“The truck? That’s not?—”
“I’m not alone. The truck is the only option.” I don’t have time to argue. “I have the radio. I’ll let you know when we’re on the way down.”
Briggs wouldn’t argue. He has too much to do. “Stay safe, Griff.”
I disconnect the call and turn away from the window to see Sophie watching me. “Is it…are we…”
It only takes two strides to cross the room and pull her into my arms. “It’s a forest fire. But we’re going to be fine.”
“Was it my bro—Seth? Was it them?”
I know in my gut it was those morons who started the fire, but there’s no point bringing it up. “It doesn’t matter.” I kiss the top of her head. “Everything is going to be okay. But we have to evacuate. Do you understand?”
She nods and looks up at me with fear in her eyes. But I can also see she’s being brave. “William? Your son is he?—”
“My youngest brother Ryder is on the way to get him now.” Her worry for William was touching. “Right now we’re the only ones in real danger if the wind shifts. With a forest fire you never know what can happen. We need to go. Now.”
Sophie limps to the front door. Her ankle is obviously still bothering her but she doesn’t want to say anything. My brave butstubborn girl. I move as quickly as I can, grabbing the radio and my truck keys before scooping her up in my arms.
The air outside is already thick with smoke. I put Sophie safely in the front seat before jumping into the driver’s side and driving as fast as I can away from the home I’d built with my own two hands. Moments before I round the first corner I peek in the rearview mirror expecting to feel a wave of sadness knowing my house might not be standing when I return.
But to my surprise the grief doesn’t come. William is safe and Sophie is by my side. That’s all that matters.
I reach across the bench seat and take my girl’s hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze as I press down harder on the accelerator.
Sophie
The smoke is sothick it’s hard to breathe the further down the mountain we get. Griff is driving so fast, flying around each bend and curve in the road that it might have terrified me if I didn’t trust him so implicitly.
I’m scared, but at the same time having Griff by my side makes me feel protected and cared for. He’s not going to let anything happen to me. I feel it deep inside.
Griff explained there was only one way down the mountain so we would get a lot closer to the fire before we got away from it, but when the first flames appear I’m not fully prepared for the shot of terror that races through me.
Right next to the road there are pockets of flames as brush burned around us.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. These are just hot spots. The fire is still?—”
“Griff. Griff. Come in.”
He put’s his arm out to brace me as he slams on the brakes and reaches for the radio. “What’s going on?” he asks into the radio.
“The wind shifted.”
Three little words, but I know they’re bad.
Before Griff can respond, the voice on the radio speaks again. “The fire jumped the road. If you’re not down the mountain yet?—”
“We’re not.”
“Shit, Griff. You’re going to have to?—”
“I’ve got this.” Griff barks into the radio. “We’ll be down right away.” He tosses the radio on the dashboard and grabbs my hand again.
“Griff?”
“Do you trust me?”
“With my life.” There’s no hesitation.
