“Understood.”
Jojo left me alone, and I leaned back, taking in a deep breath. The surface of my desk was still as empty as it had been on my first day, but for the three photographs I had framed. I picked up the metal five-by-seven, looking over the hideously cropped retake of a picture of Finley hanging on the wall of the chateau. It was ironic that that very picture had landed me the photography job in the first place, and just eighteen months later, it looked so amateur I had to lay it flat on its face several times a day.
The front door chimed, and Jojo greeted whoever approached her front desk. I could tell by the familiarity and condescension in her voice that it was Tyler.
“Ellie?” Jojo’s voice squeaked over the intercom.
I pressed a button. “Yes?”
Tyler was in the background, complaining that Jojo should just let him come back to my office.
“Tyler Maddox is here to see you. Shall I allow him back, or would you like me to suggest he return to the sea of venereal disease where he came from?”
I spit out a laugh. “Send him back.”
She sighed loudly. “Fine.”
Tyler appeared, holding two fountain drinks. “Sprite for you,” he said, sitting it on my desk. “Cherry Coke for me.”
“Thank you,” I said, wrapping my lips around the straw. “So, Chief called today.”
“Did he?” Tyler asking, feigning surprise. He sat on the love seat in the exact spot Jojo had been, bouncing a few times.
“How did you talk him into it?”
“Now how in the hell am I going to talk Chief into bringing you back after what you pulled in Colorado Springs?”
“Don’t lie.”
“You’re right. We all talked him into it.”
“Who’s we?”
“The guys. They miss you. Puddin’ laments your grilled cheese at least twice a day.”
“I said yes.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You did?”
I nodded, and he popped out of the love seat, leaning over my desk and grabbing my cheeks to plant a kiss on my lips.
“Wow, I should say yes more often.”
“I agree. Remember what happened the night of the last time you said yes?”
“Yes, I do.”
He smirked. “You said yes a lot that night.”
“Shut it. What are you doing tonight?”
“Besides you?” he asked.
“Hilarious. Any plans?”
He chuckled, itching the side of his nose. “No, baby. You’re the only plans I have.”
“Good, because we’ve been invited to dinner at the chateau.”
“What’s that?”
“My parents’ vacation home.”
He blanched. “Say what?”
“My parents would like to meet you.”
He blinked, his entire body frozen in the position it was in when I broke the news. “Oh.”
“Oh?”
“I just thought … you know … we weren’t going to any parties.”
“Not a party. Dinner. And they’re serving sparkling water. Finley will be there.”
“So, what you’re saying is … this will be the most awkward dinner ever.”
“Pretty much.”
“I’m in,” he said, standing.
I smiled, lifting my chin to meet his gaze. “Yeah?”
“Of course. Gotta meet the in-laws. Looking forward to all of those judgey eyes and questions about my meager salary.”
“Glad you know what to expect.”
He leaned over and kissed my cheek, waving before he rounded the corner. “Love you!” he called back just before the door chimed.
“We don’t love you back!” Jojo yelled.
The room was quiet except for the forks scraping against the plates and Daddy sipping his water from a wine glass. Felix was standing by the door like a militant waiting for Tyler or me to attempt escape, and mother hadn’t looked me in the eye since we’d arrived.
Finley was busy texting on her phone, just as embarrassed to be in the same room with Tyler as he was with her.
Sally looked up to wink at me occasionally to make sure I wasn’t too stressed. Tyler was cutting through his lamb shank, happily eating the fourth course of a five-course dinner.
“Ellison,” Mother began in her voice that warned of impending doom. “Your father has spoken with the board, and they’re very interested in using your newfound talents within the company. I’m sure you’ll find the salary very agreeable in comparison with your current pay.”
I swallowed quickly, and then cleared my throat. “I like the job I have now.”
“You can do the same job at Edson Tech, sweetheart,” she said.
“I can’t hike mountains and photograph wildfires at Edson Tech.”
Mother pursed her lips, deepening the wrinkles around her mouth. “Precisely. Your father and I feel that your higher wages will better assist with the cost of your new condo, and—”
“Uh … you insisted on that condo, and I complied.”
“But it still costs money, dear. Money that, as an adult, you should provide.”
“I was living in a great apartment that I could afford.”
“We agreed a move would help create the feeling of a fresh start.”
“I could have found a more affordable apartment, I—”
“Meredith,” Sally interjected. I had grown to love her calm, soothing voice—a voice I once believed was manipulative and fake. Now that she was someone I trusted to call when in trouble, Daddy thought it would be a good idea to hire her back “Ellison likes the job she has now. It might be counterproductive to her path to wellness if we pull her away from a place where she feels comfortable and push her into an employment that may pay more, but is something she’s not quite as happy with.”
“She’ll like it just fine,” Mother said, blatantly dismissive.
“Meredith,” Daddy began.
“Philip,” Mother snapped, her voice rising an octave. She smiled, regaining her composure. “We agreed that it would be good for Ellison to find her place in the company and be an active participant in paying her bills.”
