"Luke, where are ya pal? We need ya" Tommy came over the radio sounding concerned.
Luke pulled out his radio "I'm here. What's up?"
"We need help. We've got two guys trapped by a fallen tree and the fire's moving up on us fast."
"I'm on my way" Luke grabbed up some tools and set off as fast as he could between the trees to where they were working. "Call it in Tom" He yelled as he ran followed by the men he
had been working with.
They worked hard and fast to get the two men out and keep them all safe from the fire. Jake wasn't hurt too badly having only got caught by smaller branches but the other guy had a
suspected broken leg and had to be stretchered out to a pick up point.
Luke closed the door to the helicopter and moved back.
"Chopper 192 to control"
"Go ahead 192"
"We picked up two casulties from gold crew and are transporting to hospital at Westminster. Both casulties are currently alert and stable"
"Thanks 192"
Jess breathed a sigh of relief as they listened in to the radio.
"Control to Gold crew IC. Control to Gold crew IC. Come in"
"This here's Gold crew. We copy control"
Jess smiled, letting out the breath she didn't even realise she had been holding, when she heard Luke answer.
"How's the fire up there?"
"We could use a little help here, control. It's really taken hold while we were preoccupied"
"OK Gold crew. Sit tight and we'll get ya some help there as soon as we can. Control out"
Sarah-Jane smiled at Jess "That was Luke?"
"Yeah" Jess replied with relief "He's ok.............for now"
Sarah-Jane put her arm round Jess "Come on. Let's go get a drink"
A few of them started to make their way out of the radio room when a call came through and they stopped to listen.
"Control to Nacoochee. Control to Nacoochee"
"Nacoochee here , Control"
"We need engine support up at the dam. And you're our best bet right now. "
"We heard and we're on our way"
"Thanks Nacoochee. And take blue crew with you. In the mean time we'll try and get hot shots up there"
"Copy that Control. Nacoochee engine crew and Blue crew on route for the dam Out"
The radio operator put down the mic and hit the alarm.
The ranger manager Ted looked over at the fire chief "Ya want help?"
"Any volunteers welcome" He replied.
Ted looked at the rangers present.
"I'm in" Zac replied. "I'll wake the others"
"And me" Sarah-Jane agreed.
"Me too" Jess added.
As they went to get ready, Ted pulled Jess to one side. "I know Luke's up there, Jess. But I need to know that I can rely on you to follow instructions, whatever happens."
Jess pulled a face and didn't answer.
"Jess, I'm responsible for all of you and if you can't follow orders, I can't take you" He warned.
Jess sighed "OK. For once I'll do as I'm told. I promise"
Ted smiled and patted her arm "Thought you might. Be ready in five minutes"
The engine crew and Blue crew left in a hurry with the Rangers right behind them.
Jess and Zac were sent down to work with firefighters at one point along the fire line and the others were all spread out to help elsewhere. After working for some time, they stopped for a
breather and Jess managed to speak to one of the smoke jumpers she had been working alongside.
"Are you with gold crew?" she asked Tommy as he swigged more water.
"Yes, I am. Tommy Calhoun" He replied removing his glove to shake her hand.
"I was wondering if Luke Duke was about"
"Luke?!" Tommy looked at her funny.
"Jess, look out!" Zac grabbed her and pulled her back out of the way of a shower of sparks that had jumped the fire break they had been cutting.
"Jess!" Tommy exclaimed "You wouldn't happen to be Jess Duke would you?"
Jess smiled "I would"
Tommy grinned "Luke's told me about you. He's the IC for this jump, up there on the ridge." He pointed further up the hill with his water bottle. " He's been worried about you."
Jess looked up at where he had indicated "I've been worried about him too"
"He's fine Maybe you'll get to see him later." Tommy said to her. "But for now we need to get back to work"
A while later, they were finishing up when Tommy called Jess over "You wanna hear Luke?" He held up the radio.
"Luke Duke callin' Tommy Calhoun. Ya read me"
"Loud and clear Buddy" Tommy replied.
"We're just about done here. Engine crew are mopping up and we got orders to pack out as soon as we can. How's it goin' there?"
