Welsh Wildfire Read online

  “Are you still the pastor?”

  He shook his head. “I quit, but the elders didn’t accept my resignation. So I honestly don’t know.”

  “So call them. They’d still be up, right?”

  He looked at the clock. “Yes, but…”

  “What’s stopping you, Josh?”

  He tilted her face to his and brushed his lips against hers. “You know how I feel about you. If I return to the States and go back to being a pastor there, I lose you.”

  “That’s a little presumptuous. You don’t have me, look you.”

  “Don’t I?” he whispered. Josh leaned in and kissed her. Her hand slid around the back of his neck as she kissed him back.

  She broke off and held his gaze. “Being a pastor is serving God and that is a great gift. Not everyone is called to preach, Josh, and you are.”

  “Am I though? You said there was a lot of I in what I did.”

  “Then maybe God sent that twister to show you that He is more powerful than you. Not as a punishment, because He isn’t that kind of a God, but as a sign of His power and might.”

  “But in such a destructive way?”

  “Remember 1 Kings 19? How there was an earthquake and a huge wind and a fire, yet God wasn’t in any of them. After all that, God appeared to Elijah in…”

  “A still small voice,” Josh said. “Like in the chapel or up on the sides of that waterfall. I get it.”

  “Good.”

  He kissed her. “So what about us?”

  She looked at him.

  “I mean, I don’t even know how to say I love you in Welsh.”

  “Fi cariad i chi,” she replied.

  Josh looked at her. “That’s a mouthful.”

  She grinned, repeating it slowly.

  He took a deep breath. “Fee carryadd eye see…”

  Jess laughed. “Not even close, boyo.” She repeated it slowly, one word at a time for him to copy. “Or you could simply said cariad or annwyl. That means dear, beloved, loved.”

  “And bach?”

  “That literally means little one, but it gets used as honey or dear as well.”

  Josh glanced at the clock. “Come with me then bach, and watch the sun rise over the falls.” He laced his fingers into hers. “Want to pick breakfast up on the way?”

  “It’s a little early to eat. Maybe on the way back.”

  Josh sighed as his pager went off. “I don’t believe this.”

  “Go to work,” she kissed him gently. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

  ****

  Josh sat in the fire engine listening to Sam as they hurtled along the quiet streets.

  “It’s the manse.” Sam said. “Persons reported,”

  Flames flickered inside the building when they arrived. Sam barked more instructions, calling in another unit and dividing them between fighting the fire at the manse and stopping it spreading to the neighboring chapel.

  Josh was put in charge of leading the team into the manse to rescue Pastor Bryn and his wife. Once inside, he concentrated on the job in hand. It didn’t take long to find Pastor Bryn and his wife in the upstairs bedroom.

  “Run,” Josh yelled. They barely made it out as the ceiling and stairs came down in a shower of wood and sparks.

  Josh carried Pastor Bryn to a safe distance and set him down, offering him some of the air from his tank.

  “My wife…”

  “She’s fine, sir. She’s right over there.” Josh put a plastic bag over the burns on Pastor Bryn’s hands. “You just sit tight and wait for the paramedics.”

  “Would you preach on Sunday?”

  Josh looked at him. The man had just lost his home, been injured, and he was worried about his flock and his church. “I don’t know…”

  “I’ve listened to some of your sermons on-line, young man. You’re a gifted preacher. You would be a blessing to us here.”

  Sam ran over. “Josh, we have to go. The second crew will stay here. There’s another fire reported to the south.”

  Josh stood. “I’ll let you know, Pastor.”

  Jess ran over. “Josh, they called all the men out to fight this wildfire. They’re afraid it’ll reach town.”

  “It’s that big?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ve been asked to preach on Sunday.”

  “Are you going to?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Josh, we have to go,” Sam yelled.

  Jess grabbed his hand. “Take care, look you.”

  Josh pulled her against him and kissed her. His fingers caressed her cheeks, her ear, curled into her hair.

