Fighting the Flames(10)

 

"Sydney." He rasped out her name and put his arms around her too. As he pulled her flush against him, her mind raced.

 

All of a sudden images of Maddox here at the cabin or hanging with Rob at the base filtered into her mind. She'd loved her husband with her whole heart, but he wasn't here now. Having Maddox as a friend again was something she hadn't known she needed-until now.

 

She released him and stepped back. "Thank you for that."

 

He shook his head like a wild dog coming across some danger he didn't understand. "You don't need to thank me. Saving you is part of my job."

 

That wasn't what she meant, and he knew it. But she let him skirt the issue for now.

 

"Why don't I get those blankets, and we can sit and share our meal of dried food and water?"

 

"Uh … no, Syd. I can't stay inside with you. I'll sleep outdoors. I've got my pack, and it's best if I can keep watch for the fire burning over the barrier we made today."

 

Disappointment settled in her heart, but worse, she felt like an ass. Embarrassed that she'd felt desperate, after all. Things she didn't know about herself tumbled at her like boulders racing down a cliff. She was bombarded.

 

She wrapped her arms around herself and nodded. "Okay, then. The offer stands if you get too uncomfortable."

 

"I work for Special Forces. I can sleep anywhere, comfort or not." He grinned again, a flash of white teeth and crinkling eyes that disappeared all too soon for her liking. But now that the image of Maddox smiling was branded on her brain, she'd have a hard time shaking it.

 

He turned for the door, reaching one big hand to the handle. "I'll be outside if you need anything."

 

She didn't have words for what she was feeling.

 

Disappointment, yes. She'd wanted to sit and talk with Maddox. A longing rose inside her.

 

And hurt was part of the self-destructive cocktail too. She had no reason to feel hurt that Maddox preferred to do his job over spending time with her, but nobody had called her rational, especially today.

 

She watched him walk out the door and close it behind him. Then she went straight to the bedroom and curled up on the bed.

 

What the hell was wrong with her? This had to be another stage of grief. She ticked them off in her mind-anger, depression, denial, bargaining, acceptance.

 

No, she wasn't feeling any of those familiar pangs. What she experienced was brand new.

 

She wanted to insinuate herself into Maddox's life, as well as the other men's. She missed their antics and humor. They really were family she'd ditched without consideration that they were hurting too. She'd been in so much pain after Rob's death that she hadn't thought of anyone but herself.

 

Her stomach growled, but she ignored it, too tired to get up and take a few steps into the living room for her food. She flipped onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. The day had been long, filled with dread, terror, and grueling work. But like she suspected Maddox did, she relished the small aches in her muscles.

 

Why couldn't she just stay with the team and help them clean up? She was a trained firefighter, and after today, she had some training as a smokejumper. Enough for her to make a difference.

 

She'd had a feeling Maddox wouldn't agree with her decision, but she'd get a radio off one of the other guys and speak to the base manager. He knew her skills, and she was certain he wouldn't turn her away, even if Maddox seemed set on having her air-lifted out.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

 

 

At the crunching noise of feet on sticks, Maddox was on high alert. In this part of the country, there were animals to fear, such as mountain lions. But no animals would be within a ten-mile radius of this fire if they were able to run out of it.

 

He pushed onto his elbow and focused on his sense of hearing. Smoke burned his nostrils, and he tried to scent which direction it was strongest. He pivoted his head to the right and inhaled deeply. The flames were dying down in the distance, but it was still an orange demon that could be back-building, ready to roar up the ridge and consume the cabin before he could get Sydney out.

 

He slid from his sleeping bag and got to his feet. He didn't take two steps before he ran smack into something soft and warm that made a whooshing sound.

 

Throwing out his hands, he caught Sydney before she fell over. "What the hell are you doing out here?"

 

She put her hands on his chest, looking up into his face as if she could see him despite the darkness. "I heard something."