River on Fire (River's End #5) Read online

  River on Fire

  by

  Leanne Davis

  River’s End Series, Book Five

  www.leannedavis.net

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Other Titles by Leanne Davis

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dear Reader

  My Other Titles

  About the Author

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  River on Fire

  COPYRIGHT © 2016 by Leanne Davis

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Publishing History First Edition, 2016 Digital

  River’s End Series, Book Five

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-941522-37-0

  Edited by Teri at The Editing Fairy: ([email protected])

  Copy Editing: [email protected]

  Cover Design by Steven Novak ([email protected])

  Dedication

  When I first started this series in 2010, I planned to incorporate a devastating fire in the story line. I did not, however, intend for it to be based on true events. But that is exactly what happened. On July 14, 2014, the Carlton Complex Fires raged through the Methow and Okanogan valleys, becoming to date, the largest fire in Washington State history. It scorched the land for over a month before being fully contained. In the end, the fire burned more than 250,000 acres, or 400 square miles of land, 322 homes, and innumerable outbuildings.

  I dedicate this story to the courageous people involved in this fire, not only the ones who lost so much, but also the firefighters and all the volunteers that came together in so many different capacities to finally extinguish this epic inferno.

  Other Titles by Leanne Davis

  Diversions

  River’s End Series

  River’s End

  River’s Escape

  River’s Return

  River Road

  River on Fire

  River’s Lost

  The Sister Series

  The Other Sister

  The Years Between

  The Good Sister

  The Best Friend

  The Wrong Sister

  The Years After

  The Broken Sister

  The Perfect Sister

  The Daughters Series

  Christina

  Natalie

  The Zenith Trilogy

  Zenith Falling

  Zenith Rising

  Zenith Fulfilled

  The Seaclusion Series

  Poison

  Notorious

  Secrets

  Seclusion

  Prologue

  IN FIFTEEN MINUTES, ONLY nine hundred seconds, the fire burned up one side of the entire valley, devouring all the trees, sagebrush, grass and structures. It’s ruthless, ravenous arms reached out, engulfing everything in its path like a firestorm from Armageddon, and mercilessly destroyed homes, roads, outbuildings, orchards, and pastures full of livestock along with forests full of wildlife. It was so fast, they had no time. No time to run. No time to take cover. No time to fight. The fire won the battle before anyone could even suit up. Like a nuclear incinerator, it defeated all of them. Plumes of smoke were all that was left of the formerly lush land. In a matter of minutes, trees were scorched into a blackened, charred wasteland. Now, only a swath of blue water twisting down the center was the sole color the fire spared. Few remnants of life were left. The next day, the stubborn fire circled around to take out the other side of the valley, burning all the way down into the very heart of River’s End.

  Jack Rydell rose from his knees before the charred ruins of their land. Black and soot covered his face and arms and the backs of his hands. Ian, Shane and Joey Rydell stood beside him, every bit as black and soot-covered. Silence descended for over an hour. There was nothing to say. No words could describe the last few days of horror and tragedy. There were no words to describe the pain of watching their entire livelihood burn up in smoke. Their eyes were rimmed in red from lack of sleep. Their lips were dry and cracked, and their voices hoarse from the choking smoke they had to inhale during the last four days.

  Before them lay the remains of their ranch. Charred buildings, extended gaps in fencing, and restless horses that were kicking, stomping, turning and twisting in a fear so real and primal, some even escaped their enclosures. The sun was somewhere above them, a hot, red oven burning up along with the fire. Gray and black smoke obscured everything as ashes floated down like rain, and they surveyed the blackened land that they previously called their home.

  “I can’t… I don’t think I can do this anymore,” Jack said finally. They all looked up in disbelief at him. He was their leader, their father-figure, their ruler and king. He was Jack Rydell. He dropped his head, shaking it as he pressed his hands against his face. Finally, hot tears streamed down his cheeks. “First, our parents, then Lily, then…” he couldn’t say another word about the latest tragedy. No words were necessary. Joey understood that.

  Jack continued, “…Then this? I can’t… I can’t do it again. I can’t start over again. This place is cursed. This place will be the death of me, and my family, as well as you and all of yours. I can’t do it anymore. I can’t give any more to it. I’m done. I’m so fucking done.”

  Joey’s heart climbed up into his throat. No. Never. This could not be his brother, Jack, quitting before him. On his knees, literally, saying this latest tragedy and loss was it? Could this finally break Jack’s spirit? Joey refused to believe it. Tears streamed from his own eyes, stinging and burning as he wiped them, his gritty hands only making them hurt more. His soot-stained skin was so black in places, he doubted it would ever wash off. A fitting reminder for the destruction they all witnessed, battled and lost. Seeing his indomitable brother on his knees, crying, disoriented, and giving up, made something deep inside Joey crack. If Jack couldn’t handle this, who could? He was the strongest man Joey knew. Jack had all the answers to his questions. If Jack quit, what would become of them? His brothers and nephews? And most of all, Joey? What would become of the ranch? And the lifestyle they carved out and protected as a family for over a century? One fire? One day? One hour? Fifteen minutes? Could that be all it took to wipe everything away?

