Page 75 of High Seduction
Tim had already been inching toward the doors, but he paused, taking the tray from her. “Is it that obvious we’re dying to be involved in making charcoal of good food?”
“It’s a genetic thing. We get it,” Erin said. “Go, have fun making fires.”
Suddenly the room was empty of all but Becki and Erin.
“We really need to do something about the lack of female population around here,” Becki complained.
“Definitely a good idea, but notice they’re the ones standing in the cold while we’ve got the warm house?”
“Because we plan ahead.” Becki held bottles in the air. “Beer, wine? Something harder?”
“Tequila shots at noon. I don’t think so.”
A lazy shrug lifted Becki’s shoulders. “Don’t consider it noon, consider itearly in the day during your extended vacation. Marcus is giving you extra time off, did he tell you that yet?”
“No, but that’s great news.” Erin pointed at the beer. “One of those would be fine. And extra days off would also be fine.”
Becki twisted the top off and handed the bottle over. “You deserve it, and besides, Devon and Alisha aren’t back from training until Wednesday. So unless there’s a dire emergency that requires your flying abilities, Lifeline remains on break.”
Erin curled up in the corner of the couch. “Thank you. I’m pretty sure you had a hand in convincing Marcus that was a good idea.”
Becki settled beside her. “Maybe a little. How are you doing?”
“Tired,” Erin admitted. “By the time we dealt with the police, and the helicopter, and the media, and transferring all the Lifeline gear, it was past midnight. Tim got us dropped at a hotel for the night. We rented a car and drove home this morning. We stopped at Lifeline to dump gear, hit my place for a minute, then used Tim’s apartment to clean up before heading over here.”
“A whirlwind. You do need some extra holiday time. Is Matt flying home later today?” Becki asked.
Erin hesitated. The discussion had remained very generic for the entire drive, at least the parts she hadn’t slept through. She wasn’t sure if it was because Tim didn’t want to talk in front of Matt, or the guys didn’t want to talk in front of her. Or maybe they were all just overloaded with their own thoughts after the heart-pounding adventure.
For whatever reason the trip had been mostly filled with bad radio reception and conversations about food. “You know, he didn’t say yet. There was talk about the meetings he has in Calgary, but I don’t think that’s until next week.”
She briefly went over what had happened, Becki’s eyes widening in appreciation at the appropriate moments.
“Damn. You did everything rightandyou were really lucky.”
“If Red hadn’t decided to help us, I’m not sure what we would have done. It’s not something I’d like to experience again anytime soon.” Erin shivered briefly.
“Agreed.” Becki leaned back on the couch. “Marcus said you’ve already got the helicopter dealt with.”
“Get this. One of the cops had a tow company on speed dial, the kind that deal with big rigs when they get into trouble. They loaded the chopper onto a flatbed, and she was on the road to Calgary before we were on our way to the hotel.” Erin laughed. “I bet Marcus told you that the chopper was safe before he told you about us.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Becki slapped her leg lightly. “He was worried. We all were.”
“I know, I’m just kidding. It was pretty scary. Scarier than any rescue I’ve done, and we’ve had some wild ones.”
“Another reason for a bit of a break,” Becki said.
“I thought the rule was get right back on the horse?” Erin let her gratitude show. “We’ll be fine. And hey, I proved I’m still up on my emergency chopper manoeuvres.”
Becki gave her a high five. “You are classy, and talented, and I’m glad you’re home safe.”
“Me, too.”
“Becki, where are the buns?” Marcus shouted from the doorway.
“My favourite ones are in your pants,” Becki called back, rising to her feet and winking at Erin as laughter poured in the door along with the cold air. “One second, I’ll get them.”
Erin relaxed where she was, sipping her beer while she stared out the window at the guys congregating around the grill.
