So now he took his responsibilities seriously, both as part of the ILFD and as a jumper. Mistakes were unacceptable.
His job was everything to him, and that left little room for relationships. “Flexible” was the definition of a smoke jumper’s life. Forest-fire season started in May and could continue even into December in some places in California. Technically, Rand was “on call” for fires in all the national forests around Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota. But if any of the nine smoke-jumper crews in America gave him a call, he’d gladly volunteer. Last summer he’d gone to Alaska for three months.
His job had forced him to lead a somewhat nomadic life. He wasn’t husband material, and he certainly wasn’t the right kind of guy to be a dad.
Beatrice, on the other hand, was all about permanence and planting roots, like she had with those saplings. He’d thought at first it might be possible to explore their chemistry, but she was not the kind of “summer love” girl he could leave behind. She was different, and that bothered him because he’d never been attracted to a woman like Beatrice.
Her expectations would be high and he would err, as he had in the past. If he opened his heart to her, he would end up hurting her. And that failure would cause a new anchor of pain and guilt that would drown him.
Rand was not willing to feel that kind of pain.
He was right to keep his heart closed off.
Besides, what woman would want to be with a guy who was risking his life for two-thirds of the year? Certainly not Beatrice, who’d already lost a loved one to a dangerous career.
He didn’t want to hurt her. Or the boys.
Perhaps she was right; it was best to keep his distance. He’d dig these trenches for her, but tell the kids they had to stay with the counselors. Then he’d walk away from the camp, and from Beatrice.
He checked his phone for the time. Crap, he’d have to get a move on to make his shift at the station.
* * *
THE STATION HOUSE was a hive of excitement and activity when Rand walked in for his shift. He went up to Chief Bolton. “What’s going on?”
“We got a call for volunteers to go fight a blaze in Copper Country State Forest.”
“Where’s that?”
“It’s in the far western part of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. It’s a big fire, and being that Michigan has the largest forest system in the nation, we can’t let it rage.”
“I’m there, Chief.”
“Good man. Nearly every smoke jumper in our region has volunteered.”
“When do we take off?”
“Three hours.” Chief Bolton slapped Rand’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Rand went to his locker, but instead of focusing on what he’d need for the mission, his mind was on Beatrice.
Would she care if he left? Would she send him off with a wave and not another thought?
She’d said he would jump at the next dangerous challenge. For him, it was his job. His mission. He had to go.
But how did he explain that to Beatrice? Or to the boys?
Sadly, he knew they would never understand.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BEATRICE WAS ON her way out of her office when the camp landline rang.
“Indian Lake Youth Camp. Beatrice Wilcox speaking.”
“Bee. Beatrice. It’s Rand...Nelson.”
She couldn’t help smiling and leaning back in her chair when she heard his deep voice. “Hi.”
“I tried your cell phone but you didn’t pick up.”
“Sorry. I was working in my office. Obviously—”
“I figured,” he interrupted. “I’m calling because I’m going out of town and I won’t be out tomorrow to finish that last trench.”
Out of town? Why? Where? She didn’t want to be intrusive. What he did with his life was not her business. “I can’t thank you enough. And thank you again, Rand. It was a lot of work.”
“You’re welcome. I was hoping to smooth them out a bit more. Every little bit helps you with the cost.”
“I know. I appreciate it.”
“I was happy to do it. So, listen. Luke Bosworth said he finished up the bid for you and he’s going to be out there later today or tomorrow morning. He’ll take over from here.”
“Take over?” Her hand grasped the receiver tightly. She had to ask. “So, you’re leaving for a while?”
“Bee, it’s a smoke-jumping job. I’m there for as long as I have to be.”
“I know...”
Was she disappointed that he wouldn’t be around? Or was it something else?
“Where—where are you going?”
“Copper Country State Forest in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. They needed volunteers.”
He volunteered? “So, it isn’t required that you go?”
“No. It never is.”
Never. She choked back what felt like a sob in her throat. It burned all the way to her belly.
She’d been afraid of this. Had tried to protect herself and the boys. But it still hurt.
She reminded herself he was skilled and exceedingly well trained. He trained other jumpers, for goodness sake. The Forest Service was lucky to have someone like him. But she couldn’t help remembering Rand carrying her and Eli out of a raging fire. “You be careful.”
“Always,” he said lowly. “Listen, Beatrice. I promised Eli and Chris I’d show them some of my videos of smoke jumpers when I came out there tomorrow. If I send you an email with the videos, would you see that they get it?”
“Sure, I will. But I think you should speak to them yourself.”
“I’d like to. I want to explain about the job.”
“They should be coming up to the dining hall in about twenty minutes. I’ll have them call you.”
“Super. My personal cell is 555-805-9999. You, uh, could make a note of that number as well.”
“I will.”
“Good. You know, I think Chris is genuinely interested in firefighting. Eli is young and probably just enamored of my ball cap and the fire trucks. But once we started working together, Chris asked some intelligent questions.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, like the kind of training I had to complete. I told him the first-aid classes you gave at the camp were the first order in becoming a fireman or a first responder. He was fascinated.”
