Chapter Three
Fallon couldn’t take her eyes off Nora. The confident, comfortable way she wore her PPE added to her presence.
She held the chainsaw with such ease that it looked like an extension of her body rather than the fearsome cutting device that could take off a human limb just as easily as one from a tree.
Even though only Fallon knew that Nora came from a family of firefighters, Jade clearly recognized that Nora knew what she was doing and promptly appointed her as a co-trainer.
Fallon wanted to be in Nora’s group, but Nora sidled up to Gwen and Tina, and the three of them immediately started giggling at some private joke.
There were still things about people—especially women—that puzzled her, but she always knew when she wasn’t welcome.
Kennedy had gone back to the equipment hut to get a loose piece of ear protection fixed, so Fallon teamed with Hannah and Delores, both of whom seemed equally uneasy with their new equipment.
While Jade talked to Nora, Fallon said the reassuring words she’d hoped someone would say to her.
“Don’t worry. Jade will teach us everything we need to know, and we’ll be sawing away in no time. ”
“You really think so?” Hannah’s eyes darted around the rest of the group.
“Uh-huh,” Fallon said, grimacing at the lack of confidence she heard in her own voice.
How would she ever become a group leader if she couldn’t do better than that?
Squaring her shoulders, she added, “You heard what Ranger Reva said. This Women’s Plus Crew is going to be the best ever.
” Putting her hand on Hannah’s arm, she added, “And that’s us. ”
Hannah smiled up at her. “Yeah, okay.” She hefted the chainsaw. “I’m ready.”
Delores stepped in beside her. “Me too. Let’s fly, Falcon.”
* * *
“What difference does it make if I call it the housing or the faceplate?” Tina whined. “They’re pretty much the same thing, right?”
Fallon could hear the complaint in Tina’s voice from across the yard where the two groups were getting their separate instruction. She thought Nora might be gritting her teeth when she answered, “No, they’re not. Look—”
Fallon presumed this wasn’t Tina’s first lesson.
After a few practices, Fallon and Hannah and Delores were able to identify the parts of their saws to Jade’s satisfaction, but from Nora’s tone and Gwen’s sigh of frustration, Jade seemed to recognize that she needed to step in.
Addressing her group, she said, “Why don’t you three take a break and report back in fifteen?
Hopefully, we’ll be able to start our saws then. ”
As they walked toward their cabin, Gwen’s voice rose. “See the bar nuts. See the faceplate. Nuts. Face. Think of Danny’s nuts in your face. That’s how you can remember it.”
Hannah and Delores burst out laughing. “Well, that’s an image we’ll all be stuck with for a while,” Hannah said.
“Yeah, I guess she’ll be calling her chainsaw Danny,” Delores added.
The sound of footsteps behind them saved Fallon from having to respond. “Are you guys finished already?” Nora asked.
“Yeah.” Hannah nodded. “And we didn’t even have Danny to help us.”
“Oh God.” Nora’s cheeks pinked as she gave a short laugh. “My brothers would never let me hear the end of it if I told them that.”
As the talk turned to siblings and extended families, Fallon focused on the trees and the rise of the land nearby.
She felt surprisingly at home for being in such a new and different place.
A chipmunk darted through the low brush, stopping to watch her briefly before disappearing.
She smiled, heartened by a surge of certainty.
This must be it. Her new place. Her new job. Her new chance.
“Ooh, look at that grin. Fallon must have someone in mind.” Hannah and Delores were looking at her expectantly.
“I’m sorry. What?”
“Delores was asking if you have a boyfriend,” Hannah explained.
“I, uh, no.”
Nora was looking at her intently. “Or maybe a girlfriend?”
“Not that either.” Fallon hesitated. She’d never talked to anyone about her sexuality, and she’d often wondered how her mother would’ve reacted if they’d had the chance to discuss it.
These women seemed genuinely interested and nonjudgmental.
“Or not now. I was with someone on my way here, but she ran off after stealing most of my money.” Had Nora told anyone about rescuing her?
Fallon didn’t think so but risked a quick glance. “I almost didn’t make it here.”
Hannah touched her hand, drawing her attention away from Nora’s quick nod. “I’m sorry that happened to you. I guess you can never tell about people.”
“Bad behavior is about who somebody is, not who they want to be with,” Delores said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, or bi like me. Stealing’s wrong, no matter what.”
Nora looked like she was about to say something, but the triangle sounded.