"Just tidying up and we'll be ready to go." Tommy replied
"Alrighty. Meet ya at base camp soon as ya can"
"Will do" Tommy looked at Jess and grinned "And I've got a surprise for you Southern Boy"
"It had better be good. Duke out"
"If you can give us a hand to get this kit back, you get to see the boss man" Tommy smiled at her.
So Jess and Zac helped the smoke jumpers take equipment back to the pick up point and as they entered a large clearing, Tommy nudged Jess and indicated to a group of people loading
stuff onto a helicopter. Luke was amongst them. Jess put down the things she was carrying with the rest.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for the IC" Jess said behind Luke as he was loading.
"Ya found him" Luke replied looking as if he recognised the voice, but he hadn't been paying full attention. His expression changed to that of happiness and excitement as he turned around. "Jess!"
They threw their arms round each other tightly and kissed each other passionately to wolf whistles from some of the others.
"What ya doin' here?" Luke asked moving her to one side so that the others could keep loading.
"Same as you I suppose" Jess replied hanging onto the front of his jacket.
"Jess! I'm serious. Did you get my note?" Luke frowned.
Jess looked into his eyes "Yes I got it. And you were right, I don't back out of anything and I'm worried about you too"
Luke rubbed his hands up and down her back "But this is my job. You don't have to be here"
"I know" Jess ran one hand back through his hair "But I can help and I'm staying, Lu."
Luke screwed up his face knowing he wasn't going to win. "OK." He sighed in defeat "Have ya talked to the kids?"
"Not much, but I've been calling when I can."
"They miss you"
Jess smiled "They miss you too. And I miss you"
Tommy called across to them "Hey Luke, we're all loaded and we have to go"
"I'm comin'." Luke called back before turning back to Jess. "Babe, please be careful"
"I will. You too." They moved back to the helicopter. arms round each other and they kissed each other again. "I love you Luke Duke"
Luke tucked her hair back behind her ear "And I love you, Jess Duke. Don't you forget that"
"I won't " She smiled as they kissed again.
"Luke!" Tommy called again.
"I'm comin'. I'm comin'." He said in frustration before turning back to Jess. "By the way I got a message for ya from Bobby, He said to tell ya that he loves ya and you're the best"
"Bobby!" Jess said in surprise.
Luke grinned "Yeah. Bobby". Luke gave Jess one last kiss as Tommy grabbed hold of his jacket and hauled him aboard.
"Come on Romeo" Tommy teased. "Jess, take it easy"
"You too Tommy. And thanks" She grinned as she moved away.
Jess blew Luke a kiss as she waved him goodbye.
.
Smoke jumpers and helitak crews were were working non- stop as the fire continued to gather pace and burn out of control. The rangers and the engine crew were being sent all over as
back up. They returned to the fire house in the early hours, tired and hungry. Jess stood and looked up at the mountains. The fire was an orange glow in the hills now. The air everywhere
reeked of burning as warm winds fanned her face. Fires this bad in the south were unusual, but in a bad year like this one, it seemed like the whole country was burning.
The phone rang shattering the peace and making Bo jump as he stood watching the latest TV reports.
"Duke Farm. Bo Duke"
"Hi, Uncle Bo"
"Bekka! How ya doin', Girl?"
"I'm good. I was just wondering what the latest was with Auntie Jess and Uncle Luke"
"Nothin' much right now. They call when they can. How's things up there with you?"
"OK. We've been put on alert but we aren't too close at the moment. Should I come down?"
Bo could tell she was worried "There ain't nothin' ya can do right now, darlin'. Ya welcome to come if ya want, but you're probably be better off where y'are."
"I suppose. Are Kait and Bobby there?"
"They ain't back from school yet. Is Coy there?"
"Yeah, " Bekka sighed "I'll put him on..And Uncle Bo, will you call me if you hear anything?"
"Sure I will honey"
There was a shuffling and Coy came on the line "Hey there, Cousin"
"Hey Coy. How's things really goin' in Okey?"
"We ain't in too much trouble yet. But there's fires to the north and the west so we could be before much longer." Coy replied.
