Page 14 of Confined Space

The ridge looking down on the vineyard that my great-grandfather started all those years ago. He was one of the founding charter members of Prominence Point. He was mayor for a bit too. The vineyard always calms me because I think of my father and his brother working here as boys. I think about my cousins and me helping out too. It’s a connection to him that I’ve cherished. I wish I could have known him more. He would have told me to go for Coral. I’ve heard the stories about how he was with my mother. They were just friends in high school as she had a boyfriend at the time. But when they went off to college together in Phoenix, they became sweethearts. She says he always told her he knew the moment he met her they were meant to be together, it just took her to realize it.

Coral is not only beautiful, sweet, and appears available, but she has a son. They’re a package deal. I was raised by a single mom. I know how it is. Yes, Archer is small, but he's still her primary responsibility. There’s something in her past that keeps her closed off. I could tell when we talked while I tried to keep her calm. When the questions got too personal, she would shut down. Getting her to open up and trust me isn’t going to be easy. But isn't the journey worth it? I don't want easy and available. I want someone who will make me feel alive and want to be with me. Maybe we could try a real date, because being in a confined space rescue isn't going to make a relationship. I shake my head. I'm worried about things that might not even come to pass.

"Hey, Rowdy, is that you?" I turn to see my cousin Logan waving at me as he pushes a baby stroller. His dark hair is so much like mine and his brother’s. Our fathers were twins, that’s why us boys all look the same. Growing up, everyone thought we were all brothers and not cousins. Their little sister looks like their mother.

"Hey, Logan." I wave back, and he walks over.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Just clearing my head. How about you?"

He points at the fields of vines below us. "Mom had to run into town, and I know that Reese likes it out here. Mom’s been bugging me that it’s time to hire a nanny. She wants to be a grandma, not a babysitter." He points down at his daughter. He’s been a single father since she was born six months ago. Before that he was with the US Border Patrol down south.

I look at the baby who is obviously bigger than Archer, reminding me how young Archer is. How much responsibility Coral has on her own.

"Hey, I was asked to look at a traffic accident you were on. Got time for some questions?" Logan is a detective with the sheriff’s department now. All three of us guys got jobs as first responders. Logan went the law enforcement route though. I can’t blame him. His own father had a stint as sheriff before he went into running the vineyard completely.

"Sure, what do you need and which accident?" A spark of worry hits me when I think of the accidents I've been on lately that would need a detective, and I know immediately which one he's going to ask about. My gut rolls, wondering if I missed something.

"The hit-and-run near the hospital. Besides your mom, did any other witnesses say if they saw the driver or vehicle before the accident?"

"My mom said she was parked in a lot close by and watched the whole thing. A few others said they noticed the truck had been idling for a while. When we pulled up, the truck was still in gear and running. One of the guys had to shut it down.” I stand from my bike and try not to pace. The whole thing sounds off, and I’m worried Coral is in some kind of trouble or danger. “Didn't the officers find the driver?"

"No, they weren't able to find the driver, and the few witnesses relayed the same info they gave you. They said the truck was sitting there for a bit before it hit the victim. Do you know anything about her?"

"I only know that she didn't have anyone to call. My mom knows more because she's seen her since the accident."

"I'll talk to her next."

A horn honks, and we both turn to see his mom and sister in one of the jeeps that belongs to the winery.

"Well, that's my signal to head back. I have a shift starting in an hour. Gotta run." He turns around and walks away.

"See you around," I holler back. Now that us kids are all grown, we don’t get together as much for family dinners.

He stops and turns to look at me. "If you remember anything else, let me know. I've got your report already, but I'm interested in why that truck was sitting there idling as if it was waiting."

"Yeah, me too." I mumble the last part but obviously not quiet enough because he raises his eyebrow and chuckles.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." He turns and continues to head back toward his mom. I wave at her and she waves back.

I remain there longer, looking at the mountains in the distance. I'm more confused about my feelings for Coral than I was before I took this ride. If she's in trouble, do I want to get involved with her? I've lost too many people already.

Chapter Five

ROWDY

I am at the hospital to check on one of my guys who was brought in for heat exhaustion after fighting a fire. I'm shocked when I walk in and see Coral working at the desk. She's in maroon scrubs like the rest of the emergency room staff. Her hair is up in a messy but styled updo on top of her head. Her lips look plump—like they’ve been stung by a bee—glossy, and are begging for my mouth. She's got her left arm in a hard brace, and she's working on the computer. When she looks up, her blue-gray eyes take me in. I’m in my station uniform and not the bunker gear she last saw me in. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her, and obviously I have the same effect on her by the way her eyes are devouring me. In the last week and a half since her car accident, her bruising has turned a yellowish color, but she seems to be moving around well.

I walk right up to the counter.

"Looking for one of my guys. Palin." I lean over her, and she looks at her computer. I bypassed the front desk admissions and came through the ambulance entrance, putting me amid all the ER chaos.

"Room four." She lifts her braced arm and points behind the center counter area she's seated at.

"How are you doing?" She's so tiny, especially behind the large counter. She has her chair raised up so she can see over it.

"I'm good. Thank you again for all you did." She tries to brush me off, but I don't let her.

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