KIM BALDWIN. though Erin had sworn she’d never get one

though Erin had sworn she’d never get one. With their jobs and Erin’s training, they had been playing phone tag. It was much easier for them to reach each other on their cell phones.

“The cellular customer you are trying to reach is unavailable. If you’d like to leave a message, press one.”

Gable hit the button. “Erin, it’s me. Please call me on my cell. I hope you’re okay.” She took a deep breath. “Please don’t be mad at me.

I’m sorry if I upset you.” Setting her phone on vibrate, she slipped it into the pocket of her blazer and headed to the reception.

She mingled for a while with a glass of Guinness in her hand, trying not to glance at the watch on her wrist. She lingered in small groups where someone was telling a story, so she could nod her head agreeably and feign interest, all the while obsessed with wondering what was happening with Erin. Her mind was so removed from the reception that she jumped out of her skin when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

“Hey! Easy there. I only wanted to ask you to dance.” Carl had a hand extended, palm up. The reception music was provided by a local DJ, whose current CD selection was Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.” A half dozen other couples were dancing.

“What will Alberta say?” she kidded him with a smile, setting down her glass and letting him lead her to the modest dance f oor.

“She knows how much I love her,” he said, sweeping her around the f oor in a fast-fast slow-slow swing step.

The words tugged at her heart. “Your wife is a lucky woman,” she told him. I wish I could know so clearly how Erin feels.

There must have been something in the tone of her voice. Carl led her off the f oor and over to a corner away from everyone.

“What’s the matter, Gable?” he asked.

“You’re very perceptive, you know that?”

He shrugged.

“It’s Erin…sometimes I have no idea what’s going on with her,”

Gable said.

“Women are hard to understand, sometimes,” he said, and got a smile out of her. “Anything I can do? Want me to talk some sense into her?”

“No. But thank you. I mean that. You’ve been a good friend and I appreciate your support.”

• 202 •

FORCE OF NATURE