"Well, we's all hopin' that it don't get to ya " Bo said to him. "How's Bekka doin'?"
"She's real worried. We all are. Have ya heard anythin' from 'em?" Coy asked with concern.
"Not recently, but I'm sure they'll be fine" Bo tried to sound convincing. "Bex wants to come down, but I told her she may as well stay there for now. Ain't nothin' she can do here"
"For sure. I'll keep an eye on her and if she really wants to come to Hazzard. We'll bring her"
"Thanks Cuz. And if I hear anythin' I'll give y'all a holler." Bo said.
"Alrighty. I'll get back to ya real soon, Bo. Ya need anythin' at all, y'all know where to find us" Coy answered.
"Yeah, we know. Catch y'all on the flip" Bo put the phone down and took a deep breath. He looked up at the list of numbers Jess kept pinned to the wall above the phone. He ran his
finger down the list stopping half way down and picking up the phone again.
"Excuse me Ma'am." He said "I wonder if ya could help. My name's Bo Duke. I'm lookin' for some information on Jess Duke..............Yes Ma'am we're related. She's married to my cousin
who's a smoke jumper up in Carolina...............I was just wonderin' if y'all had heard anythin' that's goin' on, as we can't find out where she is and if she's OK..............."
Bo looked up as the door opened and held up his hand to ask for quiet as Gaby came in with Kait and Bobby. "Yes Ma'am..............We sure would appreciate that.............Thank you"
He put the phone down. Gaby was watching him with a worried expression.
"Was that Mum or Luke?" Kait blurted out after struggling to keep quiet.
"No it wasn't them" Bo said quietly going over and putting his hand on her head. "I called ya Mum's office, see if they knew anythin'."
"And did they?" Bobby asked.
"Not yet" Bo replied looking up at him. "But the lady's gonna see what she can find out and get back to us" Gaby rubbed Bobby's arm as she went passed and held onto Bo's.
"I'm sure they'll be fine" She tried to reassure them all. Bo was doing his best to stay calm for the children but Gaby was always around in the background, holding everything together for
all of them.
Bo smiled at her "Sure they will. " He kissed her forehead. It was good for him to have to take care of Gaby and the kids as it kept him focused on being positive. "They'll be back here
buggin' us before ya know it. You kids go get outta ya school clothes and we'll have some cookies and milk waitin'."
Gaby sat Lacey on the floor with some toys and Bo pulled her close to him.
"Bekka called. Coy says things ain't much better in Okey"
Gaby tilted her head up to look at him. "How's Bex doing?"
"She won't say, but she's scared. She wanted to come down but Coy's watchin' her for now." Bo explained.
"Coy and Casey will look after her" Gaby said stroking the side of his face with her hand. Bo kissed it.
"Yeah, but I guess it woulda been good for her to be with Kait and Bobby right now."
"Bo, don't worry so much" She kissed him gently.
After continuing the kiss for a moment Gaby rested her head back on his shoulder.
"What would I do without you" Bo said resting his head against hers.
"You used to manage when you were racing and Luke was jumping" Gaby replied, not moving. "Before you met me"
Bo gave a hint of a chuckle. "Yeah, but not very well. I crashed a few cars because of it"
Gaby looked up at him and smiled "And that would have worried Luke. How did Daisy put up with you two all these years?"
Bo finally cracked a smile "Dunno. Patience of a saint, I guess." He looked into her eyes, brushing her hair back nervously looking more serious. "Gaby, you're the best thing that ever
happened to me"
"I bet you used that line on all the girls" She teased.
Bo grinned "Only this one" And he kissed her. Gaby allowed herself to be pulled further into his kiss. Even if he had used that line before, she knew that when he said it to her he really
meant it.
They were interrupted by a news report on the TV that Bo had been watching.
"There has been a new development in the fire burning out of control in the Southern Appalachians. Freak winds caused by the storm building out on the Atlantic Coast have been hampering fire
fighting efforts"
Gaby and Bo stood watching as the reporter continued.
