Chapter Twelve
The weight of Fallon’s warm body above her and the commanding intensity in her voice made Nora wet.
She’d always been the one to make the first move, and she never would have expected Fallon to be so bold, though she was more than willing to be kissed, especially by this appealing woman she couldn’t seem to stay away from.
She lifted her chin slightly, giving Fallon easier access to her mouth.
She’d honestly intended only comfort when she’d made her way into Fallon’s tent tonight, and her heart had ached at Fallon’s tears.
The visit to the clinic had obviously triggered something, but Nora had no interest in being a sympathy kiss.
Fallon’s lips were exactly as she’d imagined them: careful but passionately demanding.
Nora responded eagerly, pushing her hands into Fallon’s hair, holding her in place.
Fallon groaned, and Nora’s nipples tightened in response.
Why had she not recognized how much she wanted this?
She’d convinced herself that her feelings were incidental, what she might have for any teammate.
But Fallon was the one she’d gone to every time she was in need, frightened, or lonely.
Momentarily overcome, she broke the kiss and put her head against Fallon’s chest.
“Nora? I didn’t mean to upset you.”
The concern in Fallon’s voice was sincere, so Nora kissed Fallon’s neck. “You didn’t. Not at all. I feel like I might be the one taking advantage. You were emotional earlier, and maybe that’s why—”
“No,” Fallon said firmly. “Earlier, I was grieving because I was remembering what happened to my mom. I’ve learned to suppress those sad times, maybe because it’s more painful to relive them when I’m alone.
But having you near made it safe to let go.
I think that’s why I stopped holding back on what I feel for you.
Kissing you is something I’ve wanted to do for weeks now. What I kept hoping you might want too.”
“I did. And I do.” Nora kissed her gently on the mouth. “But will you tell me what happened to your mom?”
Fallon sighed and rolled onto her back. Nora followed, resting her head on Fallon’s chest, listening to her strong, steady heart. “My mom died in a clinic very much like the one we went to today. She was only forty years old.”
Both of Nora’s parents were older than that, and strained though their relationship might be, she’d never thought of what it might be like to lose them both. No wonder Fallon placed such importance on family, on having someone she could count on. “What happened?” she asked softly.
“It was nobody’s fault,” Fallon said, “though it took me a long time to truly accept that. She was misdiagnosed and never treated for the virus that killed her.” Her voice trembled. “She was suffering, and nothing I tried helped. It was awful.”
Nora stroked Fallon’s cheek before tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear. “I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.”
“Harder than anything before or since.”
They lay quietly for a time. “What did she die of?” Nora whispered.
“Hantavirus. We went to the clinic twice, but they thought it was the flu. The symptoms are similar, especially at first. Neither of us knew to tell them how a few weeks before, she’d cleaned out a storage area that had been home to a nest of rodents.
It wasn’t until they did an autopsy that they found out what it was. ”
Nora shuddered. Her father had been the one to warn her and her brothers of the danger of mouse nests or droppings that could gather around firewood or in dark, musty places such as seldom-used cabins or storerooms. He’d stressed that early treatment was essential.
“I’m so sorry.” Nora hated the inadequacy of those words, but she had to say something.
“Me too.” Fallon swallowed. “I think she would have liked you.”
Oh God. Now Nora was going to cry. That was the last thing Fallon needed. The night had already been a roller coaster of emotions. “Maybe…” She cleared her throat. “Maybe we should get some sleep.”
“Only if you promise to come back tomorrow night. I’d like to pick up where we left off.”
“I think that could be arranged.” Nora turned on her side, smiling when Fallon snugged against her.
The next morning, a comforting aroma coaxed Nora into consciousness.
Coffee? Definitely. She blinked into awareness that she was alone in Fallon’s tent.
The bedding was cool in the space where Fallon had been.
How had she slept through Fallon getting up?
Stretching, she remembered the kisses they’d shared last night.
Sweet and sexy as it had been, the bright light of day made her wonder if it’d been a good idea.
Would Fallon have expectations about what came next?
Was she the type to create an instant future together?
Fallon was a good person, but Nora had plans.
She’d gotten in, and now she was closer to getting out of Firecamp, and the rest of her life was waiting.
Nora moved into the vestibule, dressing in yesterday’s clothes.
Not that it mattered. The crew had stopped paying any attention to what anyone wore weeks ago.