  Fuck, no!

  But no one said anything. Ian, usually second in line with answers and confidence, should have spoken up and argued with Jack. Or kicked Jack in the ass. Why wasn’t Ian doing something? Or Shane? Shit! He never took any crap. Shane could do anything. But Shane’s head was hanging, and he looked just as desolate as the rest of them as he rubbed his eyes. Tears. All four brothers had tears in their eyes. Joey had never seen them all crying. Not even when their parents died. Not when Lily died. Never, until now.

  The silence
was as thick as the smoke between them. They refused to leave, those four Rydell brothers. Everyone else found their way to safety under a mandatory evacuation. But the Rydells stayed together. As always, whether physically present or not, Joey considered their loyalty as something that went far beyond anything physical; it was a state of being, a way of life. This place was the essence of all of them, their heart, soul and core. The family home. The source of all love and faith and life.

  The ranch was their life.

  Joey turned towards the remains of the ranch as they stood up on the road, trying to assess the damage. Down below, the valley stretched far into the horizon before meeting the base of the mountains. Spots of blue sky, so incongruent to the black devastation, peeked through the smoke plumes.

  Now, however, it was no more than a black, charred wasteland, with hot spots flaring and the loud crackle and popping of trees exploding. They were the paralyzed victims of hell’s fury. The brothers choked on air devoid of oxygen and stared down over their land. Although they resisted the fire on some of the borders of the ranch, it still managed to find a way onto their land, despite their earnest efforts, and the determination of the hotshot fire crews. It devoured part of their souls when it hit the ranch. Their livelihood.

  It also devoured something in Jack. And without Jack, and this place, what would Joey have? The ranch was his home and family. It was his identity and their legacy. It was supposed to last forever.

  How could it all get burned up and incinerated today? It wasn’t supposed to end this way.

  Chapter One

  HAILEY STARR FOLLOWED HER blond, whining fifteen-year-old into the small office to check in at the resort. Brianna was prattling on in a running monologue/protest about being forced to accompany her for the summer and having to stay at the tiny resort/horse ranch smack dab in the middle of Washington state. She was about as happy to be there as a cow on its way to the slaughterhouse. Hailey turned a deaf ear to her moaning teen. Meanwhile, her twelve-year-old son noticed the horses they passed with an eager eye. He was the real reason they came there. It wasn’t about Brianna; even if she didn’t totally get that concept yet. All she needed was a curled-up lip to make it a full tantrum.

  They walked into a large log house with a wonderful porch that ran the entire length of the building. The main ranch house perched over the land on a sloping hill. Looking behind her, Hailey got a breathtaking view of green fields dotted with horses and outbuildings, and beyond that, the river. Even further down the way stood the tiny gingerbread houses and buildings that comprised the small town of River’s End.

  A sign directed the guests where to check in. The front door was quite welcoming with an Open sign and another that said Come in. Hailey was first impressed by the river rock fireplace that rose all the way up to the roof, right through the second story. Its magnificence in the room literally took her breath away and she gasped audibly. She saw an open stairway and landing above them, and couldn’t stop whirling around, visibly awed. A small door to her left indicated the gift shop where she saw touristy trinkets and souvenirs as well as convenience items such as toothpaste, brushes, water bottles, and a variety of different snacks and foods.

  Upon entering the foyer, she saw a desk, a table, and to the right, some seating. The kitchen was located further back and small tables were scattered all over the front porch. The resort advertised a cozy, real home-cooking café that served lunch and dinner, except for Mondays.

  Hailey was absorbing everything when a young woman with soft, bleached curls walked in from a back room and smiled at her. “Good afternoon, are you here to check in?”

  Hailey nodded, digging out her paperwork and wallet. “We are.”

  “Welcome to the Rydell River Resort, I’m Marcy Rydell, and I can help you with anything you need.”

  Hailey shook the woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  As the two women discussed the check-in procedure and resort amenities, Hailey glanced off only to find Brianna had vanished. Hastily, she collected all the brochures and other stuff Marcy so eagerly gave her, and hurried out to look for Brianna. In the gift shop, she found her flirting with a young man at the counter. He was leaning over her, his platinum hair falling onto his forehead as he nodded and pointed to a map spread out before him. Brianna was also leaning over the same counter, her tank top conveniently low enough to show the smooth, round globes of her cleavage peeking over the rims of her lacy bra. Hailey sighed out loud as she jammed all the pamphlets into her oversized purse and hiked it higher up on her shoulder.