"We are just getting reports in that a group of fire fighters, believed to be smoke jumpers, have been trapped by a fire up in the Anna Ruby Falls area, and are currently in an emergency situation
with other crews being sent to attempt a rescue There is no further information at the present time other than the crew were dropped this morning to an area where earlier in the week Rangers
had been cutting fire breaks"
"Oh no!" Gaby gasped clinging tighter to Bo just as Bobby came in.
Bo jumped forwards and turned off the TV.
"It's OK. I already know." Bobby said "It's all over the radio"
Bo and Gaby chanced a glance at each other "We don't know anythin' yet. It's probably not Luke" Gaby said giving his arm a squeeze.
Bo tried to gather himself together "Yeah, they's trained for this Kiddo. They have a plan for when things go wrong"
A horn sounded in the yard and before they could look out to see who it was, Daisy came racing into the kitchen, trying to control the tears threatening to roll down her face, with Troy
dragging along behind her.
"Bo! Did you hear!" She squealed.
Bo caught hold of her and hugged her "Yeah we heard sweetheart. But we don't know nothin' yet, for sure" He said in a voice much calmer than he felt. Gaby and Bobby joined them as he
sat her down at the table. Bo exchanged a glance with Gaby. He was terrified. He'd heard the stories problems like this. He knew the last resorts that firefighters faced and how risky they
were. Bo fought hard to control his own emotions, as thoughts raced through his head.
Luke was so much better at this than he was, staying positive for everyone else. Heck, even Vance and Coy were better at this than he was. But they weren't here right now. Bo needed
Luke, but as he looked around the room he knew that they all needed him. He wasn't a kid and he couldn't afford to fall apart now. It was down to him to keep a cool head. He just wished
he knew where Luke was.
His thoughts were interrupted by a door banging as Kait came running into the kitchen
" Aunt Daisy! Troy! " She exclaimed excitedly before noticing the mood in the room. "What's happened?" She said turning serious. "Has something happened to Luke and Mum?"
"No, Darlin'. They're fine" Bo said feeling like he should cross his fingers behind his back as he reached out his hand to her.
Kait frowned as she moved closer and leant on him. "But you all look so miserable"
"Don't worry." Gaby said stepping in to help Bo out."Why don't you and Troy go outside and play and I'll bring you out a picnic"
Kait narrowed her eyes, not sure if she believed them. "OK" she eventually sighed and left with Troy.
Bo looked up at Bobby "Best we don't say anythin' to her 'till we know somethin' for sure"
Bobby wrinkled his nose as he curled his lip. "Yeah, she's enough of a whinge-bag as it is"
"Bobby! Don't talk that way about ya sister" Bo reprimanded him.
Daisy stood up and went over to him.
"Honey, she's just worried. Same as we all are" She said softly patting his arm.
"And all we can do is sit and wait" Bo sighed.
.
The rangers were sitting round the radio with the engine crew, listening as the drama unfolded. The first they had heard was when the smoke jumpers had put out a mayday call and
everyone in the room had stopped eating to listen. There were three men trapped, with no one else in the vicinity apart from the rest of their own crew.
"This is Control. This is Control. We have an emergency situation up at Anna Ruby falls I want all crews in the area to report back as to their current situation. "
"Control This is Chopper 178. We are currently available for water drops and can be mobile in five minutes"
"Thanks 178"
"This is helitak orange crew. We are about to be picked up and can re-route if needed"
"Ok orange crew. Drop as soon as ya can. Hotshot emerald crew?"
"We read ya control"
"I'm sending a chopper for you, leave what ya doing and go help out."
"Copy control"
"Gold crew from control"
"Gold crew receiving"
When Jess heard Luke, she bit her lip as she guessed what was coming.
"Are you airborne, Gold crew?"
"Yes Sir. You want us to turn this plane around"
"Yes. They need all the help they can get up there and they need it now"
"Roger that Control. ETA two minutes"
Johnny picked up the radio "Control This is Blue crew. We are currently on standby with Nacoochee engine crew. It would take us a while but we are free to respond"
"I hear ya Blue crew. Do it. Be ready I'm sending a plane for you"
Ted exchanged a glance with Johnny and Johnny added "Control, Ranger crew are gonna be right behind us."
