No Strings

by Gerri Hill

  “Yeah, well, just wanted to let you know. And I put a call in to the lodge, but Ellen said they wouldn’t have any guests until Friday. The danger should be past by then.”

  “Okay, Charlie. I’m heading back in. See you in a bit.”

  She stopped when the forest road met the highway, looking out over the snow-white mountains. It was almost surreal, all this white. Every tree, every rock, every spot of ground was buried in snow. The bright sunshine and deep blue skies were a sharp contrast to the land covered in white. But with the window down, she could hear the drip, drip, drip of snow as it melted. If it did indeed get into the sixties by Friday, all this would be gone from the trees, melted away as if it never happened.

  And then the snowmelt would fill the streams, dumping into Henson Creek and Hines Creek, and others on its way to the Gunnison River. And Ed Wade would be a happy man when the fly fishermen descended on them, hoping to land that monster trout.

  She smiled as she looked toward the valley of Lake City, picturing the warm sunny days of summer when winter would be just a memory. But she wanted this day to be a memory too. So she fished in her backpack for her small digital camera. She stood on the road in front of her truck, snapping a few pictures to add to her ever-growing file.

  She heard the distant rumble just as she was about to get back into her truck. She tilted her head, listening, then grabbed the door handle as the ground literally shook, a deafening roar replaced the peaceful quiet, sending the noisy jays scurrying for cover.

  “Wow,” she murmured as she fumbled for her cell. “Wow, wow, wow.” Her fingers trembled as she called Charlie. He answered right away. “Did you hear it?” she asked excitedly. “Felt like a damn earthquake.”

  “Cutter’s Chute?”

  “Yeah. That didn’t take long. With all that snow, I figured it wouldn’t run until tomorrow.”

  “Are you on the highway yet?”

  “Just there.” She grinned. “Man, that was awesome. Makes me want to strap on skis just to go take a look.”

  “Yeah. I hope Johnnie wasn’t out and about.”

  “He knows better. Besides, all this snow, his cabin is probably buried.”

  “Okay, I’ll report the run. Be careful on your way back.”

  But instead of heading back to town, Morgan called the lodge.

  She had no doubt they’d heard the run, but just as a precaution, she thought she’d check in with them. Even if they had no guests coming until Friday, their main route into the forest was now cut off by the avalanche. It had been four years since Cutter’s Chute had dropped its load. Finding a new path into the forest wasn’t normally a concern for Rick.

  “Hi, Ellen. It’s Morgan. I guess you heard the roar, huh?”

  “My, God, yes. It scared the crap out of me. I’m here alone and the whole place was shaking.”

  “Where are the guys?”

  “Oh, since things were quiet around here, they took their skis and went on an early hike.”

  “There? Up above the lodge? Ellen—”

  “Now, Morgan, Rick’s got more sense than to try to ski Cutter’s Chute.”

  “Yeah, but what trail did they take?” Morgan pulled away, driving toward the lodge instead of town. “Why don’t you call his cell?”

  “He doesn’t take his phone. There’s no service back there. You know that.”

  “Okay, well, you don’t sound worried, but I’m on my way there. I’d just feel better if I knew they didn’t take the ridge trail, that’s all.”

  “Oh, Morgan, you don’t have to—”

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes,” she said, ending the call. She had a bad feeling. A real bad feeling. So she called Reese.

  “Where are you?” Reese asked as soon as she answered.

  “On my way to the lodge.”

  “Be careful, Morgan. There’s avalanches and snowslides all over the place. Half the mountain came down on the highway going to Gunnison, and Thompson’s Ranch called and said they had a snowslide leading up the pass and that road is buried.”

  She gave a heavy sigh. “Googan’s not fit to drive yet so I’ve got Carlton helping me close roads.”

  Morgan glanced at the sheer wall of rock and snow as she drove past, speeding up as much as she dared in the slush. No doubt this would give way any minute. “I was up here when Cutter’s Chute ran. It shook my truck. I’m surprised the road is still open to the lodge, but the snow is still clinging here.”

  “What are you doing at the lodge anyway?”

