The heat was intense but still bearable. Hope flickered to life in my chest. It appeared to be a surface fire, and with few trees and no bushland between Tom’s place and the flames, the embers weren’t spiralling out of control. The fire was low as it crawled across the grass, something similar to how a wave petered out and swept over the shore.
But there was no pulling back on this one. No tide to offer relief and keep it contained.
Instead, there was us and the sodden ground, which finally seemed to be slowing the spread a little. The closer it edged towards Tom’s land, the less fuel it had to feed its flames.
“Is it me or is it slowing down?” Ross asked from a few metres away.
“It’s not you,” I called to him, not taking my eyes off the fire.
“That’s good, right?” His voice was closer, and I risked a look, my lips twitching at the ancient protective gear he wore.
I refocussed on the flames and tilted my head when I heard one of the pumps cut out.
“I’ll get it,” Ross said immediately, racing off before I even had a chance to respond. That was fine by me. The diesel and the dam were in the opposite direction of the fire.
“The wind’s calmed,” Craig said as he stepped beside me. He’d just finished moving some of the pipe to drench a different part of the paddock. The wetter and cooler the ground, the better.
“Yeah.” I nodded. While hope was alive, my adrenalin remained as anxiety gnawed at my gut. We’d all been working our arses off to prepare and prevent. Tiredness threatened the edges of my vision. A crash and burn was in my future, and I’d be grateful for it. It meant this time we’d won. We just weren’t quite there yet.
With the bushfire seemingly now contained and our focus on the grassfire, visibility was a little clearer. Smoke remained heavy but not quite as dark.
“Here.”
A drink appeared before me, and I gratefully took it from Craig. “Thanks.” I unscrewed the top and gulped down the water.
“I’m going to fill the water truck back up, just in case,” Craig explained. The truck was by far the most incredible vehicle Tom had. It meant we’d been able to head further than the pipes could reach and was one of the reasons why the fire was calming.
I nodded. “Stay safe.” I waved him off and continued shifting the pipework from the opposite side of the paddock Craig had been working.
It was easier without the flow of water, and honestly, with the way everything was going, this section would get some seriously healthy grass soon enough, as the fire seemed to be holding off.
With a refill of the truck, Craig and Tom should be able to secure the property completely and smother the last of the grassfire.
I heaved up the pipe and turned to hold it behind me so I could drag it to where I wanted it. The weight was a struggle, especially with my shaky limbs from too much exertion and not enough sleep. With a grunt, I hauled it with me, continuing walking as far as the pipe would let me and to where I spotted the first piece of dry grass. Breathing heavily, I sucked in a deep breath, trying to regulate myself. I winced and coughed, ready to roll my eyes at myself for the action.
I could really have done with my breathing apparatus, but that had gone back to the station to be restocked when I’d left the crew a few hours earlier.
Pipework in place, it was ready to go. I stilled, realizing the sound of the closest pump should have been going by now. It wasn’t that far away. Unease that Ross had stumbled across a problem hit me hard. With nothing to do here but wait for water and worry about Ross, I hightailed it towards the dam. I expected he would have grabbed the ATV to haul the diesel to the pump, which meant I’d have to go by foot.
As I passed by the shed, I registered the ATV was gone. I jogged in the direction of the dam, where I’d hoped to hear the sound of a growling diesel engine. No sound travelled towards me. I focussed on the direction of where the dam was, looking for a glimpse of Ross. There was no sign of the ATV or Ross. Before long, I reached the dam wall, out of breath and my nerves rattled.
Where the hell was he?
A quick scan around me held no answers. Knowing he wouldn’t have headed elsewhere without a legit reason, I considered my options. There would have been no reason to move beyond this dam. Nothing more than pastureland lay in that direction. Turning back towards the fire as I stood on the dam wall, I scanned to the right. Beyond the house, a flash of movement had me pausing and focussing hard. I held my breath for one beat, then two, before I finally exhaled once a shape formed.
With no idea why he’d ventured away from his task, I could do nothing but head towards him. He hadn’t left the fuel here, hadn’t been here from the lack of fresh tyre tracks. While the initial urgency of the grassfire wasn’t completely over, we were no longer on high alert. But still, the pump still needed to be started.