"That's an affirmative Blue crew. Control to Red crew what's happening out there"
Whilst the half of the Red crew on the outside of the fire were still trying to fight a path through to the rest of their crew, the guys on the inside were trying to find an escape route. While
they had been fighting the fire on the ridge, the change in the wind pattern had pushed the fire around the hollow, cutting them off. They continued to fight the fire from the inside at the
same time hoping that help arrived soon as the fire was still advancing down the hillside towards them.
Luke looked out of the open doorway at the scene below.
"Holy Hannah!" He exclaimed registering the hell that he was about to drop into.
Tommy stood next to him "Jeez! That's a mess" He stated.
Luke turned back to his crew "OK. We need to do this hard and fast and keep an eye on the winds. I want this kit unloaded and up on the fire line faster than you've ever moved it before.
Any questions?"
"No sir" they all murmured
"Then let's do it" Luke replied "Those guys are relyin' on us"
Luke dropped the streamers and watched them fall and he followed close behind them. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling his hands tremble against the parachute as he entered
the smoke. Fighting the parachute that seemed to have a mind of its own, he somehow managed to hit the landing zone and immediately set to work.
After consulting with Red crew Luke deployed his men to positions possible to make a path through the fire and were soon joined by Blue and Orange crews.
Things were getting hotter for the trapped men. "Red crew 2 to control. We're gonna have to find somewhere to position fire shelters. Things are gettin' a might too troublesome in here"
"This is control, we hear you. Hang in there guys. We're not giving up on you"
"This is Blue crew 1. We need water drops on the west ridge we think we've found a way in."
"This is Chopper 178. You got it, Blue 1. Glad to help anyway we can"
"This here's air 32. I'm with you Chopper 178."
Helicopters and planes circled the air continually dropping water and fire retardant into the flames and the crews on the ground were spread out doing their best to bring the fire under
control when a shout went up.
"This is Blue crew 1. We've got a path through. Can you see us Red 2"
A yell could be heard from the radio "We see you Blue 1. and aren't you a sight for sore eyes"
"Blue 1 to control. We got 'em. Red 2 are out and safe"
Cheers and yells went up from all over, including Control.
"Control to Anna Ruby fire. Good work guys. Good work. Red 2 get back to the Ranger station where medics are standing by to check you out. Then you can take a well deserved break. As soon as
Nacoochee engine crew get there, Red 1 you can pack out and join them. Gold crew, Duke, you hear me?"
"Yes Sir Loud and Clear"
"I want you to assume IC"
"Copy that Control. Duke out"
The smoke jumpers and helitack crews were joined by Hotshot crews and Engine crews as well as the Ranger crew and between them mounted a major assault on the fire that was
gathering ground and pace. The firefighters continued to work in shifts throughout the night and by first light things were looking a little better but the fire was still burning. The ranger
station at Anna Ruby Falls became the base camp for those forced to take a break and those needing medical attention, amongst them were Jess and Sarah-Jane.
Jess helped Sarah-Jane into a medics cubicle. "Thanks Jess. You need checking out too." Sarah-Jane frowned at her as a medic came in to examine her cut leg. "I wasn't the only one to get
a belly full of smoke"
Jess stood near the entrance. "I'm fine. It's only running on adrenaline for a week, that's making me feel queasy"
The medic glanced up at her "Well, we can't send you back out unless we're sure you're ok"
Jess puffed out her cheeks in annoyance "OK. OK. I'll go get checked out too. I'll meet you in the restaurant in a while Sarah Jane"
Sarah Jane smiled "Yeah Will do"
Luke was still hard at work alongside firefighters from other crews as well as his own, when he heard the two nearest him talking as they took a breather.
"I thought I felt something"
"Like what?"
"Water. I think it's raining"
"Nah. You're imagining it. It's probably just water from the aerial drops"
"Didn't feel like it"
Cheers and rebel yells could be heard coming through the forest as the rain started to get harder and became a torrential downpour, adding to the poor conditions they were working in
as the ground turned to mud that caused them to slide and loose their footing.
