Worth the Wait (Last Hope Ranch Book 2) Read online

  Julie sighed. “Fine, but you still have to shower and get to bed early. You have to help Mr. Greyfeather—”

  Her words were lost as her son rushed out and disappeared around the side of the house.

  “Tomorrow,” Julie finished. She glanced at her hunky neighbor. “I need to run up to the main house and borrow a cell phone.”

  “Mine’s almost charged.” He shrugged. “You’re welcome to use it, unless it’s an emergency and you need it right now.”

  She debated, figuring a few more minutes wouldn’t matter and besides, if Hank had had an urgent message, he’d call Wyatt if he couldn’t reach her. She grabbed her hoodie and followed him through the shadows between the cabins to where the fire glowed in the dark clearing.

  Chris was already huddled near the fire, a marshmallow roasting over the flames.

  Julie helped him assemble a s’more and sat back, gazing at the sprinkling of stars glittering in the night sky. The community style firepit, with its handmade Adirondack chairs built by Rein, were the perfect addition to the cabin rentals. Set a few yards from the back of the cabins in a clearing, it offered a full view of the sky.

  Julie leaned her cheek on her hand and watched the joy on Chris’s face. This was far more relaxing than she thought it would be. She glanced at Hunter seated across the fire from her. “I thought it was very nice how you and Nan seemed to get along right away.”

  He nodded. “She seems like a really nice lady. A very accomplished woman. Very independent.”

  “That she is, and doesn’t take kindly to strangers so quickly.” Julie smiled. She waded a little further into the waters of her curiosity. “I understand you’re here to try to find your dad’s birth mother?” She knew she was being nosy, perhaps only to quell her nerves with everything going on at present. But what were the odds that Hunter might have something to do with Nan’s recent discovery?

  “News travels fast,” he said, eyeing the fire. “But, yes, I’m hoping to locate her, if possible. I’m not sure what I’ll say if I do find her. I’ve not had grandparents before. My mom’s parents passed on before I was born.”

  Julie nodded. Nan’s secret was a tender subject. For now, perhaps it was best to let things play out. If an appropriate opening occurred later, she might say something to Nan. But she’d given the woman her word that she wouldn’t discuss it with anyone else, and she would keep that confidence until Nan was ready to share it.

  She glanced over and saw that gooey marshmallow covered more of Chris’s fingers than what landed on his graham cracker.

  “When you finish, young man, it’s time for your shower,” she said pointing her thumb over her shoulder.

  He scooped a glob of gooeyness from his chin and licked his fingers. “Do I have to?”

  “Move it, mister.” Julie stood. “I hope you find her,” she said, watching Kyle run down the hill to their cabin. “Family is important.”

  “Oh, did you still need to use the phone?” Hunter asked.

  Julie smacked her head. “Yes, thank you. I almost forgot.” That, alone, should have sounded alarm bells in her head. How could she so quickly forget that she’d planned to call Hank?

  “It’s just inside.” He stood and walked through the patio door ahead of her.

  She stood in the dining room, admonishing herself mentally—in part because she’d lost her phone, and in part because she couldn’t shake the sense that she felt awkward being alone with him and couldn’t say why. He was probably used to women fawning over him, flirting with him. And that, she’d decide later, was what prompted her query. “Do you have someone special in your life?”

  He glanced up and grinned. “Aren’t you engaged?”

  Julie caught the teasing tone of his comment.

  “I wasn’t asking for me, for goodness sake,” she said, averting her eyes when he looked at her.

  “Well, that’s disappointing,” he said with a chuckle. “Here I thought you were trying to seduce me.”

  Julie let out a short laugh. “I’m quite certain you have no trouble in that department.”

  He regarded her as though not quite sure of what she meant.

  “I mean, you’re not an ugly man, by any means,” she said.

  His expression was somewhere between confused and amused. “Thanks, I think.” He held out the phone and she walked forward to take it from him. The toe of her shoe clipped the edge of the rug under the table and she pitched forward. Two muscular arms saved her from face-planting on the hardwood floor.