“Ellison disagrees,” Sally said. “And she’s doing very well.” She smiled at me. “She was paying bills before we moved her to the condo.”
“Ellison doesn’t have a choice,” Mother said.
“Actually, she does,” Sally responded. “She could just as easily move into a different apartment if you insist on holding it over her head. I’m sure that’s not what your intention was when you secured it for her. I recall you being very concerned about her recovery and wanting to offer something to reduce her stress level.”
“Sally,” Mother said with a stiff smile. She patted her mouth with her napkin. “You work for me, not for Ellison.”
Sally didn’t flinch. “I’m an independent service, one which you sought out to help you guide Ellison to a better life. She’s happy. What you’re proposing is the opposite of that. Especially now, in the beginning of her recovery … Meredith. You can’t honestly think this is what’s best for your daughter at this time.”
Mother glared at Daddy, waiting for him to interject.
He sat up, clearing his throat and chewing quickly. “Your mother”—she glared at him—“and I … feel that now that you’ve moved past your college … ways … that your place is at Edson Tech. She’s taken great care to create a station that includes photography, and she wants you to have the position and respect you deserve. It’s been very difficult for her to think of her daughter as a secretary, or this … dirty, camping, forest person snapping pictures of squirrels.”
Tyler leaned forward. “I’m sorry, sir … have you seen Ellie’s work? She’s not photographing squirrels, she’s documenting the containment of large wildfires around the U.S., and she’s very, very talented. She’s published, and she’s sought after. She’s given up a few offers, including National Geographic.”
“Really? That’s so great, E
lliebee,” Finley said, a proud smile stretching across her face.
“Thanks,” I said.
Tyler grabbed my hand under the table, and I sat up tall. “If you want me to move out of the condo, I’m happy to do that. But I’m not quitting my job.”
Mother narrowed her eyes at Tyler. “I suppose this has something to do with him.”
“No, actually, it’s just about me loving my job. But I also love him, and taking a job with Edson Tech would mean moving to the East Coast, and I want to stay in Estes Park.”
Mother rolled her eyes. “It’s a tourist town, Ellison. It’s not somewhere you plant roots.”
“That’s not true,” I said. “My roots are pretty firmly planted.”
Tyler squeezed my hand.
Mother put her elbow on the table and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’re really marrying a firefighter, Ellison? No offense, Mr. Maddox, but how do you plan to provide for our daughter?”
He tossed his napkin on the table, his shoulders relaxed. “Ellie doesn’t really need me to support her financially, but I make six figures annually, Mrs. Edson. That ain’t bad.”
“Really?” Daddy said, intrigued.
Tyler shrugged. “I make a lot of overtime, and hazard pay is the tits.”
“Is the…?” Mother began.
“He means it’s lucrative, Mother,” Finley said, glancing at me.
“Well,” Daddy said, loosening his tie. “I think it sounds like they’ve got it nailed down.”
“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.
“This is bad,” I said, folding my arms across my middle.
“My people say they have eyes on the rescue crew,” Trex said, checking his phone for the dozenth time.
After another meeting was held in the conference room, officials filed out and converged around the television. My stomach growled, but I didn’t move. Darby had clocked out at three, but she stayed with me, knowing I was worried and alone.
“Turn that up!” someone called from across the room.
Darby scrambled for the remote and pressed the volume several times. A female reporter was standing in front of tall grass and burning trees holding a microphone. My heart ached, knowing Tyler couldn’t be far.
I turned around in my seat, looking to the TAC team. They were talking quickly in hushed voices, and I turned around, watching the television with my fingers over my mouth.
“The last reported communication with the Estes Park crew was at six o’clock this evening, right about the time the two main fires converged. They’ve reportedly deployed their fire shelters.”
My eyes filled with tears, and everything began to move in slow motion. I stood, scanning the faces of the men around me, looking for someone who might know where my boys were.
Darby handed me a tissue, and I wiped my cheeks quickly, refusing to think the worst.
“They’re okay,” one of the firefighters said, patting my arm.
I turned to the television, praying that any second the words scrolling across the bottom of the screen would change.
“Ellie!”
I turned to see Falyn running into the lobby from the parking lot, looking as panicked as I felt. I ran to her and threw my arms around her shoulders, sniffling.
“I just heard,” she said. “Any news?”
I shook my head, wiping my nose with the tissue Darby had given me. “Nothing. We arrived just after seven. Tyler drove like a maniac. He’s out there with the crews, looking for them.”
She hugged me. “I know they’re okay.”
“Because they have to be,” I said, holding her at arm’s length with a forced smile. “I heard … about the baby. First Maddox grandbaby. Jim’s ecstatic.” Falyn’s face fell, and my heart sank. “Oh God. Oh, no. Did you … are you not pregnant anymore?”
She stared at me, seeming equally confused and horrified.
“You’re right,” I said. “This isn’t the time. Let’s go sit. Trex is getting updates every half hour from his people.”
Beautiful Burn (Maddox Brothers #4) Page 29