Luke grinned at the two guys next to him "Let's get back at it. We still got a job to do"
Jess and Sarah-Jane had just left the medics when Zac came rushing in. "Jess! Sarah Jane! Quick come and see this"
They looked at each other puzzled and followed him. Those around them had overheard and followed too wondering what was happening. Outside there was a scene of jubilant chaos. It
was raining so hard that it was bouncing off the hard ground and clattering on the roof of the building. Everyone was cheering and dancing around in it. Jess looked at Sarah Jane and
grinned. "If you can't beat them"
Sarah Jane laughed and the two of them jumped down the steps to join the others jumping around in the rain.
Control ran a radio check from all crews out fighting various fires. The news was coming back the same from all over. It was raining hard every where and was the break they needed to
start getting the upper hand at last. With the weather finally on their side they were beating back the fire and could finally start to imagine actually winning.
"This is Control to all fire sites. I need a report of the situations out there"
"Yellow crew here. We got control and are mopping up"
"Chopper 35. We're over the leading edge and it's slowing down. It's even starting to receed in places."
"Silver crew on the edge. We got control here and it's nearly out."
And so it continued from all crews including Luke's.
"Control. We got it licked and its nearly out here" Luke said with a smile.
"Good job guys. Soon as ya can pack out to Anna Ruby and take Blue crew with you. Engine crews can finish mopping up. All crews that have been withdrawn are on standby until further notice
and by the sounds of it the others won't be far behind. This is control out"
"Hey Tommy Ya read that." Luke spoke into the radio again.
"You bet, Southern Boy. We're bugging out and going home."
Luke laughed "Not until y'all get that equipment packed up and get your hind ends up here."
"I'm on my way. It's your turn to buy the beer"
Luke laughed again. "Gold crew to Blue crew. Did you copy that message from Control."
"Sure did Gold crew. We're right with you"
Luke assessed the current situation and handed over control to the fire chief from Nacoochee. Both groups of smoke jumpers had packed up their equipment and with a final look around
packed out.
Jess was back inside with most of the others and was busily chatting to other rangers as she leant back on the reception desk. The change in the weather, far from being depressing, had
lifted everyone's mood and there was jubilant feeling at the ranger station. Even though they were a long way from being finished. It was just getting light when one of the medics burst
in announcing, "The smoke jumpers are back"
Everyone immediately rushed back outside into the rain, which had turned into a fine drizzle, just as the Smoke jumpers got to the car park. They were greeted like conquering heroes as
people clapped and cheered and patted them on the back as they trudged towards the centre, being relieved of kit as they went. Jess scanned the exhausted faces until she saw the one
she was looking for. Luke was barely half way across the car park and had just enough time to hand off his kit to someone before Jess reached him at full pelt, He caught her, lifting her off
the ground as he hugged her and kissed her and spun her round. By the time he eventually set her down again, Jess was laughing and crying in equal measure.
"Hey Babe, what's wrong? Ain't ya pleased to see me!" He said rubbing his dirty thumb across her equally dirty face to remove the tears.
"I'm just being silly" she replied hanging onto him tightly "I've just never been so terrified in my life"
"Y'aint the only one" He said softly "And it's all been worth it to see this beautiful sight" He ran his thumb along her chin and kissed her gently.
Jess pulled a face and folded her arms. "You're a lousy liar Luke Duke. I'm filthy and wet and smelly"
Luke slid one arm round her back and the other hand down the side of her head as he grinned "Yeah, and you're still beautiful" He kissed her slowly to a few nudges and
whistles from a few of those who were still outside. Jess laughed as they looked up at the sky and the falling rain that had started to get heavy again. Luke twirled her round again as
they laughed and kissed some more. Not worrying about getting any wetter
Eventually they made their way inside with everyone else. By the time the other firefighters got back, there was quite a party atmosphere at the Ranger station as they ate and waited for
their next instructions.
The phone rang at the farm and Bobby picked it up as he walked passed.
"Bobby!! How're you doing" He heard his Mum say.