  “Ellen said Rick and Kenny were out on skis.”

  “What the hell?”

  “I know. But Ellen doesn’t seem to think they took the trail to the ridge. I just want to make sure.”

  “No, Morgan. You’re not going out there. The mountains aren’t stable.”

  “I’m not going out there, Reese. I just want to see what trail they took. If they went into the valley, they’re fine. But if they took the trail to the ridge, it’s right in the path. I’m trying not to panic, but—”

  “Morgan, listen to me. I’ve got enough to worry about without you going out in this mess. Please don’t do anything stupid.”

  “Oh? You mean like tying on to a winch and letting myself get dropped into Dead Man’s Canyon during a snowstorm? Stupid like that?”

  “Funny, Zula.”

  Morgan smiled. “I’ll be in touch Clarice.”

  She heard Reese’s quiet laughter as she disconnected. She never thought the day would come that she’d actually enjoy being called Zula. But somehow, when Reese said it, it gave her a warm, tingly feeling. It had become an endearment that was known only to them, and they used it on occasion, as lovers often do.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Reese was still smiling as she rounded a corner heading south down Hines Creek Road, but the smile soon faded as she came upon a snow bank blocking the road. She slammed on her brakes, the four-wheel drive holding as the truck came to a stop without skidding. She looked out her window up above where the road had been cut into the mountainside. Heavy snow like this last storm just dumped on them had to go somewhere. She backed up, looking for a spot to turn around, hoping she wouldn’t have to back all the way down the mountain road.

  “Carlton, come in,” she said into her radio.

  “Here, Chief.”

  “Hines Creek Road has a snowslide. Have they cleared the highway going to Gunnison yet?”

  “Ten-four. Just about done.”

  “Okay. Let them know about this one.” She stopped as she backed into a narrow turnout. “I’m going to head up to Slumgullion.”

  “Ten-four, Chief.”

  Reese rolled her eyes as she put the radio down. She never thought she’d say this, but she missed Googan. And it’d be at least another six weeks before he was ready to come back. Even after two surgeries on his leg, he’d still most likely walk with a limp the rest of his life. But as Googan liked to say, beats being dead.

  As she headed up the pass to the Slumgullion slide, she called Morgan. By the sound of her labored breathing, Reese knew she was out on skis.

  “Morgan, what the hell are you doing?”

  “I’m glad you called. Their tracks lead to the ridge trail, not the valley.”

  “Shit. Okay. Do not—and I mean it—do not attempt to go after them.”

  “Reese, I’m just going—”

  “Goddammit, no you’re not,” she said loudly. “You let me call search and rescue.”

  “There are avalanches all over the state. How the hell are you going to get a crew out here?”

  “Then I’ll get fire and rescue in Gunnison. They’ve got a chopper.”

  Morgan took a deep breath. “He’s my friend,” she said quietly.

  “And Ellen still thinks they went to the valley. I have to tell her.”

  “I know, Morgan. And I’m on my way there right now. But you’ve got to let the experts do this. No offense, but you’re not trained.” She heard the sigh, heard Morgan cle
ar her throat, no doubt fighting back tears. “Morgan, I’m ten minutes away. Meet me at the lodge.” She paused. “Please?”

  “I know. You’re right.”

  “Good. Now let me call it in. Why don’t you get in touch with Tina? See if she can come out.”

  “Yeah, I will. She and Ellen are good friends.”

  “Okay. Be right there.” Reese didn’t wait for a reply as she disconnected, then searched her phone for another number.

  §

  By the time Morgan hung up with Tina, they had both worked themselves into near hysteria. Tina was on her way over.

  And now as she took off her skis and plunged them into a snow bank, she had the task of telling Ellen. Of course, she could hide out and wait for Reese. But Ellen didn’t really know Reese. News like this was best heard coming from a friend.

  Really, there was no news. For all they knew, Rick and Kenny had already crossed the path of the avalanche run and were safely on the other side when it dropped. Safe but stuck. With all this snow, no way could they bushwhack up the mountain, and the trail they needed to take up the ridge would have been buried in the run. But it was a much better thought than them getting caught in the avalanche.

