KIM BALDWIN. people—rescue operations, working the hoses and ladders

people—rescue operations, working the hoses and ladders. And you learn a lot on the job itself.”

“So when we get a callout, we go right to the station?”

“Well, if you’re really close to it, yeah. We’re so spread out here that most of us keep our gear in our car, so we can go directly to the scene.”

“How often do you get called out?”

“Hard to say. There’s always way more in the summer because the tourists are up here. The population triples. So you get more car accidents, more brush F res from cigarettes getting tossed out windows.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re on the squad. Makes me feel less nervous about everything, knowing I can ask you for help if I need to.”

“You bet. Any time.”

After dinner, Gable washed dishes and Erin dried and put away.

As she soaped up the last plate, she allowed herself a momentary wistfulness over how great it would feel to share such domestic chores with Erin on a regular basis. Then they retired to the living room to tackle putting up Erin’s curtains.

“I measured and marked everything last night,” Erin said, setting the ladder in place by the large patio doors. “But it was too awkward to try to put the rod and curtains up myself. Hope you don’t mind.” She handed Gable a screwdriver and three screws.

“Not a bit. Happy to help. I know you’ve got a lot of stuff to do yet around the place. Anytime you need a hand, just give me a holler.”

Gable got a small stepstool and set it at the other end of the sliding doors.

Erin stood on top of the ladder with one end of the curtain rod and Gable took the other end. Getting that part installed was no problem.

Next, Gable got the heavy f oor-length curtains and handed one end up to Erin before she mounted the stool to hang her end. Just as she was about to hook it, the rod slipped out of Erin’s hands. Erin leaned over to grab it, too far, and the ladder started to tip.

Gable dropped the curtains and lunged forward, catching Erin as she fell, wrapping one arm around her waist. She should have let go of Erin right away. But for some reason her body insisted that she hang on for a few seconds longer than was necessary.

“Hey thanks. But you can let go any time now, Gable. I’m F ne,”

Erin said, amusement in her voice.

Gable could feel the rush of heat to her face.

• 68 •

FORCE OF NATURE