"Mum!" He exclaimed. He looked up at the the others that had gathered round. "Where are you?"
"I'm back at Anna Ruby. Is Kait there?"
"Yeah, she's here" Bobby dragged Kait closer so she could listen too.
"Mummy! Are you coming home ?" She asked.
"Not just yet but hopefully soon."
"Have you heard from Luke" Bobby asked
"Yeah, he's fine. I have a surprise for you"
"Hey kids. Why ain't you in school?"
"Luke!!" They both yelled at once.
"We were just about to go. What's happening?" Bobby asked.
Luke very quickly explained what was happening, sharing the phone with Jess.
"We heard about that crew getting trapped" Bobby told them.
"We thought you might have" Jess said "But everything's fine now. You kids just be good and we'll hopefully see you soon"
"I want you to come home now" Kait whined.
"We just gotta wait for demob, Princess. We're still on standby right now."
"You had better get going or you'll be late for school"
"Mum!" Kait complained.
"Ya promised to go to school. We'll call y'all again soon. Go on now."
"OK then" Kait sighed. "I love you"
"Love you too" Jess replied.
"Me too kids" Luke added "Now go on. And stick your Uncle Bo on "
"OK See you soon" The kids said their goodbyes and Bobby handed the phone to Bo.
Gaby guided them towards the door as she kissed Bo Goodbye.
He smiled at her as she left to take the kids to school before turning to the phone. "Luke! How y'all doin'? We've all been real worried"
.
Luke wandered through the Ranger station looking for Jess. She had left him talking to Bo to go and help out with a few jobs that needed doing. He eventually found her in the car park
sorting equipment so he left her to it to go and sort out his own crews things. By the time they had sorted through everything, the rain was falling in torrents again as they all rushed
inside.
Control had put a radio call in and asked to be patched into the tannoy system. "This here's control to Anna Ruby."
"We copy control" Ted answered.
"OK. We got good news. The fire is practically out all over thanks to the rain. So y'all can stand down."
A cheer went up from everyone listening before the radio message continued. "There's buses on their way to pick y'all up and you're gonna demob back to base at Westminster."
After supper, Daisy, Troy and Cooter sat with Bo, Gaby and the kids in the living room at the farmhouse. Since Luke and Jess had been away this was where everyone had be gravitating
to await news. And tonight was no different. The news had told them what they wanted to know, that the fires were all nearly burnt out apart from a few flares.
"I was kinda hopin' we woulda heard some more from Luke and Jess by now" Daisy sighed.
"Yeah, well they gotta lot to do before they can be released." Bo replied.
"Can they come home then, Uncle Bo?" Kait asked
"We sure hope so, Darlin'." Bo smiled at her. "Why don't ya find somethin' for you and Troy to do for a little while" Bo gave her a quick hug as she stood next to his chair.
"I suppose" Kait answered unenthusiastically and her and Troy went off to her room.
"Did Lukas say he was gonna call again?" Cooter asked
"He didn't know where they were gonna be or if they could" Bo replied "We just have to wait"
Daisy sat back and sighed.
Cooter put an arm round her shoulders "Don't you worry, Darlin'. They'll be home afore ya know it"
Daisy rested her head on his shoulder with a smile.
"I just hope they didn't call while we was all in town earlier" Bo said bouncing Lacey on his knee.
They heard a car pull into the yard.
"Enos is here" Gaby said looking out and squinting against the darkness
Daisy looked puzzled "I thought he was goin' straight home when his shift finished" She said standing up.
"He's got someone with him" Gaby added then smiled "Bobby, go and get Kait quickly"
He pulled a face "Why me?" He complained getting up.
"Just hurry" Gaby urged.
Bo and Cooter just looked at each other puzzled and stood up to go and join Gaby at the window.
Kait came in grumbling "Now what, Bobby. We were just going to play a game"
"I don't know but Gaby wants you" Gaby caught hold of them and pulled them to the window before Daisy, Bo and Cooter could look out.
"Take a look" She smiled.
They looked out and Kait squealed "Mummy and Luke are home"
Gaby took Lacey from Bo as they raced out after the children.