Wishing like hell I didn’t have to run made no difference. There was nothing but my tired feet that would get me to him. I didn’t like that he was closer to where the dwindling fire was in the distance. Nor did I like that smoke obscured my view of him.
I pumped my arms faster, wanting to get to him quickly, check he was safe, and then get the final soaking of the ground sorted.
Maybe I could then finally head home, ideally after a goodbye kiss from the pain in my arse known as Ross, and with a confirmed date for tomorrow.
Within shouting distance at last, I hollered, “Ross, what are you doing?” I could just make out his messy hair. He also no longer wore his protective jacket.
He angled his head towards me, his eyes wide. A wince followed by a grimace lit his face along with him mouthing, “Sorry.”
Close enough now to read his mouthed words, I frowned, my eyes travelling his form. Something was amiss. It was then he turned. His arms were full, heaped with his protective coat, which appeared to be covering something.
“Shh,” he hushed, jiggling the lump in his arms. “It’s fine. I’ve got you.”
Finally before him, I huffed out heavy breaths. “What’s going on?” I nodded towards the moving form in his arms.
“I just happened to spot her when I wasn’t far from the shed.” He shifted a little, repositioning what I assumed was a creature of some sort, before reaching out and shifting the side of the coat. “She still has her baby with her. We need to get them to the vet.”
I peered into the coat, my eyes widening at the soot-coated grey fur. “A koala?”
Ross bobbed his head as we fell in step towards the ATV a few metres away. “Yeah. She has a baby clinging to her but didn’t give me much of a fight when I managed to swoop the pair of them up.” He climbed in, and I settled behind the wheel. “Shit, the pump. I’m so sorry.”
Relief that he was okay eased into me. A smile formed on my face. He was okay. “No worries. You did the right thing. Everything’s in control.”
Ross exhaled, his own smile lifting his lips. “Thank you. You can fill it up while I make some calls to find out the best place to take her to be looked at. Can you grab my phone out of my pocket?”
I side-eyed him, giving him a small grin. It didn’t matter that I was shattered, that we’d been battling fire, that he was snuggled up with a koala. There was always time for my thoughts to go there.
He rolled his eyes and snorted before looking at his bundle and clamping his mouth shut.
I started the engine and drove to the dam. “Was she injured?” I asked, wisely changing the subject from the one about me putting my hand in his pants—pocket… whatever.
“I think so. Not badly, or at least I don’t think. She was sort of hobbling, so maybe burnt paws.”
“Most likely. Your brother managed to rescue a possum yesterday.”
“The thought of how much we’ve lost is terrifying.” His voice dipped, and sadness filled it. I got it. We—us, Australia, the land—had lost so much. It would be a while before we knew the real cost or the ramifications of so much loss. I could only hope that we, as a people, a country, did what we did best and rallied.
“I know. We just need to keep doing our part,” I said as I parked.
After pulling out his phone and patting myself on the back for only offering a small wink in the process, I filled up the pump while I heard Ross speaking on the phone. All set, I headed back to the shed, waiting to hear what Ross said and determined to finish this final soak.
The sound of a familiar engine had me looking at the drive. A smile quickly formed, and I waved, spotting Frank behind the wheel.
The cavalry was here.
I switched off the engine and peered at Ross, who smiled and indicated I should head on out as he continued his call. I did so, but not until I leaned over and dotted a kiss on his mouth. His eyes widened a fraction before they softened. Following up with a wink, I headed over to Frank and the crew, who were stepping out of the fire truck.
“Frank,” I greeted, reaching out and shaking his hand. “Good to see ya.”
“You too, though I’m sure you wished your shift had been over, right?”
I snorted at that. “No such shifts, really, this season.”
“True that,” he answered before nodding to my right and greeting Tom.
After a few exchanges and the words “fully in control” and “no fresh spread,” I exhaled loudly. Weight eased and fell away from my shoulders while my adrenalin waned.
“You doing all right there, Dan?”
Frank’s voice pulled me out of my stupor. “Huh?” I glanced at him, not realising I’d zoned out so completely. My limbs felt heavy, and my brain struggled to catch up.
