“Oh?” Not that I’m upset by his decision. Harvesting is difficult work, and I still haven’t seen a lot of the winemaking process.

Ryan clears his throat. “We’re watching a new fire on the western slope. Our northern vineyards are directly in its path.”

I gasp. The northern vineyards? The Syrah…

No, not Dale’s Syrah.

“We’re not worried yet,” Ryan says. “We’re really good about removing dead vegetation, and we keep fuel breaks up year-round.”

Fuel breaks? Right. I know about fuel breaks. I’ve just never had to think about them, living in the city. I feel hot, and I see red. All red and orange and flaming as I discuss the possibility of Dale’s beloved vines going up in smoke.

“This can’t happen,” I hear myself saying.

“Nothing has happened yet,” Ryan says. “This is Colorado. It’s not the first season we’ve had to outwit a fire, and it won’t be the last. We bring in the best experts, and we get it done.”

I nod and then gulp. “The irrigation system…”

“The drip hoses can ignite,” Ryan says, “but it’s unlikely. We have thirty feet of defensible space around the vineyards and structures.”

I say nothing.

“These vineyards mean as much to me as they do to Dale,” Ryan continues. “I won’t let anything happen to them.”

“So, the harvest…?”

“We’re at the midway point, so we’re taking a few days off to build up the defensible space. I don’t want any workers in the vineyards while this fire is moving toward us. Safety of our people is always my primary concern.”

“Yes, of course,” I say robotically. “Will this affect production?”

“Not hugely. We may lose a small amount of harvest to rot, but not enough to matter.”

I heave a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. Dale is so looking forward to the old-vine Syrah.”

“We all are, Ashley. We all are.”

“So…what do you want me to do today?”

“Come into the office,” he says. “I’m inundated with paperwork, and I could use some help.”

Paperwork. Fun. But it’s all part of the business. “I’ll be right in. I’m ready to leave now.”

“Sounds good. Did Dale happen to say where he was going?”

“To the mountains.”

“Fuck.”

I shudder instinctively. “What?”

“This fire. It started in the foothills above the vineyards. If Dale…”

I don’t need Ryan to finish the sentence. I already know what he means.

Dale—my Dale—may be in harm’s way.

“No,” I say. “He knows these mountains. Doesn’t he?”

“I don’t know. I assume he does. This isn’t the first time he’s run to the mountains.”

I swallow audibly.

“He’ll be okay, Ashley. He’s a smart man.”

But Ryan’s tone has an edge to it.

He’s not convinced of his words.

Neither am I.

I sit in Dale’s office.

Because he’s not here, I can use his space instead of my cubicle.

Dale’s office…

We’ve kissed in here. Done more than kiss…

I shake my head to clear the images.

My senses are dull today. Nothing has any color at all. Employees bustle around the hallways, speaking and laughing, but the sounds have no vibrancy, no hue.

Nothing.

Why are they laughing? Don’t they know their boss is in danger?

He’s a smart man.

Ryan’s words ring in my ears.

Yes, he’s smart. A brilliant winemaker. Does that make him a brilliant backpacker? A brilliant fire evader?

Concentrate, Ashley.

Ryan gave me work to do, and I have to do it. I’m an intern. I have a job here.

I gaze back at my computer screen, when—

“Ashley?” A soft knock on the open door.

I recognize the voice. It’s Talon, Dale’s father.

“Come on in,” I say.

He enters and sits down across from my—Dale’s—desk. “I thought you should know,” he says, “that Dale’s birth father died two days ago.”

I nod. “He told me.”

He wrinkles his forehead. “Do you know where Dale went?”

“I don’t. He said he was going to the mountains.” Tears jab at my eyes, but I force them back.

Talon nods, and a heavy sigh whooshes out from his throat. “Shit.”

“Please tell me he’s going to be okay.”

“I hope so, Ashley.”

“But you’re not sure…?” I can’t help a desperate edge to my voice.

“We’ve already got scouts out searching for him.”

He’ll hate that.

I don’t say it though. Talon most likely knows anyway. If there’s anyone who knows Dale better than I do, it’s his father.

“Please let me know as soon as they find him.”

“Of course we will. But, Ashley…”

“What?”

“Dale knows how not to be found when he doesn’t want to be found.”

“But if there’s a fire…”

Talon sighs again. “Dale’s a brilliant man, but even the smartest men on earth can’t outrun a forest fire.”

My heart sinks.

Talon hands me a sheet of paper. “This just came in from the AP.”

I take the paper and scan it.

FIRE ATTACKS WESTERN SLOPE VINEYARDS

The most recent fire to break out in Colorado this fall began on the western slope, igniting remote, rough terrain including juniper and sagebrush outside the small town of Snow Creek.

* * *

 

Several vineyards are in its path, including those owned by Colorado Pike Winery and Steel Acres Vineyards. Grape harvesting has begun, and so far, the fires have had minimal effect. Firefighters hope the recent moisture from thunderstorms will keep the fire from spreading too rapidly.

* * *

 

No evacuations have been ordered, though that could change at any time. Firefighters are blaming a lightning strike for starting the blaze, but fire from campers in the foothills has not been ruled out.