Chapter Five #2
By the time Fallon’s tent was up and had been appropriately admired, it was nearly dark.
She found her flashlight, and the group headed back to the kitchen.
If she’d been alone, Fallon would have checked on Nora but was pleasantly surprised to find her standing by Jade and stirring one of two bubbling pots on a propane cooktop.
“That smells wonderful,” Hannah said.
“Good. It’s a thick stew with chicken, and we have a vegetarian version also,” Jade said. “And Nora has been an excellent sous chef.”
“All right, Nora,” Delores said, and the group applauded. Fallon appreciated the way everyone was so supportive. Well, almost everyone.
“Let’s eat.” Jade indicated the other folding table where bowls, utensils, and foil-wrapped bread waited.
The line formed quickly, and Nora ladled out generous portions. Fallon positioned herself at the end. “How’s Gwen?” she asked as she was served.
“Just scratches, a few pretty deep, though. She and Tina are probably sleeping it off.”
Fallon was pleased when Nora filled her own bowl and followed her to the circle where the crew sat. “This is delicious,” she told Nora. Looking into the darkness where Tina and Gwen’s tent was located, she asked, “Should we take a bowl to them?”
Nora sighed. “That would be a nice thing to do, but I’ve had enough of their scene for today.
I’ll save some in case they wake up before we finish here.
If not, they can have it in the morning.
” Fallon made a face at the thought of stew for breakfast, and Nora laughed.
“Hey, if you’re hungry, you’re hungry. Besides, you know the two choices in Firecamp dining? ”
“Take it or leave it?” Fallon asked.
“Exactly.”
There’d been a sign with a similar sentiment in the Sunshine Diner. The memory still stung, but the pain of it seemed less sharp in this new place surrounded by prospective friends.
Once they finished eating, Jade said, “After all the excitement earlier, we didn’t have time to talk about schedules for our various tasks, but we can do that tomorrow.
Right now, we need to clean up and get some sleep.
But first, we have a tradition in the Women’s Plus Crew.
Each evening, we’ll go around and tell something we did well and something we want to improve on. ”
“I need to improve on managing that tent by myself,” Fallon said.
“No,” Hannah and Delores protested together.
“We’re here to help each other,” Kennedy added. “And I’m learning that’s something I like doing.”
“Maybe that’s what you’re doing well,” Fallon suggested, pleased by Kennedy’s smile in response.
Nora stood, announcing, “If I’m going to do something well, I’ll need to start my KP now.”
“Wait a second, Nora,” Jade said. “I want to keep this conversation on track, so let me answer too. I think I did well on arranging the kitchen, but I need to improve on letting newbies wander off into the forest by themselves.” She rubbed her forehead, looking toward Gwen and Tina’s tent.
“They could have been really hurt or worse.”
Nora walked to Jade, putting a hand on her shoulder. “No. Those two are grown women, and they have to take responsibility for their actions.”
Nobody spoke as the words settled. Then Hannah, Delores, and Kennedy began making sounds of agreement, and Jade smiled. A weight lifted from Fallon’s chest. Maybe Nora’s defense of Jade meant she was moving away from Gwen and Tina’s influence.
* * *
Fallon had volunteered to cook breakfast the next morning, and she admitted that part of the reason was hoping that Nora would be her sous chef. Instead, she found Gwen going through the kitchen supplies, half of which she’d put on the ground.
Fallon cleared her throat, and Gwen jumped. “Is there something in particular you’re looking for?”
“Anything resembling some goddamn coffee would be great.” Gwen still managed to sound like the injured party, though she seemed to be moving without any ill effects from her adventure. She was wearing a tracksuit and filthy tennis shoes, but her hair was brushed and her face was clean.
Fallon handed her the can of coffee and pointed at the large, old-style percolator that Gwen had discarded. “I’m sure most of us would like some, so make a whole pot.” After lighting the cookstove, she turned her back, finding eggs and bacon in the cooler.
Fully expecting Gwen to ask for help, she was gratified to see her measuring scoops into the basket. Apparently, Gwen had experience with older devices. When she asked about the water, Fallon simply pointed to the Igloo. Once the coffee was on, Fallon asked, “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
Fallon dug into the second cooler, finding the bowl of leftover stew from last night. “If you can’t wait for breakfast, there’s this.”
Gwen took a small bite, and her lips twisted. “Where’s a microwave when you need one?”