Beatrice twirled her finger through the coiled phone cord, as her thoughts jumped from warning herself to keep Rand at arm’s length to wishing he was in the same room with her. She sat up straight. Where had that idea come from? She was best off keeping a distance between them. He was a smoke jumper, through and through. He had his own life. She had hers.
“I’ll tell them where you’re going.”
“Maybe you could point it out on the map for them.”
“I will.”
“Thanks. It’s funny, you know? Other than my family, I’ve never had anyone tracking my progress when I go out on assignment.”
“Really?”
“Oh, that reminds me. If I’m gone more than a week, call my mom. Her number is 555-393-0001. I told her about Chris and Eli. She actually wanted to come to the camp and meet them. Er, they will be at the camp, won’t they? Did you secure more money from Zoey Phillips for them?”
“A little. It wasn’t exactly enough. Zoey pitched in.”
He paused. “Then I’ll pay the rest.”
“What? You can’t do that.”
“Why not? Is it against the law?” He laughed.
“No. It’s just— Well, that’s very generous of you. And the boys will benefit from your kindness so much.”
“No, Bee. It’s your affection they need. I want them to have that.”
Beatrice didn’t like the wrenching emotional sound in his voice as if t
his was a last request. In case he didn’t come back. Was that what he was thinking? If so, she’d been right to cut off any connection she or the boys had established with him.
So why was she so worried for him? “Rand, would you do me a favor and let me know how you are? Where you are?”
He was silent.
She continued. “I want to make sure that you’re all right.”
“Why, Bee. I didn’t expect that from you. You surprised me. I like it.”
“Well, I didn’t expect it, either,” she replied, realizing she was smiling. How could she smile when he was going off into harm’s way and she had no idea if he would return?
Not that she had any claim to him. It wasn’t as if they were longtime friends or anything more than that. But there had been those kisses...
“I’ll try to call. I have to go, Beatrice. Tell the boys, okay? And don’t forget, Luke will take over. It’s going to be all right. Everything will be all right.”
His words should have been reassuring but they caused her to bolt out of her chair. “How can you be so sure? You’re going into the face of who knows how much danger. You might not even come back. You could die out there and I’ll never...”
“Never what, Bee?”
“See you again.” That errant sob returned, lodging in her throat. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”
“Bee, we both know I’m not the guy for you. That guy is a stable, come-home-every-night kind of man who works a nine-to-five job and has his head and heart safely tucked next to yours. No worries. No fears. Me? I can’t get close enough to the flames. I don’t even see the danger anymore. So you shouldn’t give me another thought.”
“I’m not the woman for you.”
“No, you’re...not.”
The taste in her mouth was like battery acid. And why was that? He was only stating the obvious, what she herself had said. “Then I guess we’re A-OK.”
“We are.”
“I’ll see you...sometime.”
“Sure,” he replied and hung up.
Beatrice stared at the black receiver as she placed it in the cradle.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SIX DAYS AFTER Rand’s phone call, Beatrice sat in the doctor’s office. The doctor assured her she was healing perfectly. Because she’d already tossed the crutches, she was fitted with a more flexible walking air boot. After walking around the office, she found the new boot greatly improved her mobility.
“Either I’m getting used to having a medical device on my leg, or my sense of balance is going to be permanently disabled after this is all over.”
“You’re doing great, Beatrice,” the nurse said as she checked out Beatrice and gave her an appointment card for the next checkup in three weeks.
Rather than head straight back to camp, Beatrice stopped by Maddie Barzonni’s Cupcakes and Cappuccino Café to pick up the order of cupcakes she’d placed online. Maddie was behind the counter working on a tray of cupcakes with Chloe Knowland, who had been working at the café for years and was now in acting school part-time in Chicago.
“Maddie, hi!” Beatrice said cheerily.
Maddie wiped her hands on her pink-and-white-striped apron. “Beatrice! How super to see you. I thought you’d be buried out there with the kids all summer.” She looked down at Beatrice’s foot. “How’s the foot?”
“Great. Healing perfectly.”
Chloe barely glanced up as she finished placing the cupcakes on the tray. “Hey, Beatrice. I heard about the fire out there at the camp. Is everyone okay?”
“Oh, yes. Absolutely,” Beatrice assured them, but changed the subject immediately. She didn’t like probing questions about how the fire had started or the fact that there even had been a fire. Particularly not in front of a café full of patrons. “So, Chloe, I heard you were trying out for a part at the Merle Reskin Theatre in Chicago. Is that right?”
Chloe beamed. “I am! And I’m so nervous.”
Maddie hugged Chloe. “She’s always nervous for these auditions.” Maddie waved Chloe on to deliver the cupcakes.
“Heaven help us once she actually gets a part,” Maddie said. “But I’m driving her in to the city tomorrow while I check on my newest café opening. She’ll be pacing until the director calls her name.”
Beatrice stifled a chuckle as Chloe came back. She narrowed her eyes and said to Beatrice, “Truthfully, Maddie was just as nervous when she was trying to get her franchise off the ground. I remember those days.”