“Five minutes to dinner, ladies,” Jade’s voice called.
After a spontaneous race to the bathroom, which Hannah won, the group met up with Gwen and Tina in the dining area.
The room was surprisingly crowded, almost entirely with men who sat in groups at long, picnic-style tables.
“About time we saw some dating material,” Gwen murmured, and Tina hummed her agreement. Fallon watched them both eyeing the room as if lining up their next conquests. She was too hungry to wait, so she stepped around them, falling in behind Jade and the rest of the group.
“Enjoy this luxury too,” Jade remarked, leading them down the cafeteria line. “You’ll be eating your own cooking for the next three weeks.”
“Not my cooking,” Gwen said as she joined the line. “Unless you want to spend the day puking. Even my drunk-ass mother wouldn’t eat it.”
“Sounds like a candidate for full-time KP,” a voice behind them said.
Jade looked around. “Hi, Mae. Join us and meet the newest Women’s Plus Crew.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
After they settled around an empty table, introductions were made.
Jade looked like she could be Mae’s daughter, as they shared the same compact build and dark hair and eyes.
The friendly, comfortable way they had between them made Fallon’s heart ache with missing her mother, and she dabbed at her eyes with her napkin.
“You okay?” Kennedy asked as she slid in beside her.
“Yeah.” Fallon tried to clear the lump in her throat. “Sawdust, I think.”
“Plenty of that here, for sure,” Kennedy agreed. “Who are all those guys?”
Mae gestured with her head. “That’s the Veterans Crew.
First-timers like you but all from various branches of the service.
” Hannah turned to look, and several of the men nodded cordially.
She blushed and went back to her food. “Most of the others are here with tree trimming businesses that are getting their B or C Feller certification.”
“They all look like A-plus fellas to me,” Gwen purred.
“A Feller is someone professionally trained to cut—or fell—trees. It’s not a gender reference,” Mae said. Fallon supposed Mae had explained that numerous times. “For example, Jade’s B Feller certification means she can supervise your operations on Forest Service land.”
As Mae continued, Kennedy leaned closer to Fallon. “Listen, we barely know each other, but I have a favor to ask.”
Fallon tried to cover her surprise. “Sure. What do you need?”
“Don’t ever stick me with those two again.
” Kennedy inclined her head toward Gwen and Tina.
“They couldn’t be less interested in what we’re doing here, plus they’re rude and nasty and just…
uncool.” Fallon gave a quick nod, and Kennedy continued, “I really don’t understand why Nora wants to hang out with them.
She seems nice enough, but my dad always said you’re judged by the company you keep, so… ”
“If we get paired up again, I’d be glad to work with you,” Fallon said, not wanting to talk about Nora. “But you should know, I have no experience with chainsaws, and I’m kinda worried about that.”
“Don’t be.” Kennedy grinned, touching Fallon’s arm.
“I can help you some. My dad used to work at a nursery. The plant kind, not the baby kind. Whenever a big storm hit, he’d get a bunch of guys and they’d go through neighborhoods, offering their services to people with fallen trees or broken-off limbs.
I’d ride with him, and when I was old enough, I’d help cut the small stuff so we could chip it or carry it off in the truck.
I’ve never cut down a whole tree, but I’m ready to learn. ”
“Is that what you want to do after Firecamp?” Fallon asked, leaning closer. Conversation around them had grown louder, and she had to practically read Kennedy’s lips to understand her.
“Yeah. I want to become a certified arborist. I figured this would look good on my résumé. What about you?”
“Uh, I’m not sure yet.” Fallon looked away, anxiety rippling through her. She didn’t want to jinx her plans by discussing them. Don’t wish for it. Make it happen.
“No worries,” Kennedy said, giving Fallon’s arm a squeeze before moving her hand. “You’ve got all summer to figure it out.”
* * *
Getting ready for bed with seven other people was a new experience.
Fallon and Nora had ended up together on the bathroom schedule and were brushing their teeth at the sinks, having already changed into sleepwear.
“So this is what it’s like when you have a big family, huh?
” Kinda lame, but Fallon wanted to make conversation.
Nora hadn’t said two words to her since their PPE fitting.
“If you’re that kind of unlucky, yeah.” Apparently, Nora was in her snarky mood.
“Gwen and Tina seem like fun.” Fallon tried again.
Nora eyed her. “Not your kind of fun, Fallon. Stick with your buddy Kennedy. She’s more your speed.”