Page 93 of Smokescreen

Would all their efforts be enough to stop the spread?

No one knew that answer yet.

Olive lunged her hoe into the ground and pulled more groundcover away. Her arms were beginning to ache, but she didn’t let the discomfort stop her. She couldn’t let this fire reach the Homestead and harm all the people and animals there.

Even though Olive didn’t know much about fires, she’d seen enough news about wildfires to know the situation was still dire. This line might not stop the fire at all. All it would take was a strong gust of wind to send embers skipping over the firebreak and spreading even more. Olive hoped that wouldn’t be the case.

A fire in this area wasn’t just bad for Reid’s ranch but for all the other ranches around also. Plus, they weren’t far from the national park. If the wind shifted in the opposite direction, it could be in danger as well.

The only comfort she found was in the fact that some gray clouds had gathered in the distance. Reid had mentioned earlier that a cold front was coming through the area. She hoped it brought some rain with it.

By the time they finished digging the fire line, Olive was covered in dirt, sweat, and soot.

She took a step back to look at their work.

It was impressive how much they’d been able to get done.

But the smell of smoke still lingered in the air. If Olive listened closely, she thought she might even hear the crackle of fire, though she could no longer see it.

Apprehension thrummed inside her. She hoped they’d done enough. Hoped nature was on their side.

Just as the almost prayerlike sentiment drifted through her mind, the wind shifted.

It was stronger now . . . and coming from the direction of the fire.

“We’ve got to get out of here,” Reid called.

Olive wanted to stay. To see if they’d done an effective job.

However, she took one last glance at the fire and knew Reid was correct. Standing out here wasn’t safe.

They climbed back into the trucks they’d driven and started back toward the ranch.

“Do you think the firebreak will work?” she asked Reid as she sat beside him in his truck.

The back of the vehicle was filled with ranch hands who’d climbed inside with their tools. None of them should be able to hear their conversation.

“I honestly don’t know. The fire’s still a couple of miles away. But if the wind is strong enough, it will spread quickly. It might jump the line.”

Olive could hardly stomach the thought of it. She hadn’t expected to feel so emotional about this. Hadn’t expected to bond so quickly with this area and the property here.

But she was genuinely concerned.

“Did everyone in the house pack bags and prepare to evacuate?” Reid asked.

“Yes, I made sure of it.” Olive turned toward him. “And you?”

His jaw remained hard. “I’m not leaving my ranch behind.”

“Reid, if you stay, and the fire spreads . . .” Olive couldn’t finish her statement. She hadn’t known the man long, but the thought of something happening to him made her heart twist into a knot.

“I’m not leaving the Homestead. This is my property, and I’m going to defend it to the end.” Determination hardened in his voice.

Olive knew that was admirable. But at the same time . . . Reid’s life was more important than the house where he’d grown up.

Plus, what if the person behind this knew Reid was stubborn, that he would stay here? Maybe that was part of their plan. Maybe this person didn’t just want this land . . . maybe they wanted Reid completely out of the picture.

The thought didn’t sit well with her.