The Fire Lookout's Widow

Tessa McCandless has staffed her husband's fire lookout on Sable Ridge for two summers since the lightning strike that killed him, because somebody has to, and because a dark tower means the Forest Service decommissions it. Now they've set a deadline. Ninety days. One season. The only other person willing to man it with her is Grady Sorensen, the spotter who was on the radio that night, the man she hasn't spoken to since the funeral. Fourteen feet by fourteen feet. Two people. Four months of fire season and a headset they have to share. When the fire comes up the south draw in August, they will have to make the call together — and Grady will finally have to tell her what he heard, and what he didn't say back. Some grief you can carry alone. Some you can't.