Christmas on 4th Street (Fool's Gold #12.5)

“I know. Good for him.”


There was something in Gabriel’s voice, she thought. Was he wistful? Was he wishing he could find what his brother had? Love? A place to belong?

All questions designed to make her crazy, she reminded herself. Gabriel was leaving. Even if he was staying, she didn’t think he was the least bit interested in getting involved on a permanent basis. He’d made that clear, and she would be wise to listen when he—

Her cell phone rang.

She stood and crossed to the foyer table, where she’d left it. She set down her kitten before answering.

“Hello?”

“Noelle? This is Police Chief Barns. We have a situation up on the mountain. There’s been an avalanche. It’s a big one and there were a lot of people skiing and snowboarding. There are going to be injuries. I’m calling to find out if you know where Gabriel Boylan is. Mayor Marsha says he’s a trauma specialist. We’re going to need that.”

The police chief spoke so calmly, Noelle almost didn’t take in the meaning of her words. Then reality slammed into her and for a second, she thought she was going to faint or maybe throw up.

“He’s here,” she said, turning to walk back to the sofa. But Gabriel was already at her side.

“What is it?” he asked.

She handed him the phone.

He took it and listened. While she had a feeling she’d gone pale, he stayed calm. After asking a couple of questions, he got the location and said he would be right there. He was already moving before he’d hung up.

“Stay here,” he told her. “I know you want to help but you’ll get in the way on the mountain. Organize in town. People will need help. Not just those hurt, but family members.”

She understood what he meant. “I’ll do what I can from here.”

He handed her his kitten, then kissed her on the mouth and was out the door before she could catch her breath. She stared out the window, watching him drive away.

She didn’t know much about snow or avalanches, but she had a feeling the outcome could be devastating. She picked up her cell phone and started making calls.

Chapter 13

The sky above the Gold Rush Ski Lodge and Resort was an impossible shade of blue. The roads were plowed, the temperature in the high twenties. It was the perfect day for skiing or snowboarding. But with the recent storm, feet of new snow had fallen on layers of older snow. Gabriel would guess some of those layers had been more powdery, with a few inches of wet snow sandwiched in between. Then the recent dump had added weight and an avalanche was born.

He followed several police cars and two ambulances into the parking lot. People were milling about, most dressed in heavy parkas and ski pants. He pulled off to the side and parked, then sprinted toward what was obviously the command center.

“Dr. Gabriel Boylan,” he said, identifying himself to a tall female firefighter who was directing people. “Trauma specialist.”

“Good,” she said and pointed to the large hotel. “The ballroom is in the back. They’re turning it into a trauma center. You’re going to be in charge of triage.”

“How many people are missing?”

The woman—her badge said C. Dixon—grimaced. “We don’t know. The police are running license plates from the parking lots to get names right now. We have locals, people who drive up for the day and those staying in town. A lot of schools broke early for the holidays. There could be two or three hundred people on the mountain near the avalanche. They could all be fine....” She swallowed. “Or not.”

He nodded and took off in the direction she’d pointed. He had to identify himself a couple more times before being let into the hotel. From there it was an easy jog to the giant ballroom.

Emergency supplies were already being put in place. Trucks had backed up to the ballroom and were unloading supplies. As he watched, gurneys and IV stands were being put along one wall.

“Gabriel!”

He turned and saw Felicia hurrying toward him. She flung herself at him and hung on.

“Gideon and Carter were out snowboarding,” she said. Her body trembled as she spoke. “Your parents were skiing, but I’ve already talked to them and they’re fine. It was suggested I go with them, but I’m not good with those kinds of sports.” She raised her head and looked at him, tears filling her green eyes. “A ridiculous thing to say. It’s the shock and worry, but still. Who cares if I can’t ski?”

He grabbed her by the shoulders and stared at her. “Breathe,” he told her. “Breathe. You need to focus. Whatever has happened, you can’t change it. But you can make a difference by helping with the logistics. Not just for Gideon and Carter, but for everyone else. We need you to stay strong.”