Chapter 28

The SAR crews clapped and laughed.

By late afternoon, as the muster concluded, Zanja’s Fire Station One had captured third place in the chili cook-off, and the City of Verdugo Fire Department had won the tug o’ war.

Dane and Marguerite, Celeste and Bear walked arm in arm to their cars at the close of what they agreed had been a wonderful day.

“Follow me to my apartment,” Dane said. “We’ll have a drink and dinner there later. I’m too full of chili to want food again soon.”

Bear would have protested, but he looked at the women and decided it was safe. They stopped at his house first, where he fed Blood and unlocked his doggie door. Blood pushed through to the backyard.

At his place, Dane used a key to send the elevator to the top floor. The elevator opened right into his apartment. He attended to Cinnamon, and then put her in her crate on the balcony, where she curled up and laid her head on her paws.