He looked at Sally. Her concentration remained on her bowl. She’d really been a trouper during their race. Yet by her expression he’d gathered she hadn’t wanted anything to do with it. Was her silent objection to the race or running it with him?
His reaction to having her bound to him had been unexpected. That response had grown and hung like a cloud over them when they had been tangled in each other’s arms. There had been a smoldering moment when she had looked at him with, what? Surprise? Interest? Desire? He was male enough to recognize her interest but smart enough to know that she was off-limits, for a number of reasons.
Sally was the sister of a friend. She worked with him. From what he understood she wasn’t yet over her divorce and had no interest in dating. More to the point, she didn’t strike him as someone who would settle for a fling. As for himself, he couldn’t afford to have his mind or emotions anywhere but on his job right now. A real relationship would be a distraction, and something about Sally made him believe that she would be the definition of distraction.
Then there were his scars. More than once they had turned a woman off. A number of women he’d dated had expected a big, strong firefighter would be flawless, would look like a subject of a calendar. They had been disappointed by him.
Thankfully Kody asking him a question directed his mind to a safer topic. A few minutes later the announcer called the tug-of-war teams to the field.
Ross said to Kody, “Well, it’s time for the fun to begin. We need to win this thing. I’ve heard about all I want to about how strong the Twos are.” He raised his voice. “Come on, Jared and Olivia, it’s time for the contest.”
The kids stopped playing and started toward them.
Sally chuckled. “You’re really looking forward to this, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yeah. All I’ve heard from Station Two is how they won last year. I’m ready for payback. Do you mind watching Jared and Olivia while I’m pulling?”
“Not at all.”
“Lucy too?” Kody added.
“Sure. I’ve got them all. You guys go on. I’ll bring the kids.”
He and Kody loped across the field to join the other members of the station. When they reached the part of the field where the tug-of-war would take place, Ross raised his hand. “House Twelve. Here.”
Other station captains were doing the same. There was a great deal of commotion as everyone located their fellow companies.
The announcer came on again. “Firefighters and first responders may I have your attention?”
The crowd quieted.
“This is how the competition is going to work. We’ve set up brackets by pulling station numbers out of a hat. Those will pull against each other. The winner will continue on to the next bracket until we have a winner. Now each house needs to huddle up and decide which six people from your station will be pulling. There must be at least one woman on the team. If your house doesn’t have enough people present, then you may recruit from your family members. If you have any questions you need to see Chief Curtis up here. As always, he’s our final word.”
Using his “at a fire” voice, Ross spoke to the people around him. “Okay, Erickson, Smith, Hart, Kody and me. Rogers, you’ll be our designated woman. Does that work for everyone?”
“Ten-four, Captain!” they cheered.
“Great. Now, get into position and get ready to give it all you’ve got.”
Those who weren’t chosen went to join those lining the tug-of-war area. Ross and his team moved to the large-diameter rope lying on the ground. A piece of cloth was tied in the middle of it. A chalk line had been drawn across the pulling area.
He glanced over to see Sally and the kids standing near the line. There was excitement on their faces. They all hollered, “Go, Twelves!”
Each team member picked up a section of the rope. Ross anchored at the back where a knot was tied.
The announcer said, “We have our first two teams. The Twelves and the Thirty-Fives. On the word go I want you to start pulling. You must keep pulling until the last man is over the line. Is everyone ready?”
“Ten-four!” both teams shouted.
Ross called, “Dig in, firefighters. Let’s win this thing.” He grabbed the rope tighter.
When the announcer yelled, “Go!” Ross pulled as hard as he could. The grunts of the others ahead of him joined his as they slowly walked backward. The shouts of the crowd encouraging them grew louder. Suddenly there was slack in the rope and he staggered to keep himself upright. They had won. The crowd cheered as his team turned to each other, giving each other high fives.
He would be in pain before the day was done with that much exertion. His ribs had objected when Sally had gripped his side during the three-legged race. With the pulling, they had spoken up loudly again. Still, he was going to do his part to win the tug-of-war. His team needed him. The key was not to let on he was hurting.
Sally and the kids joined him and Kody, giving them their excited congratulations.
Sal said, “Hey, kids, how about helping me get some bottled water for our team?”
“Okay!” all three of the kids agreed.
Sally and the kids hurried away and soon returned with arms filled with bottles. Those standing around took one. Ross finished his in two large gulps. With the next competition about to begin, they moved to the side to watch as the next two teams took the field.
Soon it was time to compete again. They won the next three pulls and were now in the final facing Station Two.
Ross lined up again with his team.
“Go, Uncle Ross, go!” Olivia yelled.
“Go, Twelves! You can do this!” Sally called.
Ross’s heart pounded in anticipation as the announcer said, “Go!” On that word he dug his heels into the ground and pulled with all of his might. His hands, arms and shoulders strained. The muscles in his legs trembled with the effort to move backward. Sweat ran into his eyes and still he pulled. His side burned. Clenching his teeth, he tried not to think about it. Concentrate was what he had to do.
The crowd shouted, voices mixing into a roar of encouragement.
Despite the pain he continued to tug. His legs quivered from the effort. Once, twice, three times the team was pulled forward. Only with strength of will did they remain steady and reverse the movement.
He dug deep within himself and called, “Let’s take these guys.”
With a burst of energy, Ross pulled harder. The others must have done so as well. They made steady steps backward.
Not soon enough for him the announcer said, “And the winner is Station Twelve.”
A cheer went up. Ross put his hands on his knees and gulped deep breaths. The other members of the station surrounded them. A bottle of water appeared before his face. He looked up. Sally held it. She gave him a happy smile that made his already racing heart thump harder. All his efforts were worth it for that alone.
“You were great.” Her voice was full of excitement.
Ross returned her smile. “Thanks. It wasn’t just me. We did it as a team.”
“Yeah, but you got them to give their all.”
His ego expanded. He had to admit he liked her praise.
Others coming to congratulate him on the victory separated him and Sally.
As everything settled down, the announcer said, “Well, that’s all for this year’s picnic, folks. We look forward to seeing you next year. Be safe on your drive home.”