“Right, new plan,” Frank said. He glanced over my shoulder, and I followed his line of sight, startled to see Ross standing just a little behind me. Concern marred his features. “Ross, take Dan with you before he falls on his arse and we have to scrape him up. Go do what you have to do with the koalas you found, then take him home and make sure he doesn’t drown in the shower or something.”
“Hey,” I finally managed, my brain trying to catch up. “I’m good to finish off with the—”
“Benny is already on it.” Frank quirked his brow at me in challenge, and I looked over and realised Benny did, in fact, have it.
“No worries. I’ve got Craig too and will drop him off on the way to the vet’s. It’s on the way. I’ll take my truck, and we can sort out Dan’s tomorrow.” Ross reached out and placed his hand on my forearm, giving a small tug.
I considered saying something else. Being railroaded was not how things usually played out for me, but hell, I was bone-weary.
“Thanks, son.” Tom bobbed his head at Ross before flicking his own concerned stare at me. Shit, how did he not look as wrecked as me? “Go. You’ve done back-to-back call-outs, worked at least double what I’ve done.” The man was a goddamn mind reader. But I supposed he knew me far too well.
“’Kay,” I settled on. “Thanks, but call if anything changes or you need me?”
“Sure thing,” Tom answered, amused.
Yeah, I wasn’t quite sure I believed him.
“Come on, let’s get these koalas where they need to go, and you home.” Ross’s hand took mine, and I allowed myself the moment to savour the contact and the newness of it all. I seriously was tired, so much so, I was becoming increasingly worried about what I may say in my exhausted state.
He led me to his vehicle and edged me towards the passenger seat.
“I’ve got it.” I grinned at him when he tried to buckle me in. “It’s sweet though,” I said, causing him to grin and lean in and place a kiss on my waiting mouth.
“Seriously, I can’t be dealing with your level of loved up.” Craig’s loud groan followed. “Definitely not in such close proximity.” He yawned. “And I swear,” he said around a second yawn, “if I dream about the two of you doing that, I’ll kick both your arses.” His shudder was dramatic and almost warranted me reaching into the back seat and punching him in the arm. I didn’t have the energy to follow through.
“Frank said Ross needed to make sure I wouldn’t drown in the shower,” I said instead, just as the man of my shower fantasies opened the door and sat behind the wheel. “Just some extra fodder for your nightmares, Craig.”
Ross snorted and shook his head. I grinned. Poor Craig moaned to the point I was concerned I’d pushed him over the edge. But honestly, he’d pushed for this… or at least pushed for me to pull my head out of my arse.
It was official. My head was well and truly out and all up in Ross’s business.
“I’m going to ignore everything you just said and put my whole energy into soothing this cute koala and her baby and hoping like hell positive karma comes my way and erases everything that came before.”
I laughed and reached over the console and took Ross’s hand in mine, giving it a light squeeze. “I can probably handle a shower by myself,” I reluctantly admitted in a whisper.
Ross put the car in Drive and pulled away, his attention flicking my way. A smile turned up his lips. “I’m not quite sure you’ve seen the level of soot and dirt on you.” He squeezed my hand back. “Those hard-to-reach places are going to need a definite helping hand.”
Heat unfurled in my gut. I liked the sound of that a hell of a lot.
After a few moments and Ross yawning like it was going out of fashion, I demanded he pulled over so I could drive. He grumbled, ridiculously so, complaining that I needed to rest more than him considering I’d been awake for so long, and while I was shattered, the man was dead on his feet. I expected the adrenalin crash from worrying about his parents was hitting him hard.
We were quiet the rest of the drive, all of us exhausted from the madness of the day. Craig had fallen asleep about two minutes after I’d swapped seats with Ross, and Ross’s eyes had slid shut about five minutes after.
The past few weeks had been full-on, the past thirty-six hours or so more so than usual. I flicked my gaze at Ross. His chest lifted and relaxed, his breathing quiet in comparison to his brother’s.
I’d spent many nights sharing the same space as Ross—and his brother—when camping and such, but tonight would be phenomenally different.
Well, likely tomorrow morning, considering after a shower—where in truth I expected to prop Ross up rather than the other way around—Ross needed to simply sleep, as did I. But my plan was to be wrapped around him, and from the crackling heat between us earlier, I was confident he was on board.
I’d waited so long for this, danced around it to the point of frustration. In truth, I’d half given up on the possibility.
