Chapter Nine
The sound of the rain on the metal roof, even two flights down, could be heard in its steady intensity.
Erin was aware of the constant drumming even as she tried to concentrate on writing an opinion on the brief in front of her, but after gaining a stiff neck from tension and a slight headache to boot, she put away the documents and shut down her laptop.
She turned off the lamp on the desk she had been using in front of one of the large windows in the living room and realized that the storm and the evening hours had darkened the outside.
She moved to turn on the lamps beside the couch and the one in the corner by the fireplace.
Then she headed into the kitchen. The large oval clock on the wall above the dining alcove told her that she had been at work and Rance had been gone over three hours.
A little voice inside her wanted to use the phone and just check in but she decided against that.
He was a grown man, a marshal, and he certainly could take care of himself.
She needed to focus on doing something. Maybe a salad that could be ready for dinner when he arrived?
What could she put with it? She was opening the refrigerator when the cell phone rang.
The abrupt sound made her jump as it seemed too shrill in the silence.
She grabbed it from her jeans’ back pocket.
“There you are,” she answered, noting the name on caller ID, “haven’t floated off yet?”
“Not yet, but some others haven’t been so lucky.” His voice was flat, and she could tell that things might be worse where he was than expected.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Look, is there anything I can do? Can I make some food and get it to you all or anything? I’m not exactly helpless but I feel like it right now.”
She heard him in muffled conversation with someone, and then Cassie came on the line.
“Hi Erin, this is Cassie. I heard you mention food and the guys down here have some already, but Ally and I are trying to handle getting some food together over at the café across the street for some of the crew and volunteers. We could certainly use the extra hands if you want to help. And it might make my brother feel a whole lot better and not splitting his mind in two different areas right now…worrying about you there alone and what he’s facing here. ”
“Yes, but how do I get there?”
“I’ll send a truck for you…in about fifteen minutes?”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Thanks so much, girl, for being willing to do this. And there’s rain gear in the closet just off the pantry. See you soon.”
Erin ran to check out the closet and found a red rain jacket with hood that would work and grabbed a pair of rain boots as well.
They were a little big but would suffice.
She stuck regular sneakers inside a plastic bag from the kitchen.
Then, it took a minute to sweep her hair back into a ponytail to keep it out of the way of whatever she needed to do.
Just as she stepped out onto the porch a large double cab truck with the insignia on the side of the local fire department pulled into the driveway. Cassie hadn’t exaggerated about a truck. It was raised high off the ground with huge black tires that looked able to do a lot of work.
Just as she reached the end of the sidewalk, she saw a figure step out covered from head to toe in yellow rain gear. It was Rance and he met her at the front side door.
“Sorry if I get too personal in helping you up the steep steps.” He grinned as he steadied her while she reached up for the first foothold.
It was high and she did make it, but it took more than a gentle nudge on her backside to make it into the passenger’s side, and then the door closed behind her.
Rance was in the driver’s seat far quicker than she made it thanks to his long legs.
“Sorry, but you needed some help there at the last.” He tried to stifle the grin from moving into a laugh, but it didn’t quite work.
“I know I don’t have long legs, but I do appreciate your efforts. This is some truck.”
“It’s built tall to run over smoking embers and some fire, and to maneuver over swollen water crossings if needed. It’s a workhorse and earning its pay today.”
“Where are we going in it?”
“I’m dropping you at Tillie’s Café. It’s a local icon here on the courthouse square and has been for a couple of decades at least. Good food and good people.
She’s opened her kitchen up and most of her private dining area for volunteers to make sandwiches and fill to-go boxed meals and other items. This has turned into a really bad storm, and it’s stalled over us—just like someone left the water running and the tub just keeps overflowing.
Those houses that are built in low-lying areas on the south side of town and out into the county, they need to evacuate.
We’ve been trying to get to those who waited too late to get out on their own.
Luckily, we’ve had some helicopters arrive, but the ceiling is too low and wind too high right now for safety’s sake.
