Page 14 of Stuck With the Smokejumper

Nolan tosses it to me.

“No regrets.” I catch it and inspect the instructions.

Reid looks over my shoulder. “Are you going to use that?”

I open the package. “Why would I buy it if I wasn't going to use it?”

“For the same reason you buy most stupid things.”

I raise the caller to my mouth. The noise that comes out bears no resemblance to any animal I've encountered in the woods.

Everyone goes quiet. A bird takes off from a nearby tree.

Cassidy stares at me. “What was that supposed to be?”

“Sasquatch.”

“That sounded like a sick goose.”

“I think I need to work on my technique.”

Ivy is shaking her head. “Or you could never do it again.”

Nolan looks between us. “Do it again.”

I already have the caller halfway back to my mouth. “See, Nolan gets it.” I blow again. The sound that comes out is somehow worse than the first attempt — higher, longer, with a warble at the end that makes Cassidy flinch. Another bird takes off. This time from farther away, like word has gotten around.

Someone gets music playing, and I set the Bigfoot caller beside my towel.

The rope swing starts ten minutes later. Apparently there are rules. I use that term loosely.

“Eight-point-two,” Dani announces after Trevor hits the water and surfaces.

“Eight-point-two?” Trevor questions.

“Bad entry.”

Cassidy takes the rope next and launches herself well past where Trevor landed.

“Nine!” Dani calls.

Trevor throws both arms out. “How is that a nine?”

“Distance,” Tessa says.

Reid stands beside me with his arms folded. “It’s a sophisticated system.”

“I can tell.”

Ivy grabs the rope. She’s wearing a dark green swimsuit, her hair pulled back off her face. I've seen Ivy in shorts and tank tops plenty of times over the years. I've always known she's attractive. A swimsuit doesn't challenge that assessment.

But what catches my attention more is the way she steps up to the edge without hesitation. She backs up, takes a few running steps, and swings out over the water. Her release is clean. She drops feetfirst into the lake.

Ivy surfaces, pushing wet hair out of her face.

“Nine-point-five!” Dani yells.

Reid scoffs. “Inflated.”