Page 39 of Twin Jeopardy

“Do you have family here? Friends?”

“No. I came for the job at Peak Jeep.” She shrugged. “I was ready for a fresh start.”

“Why search and rescue?”

“I was looking for a way to get to know more people. And I wanted to do something that would make a difference. Oh, look. They’ve reached the boy.”

Nicholas had been huddled against the ground, one hand over his head to shield him from the worst of the debris that rained down, though more than one fist-sized rock struck his back and many smaller pebbles or dirt clods peppered him.

But now the two rescuers reached him and established themselves on either side of him, and he slumped between them. Eldon fitted the boy with a helmet and harness while Danny assessed his physical condition. “I’m going to fit the ankle with an air boot and give him something for the discomfort,” Danny radioed up to Sheri, who was serving as incident commander. “I can’t find any other injuries, though he’s a little dehydrated from being out here all night. We’ll give him some water, and the paramedics can take charge once he’s up top.”

They sent down more lines, and with a volunteer on either side, Nicholas began the slow ascent. Once he slipped and cried out, but the safety gear arrested his fall, as it was designed to do, and the trio started up again.

Mr. and Mrs. Gruber had gradually moved closer and closer to the edge of the drop-off and were waiting to embrace their wayward son as soon as he stood, somewhat shakily, before them. “I’m sorry,” Nicholas said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

His mother wiped at the tears streaming down her son’s face, then dashed away her own. “You must have been frightened too, falling in the dark and spending the night not knowing where you were,” she said.

“I was worried I’d never get to see you again,” Nicholas said, and fought back a sob.

Paramedic Merrily Rayford approached. “We need to get you to the hospital to take care of that ankle,” she said. “Mom and Dad can follow in their car.”

Vince moved in to help with the ropes while Bethany cleared a path to the waiting ambulance. “That was pretty intense,” Vince told Eldon as his fellow volunteer stepped out of his harness.

“Good ending, though,” Eldon said.

“Bet he won’t be so quick to storm out of the house next time,” Ryan said.

“Or maybe his folks will pay a little more attention to how he’s feeling,” Caleb said.

Vince helped load the equipment, then headed for his car and drove back to his condo. He parked and looked up to find a familiar shapely figure standing in the glow of the light over his front door.

Chapter Thirteen

Vince’s heart beat faster as he made his way to the front door. Tammy waved and held up the pizza box she was carrying. “Hey,” he said as he drew closer.

“I heard about the rescue,” she said. “I thought you might be hungry.”

The aroma of pepperoni and cheese made his mouth water. “Thanks,” he said, and fished out his keys. “Come on in.”

He unlocked the door and she followed him inside. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by,” she said.

“Of course not. It’s always good to see you.”

“I didn’t know if you had other plans. After all, it’s Saturday night.”

“No plans,” he said. “Just let me put away this gear.”

“I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

When he reached the kitchen, she was bent over, sliding the pizza into the oven. She glanced over her shoulder at his approach. “I thought I’d warm it up a little.”

“Good idea.” She was a little more dressed up than usual, in a pink top that showed a hint of cleavage and a bit of lace. She smelled good too. He wanted to nuzzle her neck and inhale deeply.

He slipped past her and turned away so she wouldn’t see the erection this thought had aroused. “How did you hear about the rescue?” he asked as he took plates from the cupboard.

“I have an emergency scanner. It’s handy for news stories.”

“I’m surprised you weren’t there, covering this one.”

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