pte

nment and

aptain Elia

re. But there's nothing quite like watching you

get you home. Then the wildfire swept through five years ago, and whatever was left after that the government took with

member. I came back because

ne buzzed. I ignored it the first time. Then again. Then a

y Je

llow, it's ignore the mayor. Especially when she's the one who fought to

," I

fteen minutes.

us

ear this. And wea

e click

hed sorting. Eventually, I sighed. "Guess we're doing this," I muttered, and wh

ed up after the fire, but no amount of fresh paint could hide what had been lost. I nodded to the

erwork with the speed of someone who'd already won the argument a

when I entered. "

someone over for coffe

drink coffee. You drink bitter

wn. "Not

just came through this morning. Iron Hollow's been

at

ion for Post-Crisis Communities.' We're one

le. "They finally giv

nding to. That

you need a warm b

ilian expert. Preferably locals.

not much of a team

teenager. "Eli. You're the only person here with military leadership experience an

I don't want to lead anything.

idn't know where else to go.

n't a

, we get full funding, full oversight, and you get

hous

ive there, manage the site as a working resi

dn't like the way she said co-dir

the prese

d together. "Dr

t like a pun

itter and sharp.

cepted th

own like it was

d dryly. "And you both

. "This is

s. You're good at what you

esn't n

she wants t

g us under the same ro

ry. Rebuilding. Two people scarr

Don't. Don't turn t

e. Then she said, "I know

y jaw. "Don'

one. It went wrong. That do

ilding. I gave the order.

hasn't b

n't talk

yes to this. You think she'd d

e a ghost. I could still see the scorch marks across the roofline. I used to

w if I can w

u've done ha

r. "Why are you pus

e fire. And people need to see that it's possible to come bac

my eyes. "T

or another page in the f

rse the

plicants. Originally it was for married couples runn

ind of

d have to be legally married f

her. "You'

dminist

s in

actually be married-marri

r," I sa

No kissing at town events

"Did she ag

sn't kno

t a contract.

out today.

break free. "You're asking me to marry Lily Quinn. For money. Fo

hope this place h

f she s

o stubborn to walk away fr

ly's face at his funeral, tearless and white. About how she

ead it,

s all

no pro

never