6/28/2012 Just a quick note, I called the real "Michael" and he is currently flying his helicopter, fighting the Colorado fires.
Katlin is living her dream as a Helitak Foreman, in Yellowstone National Park, but for one thing. For two decades, she's searched for the one that got a away. A young pilot she was desparately in love with when she was 19. She knows that someday she will find him, but is giving up hope, when he walks back into her world, as a volunteer Army Blackhawk pilot, during the worst fires Yellowstone has ever seen. Can they clear up the past and start new? Is the spark still there or is he happily married by now?
This is my first shot at a full-sized novel. This is an adult read and is semi-autobiographical. Kat and Michael are real (names changed) and so are the stories about their life in Ft Rucker, AL (to the best of my memory, anyway). Tony Becker, from Tour of Duty, is pretty much a ringer for a younger Michael. Tony has the same piercing blue eyes as "Michael". The background story, of the Yellowstone fire is also true, although it happened in 1988. Whenever you see a date, this is fact pulled from various sources, news, briefings, and personal accounts. I tried to give you some history on the fire and tried to portray Helitak for what they truly are. There are firefighters, hot shots, smoke jumpers and Helitak. Little is written about them, so I did my best. Hope you make it through the history lesson some of you may find it boring, but I think it will be a pretty good romance. - Kadee
Please comment, edit, vote. I have the first few chapters finished. I'll post as I get votes and comments. Thanks All.
"Do you have to leave?" I say through tears.
"I promise I'll be home before you know it."
That's a lie. It'll feel longer than what it actually is. And it will all feel like hell.
"I'll be lost and...and...alone without you, Matt" I sob even harder.
"Don't say that. You'll have Aunt Kathy and Jo. Trust me when I say this: they know exactly what they're doing. They've been through plenty of these before."
I nod, not trusting my voice, afraid I'll break down again. His hand comes to my cheek as he wipes a tear that's falling. His arms then indulge me in a huge hug, his familiar cologne invading my nostrils.
"STARKS! We're boarding!" I flinch at the fact that its time to let him go.
He kisses the top of my head,
"I love you." He whispers in my ear.
"I love you too." I respond weakly.
"I love you most."
And with a final, hard kiss, he walks away from me.
Kathy holds me and lets me cry on her shoulder as Matt looks back at me, and walks into the plane.
~~~
**This is an original story by @QuackingDuck. Any other publication of this story has been stolen**
~~This story contains mature content~~