The high school gym is open, and cots and stuff are set up, and they’re receiving people and pets.
Tillie is operating both sites so Cassie and Ally and some of the ranch hands’ wives from Cade’s and Lane’s places are helping, too. ”
“It sounds bad.” At that moment he turned a corner, and she stopped speaking.
What used to be a low-lying bridge over a wide creek that she remembered they crossed earlier that day and was dry, was now a river where the roadway used to be seen.
“Oh, my heavens, it’s changed so much in a short time. Is it safe to cross now?”
“In a few more minutes, it won’t be safe even for this big truck.
Most people get in real trouble trying to cross in their regular cars.
But swift water like this, even six inches deep on a tire, can lift and move a vehicle.
People just won’t listen and then they’re in trouble.
But don’t worry. We’ll make it. Close your eyes and that might make it easier for you.
But I’ll keep mine open.” Rance tried to put her at ease with the small quip he added.
“I’ll keep them open. I trust you.”
Those simple words were great worth to him and he gave the truck more gas and across they went, slow and steady. Erin had watched the whole way across the rushing waters. “Nice job there,” she commented.
“You’ll be okay at Tillie’s and the rest of us are in and out just across the street from you at the courthouse.
You have my cell, also. Your help is much appreciated.
Normally, there is no way I would have you out among others but then this is not normal.
People will be concentrating on getting help to others, so this is an exception.
Just try to keep it low-key…stay away from too many questions, that sort of thing. ”
“I believe I know what you mean,” she said, and couldn’t help adding, “It’s nice to meet you. I’m just the latest of Rance Parker’s long list of female friends. Don’t mind me. I’ll be gone soon.”
Rance didn’t respond as they turned onto a side street and there were more vehicles and flashing lights coming and going. “We’re here,” he said in a no-nonsense tone as he pulled into a parking space in front of Tillie’s Café.
Getting out of the truck was just as comical as getting in had been. Basically, she took a step and slid the rest of the way down into Rance’s waiting arms and was lifted around and placed on the sidewalk.
“Not my most graceful exit from a vehicle, but I thank you anyway,” she said, trying to get at least a hint of a smile from the man. But it didn’t work. A few steps and he pushed open the door to step into a beehive of activity.
“There she is!” Ally called out, carrying a tray of fruit cups across the room. “Cassie has a station for you in the kitchen. She’ll show you what we need to do next.”
After that, she had no idea when Rance left, but she had been commandeered by Cassie to fill a spot across from her at the end of the makeshift production line.
Once the boxes were full with a sandwich, apple, chip bag and napkins, it would arrive with her where she would close it and slap a sticky label on top of it.
She was on the turkey side… And Cassie had the ham side.
Another volunteer would come along and load up her boxes and disappear with them. Simple enough.
Erin concentrated on her task over the next hour or so, listening to the various conversations throughout the large kitchen.
She learned a lot in a short time about the community and how much they took care of each other.
Erin had heard about such small towns, but this was her first real experience in seeing one in operation, and she felt even more envy for the people.
They were going through a bad period now, but their spirits did not fail. Nor did their ‘can-do’ attitudes.
The smell of hot coffee was continual, and she watched large urns being carried from the kitchen to the front of the café. They were lined up on long tables along with bottles of water, canisters of tea, and coolers full of ice. People could help themselves.
Soon the white boxes of food took their places stacked upon each other along the walls on long tables in the large private dining room.
There was a break in the production line and Tillie came in and Cassie introduced Erin.
The woman was a powerhouse of energy. And she enthusiastically welcomed Erin into their midst, thanking her for her work so far.
“Tillie, I have looked for the stew recipe and can’t find it. If you can remember what Earl put into it, maybe I can wing it,” Cassie said. “I know we want something warm for the volunteers coming in later this evening. They will be chilled out in that rain and all for so long.”
“Oh dear, I should have paid more attention,” Tillie said shaking her head. “I don’t have time to stop and try to make chili.”