  She was pulled upright, pressed against his chest. She caught her breath and brushed the hair back from her face. “Thank you,” she said, looking up at him.

  “It appears you get along well with the new neighbor.”

  Julie pushed from Hunter’s grasp. Her gaze swerved to the front door where Hank stood, his keys still in the lock.

  Hunter turned to face the door.

  Julie felt the tension radiating off her fiancé. “Hank Richardson, this is Hunter McCoy. Hunter, this is Hank, my fiancé,” she said in way of a quick and dirty introduction.

  Chapter Eight

  “McCoy,” Hank said, then glanced at Julie. “So, this is the guy sleeping in my bed.” He pulled his keys from the door and pocketed them, then held out his hand to the strange man—who by God, did have a striking resemblance to Thor, for whatever that was worth. “See you’ve made yourself at home.” He offered Julie a quick side-look. “We need to talk.”

  He walked between the two, probably on purpose. “I just need to get something from my closet,” he said as he strode toward his bedroom. Or what used to be his bedroom. Hank shoved aside the poisonous thought of what he might have found had he arrived a few moments later.

  “You didn’t mention anything about coming home,” Julie said from the doorway of the walk-in closet.

  “That seems evident,” he said quietly, digging through the few totes he’d brought from Chicago and stored here at the ranch. In truth, he’d begun a slow move to End of the Line with the assumption that he’d one day be here permanently.

  He found the duffel bag in question and dragged it out into the room. He glanced at Julie as he hoisted the heavy bag onto the unmade bed. He didn’t really care if a thousand closet spiders fell onto the sheets.

  “I left my phone at the diner and just realized it,” she said.

  “That explains, then, why you haven’t returned my calls.”

  “You could have called Wyatt if you couldn’t reach me,” she said. “He would have known to find me here…you know, at home.”

  “Yeah, I probably should have thought of that.” He continued to yank items from the duffel, stuff he’d not seen since his days at wildfire training camp. His fireproof pants and jacket were still in good shape. His compass, helmet, and pickaxe all still looked remarkably good.

  “I was just getting ready to call you.” She punched his shoulder to gain his attention.

  “I’m just going to step outside and give you two some privacy,” Hunter said, appearing in the doorway.

  “Fine,” Julie responded in tandem with Hank.

  Julie turned back to him. “What were you trying to call me about?” She planted her fists on her hips.

  Any issues regarding their relationship, or what might be left of it, would have to wait. There were more pressing matters just now. “I left California to come check on you and Chris. I spoke to my buddy Pete, who said that the fires were several miles away from the camp area. Still, I thought it might be best to fly there after speaking with you and pick up Kyle right away.”

  “That would be wonderful, Hank,” Julie said, her voice softening. “But what’s all of this?” She waved her hand at the items strewn across the bed. “I’ve tried a number of times today to reach Kyle with no luck.”

  “Have you checked your computer since you realized your phone was missing?” Hank asked, sorting through his equipment. “The Scouts might have sent something out to parents. Or have you been too distracted
?” He glanced up and wanted to bite his tongue, seeing the hurt flash in her eyes.

  “That’s low, Hank,” she said. “And no, by the way. I was late getting home tonight and had promised Chris a movie and pizza.”

  He stopped and held her gaze. “Listen, I won’t pretend that I don’t have a ton of questions going through my mind right now, but it will have to wait. You and I…will have to wait.”

  “Hank, you’re scaring me.” She frowned. “What’s the matter?”

  “I tried to call to tell you that Pete called me back while I was en route here. It appears the winds have caused the fires to shift. Pete’s team has been called up and are assembling at the Denver airport. I’m on my way there to meet up with them.” He began stuffing things back in the bag.

  “What about getting Kyle?” Julie asked.

  “That’s the problem. The fires are now moving toward the National Park and the Scout camp. They’re calling in smokejumpers from all over to get it contained.”

  “Close to the camp,” she repeated, as though it was taking root in her mind. “Is anyone doing anything?” She looked at him. “Have there been evacuations?”