“Be quiet,” Maddie scolded. “Don’t you have something to do?”
“No. You’ve got this place so organized, I could take a break.” Chloe winked at Beatrice.
The bell over the door chimed as Sarah Jensen Bosworth and her three children crowded through the door. Annie Bosworth, now twelve years old, rushed up to Chloe.
“When was the audition? Did you get it?” Annie asked excitedly.
“Audition’s not ’til tomorrow.”
Annie’s eyes rounded. “Tomorrow?” She spun around to her mother, who was holding eighteen-month-old Charlotte. “Mom, can I go with Chloe to Chicago?”
“Annie!” Sarah gasped. “You haven’t been asked. That’s not polite to invite yourself.”
Annie dropped her chin. “Sorry.”
Maddie put her hands on Annie’s shoulders. “I’m driving Chloe into the city. If you’d like to come, Annie, and if it’s okay with your mom, I’d love to have the company.”
“Hey!” Timmy chimed in. “What about me? I’m going to be an actor, too.”
“You are not,” Annie countered. “Last week you said you wanted to be a firefighter.”
“That’s because I talked to Mr. Nelson at Lou’s diner with Dad. He told me all about it.”
Beatrice tried not to flinch. She’d wanted the conversation as far from the subject of fires and firemen as possible, but that clearly wasn’t happening.
Timmy continued. “He’s really brave.” He looked up at Maddie. “I’d still like to go to Chicago with you. Maybe this will solve the conundrum about my future career.” He blinked and grinned.
Sarah’s eyes fell on her son. “Since when do you know a word like conundrum?”
“Dad told it to me. He said that I’m in a muddle of confusion about what I want to do with my life. A man has to think of these things if he’s going to provide for his family.”
Beatrice had to bite her tongue not to laugh. Timmy was far more adult than most of her campers. But he’d had to grow up fast after his mother died six years ago. Luckily he’d been blessed with Sarah as his stepmother, who loved him like her own.
Beatrice felt the sting of regret. How would her life have been different if she’d had a loving mother like Sarah?
“Timmy,” Sarah said. “You have a long time until you have to worry about providing for your family.”
“Sarah, I’d love to take both the kids with me to Chicago. We’ll watch Chloe’s audition, then have some lunch afterward and come home together.” Maddie turned to Chloe. “They won’t mess you up, will they?”
“No way. It would be great to know I have a cheering section. They won’t tell me for days if I got the part.”
“Oh, cool,” Annie and Timmy chimed.
Sarah sighed. “I’m afraid they’re getting bored with summer. I have an overload of designs to do at the drafting table and Charlotte is so demanding of my attention that Annie and Timmy get lost. No wonder they’re champing at the bit.”
Beatrice looked at Annie and Timmy as they sidled away from Sarah and began inspecting the cupcakes in the display case.
“They’re bored?”
Sarah nodded. “Bible camp ended last week. And their piano teacher is on a two-week vacation out of town. Timmy says he’s read over fifty books on his summer reading list, even though his goal is one hundred by Se
ptember first. I’m running out of ideas.”
“The kids at my camp are in the middle of first-aid classes. Kayaking races are this afternoon and when the new kids come in next week, we’ll be teaching them about our pioneer garden.”
“Pioneer garden? What’s that?” Annie asked, diverted from the cupcakes for the moment.
“We have a large vegetable garden near the apple and pear orchard that we started in the spring. We rigged up wooden stakes that look like tepees for the beans to grow up into the air. We did the same with pie pumpkins so that the pumpkins don’t rot on the ground. We have tomatoes, corn, zucchini, cucumbers, yellow squash, onions, green peppers, jalapeño peppers and just about every herb you can think of. The kids learn to till the earth, fertilize it and tend the plants. Then Amanda, our cook, conducts cooking classes every other day. There’s always something to do at camp.”
“Sounds cool,” Timmy said. “I’d like to go to your camp.”
Sarah shook her head. “Beatrice’s camp is for kids who come to stay for a week or more. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes. They’re usually from out of town.”
“Bummer.” Timmy went back to the cupcake case.
“Sarah,” Beatrice said. “I know your kids would love a day camp, but I’m focusing on kids who aren’t as fortunate as Annie and Timmy. They need the camp so badly...”
Sarah touched her arm. “I know. But, Beatrice, maybe it’s time for you to think about it. It’s another revenue stream you haven’t considered.”
“Maybe I will. Thanks, Sarah. I’d better get my order and drive back.”
“I have it right here,” Chloe said, picking up a brown-and-white-striped box with yellow ribbon. “Thanks for your business.”
“Hey, your cupcakes are the best,” Beatrice said. “And I don’t have to drive all the way to Chicago to get one.” She hugged Sarah with her free arm. “You take care. See you again soon, I hope.”
“Absolutely. Oh!” Sarah held up her forefinger. “I nearly forgot. Isn’t Luke working up a bid for you?”
Rescued by the Firefighter Page 13
