michael, watching as the hotshots strapped on their heavy packs and tools. Then, like a line of ants, they started up into the mountains with Beau leading the way. The second he disappeared from my sight, a lead weight settled in my stomach.
“Beau’s fought a lot of fires, Sabrina,” Michael said. “He was a hotshot in college and then a team leader for a few years. He’d still be running a crew if he had the time.”
“Thanks.” I gave him a weak smile and bent down to rub Boone’s ears. This dog had given me more comfort in the last three months than I could have ever imagined.
“Well, I’d better get back to town,” Nick said. “Everyone’s going to want an update. I’ll park your truck at the station,” he told Michael. “You’re good to go back with Beau?”
“Yep,” Michael said.