  Hank nodded. “Pete said the DNR has headed up the mountain to order mandatory evacuations for all campers. The firefighting teams are being dispatched to the impacted areas. There are apparently a few homes up in those mountains. They hope to be able to contain it before it reaches the area, but with the overly dry conditions, it’s not looking good.”

  “I’m coming with you,” she said suddenly, and turned to leave. “I’ll get my things.”

  “No, Julie.” Hank said. “That’s not a good idea.”

  “Excuse me, that’s my son up there.” She had the look of an angry mother bear.

  Any other time, he’d have conceded, but his frustration level was currently high.

  “You have Chris here,” he threw out, hoping it would make a difference.

  “Clay can watch Chris,” she argued.

  “Julie,” Hank warned, “you won’t be able to do anything.”

  “And just what do you think you’re going to do?” she asked.

  Hank released a sigh. “I may be needed to fly some guys over the fires and drop them in.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “Give me your phone.” She held out her hand.

  Hank held her steady gaze.

  “Hank, I swear. Give me your damn phone or I’ll get in my car and start driving myself.”

  It was clear she wasn’t going to budge and arguing would waste precious time. Shaking his head, he handed her the phone.

  She called Clay who said he’d pick up Chris at the main house.

  “I’ll get my things,” she said, handing the phone back.

  ***

  The three-hour flight to Denver was worse than wisdom teeth removal—long, tension-filled, and mostly painful. What dialogue there was between them was stilted, uncomfortable. The concern of what the future held on so many levels was a major factor.

  Hank was more than a little happy to see the Denver airport come into view.

  A few moments later, he landed and hopped from the plane. Pete greeted him on the tarmac. The two friends embraced one another in a quick hug.

  Julie walked up beside Hank.

  “This is Julie, Kyle’s mom. The boy I told you about,” Hank said.

  Pete glanced at him, a flash of curiosity in his eyes. “Hi, Julie. Just want you to know we’ll do everything possible to find your son and get him and this guy back home safe and sound.”

  “Find…my son?” Julie glanced at Hank, then back to Pete. “What do you mean?”

  “Did the DNR get up to the Scout camp?” Hank asked.

  Pete nodded as he showed them a map on his tablet, pointing to the area where the Scout camp was located. “They did. We just got word that those in the camp have been notified of evacuations. However—”

  “However?” Hank asked. His gut twisted.

  “Part of the troop—eight boys and two leaders—who’d gone on a survival hike are unaccounted for. We think they may have gotten cut off when the winds shifted.”

  “Shit,” Hank muttered, and looked at Pete.

  Julie’s eyes were wide, filled with panic. “Has anyone heard from them?”

  Pete held the tablet out, pointing to an area on the map. “We’ve got guys on the ground trying to keep this thing from heading over this ridge. The trail that I understand the boys would have taken follows along the canyon, near the river.”

  “We need to get moving,” Hank said. “What do you need me to do?”

  Pete tapped the screen, bringing up another view of the terrain. “My team is suited up and ready. The wind is not making this easy, but with any luck the river in its path will buy us some time.” Pete nodded curtly. “That will be our chance to drop in and do some clearing before it gets there. Maybe keep it from jumping the river.” He pointed to the neon-colored screen. “There’s an abandoned airstrip once used by the DNR. We can drop down this ridge and work that side of the river. Do what we can to find them.”

  Hank nodded. He glanced at Julie, her fearful eyes fixed on the tablet. He placed his arm around her and kissed her temple. “We’ll find them, Jules.” She stood stoic at his side, hugging her arms.

  “I’ve brought a friend of mine with me, Julie.” Pete waved over a middle-aged woman who’d been passing out information sheets to the other members of his team. The woman had beautiful, cocoa-colored skin. Her warm, dark eyes looked at Julie.

  “The latest updates have been passed out,” the woman told Pete.

  “Julie, this is Rosita. She’s my right hand in the office. You go with her and you’ll be updated as often as news comes in.”

