Chapter Nineteen
Fallon had never planned an outing with the assistance of her date’s family, but it turned out better than she expected as they offered suggestions for possible excursions and advice regarding Nora’s local interests.
After making sure the calendar was clear, Fallon gave Nora twenty-four hours’ notice, only telling her they were going somewhere that would take the better part of the day.
If Nora noticed that everyone else in the house, even her father, seemed to be smiling as if they had some kind of secret, she didn’t comment.
After directing her north, Fallon refused to answer any questions about where they were going or why.
Instead, they talked about everything from whether either wanted children—no—to irrational fears they’d had in their youth.
For Nora, that snakes would come out of the bathtub faucet; for Fallon, that she’d accidentally walk into the men’s bathroom.
When they arrived at Coaldale, the sign that greeted them claimed the distinction of being the highest incorporated town in America.
“Turn here.” Fallon indicated a side street where there was a sign for a scenic train ahead.
“Are we going for a ride?”
“Yes,” Fallon conceded. “And this one includes lunch.” The whistle was blowing as they parked. Checking the clock in the truck, Fallon assured her they had fifteen minutes before departure.
Nora cocked her head as she turned. “Is this a date?”
Fallon’s face warmed. “Do you want it to be?”
Reaching out, Nora touched her hand. “Very much.”
The day was perfect, moderate weather with enough breeze to keep them comfortable, and the barbecue lunch was delicious.
Although the train basically followed the highway’s path, its elevation was several hundred feet higher, allowing for a view of the riverbed on one side and the forested hillside on the other.
When the train blew its whistle upon reaching the end of the line, a small herd of pronghorn antelope raised their heads.
Once they were seated back in Fallon’s truck, Nora chewed at her lip.
“Today was wonderful. In Tucson, I’ve been taken to expensive restaurants and popular concerts, but none of that compared to BBQ and a train ride.
Not because of the outing itself, but for the company.
It’s so easy to be myself when we’re together.
Or maybe it’s that I’m more the person I’ve always wanted to be when I’m with you.
You have a way of making everything…right.
Thank you. And I’m really glad you’re starting PT next week because I need to hold you soon. ”
Fallon was almost speechless. She hated that her injury meant they couldn’t hold hands while she was on the passenger’s side, but she twisted in the seat.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve imagined us being together like this.
” Smiling faintly, she indicated her shoulder.
“Well, maybe not exactly like this, but like all those dreams I used to have about you at Firecamp, the reality is so much better.”
Nora leaned in carefully, and they kissed.
It was gentle and much quicker than Fallon would have liked, but a horn honked behind them, and Nora waved.
Putting the truck in reverse, she pulled out of the space.
Fallon eased back, sighing with a mixture of frustration and anticipation.
She didn’t realize she’d fallen asleep until the truck stopped at the Palmer house.
As they climbed the stairs to their room, Fallon whispered, “And I’m glad I’m starting physical therapy because I can’t stop thinking about being in bed with you. ”
Nora’s smile was absolutely the most beautiful thing she’d seen all day.
* * *
Fallon tore a piece of tape from the roll with her good hand.
After almost a month of PT, she could shower on her own, and she wore the sling only when she’d overdone it.
She could also put the CBD oil on by herself and get in and out of her clothes without much of a struggle.
Nora had protested that she was happy to help, usually with a twinkle in her eye, but Fallon needed to prove to herself that she was recovering.
This independence was both a step back from Nora as a caregiver and a step toward something more, and Fallon sensed that Nora was being as careful about their direction as she was.
“My physical therapist said I could do light lifting now,” Fallon told Nora. “I’ll be done with therapy by the end of this week, but she’ll give me some exercises to do on my own.”
Nora placed the cardboard over a window, taking the tape from Fallon and gesturing for her to step away. “I’m glad, but that’s no reason to push too hard. You don’t want any setbacks in your recovery.”
Most days, they followed a routine where Fallon took Mr. Palmer for a walk in the morning while Nora checked her email.
Fallon often returned with amusing stories Nora’s dad had told, especially about his children’s antics, prompting Nora to accompany them whenever she could.