  She saw Ellen come out of the lodge and knew she would have no reprieve. Best to just get it over with. So she shook her head, meeting Ellen’s eyes head on. “They took Ridge Trail,” she said.

  “Oh, God, no.”

  “I’ve already called Chief Daniels. She’s calling in a search team.”

  Ellen’s eyes widened.

  “Do not panic, Ellen. They could have made it across the path before it ran. They could have already been up the trail enough to be out of harm’s way.”

  “Or they could be buried.” Ellen turned away, her shoulders shaking as she tried to control herself.

  Morgan walked behind her and turned her around, pulling her into a tight hug. “They’ll bring a helicopter. We’ll be able to spot them,” she said. “I called Tina. She’s on her way over. She’ll stay with you. I’ll need to assist them with coordinates.”

  Ellen nodded. “I know. And you’re right. I shouldn’t panic.”

  She pulled away and wiped at her eyes. “Why do we always think the worst at times like this?”

  Morgan shrugged. “It’s just what we do.”

  “Well, I’m not going to think the worst. Rick is experienced. He would never take a chance with Cutter’s Chute, not after all the snow we got. He would know better.”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  “Maybe they were just going to go down the canyon to the river.”

  “Maybe so.” Although she knew better. The canyon was too steep for skiing. They’d have to go farther up the ridge before they’d be able to ski down the canyon. And that meant crossing Cutter’s Chute.

  “Thanks, Morgan. You’re a good friend. Now I think I’ll do what I do best and that’s busy myself in the kitchen.” She stared at Morgan. “I think they’re fine. Don’t you?”

  Morgan thought no such thing. She was a worrier from way back and usually overreacted. Why else would she drive through ice and snow up Dead Man’s Ridge to check on Reese? But she couldn’t tell Ellen that. So she nodded. “I think they’re just fine.”

  §

  Reese adjusted her headset, watching as Morgan held on tightly when the helicopter banked right.

  “Over the ridge, we should be able to see the run on the left,” Morgan said.

  But as they topped the ridge a gust of wind caught them, and Reese felt herself being lifted out of her seat.

  “Hang on,” the pilot said tersely in their headsets. He steadied the craft, then took them lower toward Cutter’s Chute.

  “Oh, my God,” Morgan said. “This is the first time I’ve seen the run from the air.”

  “It’s huge,” Reese said, but another wind gust tossed them off course again.

  “Look quick,” the pilot said. “It’s too windy for another pass.”

  “But—”

  “No, ma’am,” he said to Morgan. “I can’t put more lives in danger. It’s too windy to keep her up.”

  Reese reached out and squeezed Morgan’s arm. Truth be told, they probably shouldn’t have even attempted the one pass over the site. There was nothing but white below them as they flew across the avalanche run and topped the mountain, heading back toward the lodge.

  “The wind will be calm in the morning,” he said. “If you think you can find us a place to stay tonight, we’ll make another pass at daybreak.”

  “I’m certain Ellen can put you up at the lodge,” Reese said.

  They were back on the ground within minutes, and Tina and Ellen stood at the steps to the lodge, waiting.

  “I’ll tell them,” Reese offered as she hopped out first.

  “Thank you.”

  But she didn’t have to say anything. Ellen knew.

  “It’s too windy to fly, right?”

  “Right. We were able to make one pass over the run, that’s it. They said they’ll go out again at daybreak.”

  Ellen nodded. “Okay. Well, good thing we’ve got rooms.”

  She squared her shoulders. “I’ve got a thick beef stew simmering. You and Morgan can stay for dinner too, Reese. There’s plenty.”

  As she walked away, Reese turned to Tina. “In denial?

  What?”

  “Partly, yes. And partly because she said she didn’t feel like they were in trouble.” Tina shrugged. “Everyone’s got their own way of coping.” She motioned to Morgan who walked over with the two crew members. “How is she?”

  “Worried.”

  “Yeah. That’s about all we can do, isn’t it?”

  Reese nodded. “Afraid so.”

