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KIM BALDWIN. “You hear the news? Chief Thornton says we have a new volunteer
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“You hear the news? Chief Thornton says we have a new volunteer.
You won’t be the rookie anymore.”
“Oh, it hasn’t been so bad. Y’all have been pretty easy on me.”
“I’d know that voice anywhere,” came a warm, familiar tone from behind her.
Erin! Gable whipped around.
Her stomach turned cartwheels and her breath caught in her throat.
The sweet and caring music teacher she’d gotten to know just happened to be a damn F ne-looking woman with a body to die for. Petite and F t, her arms and legs softly muscled. Round breasts beneath a snug-F tting yellow cotton blouse, and a F rm backside accentuated nicely by her denim shorts.
And that face. Gable thought Erin surely must be Irish, with her green eyes and reddish-blond hair and faint hint of freckles beneath the small wire-rimmed glasses that rested on her nose. She had delicate features, and a ready smile Gable found irresistible. There was an excited rosy blush on her high cheeks and, more than that, a vivaciousness about her—a spark of life and vitality—that was immensely compelling.
They stood frozen, grinning at each other, for a very long moment.
Then Erin threw herself at Gable and embraced her tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered into her shoulder, in a way that sent shivers up and down Gable’s spine.
She could feel Erin’s warm, moist breath on the skin at the base of her neck, a particularly sensitive spot. “You’re welcome,” she managed, her throat tight. Her body was acutely aware of Erin’s, pressed up against her, thigh to thigh, breast to breast.
Erin broke the embrace and looked her up and down. “You’re just like I pictured you! I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch sooner. My mother came and abducted me from the motel. Have you been out to my place?”
Gable blushed. She couldn’t admit she’d been there almost every day since she got back from Kalamazoo. “Yeah, it looks very nice! I can’t believe how incredibly fast it went up.”
Erin nodded. “Wasn’t that amazing? It’s one of the reasons I went with that company. They promised it would be F nished in six to seven weeks. It was one of those kit deals where they build the walls and roof elsewhere, and just have to assemble it on site.”
• 44 •
FORCE OF NATURE
“Have you moved in?”
“I just now got back in town. Tonight will be my F rst night.”
“Oh, that’s exciting!” Gable felt her grin get bigger. “And I have the perfect housewarming gift.”
Erin smiled back. “Let me guess. A weather radio? Fire extinguisher?”
“Good choices, but mine’s better.”
“Do I get a hint?”
“Do I get an introduction?” Carl interjected.
Gable had completely forgotten he was there. “Sorry, Carl. This is Erin Richards. The woman I sat up with, the night of the tornado.”
“I gathered that. Pleased to meet you, Erin.” He extended a hand.
“Carl Buckman here is our 911 director, and my closest rival in our Saturday night poker games. All-around great guy, and fortunately an extremely bad bluffer.”
“Do all rookies get to play?” Erin asked. “I’m a force to be reckoned with when it comes to F ve-card stud.”
“You’re the new recruit?” Someone pinch me. She’s joining thesquad?
Erin rested a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t look so surprised! I got to thinking a lot about what you said, about giving service…and it never being too late to make a difference. And what you do, as a volunteer F reF ghter, can mean the difference between life and death. I sure know that F rsthand.” She winked at Gable, whose heart f uttered in her chest.
She joined up because of me. Gable felt a surge of pride at the realization. And that means I’m going to be seeing her a lot!
“Hey, Gable, who’s your friend?” The voice belonged to a ruggedly cute thirtysomething F reman with honey blond hair and a matching mustache.
“Hey, Tim!” Gable greeted the newcomer with a hug. “Tim Scott, meet Erin Richards. It was her place that got hit the night of the tornadoes.”
“And you’re the Tim who’s assigned to my zone with Gable, right?” Erin asked.
“That’s me. Very pleased to meet you, Erin.” They shook hands.
“Sorry I wasn’t around to help you out that night. Did I hear you say you’re joining the squad?”
• 45 •
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