Former military pilot Blaine Darby carries a load of guilt and pain from the harm he may have caused in wartime. Now he seeks to earn some good karma by fighting wild land fires while holding on to his great love of flying. But reporters like young Daz Contreras scare him -- one of the few things that do -- because he shuns the public eye.<br><br>Freelance investigative journalist Daz Contreras is convinced terrorists are behind at least some of the wild land fires plaguing New Mexico. All he needs is enough proof to break the story. As he pursues leads, he begins to shadow pilot Blaine Darby and, in the process, develops a gigantic case of hero worship.<br><br>When Daz is allowed to ride with Blaine one time, he hopes the adventure will help him to uncover the proof he seeks. Yet when a near tragedy unexpectedly develops and Blaine puts his life on the line to save a trapped hotshot firefighting crew, Daz realizes he’s an eyewitness to what may be a bigger story than the one he planned. But will the reclusive Blaine actually allow Daz to report the news as he sees fit, even as they grow closer?

Red Tails in the Sunset

He turned to the northeast and let the plane rumble along at a moderate speed the few miles on to Reserve. Finally, he got a glimpse of Mike, heading in the same direction. They’d come in to land one by one. The ground crew would be busy for a while. Blaine didn’t know if he’d head back south after refueling or not. He’d get on the phone and let Romero and the others know once he decided. Three tight passes in one day had taken a toll. He was ass-kicked good. Shit, I must be getting old.


For a moment, the face of the young reporter danced before his eyes. So damn young and eager. Dedicated and dead serious about his work, though. Even seemed to feel a sense of responsibility. There was more to the guy than he’d originally recognized or acknowledged.


Somebody like that would keep a man young.


Chapter 11