Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady Read Free Book Online Page B

her right hand.
    “Not that one. The left one.”
    Something fluttered in Elle’s breast. She hesitated and lifted her hand. He took the ring finger.
    She shook her head. “Uh-uh. That one is reserved.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Is it now? For whom?”
    “Don’t know yet.”
    “Okay. How about the right, then.”
    She nodded and offered it.
    “This is what I mean.” He took the seaweed and tied it around her right ring finger. She looked up from it.
    He shuffled backward, dancing. “ ‘Superman or Green Lantern ain’t got nothing on me.’ ”
    ———
    Silas returned, cleaned up and wearing a fresh navy blue Redding Smokejumpers T-shirt and a pair of multi-pocketed Forest Service–issue dark green pants. She watched as he greeted Madison at the crew compartment door. Maddie perked up from her doldrums and put on her best ladylike manners. Funny, she never did that with the jumpers back in Oregon.
    “Madison, this is Mr. Kent. He’s going to be joining us on our flight to Oakland.”
    Maddie nodded to Silas. “Good to meet you. You can sit in the back.”
    “Maddie—”
    “It’s all right.” Silas slightly raised a hand and addressed Madison. “You know, I feel right at home in the back.”
    “That’s good. ’Cause my mom needs to fly in front, and I need to read the maps. But if you want, I can bring you stuff.”
    “Bring me stuff?”
    “Yeah. Like when you’re on a plane and a lady brings you stuff like soda and cookies.”
    Silas scratched his chin. “Well, I guess that would make riding in the back less lonely.”
    Maddie’s eyebrows angled and she nodded. “Yeah. I don’t want you to be lonely. It’ll be fun. Let me ask my mom if you can sit in the front, too. Mom—”
    “Yes, dear. That’d be fine.” She put a hand on her arm. “Can you do me a favor and show Mr. Kent the copilot seat in the cockpit?”
    “Sure. C’mon, Mr. Kent.” Maddie cupped a hand by her mouth and leaned toward him. “But don’t flip any switches. My mom gets mad when you touch stuff.” They disappeared into the plane.
    Elle bit her cheek. What was she doing? She started her walk around the plane, running a hand along the hull. She clasped the diagonal wing support with one hand and stepped around the tire. From the cockpit-door window Madison waved to her, Silas smiling behind her.
    She was already regretting saying yes to bringing him along. Like all jumpers, he was a proven risk. A big one. He thrived on the unpredictable, on being unfettered. She had to be honest with herself. What could have really changed with him? The man jumped into fires for a living.
    She’d already been burned by him once.
    Elle reeled in her emotions. She felt better with a sense of control over the situation. Guard against the charm. She could read stormy skies. And she knew how to navigate unpredictable weather.
    This would be a ride along. Little more. They’d perhaps reminisce on old times, smooth over some hurts, but that was that.
    Some relationships were beyond redemption.
    ———
    Elle’s voice entered Silas’s ears through the headset speakers. “Did you see that lightning flash, Maddie? . . . Maddie? Baby, you’re missing it.” She let out a quick, humored breath. “She’s conked out already.”
    “Everything is a miracle at this age, unless you’re too tired to stay up for it.” He gritted his teeth as soon as he said it. Who was he to say something like that? As though he understood what it was like to be a parent. What did he know about things looking like miracles at Maddie’s age? Elle must think him such a joke.
    Silas looked back at the crew cabin, at the swaying netted webbing, at the chrome D-rings and the bold-typed warning instructions beside the door latch.
    Actually, he did know. He remembered. Despite everything.
    Elle sighed—soft, relaxed—somehow asking the perfect question, “Do you remember much about being five?”
    The San Mateo Home for Boys. The foster homes. He