Forest Fire

Derrick and I were heading from one kind of fire to another.

The party had ended well. The fire pit had been a huge success. There was enough firewood stacked behind the old shed to last all winter and half of the next summer.

Chani had taken a liking to Derrick, at least for the night. The two of them had spent some time kissing. With Dad acting as a chaperone, you can be sure nothing else happened.

Dad did swap out a few drinks from our younger guests, giving them a fresh can of coke. I grinned, thinking that no one could make a better guardian at a party. Wolf nose could smell the alcohol easily. Wolf hearing would know if anyone snuck off. It made me realize how easy Dad had been with me on occasion, saying nothing about a few of my teenage exploits.

I could bet Dad got little sleep that night, patrolling the tents. He gave his truck keys to Running Elk when they headed out Monday morning.

Derrick and I were in a truck now. It was heading in the opposite direction, though. We had