Raven texted Ben to say where they were and that they were safe. He snuck into Anne’s place in the early hours of the morning exhausted, smelling of smoke and covered in ash. He could barely string a sentence together, so Raven had let him fall asleep in a pile of blankets on the floor next to the couch that was her bed for the night. She didn’t know if the farm were safe or not, or if Evie was alive, and it made it harder to sleep, along with the incredibly uncomfortable couch. Despite all of that, she must’ve managed to fall asleep, at least for a little while.
The sound of someone in the kitchen, the kettle boiling, and the clinking of plates on the table caused Raven to wake. Enough light filtered out from the kitchen allowing her to see a little, even though the light coming in between the cracks at the edge of the blind suggested that the sun had definitely risen for the day. She looked over to see Ben sound asleep.
He stirred, eyes fluttering as if they were deciding whether or not to face the day.
“Hey,” said Raven when he turned his head and looked at her. He groaned as if hungover. His eyes were bloodshot, and soot was smeared on his face.
“I better get back out there.” He groaned again as he sat up.
“I think you need more rest.” She sat up on the edge of the couch, her bare feet touching the carpeted floor.
“Not until the fire is out.”
“But…”
He put up his hand to stop her, shook his head, then got up from where he’d been sleeping on the floor.
“You worried me by coming to the fire yesterday.”
“I’m sorry. Your mom wanted to drop off some food. I couldn’t stop her… I wanted to see you.”
He took a long, deep breath as if trying to clear his lungs.
There was a burning question she had to ask. “Are the alpacas… is Evie…”
“They’re fine.”
She breathed out heavily. “Thank God.”
“The fire came close, though.”
“How close?” She swallowed hard and braced herself for whatever Ben was going to tell her.
“You’ll understand when you see the place.”
“Can I go there today?”
“I don’t think so. There were people stationed around there during the night to keep a watch if there were any flare-ups. It would be safer if you stayed in Keith, at least until you hear otherwise.”
It would be safer if you didn’t go and fight the fire, but she didn’t say those words. Of course, he had to go. She couldn’t believe how people were coming together and helping out.
Raven stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist. He smelled of smoke and sweat, and she didn’t care. She was glad to be able to put her arms around him and to hold him. He squeezed her tightly, and she rested her head on his chest. She didn’t want to let him go. It would mean he would be going back to the fire and put his life in danger again.
“It scared the hell out of me seeing you there, so close to the fire,” his voice soft in her ear. She tightened her grip around his waist, pulling him as close as possible to her.
“I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you,” he added. His words caused her eyes to fill with tears and were heartening to hear—a reassurance especially after she had made up her mind for once and all that she was going to be a farm girl and no longer a city girl.
Raven blinked quickly, just stopping the tears from falling. She looked up at him. As much as she hated to have to let him go, she knew she had to.
“Stay safe. I have your Christmas gift, and I want to be able to give it to you,” said Raven.
He smiled at her. His eyes were tired, worried, looked directly into hers. “I look forward to opening it on Christmas Day.” He kissed her, a brief, smoky touch on her lips, and then he left.
Raven’s heart squeezed painfully knowing that he’d gone back to the fire. She sat at the kitchen table, instant coffee in front of her, along with Janette and Anne.
Ben’s absence was noticeable and a sign that the fire was still burning.
“Ready to make some more sandwiches?” asked Janette.