  “Now you’ve given them something to talk about, and I’ll tell you for why.” She looked at him breathless.

  “I’d prefer you give me your kisses. But right now I have a fire to put out.” He kissed the tip of her nose and ran to the fire engine.

  13

  Jess headed to the surgery. She’d far rather have gone with the men, but all the other doctors had been called up to fight the fire and someone had to stay behind and man the surgery just in case anyone came in. Was this really where she wanted to be long term? The answer to that depended on someone else now. She wanted to be with Josh, so it really depended on where he went. She’d follow him to the moon and back. Or the States.

  The day wore on, the thick pall of smoke growing by the hour. The stench of burning had reached the town.

  The door opened and slammed shut. Angharad ran in to the surgery, out of breath, the baby in her arms.

  Jess crossed over to her. “Is he all right?”

  “He’s fine. Bryony went on the Sunday School outing into the National Park with about thirty other children. They were due back at three, but they haven’t arrived. I know your Da went with them, I wondered if he’d called or anything. It’s just with the fire, some of the parents are worrying.”

  Jess crossed to the map. “Which bit of the park?”

  “They were starting at Tree Tops Adventure Ground and going on somewhere else from there. But I can’t find the letter and…”

  “Slow down. Tree Tops is north of here and should be safe. They wouldn’t have gone if there was the slightest risk to the children. I’ll ring Da and see where they’ve got to.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed quickly. “Da, it’s me. Where are you?”

  “About five miles north of the Blaenau Ffestiniog railway…”

  “There is a massive fire to the east of you…”

  “I know, bach. We can see the smoke from here. The kids are getting antsy, so we put them on the coach to come home.”

  “Good.”

  “Olwyn, I was about to ring you. I need you to get a message to Sam, but I guess he’s out fighting the fire.”

  “All the men are, Da. This is a massive fire. Why, what’s happened?”

  “One of the children has gone missing.”

  “What?” Jess managed somehow to keep her face impassive. “How did that happen?”

  “A whole bunch of them went to the toilet, and Ceryn didn’t come back. I’m guessing she was spooked by the smoke and burning. She won’t normally say boo to a goose, never mind do something like this. I’m going to stay behind and look for her.”

  “No, Da. Get the others out of there. I’ll call it in and drive over there.”

  “I’ve already alerted the mountain rescue. And I don’t want you to come. I’m here.”

  “And you are responsible for all those other kids. I can be there in fifteen to twenty minutes if I go along the main road, that’s faster than you can get back here in the coach. If she’s hurt she’s going to need a doctor. I can bring the cave rescue pack in case.”

  Da sighed. “Stubborn.”

  “I wonder who I get it from.”

  “I’ll text you the GPS location. We’ll head back. You take care. I love you.”

  “Love you too.” Jess hung up and looked at Angharad. There was no sense in hiding it. “One of the kids wandered off some
where. Da’s called mountain rescue, but he’s heading back here with the others. I’m going to go and help search for her.” She noticed the panic on Angharad’s face and touched her arm. “It isn’t Bryony and I’m sure she’s fine, but I need you to do something for me.”

  Her phone beeped and she scribbled down the coordinates. “I need you to get the base to radio Sam and get him to divert some of the crew to help me. Give him this location.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Da will deal with notifying parents when he gets back, but I’ll hopefully have found her by then. I don’t have time to debate this. Get this to Sam and then get yourself and the little one to safety.”

  Jess grabbed the ready-filled pack from under the desk. She ran to the car and jumped in. As she drove, she prayed that Ceryn was simply hiding somewhere obvious. Driving as quickly as she could, she made the car park in just under fifteen minutes.

  Smoke drifted over the trees above her as Jess locked the car, put on her back pack, and consulted the map.

  “Jess, wait up!”

  She turned to see Josh run across to her. “What are you doing here?” she asked, as he swung her into his arms and kissed her. “Not that I’m not pleased to see you.”

  “Sam sent me to help,” Josh said. “The fire’s moving swiftly so he can’t spare anyone else. What news do you have, if any?”

