Beautiful Burn (The Maddox Brothers 4)

“No, it most certainly does not,” Mother said. “This boy—”

“Meredith,” Daddy barked. “That’s enough.”

Finley looked down, her mouth infinitesimally curving upward. It didn’t happen often, but we both loved it when Daddy finally reined Mother in.

“I don’t see why Ellison can’t stay in the condo as long as she likes. We’ve purchased a New York apartment for Finley, after all.”

“Finley’s not an addict,” Mother hissed.

“Neither am I,” I said. “I’m a recovering addict.”

Maricela brought out a tray full of crème brulee, passing out a small white bowl to my parents, Finley, Tyler, and me.

“Mother,” I said, taking one bite of Maricela’s specialty before I spoke. “Maybe it’s time you accept that your dreams for me are not mine. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and broke your heart, and for that, I’m sorry. I have a long way to go and much to make up for, but I won’t apologize for wanting to keep a job I love and being engaged to a man who has been everything to me. We might have to get our hands dirty for a paycheck, but … I love being gross with him.”

Tyler’s mouth pulled into a half-smile.

“I want to see some of those features, young lady,” Daddy said.

“Yes, sir.” I smiled.

“Dinner was amazing. Thank you,” Tyler said.

Daddy stood up as we did. “It was nice to meet you, Tyler. Looking forward to hearing some of your stories.”

Tyler walked around the long table to shake Daddy’s hand. “I’m looking forward to you seeing the pictures.”

Tyler returned to me and held out his hand. I followed him for a few steps until Mother called my name.

“Ellison? I just want you to be happy.”

I smiled. “Believe me when I say that for the first time in a long, long time … I am happy. Maybe the happiest.”

She nodded, and Tyler led me down the hall and out the front door to his truck. He held open the door, and I climbed in, settling in while he slid in behind the wheel.

“That was…” I began.

“Intense.” He chuckled. He slid his fingers between mine, lifting my fingers to his mouth. “I think it went well.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Really?”

“Yeah. Everything’s going to be all right.”

I held my hand in front of me, admiring my diamond. “Think happy-ever-afters can happen for someone like me?”

Tyler’s phone went off, and he pulled it out, squinting to read the message. “Fuck.”

“What?”

“Called in. Colorado Springs. Oh, no.”

“What?”

“Taylor’s already there with Zeke and David Dalton.”

I frowned, not recognizing the second name.

“Jew,” he explained. “They haven’t reported back. They’re getting ready to list them as missing.”

I covered my mouth. Tyler looked at me.

“Let’s go,” I said.

“Baby…”

“I’ll stay at the hotel. Drive. Drive!”

“Promise me you’ll stay put.”

“I’ll stay at the hotel.” I recoiled from Tyler’s stern stare. “I promise!”

Tyler yanked the shifter into drive, surging forward. He called Chief on the way, letting him know we were heading south.

The drive down seemed to fly by—probably because Tyler was driving twenty miles over the speed limit. As soon as we ran into the lobby, Tyler joined the other hotshot crews in the conference room.

“Ellie!” Darby said with a smile. “I was hoping you’d come.”

“I’m here. Need a room.”

While Darby checked me in, I turned to wave at Stavros.

“Do me a favor,” I whispered to Darby.

“Sure,” she chirped, staring at the computer monitor and clicking on her mouse.

“I’m not going anywhere near Stavros while I’m here.”

Darby’s head popped up, and she stared at me, confused.

“I don’t drink anymore,” I said.

“Oh … oh! Yeah. Last time was … that was bad.”

I nodded once. “And it didn’t get better after that.”

Darby’s eyes widened, and she reached over the desk to grab my hand. “Chicken nuggets, it can’t be too bad! Congratulations! Tyler?”

“Yeah,” I said with a smile.

She released my hand. “Hot damn, that is pretty. I’ll let Stavros know you’re on the wagon.”

“Thank you,” I said, deciding in the moment that I hated that euphemism.

She gave me two cards and winked, and I glanced down at the envelope to check the room number. I glanced over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of Tyler standing in the conference room, his arms crossed.

I carried my camera bag to the elevator, pressing the button for the second floor. Our room was at the end of the hall, a corner room, and I looked down to see the lot lights illuminating the news and hotshot vehicles crowded around Tyler’s truck.

I sat on the bed and tapped the remote. It didn’t take me long to find a news channel covering the fire. News of the missing Alpines was already scrolling across the bottom of the screen in yellow letters.

I called Jojo to let her know I was south covering the fire. Just as I plugged my phone into the charger, it chimed.

Going to get Taylor. Love you.

Be safe. I’ve got plans for you. Love you, too.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The sun was getting low in the sky when the main lobby doors slid open and Trex walked through. He didn’t seem surprised to see me, but he was surprised to see the ring on my finger. “Congratulations,” he said.

“Have you heard anything about the Alpine crew?” I asked.

“The rescue crew was helo’d in. That fire’s a beast.”

I stood behind the sofa, watching the large flat screen next to Darby’s desk. Stavros brought me a glass filled with something clear and fizzy.

“Sprite,” he said. “Just Sprite. Are you hungry?”

“No, thank you.”

Stavros returned to the bar, and I returned my attention to the television. CNN was reporting that the smoke plume could be seen from the space station, and then they interviewed the US Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell.