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Was Phoebe right? Would I die alone?

Phoebe’s words echoed in her head as she started the truck’s engine. Phoebe didn’t understand it. No one ever did.

As much as she wanted to find love, she knew she’d never see it. Not while she’s still tucked this deep in her job. She’d talk to her father about it, but then again, he wouldn’t know. He had devoted most of his life to his job after Mom had died all those years ago.

Perhaps there’s nothing wrong with me after all. It’s just the deal with the job. You either give it your all or it takes yours.

Sam would understand, but he was working in the city. Besides, she wouldn’t want to call him over anything as petty as a spat with someone she was not even in love with.

Love. Lux chuckled again.

“Oh, well.” She eased her truck out of the driveway and headed for the station.

The sight from outside the window soon drowned the thoughts from Lux’s mind. She drove just fast enough to get past the sights of houses lining either side of the road.

She smiled at the ragged forests sprawling in the distance. The rugged hills were always a beautiful sight, except, of course, when the fires began.

They scorched much of the greenery, but the town always won the fight against the fires every season. Even these very green expanses she drove past had thick smoke drifting from them about this time last year. Now, it’s lush again.

Lux wondered if that was why the town was called Phoenix Ridge. It always rose from the ashes. A thin smile crossed her face. Hopefully, her love life would one day rise from the ashes too.

Soon, even the distant forests faded from her mind as she drove into the fire station parking lot, a sprawling complex of red brick and steel that hummed with activity.

Lux took a deep breath. The smell of burnt coffee and engine oil hung in the air.

Inside, the atmosphere was charged with a nervous energy. Everyone knew what season it was, and as much as they anticipated it, no one could say they loved it.

She parked her truck and looked around. The crew, a mix of seasoned veterans and eager rookies, was preparing for the day’s drills.

“Another day, Lux,” she said as she descended from the truck.

“Morning, Chief,” a voice called out.

Lux turned to see Jay, one of her most experienced pilots, grinning at her from across the room. Her tangy-orange hair sat messy on her head.

“Jay,” she replied, returning her smile. “How’s the morning treating you?”

“Can’t complain.” She took a swig from her coffee mug.

“I can’t say the same for your hair,” Lux replied. “Get a hat or something.”

“It’s that bad?”

“Like a hornet’s nest.”

“Just another day in paradise.” Jay patted her hair and fell in step with her.

Lux chuckled. “If you consider dodging wildfires paradise, you’re right.”

“It’ll be fire season soon,” Jay said. “Chief Thompson is already giving everyone hell down here.”

“You think Becky Thompson is hell? Wait until the fires start.”

“Trust me, I’m not eager for that,” Jay said.

As Lux made her way toward her office. She caught her breath before going to the simulation room. She couldn’t afford to have unprepared pilots with fire season so close.

“Alex thinks there might not be any fires this year,” Jay said.