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“Can I make it back to town?” Tori, in her black court suit and stiletto pumps, was already headed for the door

“If the fire’s juht into it,” Will said “You’ll be better off co with us to the Rimrock”

She looked stricken “Erin—”

“She’ll be all right Call her before she hears about it Tell her not to worry”

“I’ll come with you folks” Reverend Sykes was in his sixties but still fit and active “Since Tori was the one who gave ht as well make myself useful”

Beau was already outside They could hear his vehicle starting up Sky stood with Lauren, knowing he had to leave, too “Go,” she said “I’ll be fine”

“You can’t stay here,” he said “If the fire coo up like a torch Go with Clawson to the syndicate headquarters There’ll be plenty of water there and people who can evacuate you if it comes to that I’ll haveabout you, too Promise me you’ll stay safe”

“I will” She took his hand and squeezed it hard “And you stay safe, too Now go”

I love you, Lauren Sky felt the words, but this wasn’t the time or the place to speak them All he could do was tear himself away from her and race outside to his truck

The reverend piled in beside hih the row of tall Lombardy poplars that formed a wind break around the house, they could see coluainst the hot, blue sky

“Looks like a big one,” Reverend Sykes said “Too big”

“Any fire’s too big” Sky stuck the key in the ignition and turned it The engine ain This tihed, turned over, and started Sky revved the e the battery The truck shot across the yard toward the road

“Sounds like maybe a low battery or a bad solenoid,” the reverend said

“Yeah, I’ve been ot time these days?” Sky used one hand to drive and the other to call the cowhand he’d left in charge of the horses “Start loading the them out,” he told the man who answered “Mares and foals first Like we talked about”

“Got it Trailers are hitched up and co around now,” the man answered