  “Not much, I’ve only just arrived myself. Da said she and a group of others went to the toilets, but she didn’t come back.”

  “I’m guessing she saw the smoke and got scared.”

  She nodded. “That’s what Da thinks. OK. Let’s move out and stay close together. Mountain rescue are hopefully coming across from the other side, assuming the fire doesn’t get in between us.”

  They began to hike into the foothills. Smoke drifted overhead, the smell of burning becoming stronger.

  “I don’t like this.” Josh raised his radio. “Sam, what’s going on? We’re not supposed to be that close to the fire front.”

  “The fire looks like it’s changed course. Have you found her yet?”

  “No. We’ll let you know as soon as we do. Can you arrange a chopper to fly over the area? Give us some idea where to look?”

  “Right now they’re all dumping water on the fire, but I’ll see if they can keep an eye out. I’ll send up a second unit.”

  “We’ll manage. You worry about the fire. Out.” He looked at Jess. “Now I know you’re the expert in the mountains, but I know fire.”

  She looked at him. “I’ll follow you. And do exactly what you say.”

  He kissed her cheek. “OK, let’s keep moving.”

  They walked for another fifteen minutes, calling Ceryn’s name. Jess caught sight of something by a rock. She stopped and picked it up. “Josh…” She held out the blood-splattered sneaker. “It’s hers.” She looked around. “Ceryn?”

  Josh checked the surrounding bushes. “Here, there’s a trail of blood that leads off the main path.”

  “Ceryn?” Jess shoved the sneaker into her pack and headed through the bushes, Josh beside her. The smoke was thicker now, affecting her vision.

  A tree crashed to the ground somewhere to her left. She jumped. Then another crashed. “What’s happening?”

  “Sounds like it’s jumping the fire breaks.” Josh pulled his radio out. “Where are we?”

  Jess looked at the map. “Here.”

  Josh turned away, relaying the information to Sam.

  Jess coughed, the smoke getting thicker. Something moved over to her right. “Ceryn, is that you?”

  “Jess, stay put,” Josh called. “The fire is jumping the fire breaks. Until I find out—”

  A tree to her immediate right burst into flames and began to topple.

  “Jesssss…” Josh’s voice echoed and strong hands pushed her to the ground out of the tree’s path.

  She grunted as she hit the forest floor and curled into a ball, hands over her head. The tree fell with a resounding crash, sending sparks and flames shooting around her.

  14

  Jess slowly sat up. Around her fire raged. The smoke thick and choking made her eyes stream.

  “Are you OK?” Josh asked.

  “I’m fine.” Jess coughed, rubbing a hand over her streaming eyes. The heat was incredible. She pushed to her feet. “Ceryn?” Above the roar of the flames she heard something. “Ceryn,” she yelled again. That was definitely a reply. “Josh, she’s this way.”

  Josh followed her through the brush. “Ceryn.”

  “Over there.” Jess ran the last hundred meters and dropped to her knees, shedding the pack. “Hey, Ceryn?”

  The little girl looked up. She cradled her leg, tears streaming down her face. Blood ran freely from her knee. But other than dirt and the cut, she seemed otherwise unhurt.

  Jess stroked her hair. “Hi, bach. Do you hurt anywhere else other than your knee?”

  Ceryn shook her head. “I lost my new shoe.”

  “I found your shoe. It’s in my bag. Can I see your knee?” She ripped open the pack and pulled out a dressing and bandage as Ceryn sobbed. The cut was long and jagged. “OK, I’m going to put this on for now until we can get some place safe.”

  Josh looked at her. “Be quick. We need to get out of here.”

  A tree fell in flames behind them, blocking their path. Ceryn screamed.

  Jess hugged her tightly. “We’ll be fine. Josh is a fireman. He knows what to do.”

  Josh looked around. Fire enclosed the whole area creeping towards them.

  “We’re going to die,” Ceryn said.

  “No, we’re not going to die.” He pulled them to the center of the clearing and pulled his pack off his shoulder. He pulled out two silver packets. “I want you to hide inside this special shelter with Jess.”

