Cal had fought wildfires for seven years and five years more of photographing them. Cal had won a Pulitzer for photography, Cal had won a lot of awards including the cover of National Geographic and Time twice. Fighting fires was a delicate dance between flame and attacker. Cal was at the Grindstone Canyon fire. This fire had been started by lightning. Just two minutes ago the fire fighting team had taken off and their escape clean. The fire had got a massive fig tree and the winds took the tree across the escape route.. The crew looked at Cal helplessly Cal had only been so close to the heart of the firestorm one other time. Jeannie was a helicopter pilot who thought Cal was crazy when he shot his cameras in the helicopter before he jumped in. Cal and Jeannie both have to let go of their pasts and beliefs of themselves . Jeannie had a hard time believing how really compatible she is and that she is beautiful and as worthwhile as she is. Jeannie had an emotionally abusive ex who had done who had done a number on her but Jeannie had got away from her. Cal Hobbs was really Cal Parker before he remade himself after escaping a series of brutal foster homes where he had been abused and neglected. Cal doesn’t have a real home just the road. He also travels light and really doesn’t own anything but his cameras. But Cal won’t let himself get close to anyone. But then he meets Jeannie. Mount Hood Aviation sees Cal as an asset that can help them fight fires as well as solve problems. Jeannie flies to suppress fires and to rescue crews in trouble. That got trapped. Mark had loved his career but gave it up for his daughter. Jeannie and Cal fell into a physical relationship But take longer to admit they care for each other. Jeannie and Cal are assigned to go overseas first to Australia then East Timor. They are flown to a secret location where the U S Navy is keeping tabs on a terrorist organization that tries to destroy a country by fire. They are to find who and what is the heart of all this destruction.
I liked this story but it didn’t WOW me. I did like the plot and this was well written. I also learned about fighting wildfires and how quickly things could change. But this did drag at times. There was also too many times Jeannie’s background was brought up. I would have liked to hear more of Cal’s background as it was so abusive while he was in the foster system and his back bore the proof of it.So all and all a good story. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.