Burn Season novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: One Night on the Porch

"Where is he hurt?" I asked.

"Left ankle," Bea said. "It rolled on the landing. He can't put weight on it."

"Can Moss pick him up?"

"The ridge is too steep for a helicopter, and the storm's coming. Dispatch says not before dawn."

I looked at the black clouds piling up over the west ridge.

"Bring him to the tower," I said. "It's the closest roof."

Four hours later, two jumpers came up the last switchback with Walker strapped into a litter between them.

I had spread a blanket on the cabin porch and filled a pot with water.

Verna stood in the doorway with her arms crossed.

"I do not run an infirmary," she said.

"It's one night."

"One night." She looked at the litter and then at me. "He sleeps on the porch. And he's your problem."

The jumpers set him down.

Bea gave me a long, careful look and led them back down the mountain to the line.

That left me, Walker, and a first-aid kit.

His face was white and wet at the temples.

"I'm fine," he said. "Verna can look at it."

"Verna has a rifle and bad eyes. Lie back."

"Rory."

"Shut up, Dunleavy."

He lay back.

I cut the laces on his boot and eased it off.

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