Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four) Read Online Free PDF

worth his time. Maxie was torn between leaving him and Jean to deal with this or actually believing what Berke was saying, but she couldn’t quite lean toward the latter. She did the next best thing to satisfy all who were concerned.
    “Here,” Maxie declared, reaching for the remote on Deputy Boyega’s desk. She pressed the button a little too hard, wanting this to be over with so she could still make it to the courthouse on time. The picture finally turned on and revealed one of the local anchors, although the man was usually on in the evening. There was a strip at the bottom of the monitor that continuously updated with news alerts and there wasn’t anything of concern that Maxie noted. The tension gathered in her shoulders eased. “Tremors. That’s all it is, Berke.”
    “Look, son,” Sheriff Ross started out in a manner that caused Maxie to cringe. Everyone was well aware that Berke grew up with an uncle who hadn’t been the best role model and had died well before Berke had joined the Corps. The condescending nickname wasn’t going to go over all that well. “Why don’t you—”
    “Sheriff, with all due respect,” Berke stated in warning, his dark gaze narrowing, “I came here to warn you out of courtesy. I actually spoke with someone I know personally at the USGS, who confirmed that an eruption is inevitable. They aren’t going public for fear of mass hysteria, but they are already preparing for the worst. What you do with that information is up to you, but I now feel as if I’ve done my civic duty. Good luck and goodbye.”
    Berke left Deputy John’s desk disarrayed as he nodded in Jean’s direction, but he stopped short when he was shoulder to shoulder with Maxie. She stilled her movements as both of them turned to look at one another. The genuine concern in his expression caused her heart to tighten in unease. What if he was telling the truth?
    “Maxie, I know you’re about to shoulder a huge responsibility today by adopting Jacob. Do yourself and that little boy a favor—leave town immediately and head east. You’ll regret it otherwise.” Berke appeared to want to say more, but he slowly shook his head in what seemed to be sorrow. “Good luck.”
    Maxie wasn’t the type of woman who feared easily, but the undertone of Berke’s voice certainly did the job. He wasn’t known to ever dramatize or exaggerate circumstances, even during the time Wilson Stewart had gotten drunk and decided to sneak his way into the gun range to fire off a few shots…only he’d actually been in the gun shop. Her stomach turned in a manner that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with panic. She quickly glanced at the television, hoping for some answers or at least confirmation. That’s when she noticed the local anchor’s facial expression as he tried his best to keep his emotions under control while announcing that the President of the United States was about to address the nation.
    “Berke,” Maxie called out, never taking her eyes off of the screen in front of her. She turned up the volume to hear what was being said. Please let the President say that all was all right and that the public didn’t need to worry about their safety . “Wait! Come back.”
    “My fellow Americans, as I’m sure you are aware, there was an earthquake at Yellowstone National Park yesterday. Unfortunately, the caldera has been showing signs of eruption over the course of the last forty-eight hours, so it is with deep regret that I am confirming what you have…”
    A ringing took up residence in Maxie’s ears as she pulled her eyes away from where the President was addressing the nation behind his desk in the Oval Office. He was still talking about earthquake activity and what the seismologists had detected, but she tuned out everything with the exception of Berke. It was as if he was staring a hole through the television, reading something between the lines that everyone else was missing.
    “How did you