Read Online Flaming Desire - Part 2 (An Alpha Billionaire Romance) by Helen Grey - Free Book Online

up the slack. But now we’re going to be down two nurses in the ER, and you know how it goes.”
    I glanced up at Matt, concerned. I didn't want him to lose his opportunity to work at Santa Fe General. Then again, I knew how it worked. While I had already been out on several calls since I arrived at the hospital, I knew that I also ran the risk of losing my job, especially if I was gone for more than a couple of weeks. The usual stint for two week tours of duty was typical, though sometimes went longer. I had never been out longer than nine days. Still, I was willing to risk it. Nursing was in my blood, but so was firefighting. I got the distinct impression that Matt felt the same.
    “You know what to do, Jessica,” she said, shoving several papers across her desk in my direction. I knew what they were. My agreement to temporarily suspend my pay for the length of term I would be gone. Matt understood what they were as well, and in a matter of moments, we had both signed the papers and handed them back to Diane.
    She looked at both of us for a moment, then smiled. “Well, go put out your fire, but be safe and come back in one piece, okay?”
    I smiled at Diane. “Will do. I'll keep you updated.”
    “You do that,” she said, and then gestured us out of the office.
    Matt and I emerged from Diane's office, my mind spinning with everything I had to do and the short amount of time I would have to accomplish it all. I was already jittery with anticipation. “What time do I meet you, and where?”
    “We'll take a commercial plane from Santa Fe Municipal Airport to the Bert Mooney Airport in Butte at five o'clock. The Missoula Airport has been temporarily shut down due to smoke and ash. The National Park Service will have a helicopter waiting at the airport, where we’ll join others heading to the staging area and base camp downslope.”
    I couldn't help the excitement burgeoning within me. I found nothing so invigorating, not even nursing in the emergency room department, as fighting wildfires. Oh, I knew the dangers, but I was careful. I couldn't wait. In addition to the job I did in the ER, this was what gave my life a great sense of purpose. To be needed, appreciated, and have the ability to help in such a way made my life feel more complete.
    I looked up at him. “Are you packing all your gear?”
    “As much as I can get into my duffel. You do the same, and I'll meet you at the airport between four o’clock and four-thirty. Can you make it?”
    Not much time, only leaving me about an hour to go home, quickly pay any bills that would be due while I was away, figuring I'd be gone a least a week. Then change and pack my backpack with some clothes and toiletries, but that was it really. All my gear was already stowed in the back of my Jeep, and I could quickly pack it into my own duffel when I got to the airport.
    “I can make it,” I said, walking quickly down the hallway, Matt beside me. We emerged from the hospital doors and both made our way quickly toward our own vehicles. I gave him a wave and then climbed in behind the wheel. Before I started the car, I sent text messages to both Melody and Serena, letting them know where I was going… and with whom.

Chapter 4
    The next hour or so passed in a blur. I quickly rushed home and tossed my keys onto the counter that separated my kitchen from the living room. I opened the laptop I kept on the small card table beneath the counter that served as my kitchen table, turned it on and then rushed into the bedroom to grab the backpack I kept under my bed.
    It was pretty much packed already with a couple pairs of jeans, T-shirts, six pairs of socks, underwear, bras and an extra pair of hiking boots. I quickly hurried to the bathroom, gathered a few toiletries, and then stuffed them into the backpack as well.
    Stepping in front of the closet, I peeled off my scrubs and reached for another pair of camel brown cargo pants with two leg pockets on each side hanging from a hangar.