When I’d reached for him just a few short hours ago, something had snapped inside me. The reality of the danger we were in, the folly of not pursuing something with Ross finally clicked into place.
And my mouth on his, Ross reciprocating… it all made sense and was absolutely worth the risk.
I pulled up outside of the vet where the wildlife contact had said he’d meet us. I climbed out, not waking up either of the sleeping men, then headed to the closed door. I rapped my knuckles against the wooden door. A few beats later, I heard movement, so stepped back a little.
An older guy in his midfifties answered, a warm smile on his face. “Ross?” he asked.
I reached out and shook his offered hand. “Dan. Ross is getting some shut-eye.”
Understanding registered in his stare. “It’s not pretty out there, is it?” I shook my head. “I’m Harry. Thanks so much for the rescue. What shape are they in?”
I led him to the car, saying, “The mum was walking, somewhat tentatively from what Ross said. The baby was wriggling around a fair bit. They’re dirty, so I wasn’t sure about burns or anything.” I made to pull open the car door, only to jerk back when Craig beat me to it.
“Hey,” he said with a yawn. “I’ve got her.”
The driver door then opened, and bleary-eyed, Ross stumbled out as well. “Hey,” he greeted, his gaze immediately snagging my own. “All okay?”
I smiled softly at him. “Yeah, all good. Just handing the koalas over to Harry here.”
Harry nodded his greeting and took the box off Craig. “You all look like you’ve had a hell of a day.”
Craig grunted. “Few weeks more like.”
Sorrow etched over Harry’s face. “It’s all so devastating. Just when we think we’re in the clear, something else sparks up.” He offered a tentative smile to us all. “Thanks so much for being out there and battling.”
Ross moved to stand by my side, his arm brushing mine. The invisible thread between us pulled and I leaned into him. “And thank you for all the work you’re doing with these guys too,” Ross said, indicating towards the box. “We all have to do our bit.”
Harry’s smile was wide, his eyes tired. I expected he was as shattered as we all were. “There’s a storm coming in though, expected this Tuesday.”
God, what we wouldn’t do for rain. Heavy downpours of the good stuff to saturate the land and stimulate life and growth. “Let’s hope so,” I said.
“You guys be off and get yourselves cleaned up and to bed. Looks like you need to switch off for a while. Are you on call tomorrow?” he asked.
Craig rubbed a weary hand over his face. “Everyone is pretty much on call 24/7 at the moment.”
I grimaced at that, selfishly hoping the fires would be kind and calm down, allowing us the rest we needed.
Ross turned and looked at me. “You’re not at work tomorrow, are you?”
It was the last thing I needed, but I was all too aware bills didn’t pay themselves. “Yeah, but not till midday. Jacko already texted to let me know a late start and half a shift was fine.”
It was a relief I could at least sleep in.
“I’m heading into work to continue doing the community stuff.”
I nodded at Ross as he spoke. Over the past couple of weeks, he’d been doing a few shifts at the school, opening the library doors to support families with kids during this crazy time.
We said goodbye to Harry and climbed back into the car. First stop was Craig’s.
“You going to be okay?” I asked through the open window after he exited.
He bobbed his head heavily up and down, exhaustion evident in his stare. “Yeah. Nothing that a shower and sleep won’t fix.” Just as he turned to leave, he angled back towards us, leaning in. “Neither of you screw this up, yeah?”
My eyes sprang open. While my friend seemed okay with his brother and me finally admitting our attraction for each other, I understood his concern, since it had been hanging over our heads for seemingly forever. Glancing at Ross, I wondered what he was thinking, how he’d react. His attention was already directed my way.
A serious expression marred his tired face. After a moment of his eyes raking over me, he reached out and took my hand. “We won’t screw this up.”
That he was talking to me rather than his brother sent my heart bouncing around in my chest. Sincerity and warmth threaded every word, every breath, every touch.
Craig tapped the car roof, muttering, “Best bloody not,” before walking away. The sound of his heavy footsteps the only thing letting me know he’d headed away since my eyes remained connected to Ross’s.
“Ready?” he asked.
I quickly nodded, reluctantly releasing his hand as I returned my palms to the wheel. “Definitely,” I whispered, pulling away and directing the car to my place.