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

“Say…er…I-I…is it all right if I come out tomorrow or even this evening? I never did get that real interview. And, well mainly I need to get a payment schedule going. I told you I wouldn’t forget you owe me a big one…”


Blaine had to laugh. What a mix of cocky and hesitant. “Sure. Where are you? I thought you’d be going maybe to Albuquerque with your stuff.”


“I did my business from here in ‘Cruces. We’ve got a local office for the networks and stuff. That’s what all this fancy high tech and Internet shit is for. No, I’m sitting in my apartment right now, all by myself and wishing I wasn’t.”


“Okay, then. Get your sweet ass into that red racer of yours and head this direction. About an hour, right?”


This time Daz’s chuckle did not sound forced. “Maybe even sooner. Hasta la vista. Arriba, arriba.”


Chapter 18