Circling past her own tent to grab her camera, she made her way to the kitchen area.
Hannah stood next to Fallon, holding her hand and swinging it slowly.
Nora took the photo even as her chest tensed, but she calmed herself when Hannah shouted her name and ran over, enfolding her in a warm hug.
“My other hero! You saved my life too,” she said, squeezing a little tighter. “How can I ever repay you?”
Nora squeezed back before stepping away slightly. “Don’t be silly. There’s no repayment necessary. You would have done the same for me.”
“Did you two practice this?” Nora frowned as Jade joined them, pointing at Fallon.
“That’s exactly what she said.” Nora couldn’t think of an explanation, but Jade didn’t seem to notice.
“At least we don’t have to take turns watching this one sleep anymore.
” She poked Hannah playfully in the stomach. “She snores something fierce.”
“Hey, I was drugged,” Hannah protested as they made their way to rejoin the group.
Nora couldn’t resist a glance at Fallon, despite her plan to avoid anything obvious. Fallon grinned and gave her a quick wink. Great, now she was blushing. Thankfully, everyone else was still focused on Hannah.
Breakfast became a contest of who could come up with the silliest bee jokes. Nora couldn’t help rolling her eyes when Fallon started them off with an old one. “Why do bees hum?”
Kennedy elbowed her. “Because they don’t know the words.”
“A man went to buy some bees,” Jade said. “He paid for a dozen but got an extra one. That was the free-bee.”
Everyone groaned. Hannah begged for mercy, but Delores said, “I saw a bee who was having a bad hair day. It was a frizz-bee.”
They must have sat around last night thinking of words with the “bee” sound, Nora decided. Thinking quickly, she asked, “What do you call a bee who is under a spell?”
“Bee-witched.” Hannah clapped. “I loved watching reruns of that show with my dad.”
“Hannah got it. Game over,” Jade said, standing. “Last week. Big push. Everyone ready?”
“We are bee-side ourselves with eagerness,” Fallon said, dodging as Jade swatted at her.
As she worked, Nora kept one eye on the marker at the end of their clear-cut.
It was getting closer, and Kenn and Delores were now at the head of their crew.
Hannah was given ATV duty for the day, though someone always went with her to help unload.
When it was Nora’s turn, Hannah smiled at her while they stacked the logs.
“Is there something going on between you and Falcon?”
Taken by surprise, Nora took a moment to respond. She finally managed, “Not really.” At Hannah’s doubtful expression, she added, “I mean, I’m going off to college after I’m done here, and Fallon wants to stay and work for Firecamp. There’s no future, so no point in someone getting hurt.”
Hannah frowned but didn’t say anything more until they were back at the clear-cut and Nora was getting off the ATV.
“My folks once went to a seminar by this guy named Jim Rand. Apparently, he was an especially good motivational speaker, you know?” Nora nodded.
“One thing I remember my dad telling me from that talk was ‘Happiness is not something you postpone for the future. It is something you design for the present.’ Maybe you should design your present happiness and let the future take care of itself.”
“Is that what you do?” Nora asked. Once, she would have said this with all the cynicism she could muster. Now she genuinely wanted to know.
“If I had someone who looked at me like Fallon looks at you? For sure I would. For now, my present includes gratitude for my life and for my new friends. I plan to enjoy both for as long as I have them.”
Nora smiled thoughtfully, giving Hannah a quick wave as Jade and Delores began loading the next pile of logs. If Fallon was okay with focusing on the present happiness, maybe they could share it.
Early that evening, she was waiting her turn at the wash bucket when Jade ran up, holding out the radio. “You have a message from base.”
Ranger Upshaw’s familiar voice crackled through the small speaker. “Your brother has been in an accident. If you can get to base tonight, we can call your family for details.”
“Which brother?” Nora asked, though there was no good answer.
After a pause, Upshaw came back on. “Tyler.”
As Nora took in a breath, a warm hand caressed her shoulder. Fallon seemed to have a sixth sense about where and when Nora needed her. Had anyone else’s presence given her such immediate comfort? “Tell her you’ll be there. You can take my car,” Fallon said from beside her.
Five minutes later, they were at Big Red’s door. Nora had packed a small bag of essentials, and Fallon handed her the keys. “I’d go with you, but I can’t leave Jade any more shorthanded than we’ll be without you.”