Chapter Sixteen #2
Maris pointed at Nora as she approached. “Can I have her?”
Fallon looked over her shoulder, giving Nora a quick smile before turning again to Maris. “Nope. Sorry, but Ranger Dick may come over with the heavies, in which case, she’ll be returning to base.”
“The hell you say.” Nora put her hands on her hips. “I’m not going anywhere until I leave with the rest of you.”
Fallon faced her, hands out in an appeasing gesture. “If it was my call, I’d keep you and Tyler both. You’ve helped us tremendously, but you’re not current Firecamp personnel, and if Ranger Dick thinks things are getting too hot—literally—he’s going to pull you off the line.”
“What if I went with Maris’s team? He can’t make me leave if he can’t find me.”
Maris cleared her throat. “That’s probably all it would take for Falcon to lose her job. He’s been trying to find a reason to fire her for a year now.”
Nora bit her lip as she stared at the ground.
She detested the self-centered streak that seemed to show itself when things didn’t go her way.
Looking at Fallon again, she said, “I’m sorry.
Of course I’ll do whatever I can to keep that from happening.
But I really, really want to stay.” Maris raised her eyebrows.
“After all, I need to get the end of the story.” Nora gestured, hoping her explanation sounded plausible.
“We’ve got bigger issues to worry about,” Fallon said. “For now, Nora’s with me.” Maris coughed. “With my team,” Fallon amended.
Nora suppressed a grin as she followed them to gather the crew.
Maris pulled four others aside and began explaining their role. Tyler joined them as Fallon turned to Nora. “Thanks for understanding. I meant what I said about you two being great to have around.”
Tyler giggled, and Nora subtly elbowed him. “Put us to work wherever you need us,” he said. “It’ll only make me appreciate my cushy lab job even more when we get back to Tucson.”
Fallon’s smile faded. “Right. Follow me.”
Two hours later, Nora dimly heard a rumbling sound over the whine of her saw. “Shutting down,” she called, turning to see the huge picker and logging truck idling in front of their van alongside the firebreak.
Fallon began shouting orders to the drivers, who gave her a thumbs-up and began moving their equipment into position.
It was amazing to see how effortlessly the giant arm lifted massive sections of logs and stacked them neatly on the truck.
After watching for a moment, Fallon returned the thumbs-up.
Nora carried her saw to the rest area, stopping for a long drink before soaking her bandana with water.
Fallon came over, taking off her helmet and wiping her face as she turned into the wind. “My crew is working harder than I’ve ever seen, trying to outdo you. Think you might take a break and give them a chance to catch up?”
She was smiling, but it wasn’t quite the look Nora wanted to see. “Sure. Should I sit and file my nails for a while?” They both laughed, and Nora pointed at the trucks. “It looks like your ranger didn’t accompany them.”
Fallon shook her head. “He’s not my ranger, believe me. The driver said he was busy updating the InciWeb and answering emails. I’m sorry to say, he may have forgotten you. Again.”
Just as long as you haven’t forgotten. Nora knew this wasn’t the time, but there were so many things she wanted to say. Instead, she looked at the hill across from them. “Is it me, or is the smoke getting worse?”
Fallon pulled a monocular from a side pocket of her pants and scanned along the small gorge that ran alongside their firebreak.
She was moving her inspection along the next hill when she stopped, leaning forward slightly.
“Damn,” she muttered before turning to Nora.
“Could you spread the word for everyone to finish what they’re working on, then move toward the road.
That’s our escape route. If Maris can’t get that spot under control, we’re going to lose this break.
” She ran into the haze before Nora could react, shouting, “Maris! Go!”
The sound of bodies crashing through the underbrush followed.
If we lose this break, will they have to evacuate the town?
After delivering Fallon’s message, Nora returned to felling the tree she’d been working on.
She was halfway through the second cut on another when the triangle sounded.
Her stomach suggested it should be time for lunch, but she doubted that was what the call was for.
The remainder of the crew gathered around Fallon, who was on her radio.
Nora heard Maris shouting over the gusts of wind that sounded like crackling paper as she spoke.
“…less than twenty percent. Too many flare-ups. With the rest of the crew, we could handle it.” Fallon’s gaze landed on the picker, which had only gathered about half of the felled wood. “Maybe—” She cut off transmission, and everyone turned at the sound of rotors.
A large helicopter made its way through the smoke, stopping to hover behind the picker and log truck.
As the crew watched, eight geared firefighters repelled onto the road.
With amazing dexterity, given their heavy protective gear, they detached themselves, and the ropes retracted.
The helicopter sped away. Seven of the firefighters headed down the gully in the direction of the spot fire, while one made his way toward them.
“Nora Palmer?” he called.
Nora’s jaw dropped, and she stepped forward. “Art?” They embraced awkwardly around his gear. “What are you doing here?”
He grinned. “Rudy and I figured you’d be somewhere in this mess. Can’t let you have all the fun.”
Nora looked at the forms moving into the gully. “Rudy’s here?”
Art pointed skyward. “Oh yeah. He’ll be showing off with his water dump before long. Not one to get his hands dirty, that boy.”
Fallon’s radio crackled. “Fallon?” Maris asked. “What’s happening? Who are these people?”
“Maris, they’re…” She looked to Nora, but Art spoke first.
“Arthur Palmer. Squad leader, Roosevelt Hotshots. We’re here to lend a hand before we get busy working on the big burn.”
Fallon nodded and finished the call. “They’re hotshots, Maris. Help them finish the spot fire and come on back.”
“Roger that. And thanks for calling in the big guns.” Fallon didn’t correct Maris’s assumption.
Nora cleared her throat. “Art, this is our crew chief, Fallon Monroe.” Glancing around at the stunned expressions, she added, “And these gawkers are about half of the Firecamp Women’s Plus Crew.”
Art touched his helmet. “Ma’am.”
“We’re glad to see you, Mr. Palmer,” Fallon replied.
He tilted his head, looking between her and Nora. “Wait. Are you Nora’s friend my dad is always talking about?”
“I’d be very flattered if that was the case. Your dad, along with Nora and Tyler, helped me out of a jam several years ago.”
Art grinned. “Ran out of gas, right? And then you brought Nora home to check on Tyler when he broke his arm.”
Fallon’s jaw tightened. “Yes, that’s right.”
Art held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Our dad was just asking if you’d be coming by.”