KIM BALDWIN. “I’d say we’re about even, wouldn’t you, Tim?” she replied good-naturedly

“I’d say we’re about even, wouldn’t you, Tim?” she replied good-naturedly.

“And the rookie there ain’t half bad.” He gestured toward Erin.

“Nope. She’s got the touch,” Gable agreed.

“She’s got ears too,” Erin added, but you could tell she was pleased with the compliment. It was her turn to deal, so she gathered up the cards and began to shuff e like she’d done a turn or two at the tables in Vegas.

“Come on, deal the cards,” Oscar grumbled. He had only enough chips left to bet a couple more hands at the rate he was losing. He said he’d promised his wife he wouldn’t lose more than the forty dollars he had in his pocket.

“How about we take a break?” Jerry suggested. “The pizzas should be here any minute.”

“Sounds good to me. Maybe it’ll cool off these three and give the rest of us a chance,” Don said. He stood and stretched, his pants loose on him, held up by suspenders. “Pit stop,” he declared, ambling off.

“Can I get anyone another beer?” Jerry got to his feet.

“I’ll take another, please,” Erin said.

“Me too.” Gable held up a hand.

“I need to stretch my legs,” Carl said, heading for the front door.

“Translated…he has to talk to his wife.” Gable looked at Erin.

“He won’t admit that to the guys, of course. They’d rib him about it.

But he’s on that cell phone with her at least a dozen times a day.”

“Not all men are afraid to admit they can’t stand to be away from the women they love,” Tim said, and Gable knew he was being sincere.

That was the awful thing. She liked Tim, she really did. He was honest and honorable. A sweet man and a genuine hero, though he didn’t like to talk about his experiences as a F reF ghter. She’d heard the stories from the other guys on the squad.

“Is that right?” Erin asked him with a bemused smile.

“That’s what I hear,” he said, smiling back at her.

“Well, you’ll let me know if you run across one of ’em,” Erin said.

“Cause they’re a rare breed.” She glanced at Gable. “Can you direct me to the restroom?”

“Through the archway, down the hall, second door on the right.”

As soon as Erin departed, Tim got up and came around the table to sit beside Gable.

• 76 •

FORCE OF NATURE