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“Not that money would matter if the situation were dire,” Red added “I just don’t think it is yet And I ain’t abandoning my home on a hunch”
“Normally, I’d be the first to adaret said softly, “but I don’t think she is, given these circumstances” She lifted a hand toward the sky “You can’t look at that and tellto be worried about”
Travis tilted his head back and followed the direction of Margaret’s hand The once tranquil e in the distance had darkened into a misshapen mass behind the thick haze that had lowered over the ranch, and above the o, had become a dim, barely visible, bloodred blur amid the smoke
“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before,” Red insisted “I’ve lived on this mountain allup top There’s a lot of wind up here and it blows innew”
Hannah sighed “These fires et worse every year I’ht to me”
“Travis”—Margaret touched his arm—“what do you think?”
What did he think? Travis hesitated, studying Margaret’s worried expression, Red’s frown, and the shadow of unease in Hannah’s eyes He knew next to nothing about wildfires, but judging froed over the past hour, he’d have to say it warranted concern
“I can’t speak with any authority,” he said, “but I think Hannah is right”
Hannah looked at hihtly, and smiled “Thank you See, Red? We need to leave”
Groaning, Red dragged a hand over his face and turned away, his narrowed eyes scanning the grounds “All right, we’ll o to your cabins and pack overnight bags You’ll stay at the lodge with ht, and we’ll keep the TV and radio on to catch any warnings If the rain doesn’t make it here by dae’ll load up the horses, drive don, and find adies down” Lips twisting, he glanced at Hannah “That suit you?”
“Yes!” Hannah sprang forward and hugged hiht “Thank you, Red”
He scoffed “D
on’t thankthe rooms so you’ll have to share a bed with her, and Travis will be sleeping on the living room floor” He s up a perfectly good bed for no reason”
Travis smiled “I can handle it”
“Yeah, you say that now Tellwhen you shove off the hard floor with a crick in your neck and to in your ear” Red spun on his heel and headed for the lodge “Can’t do o inside Get a e”