It seemed that Nora was getting to know her father differently, as a man who loved his family, even though he’d always had trouble showing it.
His tone became tender or perhaps even wistful, especially recalling moments from her childhood: Nora’s first steps, that her first word was “Dada,” and when six-year-old Nora already packed such a punch that she gave Art a bloody nose after he’d teased her once too often.
Mr. Palmer napped afterward, and when Fallon went back upstairs to ice her hip, she’d ask Nora for water or give her some other reason to return to the kitchen. She was pleased when Nora’s visits there got longer.
“So your mom and Anita seem to have gotten really close,” Fallon said, approaching the subject carefully.
“Hmm. I guess Anita is like the daughter my mom wanted me to be,” Nora told her.
“Or maybe more like the sister she never had. Either way, it’s great that she finally has some help after all those years of working her ass off for all the males in this household—and me, by extension.
I think she’s learning how enjoyable female company can be. ”
“And that’s a good thing, right?” Fallon asked.
“It is. And Anita seems genuinely interested in me and my work. It’s like she’s teaching Mom how to interact with me.”
And teaching you how to interact with your mom, Fallon thought, knowing better than to say it out loud. Not yet, anyway.
The vegetable garden was in and doing well.
On one of their visits to the shed, Fallon had discovered a paint sprayer.
With Mr. Palmer’s reluctant permission, they’d practiced using it on the shutters, both managing to get almost as much paint on themselves as they had on the wood.
They’d laughed and joked about the differences between painting and sawing.
Today, they’d do the first-floor exterior of the house.
“Aren’t you bored by all this domesticity?” Nora asked.
“How can I be bored by something I’ve never done before?
” Fallon countered. “Besides, I really like being able to see results right away. Mow the grass, and it looks mowed. Paint the shutters, and they immediately look better. Fire mitigation isn’t like that, as you know.
And we rarely get to see how people put the skills they learn at Firecamp to use. ”
They’d stepped into the yard to admire their work. The shutters did look good, and with the windows prepped, painting the first floor shouldn’t take long. A scattering of leaves blew from the nearby aspen grove. Fallon looked off into the trees, surprised when Nora asked, “Do you miss it?”
“You know, I honestly don’t. Not yet, anyway.
I think I needed a break. The season will be over this week, and I know Maris did a great job of handling the team.
For the first time in a long time, a lot feels like it’s up in the air for me.
” She flexed her injured shoulder carefully in what she intended as a shrug.
They mixed the paint and poured it into the sprayer, making quick work of renewing the white color. They’d construct a kind of scaffold to do the top floor tomorrow. As they cleaned their equipment, she asked, “Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?”
“No,” Nora admitted. “Which is outrageous because it’s only five hours or so from Tucson.”
“Is that right?” Fallon looked at the trees again.
“It occurs to me that Firecamp is the place I’ve been taking care of, which has been good for me.
I believe it will always be my first real home, but I think I’m ready to see a different part of the country.
” She hesitated. “Maybe you could show me Tucson afterward?”
Nora brightened. “That would be fantastic. I’ll look online tonight and see when we could get reservations to stay at the Canyon for a few days. After you finish your therapy, that is.”
Fallon turned to look at her. “Aren’t you missing your work?”
“I have a lot of comp days accumulated. And my boss is probably glad to have me out of his hair for a while.”
“That wasn’t what I asked.”
Nora paused, eying their work. “I know. But I’m not really sure how to answer you.”
Fallon held out her hand, and Nora took it without hesitation.
They walked onto the porch together, and Fallon gestured to the rocking chairs that sat side by side.
“Now this truly is domestic,” she said, and Nora laughed.
After a minute, Fallon said, “You can answer me with your head or with your heart. It’s okay if they’re different, but if the two are the same, that’s even better. Just be honest.”
“I miss getting to tell peoples’ stories.
I miss that moment when I know I’ve got an image that will convey emotion or action or…
life. Do I miss sitting around the office trying to make small talk with people I don’t really know or going down rabbit holes on the internet while I wait for an assignment? No.”