  “Thank you, Pete,” Julie said.

  “You ready?” Pete looked at Hank.

  “Ready.”

  “Good. The sooner we get those kids out of there, the better,” Pete said.

  Hank watched as Julie pressed her lips together, holding in every ounce of resolve. She’d been through a lot and, while it may have scarred her heart when it came to love, she was a fighter when it came to her kids. She looked at him, her eyes glistening. “You promise.” She searched his eyes. “Promise me that you both will come back safe.”

  Hank squeezed her shoulder. “I promise,” he said. He looked at Rosita, who took Julie’s arm and gently led her to a waiting SUV.

  Pete slapped Hank on the shoulder, jarring him from staring after Julie. He knew what he was going into. It wouldn’t be easy. He had to keep his wits about him for the sake of these men, for Kyle and for Julie. The clock was ticking. He knew how fickle Mother Nature could be. Time was a precious commodity. “Let’s get going.”

  ***

  “Pete felt it best if we waited here,” Rosita said, handing Julie a hot cup of tea. They’d found a small table tucked in a private corner of a large connection of waiting rooms that overlooked the hospital’s parking lot and emergency entrance. The area was sectioned off into several smaller, comfortable rooms with a variety of sofa and chair groupings. Artwork, a two-sided fireplace, a small coffee shop, and potted plants of every description offered a peaceful solace for those waiting long hours for surgeries or tests.

  Rosita handed her a cup of hot tea that she’d gotten just before the small coffee shop closed for the evening. The waiting area was nearly empty except for an elderly couple sitting quietly next to the fireplace.

  “I’ll set up my laptop and keep my phone charged so we can stay current with what’s going on out there,” Rosita said. “Pete said he’d call with updates when he can.”

  “Thank you.” Julie wrapped her fingers around the mug, clinging to its warmth.

  “Try to drink it. It will help some,” Rosita said. “Is Kyle your only son?” she asked, glancing up at Julie as she booted up her laptop. “Pete told me it was Kyle up at the camp.” With expert efficiency, she had unwrapped and plugged in chargers for all her devices in record time.

  Julie
breathed in deeply the calming vapors of the honey-chamomile tea, attempting to quell her nerves. Her brain had been swirling between prayers to God and visions of Kyle, flames surrounding him. “I have another son, eighteen months younger. Chris is back home with my brother and his family.”

  Rosita nodded, listening as she focused on setting up the wildfire information website.

  “Do you have children?” Julie asked. The woman appeared young— younger than Julie, at any rate. Her skin was flawless, and she wore no makeup with her standard-issue gray T-shirt with the wildfire logo and slim-fitting jeans.

  Julie was being polite, but the truth was she needed the distraction to keep her mind off worrying about Kyle and Hank.

  “I did. One son.” She looked up. “He was a wildfire fighter.”

  Was? Julie’s concerns about Kyle faded a bit as she looked at the woman so in control, it seemed, of her emotions. Rosita, sensing perhaps Julie’s inability to respond to the news, smiled—in the way a mother does when remembering a sweet memory.

  “He loved his job and he was quite good at what he did. Pete had always said that he envisioned Jarod as his right-hand man one day.” Rosita cleared her throat and took a sip of her tea.

  Julie was more than a little afraid to ask what had happened. “Do you…want to talk about it?” Her few sessions with Reverend Cook had not yet afforded her with the belief that she held any storehouse when it came to her faith. She was learning that day-by-day. Sometimes, moment-by-moment.

  Rosita stopped typing and her gaze focused on her tea bag. She dunked it slowly, seeming to take her time. “It was five years ago. He and his wife had just received news of their first child.” She smiled at the memory. “He’d done hundreds of jumps…” She shook her head. “But this one, he landed badly, against a boulder. He suffered a head injury that he never recovered from. Two weeks he was on a resuscitator, and finally they told us we needed to let him go.”

  “Oh, lord, Rosita. I’m…” Sorry seemed too trite, but she could think of no other comforting words. “I’m so sorry.”