“Do you want me to start taking them for walks?” asked Quinn, Kenzie’s manager.
Kenzie had set up a schedule for her staff so they could work despite the evacuation. Conrad was just glad she would have help caring for twenty dogs in a new, unsecured environment. It was going to be a big job.
“That would be great, Quinn. Thanks.” Kenzie pointed. “I managed to grab a few leashes on the way out.”
Quinn held one up. “I found them.”
“I wish we didn’t have to leave the dogs kenneled.” Kenzie set the clipboard aside. “I want to check on Winona and see if she needs help.”
“I’ll come with you.”
The Boulder County Fairgrounds had become Scarlet Springs in microcosm. Rose sat in the shade of a tree giving free tarot readings to evacuees, while Joe and Rain, who had brought food from the restaurant, made sandwiches for folks who were hungry. A few members of the Mudbugs were taking a break but had promised the full band would get together for a free evening show. Familiar faces were everywhere, everyone doing their best to get through this.
“You didn’t even bring beer?” Hank asked Joe.
“No beer, Hank. Want some water?” Joe held out a bottle.
Hank took it. “Life is cruel.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
Megs had sent a text to all Team members telling them about the chopper crash that had landed Hawke, Silver, and two other men in the fire’s path. They had survived the crash and deployed fire shelters, but no one had heard from them since. She’d also told them that a rescue chopper had found Taylor and Bear but that neither bodies nor survivors had been found at Camp Mato Sapa.
Nothing would be the same after today. Homes had been lost and probably lives, too. The homes could be rebuilt, but Scarlet would be changed by loss and grief. Vicki and Hawke were so in love—Naomi and Belcourt, too. Naomi was expecting a baby.
Fuck!
Life was so damned unfair.
They found Winona in a small outbuilding sitting beside Shota’s crate, slipping him ice cubes. They kept their distance, not wanting to alarm the wolf.
Winona glanced up, and for a moment there was hope on her face.
Conrad hated to take that from her. “They found Austin and Bear, but we haven’t heard anything new from the camp.”
“Sorry,” Kenzie said.
“I’m glad Austin is okay.” Winona turned back to Shota, slipped another ice cube through the bars on his crate. “I’m trying to keep him cool and hydrated.”
Kenzie glanced around. “Where are the other animals?”
“The baby moose and fawns are in the barn with the llamas, but the rest are gone,” Winona said. “Jack and Captain Langeland got in touch with other wildlife shelters—the ones in Lyons and Golden and the raptor sanctuary in Fort Collins. They drove down and took as many animals as they could handle. It’s better for the animals this way. Being here with all the noise and strange smells—it would have been too stressful for some of them.”
Every once in a while, something happened to restore Conrad’s faith in humanity. “I’m glad it worked out that way.”
Kenzie crouched down, looked toward the wolf’s crate. “How’s Shota?”
“He’s still dopey, but he won’t be for much longer. He can’t stay here. It isn’t safe for him or anyone else. That wolf sanctuary near Conifer has a truck on the way. They’ll be taking him in—at least for a while.”
What did she mean by that?
Winona loved that wolf. Everyone knew that.
Before either he or Kenzie could ask, Winona changed the subject.
“Are the dogs settled?”
Kenzie nodded. “Quinn is taking care of them for now. Chip and Charles went to get food and water bowls. I’m going to try to find ice.”