CutterThis woman beside me, walking into what could equate to the belly of the beast, doesn't look like she's prepared for it. Rowan, such a regal name for such a small lady. Glasses cover her hazel eyes. Dark hair is up in some sort of knot on top of her head. She barely comes to my collarbone, doesn't look like she weighs much either, I could probably pick her up and put her over my shoulder. Not that I'm going to do it, but I'm trying to make a point.The silence, it's killing me. "Are you from here?" I ask as we trudge through sticks, leaves, and who knows what else."Born and raised," she answers. "First situation I've ever been through like this, though. You?""I came down from Laurel Springs with the LSERT as part of the mutual aid team." I point to the insignia on my shirt."Thank you for coming, obviously we need all the help we can get."I don't like the way she says these words. It's almost as if she's thanking me for doing something big. This isn't big, i
RowanFrom beneath my lashes, I watch him. This man from northern Alabama. He's different than I thought he would be. For some reason I assumed he would be the type of person to push me aside and insist he be the one to do everything. Instead he's given me space to work. He's not crowded me, not asked me more than once if I need help, and he's been nothing but gentle to the people he's helped.Cutter.What an odd name, although I guess I can't say much, considering my own. Right now he's taking care of a small child, making the little girl laugh, even though she's going to need stitches in her foot. The wound is large enough I can see it from where I stand. It would have even an older person crying, but the tears she'd shed when he first picked her up and put her on a table we've procured, have stopped. They've turned into laughter because of him.She looks like she's around four-years-old. An iron fist squeezes my heart. The same way it always does when I see someone who re
RowanMy alarm goes off way earlier than I'm prepared for it to. For the duration of whatever this state of emergency is, we'll be working twelve-hours on and twelve-hours off, even with the help we're receiving from the LSERT. As I turn over, my body protests. It isn't used to the level of physicality I pushed it to participate in last night. Be honest, Ro, I chide myself. It's been a few years since you would have been sore for any other reason anyway. A person hasn't touched me other than to give me a hug since it happened and when I gave into my now-ex-husband one more time. But that's neither here nor there right now.Reaching out, I gasp; even my arm is sore. Probably from where Cutter lifted me up onto the tree. He's strong, and so damn sure of himself. I envy it and wish I was as sure of myself as he had been.Cutter. That name again. That man. I close my eyes, seeing his face clearly.I've never met someone like him. Never known someone to be as tattooed as he
CutterI'm draggin' ass. It's been the longest day we've put in since we got here. All I want is a cold beer and an even colder bed. My skin is burning like fire from the heat of the day. But that won't be what I get.Not to mean I'm not thankful. We at least have a roof over our heads and air conditioning. No matter how shoddy the AC is. What I'm missing tonight are the cool sheets of my bed, slipping between them with nothing on, cranking up the AC in my bedroom, and turning my mind off to everything going on around the world.I can't do any of those things right now. Tucker and I are still rooming together, and I have to think he wouldn't be too happy with seeing anything I might inadvertently show while asleep. Our AC sucks, and the sheets are scratchy as fuck."You look done today.""I am," I tell him as I enter the hotel room. Major comes over, giving me a sniff, before he licks my hand. It makes me smile, the first thing that's made me smile all day. "We pulle
RowanThere's not much open in town right now. Most of the stores and restaurants will take months, maybe even years to recover, if they even do. One place that always weathers the storm is Shucker's, a family-owned barbecue joint.It started as a little roadside spot, and in times of uncertainty, they revert back. It allows them to get food to people who need it, while still putting money into the community by paying others to work for them.The parking lot is packed as I slow down, finding an empty space on the outskirts of the gravel. Grabbing my wallet and cellphone, I get out of the car, lock my doors, and go to where the line is extended. Looks like many people had the same idea I did.The group standing in line looks around as they wait. My high school English teacher sees me, and throws back a wave. "Hi Ro, thank you so much for helping at the apartment building. One of my fellow teachers was there and said how much they appreciated you."I grin, happy to hear we were
Rowan"Just let me help you." Isaac tells the man we're attending to. He's been fighting our intentions since we showed up."Please," I beg. "Let us look at the wound."The call came in as a man injured who had been cleaning up from the hurricane. Sheet metal is still wrapped in trees, and some came falling down on his head. There's a very deep abrasion, and it's bleeding profusely. Not horribly alarming with head wounds, but we've got to make sure there's no underlying conditions."I don't need no goddamn help. I'm fine."Isaac looks up at me, his cheeks going red. He's about to lose it. That's the sign. "You're not fine," he argues.A patrol car pulls into the driveway behind our ambulance. A sigh of relief escapes my chest. We need help with this man. He's not listening to us, so hopefully he'll listen to whoever's come to our rescue."Y'all havin' issues?"Of course it's my brother. I turn around, hand on hip, eyes ready to roll when I see someone else has stepped o
Cutter"I'll be right back, just have to run up and get my stuff."I hope Rowan doesn't bolt. She kinda looks like she wants to take away the invitation she gave to eat at her apartment. Can't say as I'd blame her, but I really hope she doesn't."Take your time."That's the last thing I'm going to do. Rushing into the lobby, I see a ton of people waiting for the elevator. Fuck that. I ran enough stairs during football, I can beat the elevator. A quick look around shows me where the stairwell is, and up I go, taking them two at a time. All because I don't want her to leave.Getting to our room, I fumble with the key card. When I finally get it open, I burst through it, almost running over Major."Why in such a big hurry?" Tucker mumbles from where he lies face down on his bed. He worked a long shift yesterday and I'm not surprised he isn't awake yet."Having dinner with Rowan and she's letting me take a real shower at her house.""I hate you." He flips me the bird withou
Rowan"So" – I push back from him with my hands on his shoulders – "I called in our food, and they're gonna deliver it. They treat first responders really well. If you could listen for it while I go take a shower?""No problem." He lets go, but hangs on until the last moment his fingertips can. "Promise I won't be too nosey."There's a lurch in my chest, but I know instinctively I can trust him. "I only have like one major secret." I shrug. It gives off the vibe I'm kidding, I know that, and Cutter takes it the way I mean for him to. "I'll try not to let you break my heart," he laughs.There's something prophetic about his words that hit me in the sternum. Almost as if it's a place we're going and I need to protect him from my past. "You do that."He pulls back slightly, his eyes drawing together."I'll be back in a few."As quickly as I can, I make my getaway, thankfully closing the door to the bathroom and pressing my back against it. In the last three years I haven'