Chapter Nineteen
“What?” Amanda bolted upright in the bed, trying to wake up enough to understand what Sawyer was rambling about.
“Have to go, hon.” He leaned over her naked body and took her lips in his, cupping her face with one hand. “It sucks. But it’s my job. I put out fires. There’s a fire. I get a call. I run.”
“But…” Her voice trailed off as she watched him shrug into his jeans, jumping off the floor to get them over his hips.
He grabbed his socks next and tugged them on. And then his boots. It wasn’t until he was dashing from the room that he slipped a T-shirt over his head.
Logan had handed it to him. “Keep us informed, Sawyer. I don’t like this.”
Sawyer turned around in the doorway. “You and me both.” He pointed at Amanda. “Keep her safe. Something doesn’t feel right. Call Melinda. Hell, call Laurie too. And Mimi. I’ll contact you when I can.” With that, he fled the room. Seconds later the front door opened and closed with a resounding snick.
Amanda jumped in her skin. Goose bumps rose on her arms, and she crossed her hands to rub them.
Logan was at her side in an instant. He tugged her down so her back was spooned against his front, and then he pulled the comforter over them both. His lips landed on her shoulder. “He’ll be fine.”
“How do you know?” Her heart still raced from the whirlwind experience. Had Sawyer really just left the condo, or was she dreaming?
“He’s a hotshot, baby. The best of the best. He knows what he’s doing.”
“He’s distracted. We just met…mated. He can’t possibly be at his best. And he hasn’t slept enough.”
“He’ll be fine,” Logan repeated.
She knew he didn’t believe the words any more than she did, but she tried to control her erratic breathing and calm herself.
Before she could pull herself together, a phone rang.
“What time is it?”
Logan reached across her body to snag his cell from the bedside table. “Five. The sun will be up soon.” He glanced at the screen and then answered it. “Melinda?”
Amanda rolled onto her back and stared at Logan’s concerned face.
“He just left… How did you know? Okay… Yeah, she’s right here with me.” He smiled down at Amanda and winked. “Yeah, I’ll tell her. Thanks for calling.” As he ended the call, he tossed the phone onto the mattress behind her.
“What was that all about?”
“Melinda had a feeling. She was worried.”
“A feeling? Are you kidding? It’s the middle of the night.”
Logan snuggled back down next to her. “You’ll get used to it. The Bartel and Hamilton siblings are so sensitive they make my skin tingle. She wants me to bring you to her house when we get up so she can get to know you better.”
“Sounds like a ploy.” Amanda could tell by his voice there was more to it.
He chuckled. “Probably, but it will keep your mind off Sawyer for a while.”
“Do you think he’s in danger?”
“Fires are always dangerous, but no. I’m not too worried. Fate wouldn’t bring us together and then tear us apart so quickly.”
“How long do you think he’ll be gone?”
Sawyer held her closer. “No idea. I’m sure he’ll fill us in on the details when he can. Depends on the size of the fire. His job is demanding. When he gets called in, it could be days or weeks. It could also be far away.”
She stiffened. The idea of him being gone that long made her stop breathing. It would be bad enough months or years into their relationship, but the timing today was horrific.
Amanda closed her eyes and took deep breaths. More sleep would go a long way toward soothing her nerves…
»»•««
Logan leaned his head back against the couch in his brother Trace’s house. He was exhausted. He hadn’t been able to fall asleep after Sawyer left, and they hadn’t spoken to him yet. He didn’t want to risk distracting him if he was in a dangerous situation. Besides, they knew where he was. All they had to do was turn on the television to see the broadcast.
The fire had originated about fifty miles north along a section of well-traveled hiking paths. Undoubtedly some hiker or camper hadn’t heeded the no-fire warnings. If someone left even the smallest amount of burning embers or tossed a cigarette, the timber was so dry it would only take minutes for the forest to go up in flames.
He smiled as he watched Melinda bustling about in the kitchen making lunch. Laurie sat at the kitchen table with a sleeping baby in her arms, and Amanda was perched on a bar stool, her head darting around to take in all the commotion. When the Masters and their mates got together, there was always commotion.