  Dinner was a mostly quiet affair with Tina trying to force conversation among them. Ellen, for her part, at least pretended that everything was fine, telling Jonathan and Matt—the two crew members from Gunnison’s Fire and Rescue—stories about some of their more daring guests who’d tried to snowmobile down Cutter’s Chute.

  Morgan sat quietly beside her, saying little, and Reese recognized the worry in her eyes. This was Morgan’s town.

  These were her people. She loved and cared about them. It was something Reese wasn’t used to. After leaving Vegas, she’d hopped around tourist towns, never staying too long in one place, never learning to truly care about the people there. She was just doing a job. But now she envied the closeness that Morgan had with Ellen and Tina, two people she’d only met since getting transferred here. Two people she let into her life. Not like Reese, who kept everyone at a distance. No wonder, even after six months, she still felt like an outsider. As Morgan had told her once, it was easier for her to cut and run if she didn’t get involved in their lives.

  All but Morgan. Try as she may, she couldn’t say she was not involved with Morgan. She was. Right now, at this very minute, Morgan was the most important thing in her life.

  And that scared the hell out of her.

  She smiled slightly when she felt a light touch upon her thigh and Morgan’s fingers gently squeezing. She looked across the table, finding Tina’s eyes on them. She didn’t care. She reached under the table and covered Morgan’s hand, holding it tightly against her leg.

  The loud ringing of the phone in the kitchen stopped Ellen in mid-sentence and she nearly ran for it. They all listened intently as Ellen’s voice got louder.

  “What? Johnnie? I can barely hear you.”

  “Johnnie Cutter,” Morgan said to Reese.

  Ellen came back in, the phone still to her ear, her eyes wide.

  “Oh, my God.” Reese jumped up, taking the phone from Ellen.

  Ellen nearly fell into Tina’s arms. “They’re alive. He said they were alive.”

  Reese felt a wave of relief. “This is Reese Daniels,” she said into the phone.

  “Who?”

  “The no-good lady sheriff,” she said, grinning at Morgan who was listening.

  “Oh, Chief Daniels. Yeah
. This is Johnnie. I barely got a signal on this fancy cell phone. Can you hear me?”

  “I can hear you. Where are you?”

  “I had to hike to the top of the damn mountain to get a signal. I’m standing in waist-deep snow, that’s where the hell I am.”

  “What about Rick and Kenny?”

  “The kid’s got a broken leg, the best I can tell. The damn fools were at the base of the chute when it ran. They skied over the top of the canyon to beat it, probably fell twenty or thirty feet. I went down to check on things after I heard the run. I heard somebody hollering for help.”

  “Damn, Johnnie. You did good.”

  “Yeah, well we had a hell of a time getting the boy out. He can’t put any weight on his left leg.”

  “Where are they now?”

  “Oh, I imagine they’re by the fire in my cabin. But he knew everyone would be worried so I hiked up. And who was the damn fool flying a helicopter in this wind? I thought I was going to have to do another rescue the way it was bouncing around up there.”

  Reese laughed. “That’d have been me and Morgan, with a crew from Gunnison.”

  “And she calls me an old crazy fool.” He laughed. “The wind will calm down by morning. Have those fellas swing by with their chopper. There’s an open space on the back side of the mountain. Morgan will know where it is. We’ll put together a sled or something for the boy.”

  “I’ll let everyone know. Thanks, Johnnie. We’ll be around in the morning.”

  Ellen grabbed her arm as soon as she hung up. “Well, what did he say? How are they?”

  “They’re in his cabin. He thinks Kenny has a broken leg. That’s the only injury he mentioned.”

  “How? I mean—”

  “As Johnnie put it, the damn fools were at the base of the chute when it ran. He said they had to ski into the canyon.”

  “It’s too steep there to ski,” Morgan said.

  “Yeah. That was the problem. He said it was a twenty-or thirty-foot drop.”

  “Oh, God,” Ellen said. “It could have been so much worse.”

  Reese looked at Morgan. “He said there was a clearing on the back side of the mountain. They’re going to ski there tomorrow and have the helicopter pick them up. You know what he’s talking about?”