  Marching over to the counter, she said, “Brianna, go out with your brother.”

  Brianna jumped at Hailey’s terse order and turned to glare at her after rolling her eyes. “Oh, my God, Mom. Chill out.”

  Nearly launching herself forward, Hailey had the strong urge to grab her daughter’s cheek between her index finger and thumb, squeezing, just like she did when Brianna talked back to her at age five, and seven and twelve. But now? She couldn’t, even though her fingers twitched and ached to do so.

  “Bri, knock it off,” Hailey hissed.

  Brianna smiled at the man, who had straightened up and was listening to them with visible amusement. Eventually, she sauntered out, exaggeratedly swinging her hips. Hailey glared after her, gnashing her teeth.

  She glanced at the man. The stupid man. He was hot. Like, burn you up hot. Like a fantasy-come-true that should have been a pin-up. “She’s fifteen, mister. In case she wasn’t clear on that.”

  The man smiled. Wow. Talk about white, straight teeth and the perfect, cocky-sweet-macho-little boy smile all rolled into one. The deep dimples in his cheeks and twinkling eyes that crinkled at the corners were nearly intoxicating.

  “Yes, ma’am, I was pretty clear on that already.”

  “That’s statutory rape, you know. And she’s far too young for you anyway.”

  His smile dimmed, but he bit his lower lip, as if trying to keep his remarks to himself. She was sure of it. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, and his ma’am was over-exaggerated. “She asked me if anyone did white water rafting here. And since I happen to be the guide for that particular sport, I thought it prudent to answer her. I don’t care how old she is. I’m here to provide that kind of information to any of the guests.”

  Hailey narrowed her eyes, sensing he was mocking her. So… what? Was he simply doing his job?

  He lifted up the paper they were looking at on the counter and Hailey glanced down. It was a map of the valley with the river slicing through it. “I was simply showing her where we started and where we came out, which is right on the beach here. I was also advising her of the rules and telling her the rates, you know, the usual information that guests ask.”

  “Oh.” Heat filled Hailey’s cheeks. She had nothing more to say. So what if she overreacted to that cozy little scene; at least she wasn’t wrong about Bri’s interest, just this guy’s. Part of why they came there was to keep Brianna out of trouble for the summer.

  He held out his hand. “Joey.”

  Shaking his hand, she found it strong and tanned, but not all that much bigger than hers. He wasn’t very tall either, pleasantly taller than she, without towering over her. “Hailey, mother of that fifteen-year-old girl, and a guest.”

  “I caught the first part, and assumed the second.”

  He leaned casually against the glass counter that was formerly a display case, one you might find in any store. “So… I take it she doesn’t want to be here?”

  “How many girls who are going into their sophomore year of high school have you met who like vacationing on a ranch?”

  “From around here? Quite a few, actually.”

  “Oh. Good point. Well, she doesn’t.”

  “Are you punishing her?”

  “Perhaps. But her brother wanted to come here. He’s twelve and couldn’t wait.”

  Joey reached under the counter and handed her another brochure. It showed a river raft swooping through white, foamy wave
s and smiling people with helmets and lifejackets, holding their paddles with their mouths open, screaming. “Might want to consider taking her. She seemed pretty interested.”

  “In you,” Hailey muttered with another roll of her eyes.

  “I’m not into little girls, ma’am, in case you’re worried,” he replied softly with barely a twitch of a smile on his lips. “I like women.”

  Hailey jerked to attention and stepped back. Did he just say that to her in a flirting voice? No. Whoa. Just, no. The guy didn’t even seem to be on the upper side of thirty. He couldn’t have been flirting with her thirty-eight-year-old ass. Besides he just talked to her teenage kid, and was probably closer to Brianna’s age than he was to Hailey’s.

  “Does all that flirting you do result in more women booking your white water trips?”

  His bright grin went full wattage. “Doesn’t hurt sometimes.”

  It was hard not to smile at his honesty and that damned adorable grin. “Well, watch whom you direct it towards.”

  He saluted. “Yes, ma’am. Not at your daughter.”

  Hailey turned and pushed at the door. “That’s right.”

  “What about you?”

  She stopped dead when his fading voice trailed after her as she started to exit. She turned back, scowling. He really shouldn’t insult paying guests. As if she’d fall for that load of hot, steaming horse crap. “Me? I’ll report you to your mother. And I wouldn’t want to get you in all that trouble.”

  His chuckle followed Hailey out. “Can’t, ma’am. She’s dead.”

  Hailey closed her eyes and blinked them open. “Well, crap. That takes all the punch out of my threat. I’m sorry.”

  He laughed good-naturedly. “Years ago. I don’t even remember her.”

  Hailey almost tsk-tsked him. “Well, flirting with women half your age or double your age isn’t the best strategy. You’ll get burned on one end or the other.”