The Quake

Chapter 15

A bit away from the crowd, Erin leaned against a pole of the tent. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten yet, but she was content to stand back here to get her bearings. The panicky feeling of too many people was still there, but she was managing. She was so tired she was weaving on her feet, and she desperately wanted to shut out the chaos, to burrow into some silence. She just didn't know where that quiet place was.

Mindlessly, she watched as Tyler laughed at something the mayor said to him. The velvety timber of his voice shivered down her spine. Tyler rubbed his belly and Erin's eyes dipped down with his hand, lingering at the belt of his jeans low on his hips. She swallowed reflexively. Shadows of a memory danced behind her eyes. Her fingers in his soft hair, his head pressed against her breasts. Erin's skin prickled with the awareness of being watched.

She shook her head to clear those false images away, looking around the tent for her observer. She found Mary approaching wearing a smug smile. "Dear, you must be exhausted." The little woman linked her arm with Erin's. "C'mon, I'll show you to a home away from home I've saved for you."

Erin protested, "I can't take up an entire RV myself."

Mary gave a husky giggle. "I didn't think you'd be by yourself."

"Where are you taking her Mary?" Tyler, noticing them leaving, loped over from the mayor's side to follow them.

"And here's your roommate, now." Mary clapped. "Right on time."

Tyler's ears turned red, and Erin found he looked even more adorable when they did that.

Mary linked her other arm with Tyler's. To him she said, "I'm taking you two to the RV I saved for our town heroes."

"Heroes Mary?" Erin whimpered. "That's a bit much."

Ignoring Erin's discomfort, Mary led them to a vehicle that appeared to be barely bigger than a minivan with the name Betty plastered on its side. It sat beneath a large oak tree that looked remarkably rooted, considering the trauma it had been through today.

Mary released their arms so she could give a grand flourish. "Ta da. Home sweet home." She unlocked the door then tucked the key into Erin's scrub pocket, patting her familiarly.

Erin glanced uncertainly at Tyler's rather large frame. This was going to be intimate.

Tyler gestured for her to precede him. "It'll be fine. We're already used to living together." He reassured her.

Erin hesitated. "Not in the same room, Tyler," she grumbled stepping into the vehicle.

Mary handed Tyler the lantern she held, darting amused eyes between the two of them before melting away back to the camp.

"Do you really want me to be homeless tonight?" He niggled, following her inside.

"You know I don't. I'm just so tired and sick of people."

"Including me?"

She looked him up and down appraisingly. He was so tall that he couldn't even stand upright in this vehicle without bumping his head against the ceiling. "No, not you." She heaved a put-upon sigh then slumped into the swivel chair of the driver's seat.

He set the lantern down in the middle of the table that would soon be their shared bed. Erin gulped. She'd never shared a bed with a man before. She pressed a hand to her lips. She'd never even been passionately kissed. "Good because after all the times I've saved you today, I'm convinced that you need to keep me around for your own protection." He teased, leaning a hip against the table.

"Saved me?" she asked doubtfully.

He began a tally on his fingers. "The roof caving in on the couch. Almost impaling yourself on a nail in the basement."