Facing the Fire

Facing the Fire
Gail Barrett

Never marry a smoke jumper!Jordan Wells adopted that motto after her divorce from Cade McKenzie. She wanted a man who wasn't constantly running to the latest disaster–leaving her behind. Years later, she was finally ready to sell her mountain cabin–the only thing that still connected her to her ex–and move on with her life.Cade had sworn he was long over Jordan, but when a deadly fire threatened her life, he didn't hesitate to lead her on a dangerous race out of a burning Montana forest. Forced to take shelter in each other's arms, old passions were ignited. And desire soon proved to be a greater threat than any wildfire…

Facing the Fire

Gail Barrett

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To my mother for all those trips to the library, where I

discovered the magical world of books, and to my dad

for attending everything, even the bagpipe competitions.

Your support matters more than you know.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Special thanks again to Forest Service spokesman

Tim Eldridge for answering my endless questions,

and to smoke jumpers everywhere for everything

you do. You are amazing!

Chapter 1

Jordan Wells lifted the old metal bucket out of the icy stream and set it beside her on the bank. Shivering, she rubbed her wet, chilled hands on her jeans to warm them. She’d forgotten how cold these Montana streams were. They were little more than glacial melt rushing down the mountains.

But the place was beautiful, she had to admit. Smiling, she glanced around the tiny clearing. Early-afternoon sunlight sifted through the Douglas fir trees, making the water sparkle. The clear stream raced over rocks and overturned pebbles while the pine boughs moaned above.

She inhaled the deep-forest air, that complex mix of ancient pines and earth, so unlike the cornfields and woods of Virginia. She’d loved this place once. Being here had filled her with peace, serenity. She’d felt protected from the world, sheltered in the tiny cabin with Cade.

She closed her eyes and, just for a moment, let the images swamp her. Cade’s hard face. His low, rough voice. That devastating grin.

The shocking thrills, the wild excitement she’d felt in his strong arms.

But that was before the fire season had started and the loneliness set in. The weeks apart. The endless waiting. Never knowing when he’d come back or how long he would stay.

Then the pleading. The desperation. That stark white hospital bed.

The shattering realization that he loved leaping out of airplanes more than he loved her. And always would.

She opened her eyes with a sigh. But that had happened years ago. That life was gone forever, like the innocent, trusting girl she’d once been.

And that was exactly why she’d come back here. To put that painful past to rest forever and prove she was over Cade. To sell the cabin she’d ignored for years and finally move on with her life. To marry Phil, a stable, steady man with a normal job who’d never rush off on wild adventures and leave her to suffer alone. Who’d waited far too patiently for too many months for her to accept his proposal.

And she would finally say yes to him. She’d be crazy not to. That man was everything she wanted.

She’d accept, all right. As soon as she cleaned out the cabin, she’d stop at the real estate agency in Missoula, sign the contract to sell this place and catch the next flight back East.

She rose and lifted the dented bucket. The thick bed of pine needles muffled her footsteps as she trudged up the narrow trail toward the house.

The wind gusted in the pine trees again and they creaked and wailed overhead. The tinge of wood smoke wafted past and Jordan paused. Had someone built a cabin nearby? She hadn’t noticed any new side roads or even tire tracks on the long drive in. Maybe a passing hiker had started a campfire despite the burning ban.

Then she caught the distant buzz of an airplane and her breath stalled. A DC3 jump ship. She’d recognize that sound anywhere. She’d heard that sad, wrenching drone every time Cade flew away.