Page 17 of Mountain Captive

“All right, everyone. Let’s focus on this evening’s topic of wilderness first aid,” Sheri began. “This will be a review for some of you, but it’s a requirement, and standard practices do get updated from time to time, so pay attention.”

Rand figured he could have taught the class, given his experiences in a field hospital, though he hoped a local search and rescue group would never have to deal with treating people who had been hit by improvised explosives or sniper fire. His mind drifted to his fellow volunteers. He didn’t know most of them very well, but he was impressed that they would give so much time and attention to helping others, most of whom were probably strangers passing through the area, on vacation or on their way to somewhere else.

After an hour, they took a break. Ryan and Caleb joined him and Chris at the refreshment table. “We think that group that escaped the fire is camping out at Davis Draw,” Ryan said. He picked up a peanut butter cookie and bit into it.

“Where is Davis Draw?” Chris asked. She didn’t look alarmed.

“It’s off a forest service road at the end of County Road 14,” Caleb said. “It’s not as nice as the area where they were—less trees, mostly desert scrub. And they’ll have to haul water.”

“How did you find this out?” Chris asked. She stirred sugar into a cup of coffee.

“We drove out there and saw a bunch of trailers and big tents,” Ryan said. “Some guys asked what we were doing, and we told them we were looking for a place to camp. They said they had the whole area. We asked what they were doing, and they said it was a religious retreat.”

Chris nodded but said nothing.

“I guess it’s good to know where they are,” Rand said.

“There’s a two-week limit on camping in the area,” Caleb said.

“I don’t know how well that’s enforced,” Ryan added.

Chris shrugged. “They can do whatever they like,” she said. “I really don’t care.”

“Time to get back to work,” Sheri called, and they moved back to their places.

Chris leaned toward Rand again. “There may be a two-week camping limit, but they aren’t going to leave until they have me,” she said.

“They will if we persuade them that they’re wasting their time,” he said.

She pressed her lips together and shook her head, but she said nothing else as the lights dimmed and Sheri resumed her lecture.

At evening’s end, they stayed to rearrange chairs and clean up. Danny found Rand carting the coffee urn into the tiny galley. “Did I tell you that one of your jobs as medical adviser is to help update our treatment protocols?”

“Sure, I can do that.” Rand set the urn on the counter. “Any particular protocols?”

Danny made a face. “It’s been a while since any of them were reviewed. Could you meet one day next week to go over them?”

“I’m off on Tuesday. Would that work?”

“That would be great.” He glanced over his shoulder, then turned back, his voice lower. “I saw you sticking pretty close to Chris. Is she okay?”

“I’m fine.” She moved in behind them with a handful of paper plates. She shoved the plates into the trash and faced Danny. “If you want to know how I’m doing, ask me.”

“Sorry.” He held up both hands. “But if you need anything—anything at all—you can call on any member of the team. We’re not just about saving tourists, you know.”

Her expression softened. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

They exited the building and started across the parking lot, only to be hailed by Bethany. “I work at Peak Jeep Tours,” she said. “Stop by if you’re ever in the neighborhood. I’d really like to know you better.”

“Um, sure.” Chris hurried away, and Rand sped up to keep pace with her.

“Why is she so interested in me?” Chris asked when he caught up with her.

“I think she’s just friendly.”

“I’m not used to other people focusing on me—or caring so much,” Chris said when she and Rand were in his car, headed back toward her apartment. “It feels a little uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortablebut notbad, right?”

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