  Ceryn shook her head. “With you. You’re the fireman.”

  “Take her,” Jess said. “Just show me what to do.”

  Josh rapidly assembled the pods. “Get in, zip it up, and keep very still. It’ll get really hot, especially when the fire sweeps overhead, but keep inside, keep tight and you won’t burn.” He kissed her. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Get in.”

  Jess crawled into the small pod, and the last thing she saw was Josh’s face as he zipped it closed. She curled up small, praying hard as she heard Josh and Ceryn talking inside the other pod. He had a talent for calming people. Despite the child’s obvious fear, she was no longer crying.

  The roar of the flames grew closer. The heat increased exponentially. From the other pod Ceryn screamed.

  Then light and heat enveloped her.

  ****

  Josh hugged Ceryn tightly. “Shh, honey, we’ll be OK.”

  “Is it over?”

  “Yes, but we need to sit tight for a few more minutes.” He hit the radio. “Sam, you there?”

  “Josh, where are you?”

  “The fire surrounded us and we got cut off. We’re in the fire pods about three miles north of the train station.” He gave Sam the map co-ordinates. “Can you get a chopper in here?”

  “Should be able to if you can work your way to the ridge about half-a-mile north of where you are.”

  “OK. We found Ceryn. She has a cut leg, but other than that she’s fine. Out.” He looked at Ceryn. “I need you to sit tight here for a couple of minutes while I go and find Jess. You’ll be quite safe here, I promise.”

  Ceryn nodded slowly. “OK,” she whispered.

  Josh slid out of the pod and stood. Utter devastation surrounded him. Nothing was left except burnt trees and the fire-charred pods.

  Please, let her be OK.

  He stumbled across to the other pod. “Jess…”

  He opened the pod and his heart stopped at the sight of the woman he loved curled up and not moving. Sweat beaded her brow, her hair hung in damp ringlets across her cheek.

  He reached out and shook her gently, his fingers checking for a pulse. “Jess?” />
  Her eyes flickered and she stirred. “Josh?”

  Relief flooding him, he pulled her to her feet and hugged her tightly. He kissed her.

  Jess kissed him back. “I thought I’d lost you.”

  “Nope, never. Are you hurt?”

  She shook her head. “No. You and Ceryn?”

  “We’re fine. Sam’s sending a chopper to the ridge to pick us up. Can you do that?”

  “Yes.”

  Josh nodded. “Ceryn, let’s go, honey.” He scooped her into his arms and began walking.

  They reached the top of the ridge. The chopper swung over the top of the forest towards them.

  In the chopper, Jess leaned against his shoulder and he slid his arm around her.

  “Have you decided what you’re going to do?” she asked.

  “About?”

  “Preaching on Sunday.”

  “I’ll do it. This community has given me a lot, it’s the least I can do to help out in a way that I can.”

  “And are you staying or leaving?”

  “That depends on the answer you give me.”

  Jess looked at him. “Well, that depends on the question, look you. And I’ll tell you for—”

  He put his fingers on her lips. “Then let me ask it, ‘look you.’ Or I’ll give you ‘for why.’”

  15

  Six months later…

  The sun streamed into the vestry. Nervous didn’t even begin to cover the emotions flooding him as Josh knelt facing the wall. He felt physically sick, his whole body shaking.

  There’s no point in me doing this if You are not with me. This is for You, not me. That’s what You were trying to teach me, and I get it now. And guide our footsteps today, Lord, as we made this commitment to You and to each other.

  A knock on the door interrupted him. That’s probably the elders. When I agreed to preach as a one off, I hadn’t imagined taking over as pastor permanently. Thank you that Matt and Laurel are here today, and that Jess’s brother and sister are here as well. It was an amazing ordination service yesterday, and I wish my parents had been there. Like I’d love them to be here today for this…

  At a louder knock, he rose to his feet. “Come in.” He tugged his waistcoat into place and reached for his jacket.