“Miles and miles from here, I’m afraid.”
Gwen ate some more, watching as Fallon put bacon on a griddle. “You make me nervous.”
Fallon turned to look at her. “What do you mean?”
“Everyone wants something. With most people, it’s pretty easy to tell what it is. People like you who act nice are just better at hiding your agenda.”
“I don’t have an agenda.”
Gwen smirked, wiping her mouth as she finished the stew.
“You sure? I think you want Nora to stop hanging with us and be your friend, right? You want to protect your little Firecamp crew. Oh, and you’ve clearly got a thing for Ranger Reva, but I can’t quite tell if it’s a gay crush or hero worship. ”
“That’s not…I don’t—” Fallon sputtered.
“You’d better turn that bacon before it burns.” Nora’s voice came from behind her, and Fallon flinched. How much had she heard? Nora pointed at Gwen’s bowl. “There’s another one of those for Tina. Maybe you should get her up. We’ve got to do actual work today.”
“Speaking of agendas, here’s another mystery.
” Gwen jerked her thumb in Nora’s direction.
“She says she wants to party but never does. Pretends she wants to go it alone but joins in on every Kumbaya moment. And why didn’t I see you checking out any of those hunks in the dining area?
” She took a step closer. “Who are you crushing on, Nora?”
“God, shut up, Gwen.” Fallon turned the bacon and reduced the heat before taking the bowl from her.
“Get some coffee or go get stoned or whatever it takes to make you a decent human being.” When Gwen turned away laughing, Fallon added, “And don’t be late for breakfast. We’re not keeping back food for you anymore. ”
“No one died and made you Firecamp queen, did they?” Gwen called back as she walked toward her tent.
Fallon turned to Nora, who was busy scrambling eggs in a bowl. There were a dozen things she wanted to say, but Nora had the closed-off expression that Fallon was learning to recognize. “Am I still getting my chainsaw lesson today?” She hoped her voice carried the casual tone she was going for.
Nora didn’t look up, but she stopped scrambling. “Sure, if you want.”
Fallon flipped the bacon again. It was ready, and so was she. “Yeah, I do.”
* * *
Fallon gripped the chainsaw as Nora stood close, her hand wrapped around Fallon’s. Between the heat of Nora’s body and the press of her touch—even through their thick gloves—Fallon had to concentrate twice as hard.
“Thumb under the bar and fingers against it,” Nora said.
“Right. Okay.”
Nora released her grasp, adding, “You don’t need heavy pressure, just steady.
You work the saw, don’t let it work you.
” She shifted, and for a quick second, her breasts slid across Fallon’s back.
It was all she could do not to close her eyes at the thrill of it.
“Keep your balance, but let your weight help move the blade.”
“Uh-huh.”
Fallon hoped she wouldn’t be asked to repeat any of this because she wasn’t thinking about her saw. Or anything that wasn’t the excitement of Nora’s nearness. Then Nora eased away, gesturing at the chain. “If your blade pinches, what’s the first thing you do?”
Fallon tried to recall the instructions in Jade’s friendly voice, which was less distracting than Nora’s sultry alto. “Turn the saw off.”
“Yes. Very good.” Nora came around to face her. “Now tell me one thing to do to avoid getting injured by kickback?”
“Uh…” Fallon told herself to focus on anything except those deep brown eyes, but it was futile.
Nora lightly thumped her on the arm with her fist. “Come on. This is important. A lot of injuries happen due to kickback.”
Fallon liked this Nora. Serious but not angry.
Offering instruction, not criticism. She’d found Nora attractive from their first meeting, but she’d been too nervous about making it to Firecamp to think beyond that.
She detested how Gwen and Tina had pulled Nora into their web, but given the conversation before breakfast, maybe their bonds weren’t as tight as Fallon had thought.
She smiled, and Nora tilted her head. “Why are you smiling? Did you think of the answer?”
Fallon shook her head, her gaze never leaving Nora’s. “No. Something else. I was thinking about you.”
Nora’s brow furrowed, and her lips parted slightly. Fallon followed the movement of her mouth. They both stilled. Fallon had never been with someone her height, and she was enjoying looking directly into Nora’s eyes until Nora’s expression hardened, and she took a step back.
“Oh no. Uh-uh.” Nora turned and walked toward the camp. Fallon didn’t bother to call after her.