Ember, p.11
Ember, page 11
Ember let out a happy bark and wagged like mad when she saw Marcus coming to open her cage. She retrieved her beloved, chewed-up glove and dropped it at his feet. As soon as Marcus clipped on her lead and her vest, though, her demeanor changed. It was time to get to work. When Marcus stood, she stood, waiting patiently by his side until it was time for him to lead her out to the training grounds.
Roxanne and Pedro walked behind the pair, chatting until they got themselves settled in the observation trailer.
While Marcus waited for the signal that he could begin the search, the youngest Sterling kid—Juniper—walked by with the cat called Twig. Marcus hadn’t had a ton of interaction with either Juniper or Twig, though he’d heard the story of the cat going missing and adopting an abandoned litter of kittens. And Ember being the one to locate them. He could tell from their brief interactions that Twig had a thing for Ember … and that the feeling was mutual. Ember’s attention zeroed in on the cat in a flash.
“Stop wiggling, Twig!” Juniper demanded.
Marcus felt Ember start to step forward, then correct herself and stand steady at his side.
For her part, Juniper was not letting the cat go. Marcus had to admire her ability to hold a rather large, determined-to-escape, squirming cat. “Don’t even look at that dog, Twiggy,” she said. “We’ve got much more important things to attend to … kittens!” She marched off, holding the cat so tightly Marcus half wondered if the tabby could breathe.
When they were gone, Marcus looked down at Ember, proud of her restraint. “Good girl.” He gave her a quick pat and unclipped her lead. Her priorities were in the right place. It was like she knew that they had to prove themselves, too. Their future together depended on it.
The walkie-talkie crackled, giving Marcus the all clear to begin. Still he waited another few minutes, getting himself centered. He didn’t want to pass on any anxiety to Ember. When he felt a sense of calm in both of them, he held out Ember’s scent article—Eloise’s T-shirt.
Ember stepped forward and took a whiff. This smell was new to her, and she stepped back and then forward again, this time inhaling more deeply. Marcus had been surprised to learn that dogs inhaled scent in many different ways … sometimes casually, sometimes intently, sometimes quickly, and sometimes slowly. But whenever Ember was done, she looked up at Marcus to let him know she was ready, and today was no exception.
Marcus held her gaze for several seconds, trying to silently communicate his desire for her best effort and his commitment to the same himself. Finally he spoke the command. “Find!”
Ember didn’t hesitate. She started off toward the plane wreck—the mock crash site set in the hills well beyond the ranch’s buildings. She moved in her usual zigzag pattern, finding the places where the smell was strong and where it faded … homing in. When Marcus got too far behind, she circled back to him to make sure he was coming. She didn’t like getting too far ahead, even though it was her job to be out in front, to scent everywhere.
“I’m here … find!” he called. He knew he wasn’t supposed to talk to Ember—he was just supposed to let her work. Keeping neutral and quiet was a lot harder than it sounded!
Beyond the mini forest, Ember raised her snout in the air and then dropped her nose even closer to the ground. The trail was right there. Without turning or hesitating, she moved farther up the hill and into some scrub trees. She was close!
Behind her in an open field, Marcus knew Ember was on the right trail even though he couldn’t see her. The fact that she hadn’t circled back to him was good … very good. It showed that she was thinking and acting independently, like a SAR dog, and was not overly focused on—or devoted to—him.
Marcus smiled, realizing that he wasn’t nervous anymore, that his nervousness had been replaced with excitement. They were doing it!
Ten minutes later, he heard Ember bark … once, twice, three times. And then again, three times more. As a backcountry fireman, Marcus had a lot of experience locating sound in open spaces, and he used that skill now to move toward the noise. When he finally caught up to Ember she was sitting patiently next to Eloise, who was lying perfectly still on the ground as if unconscious. Ember had found her! They had found her!
Marcus approached and clipped on her lead. “Good girl,” he said. He gave her a treat, but she was happiest to be pet and praised.
“All clear to get up,” he told Eloise, who sat up with a smile and pulled the dead leaves from her light brown hair. She reached a friendly arm up to pet Ember.
“She’s got talent,” Eloise remarked.
Ember let out a bark of agreement, and Marcus and Eloise laughed. They were chatting about other dogs Eloise had been “rescued” by, when the rest of the training crew approached, Forrest and Morgan at the head of the pack whooping and hollering.
“You did it!” Forrest yelped, giving Ember a good rub behind the shoulders. Morgan pressed her forehead to Ember’s. “Such a good dog,” she told her softly.
Roxanne waved the stopwatch in her hand, smiling. “Eighteen minutes,” she said. “Impressive!”
Pedro clasped Marcus on the back. “Well done,” he said.
Marcus exhaled his relief. “I didn’t see any signs of her worrying about me,” he said. “She circled back once, but she was clear about doing her work. She wasn’t too tethered.”
Pedro nodded. “Excellent. That doesn’t mean it won’t come up in the future, but it’s a great sign that she understands her job.”
Ember let out a happy bark and turned in a circle, chasing her tail. Being surrounded by so many happy people was making her frisky. She barked again, inviting them to join her. The yellow dog loved to work and play!
Ember’s tail was high as Marcus led her out of the pavilion, through the training grounds, and past the building where Marcus slept. But as they walked through the door to the welcome center—the place where she first arrived at Sterling—her golden flag began to droop. It was leaving day. Ember could always sense a goodbye, and she didn’t like them. The days before had been filled with her favorite thing: working with Marcus. And there had been a ceremony where Marcus wore his uniform, and they got a piece of paper from Roxanne and Pedro, and everyone from the ranch was there … and happy.
She turned back to the door and watched as a small herd of people came through. First came Pedro and Roxanne. Then Morgan and Forrest, who had given her extra kibble this morning. Ember’s tail drooped even lower.
The ranch people were still happy, like the day Ember and Marcus had been certified. But there was also a sadness hovering all around them, and it reminded Ember of smelling a ball that she couldn’t reach. It was the feeling of loss.
Forrest was the first to crouch by her side. “We’re going to miss you, girl,” he said, burying his face in her neck. He smelled like dirt and peanut butter and sad. “All of us.”
Ember licked his face to tell him she was sad, too, and she would miss him, too. Then Morgan was there, and Shelby. They crowded around her with pets and croons. Ember wagged and licked them all.
“You did so good,” Morgan whispered. “I know you’re going to be great at this.”
“Oh good, we made it!” Juniper burst into the welcome center carrying not one cat, but two!
Ember’s tail perked up.
Twig was so busy licking the second small gray ball of fur in Juniper’s clutches he forgot to squirm in Juniper’s grasp. The ball of fur—the runt of the litter—didn’t seem to mind being carried or groomed to death.
“Excuse me! Clear the way! It’s not easy carrying two cats, you know!” Juniper complained, though she was smiling broadly. She pushed her way past the crowd and up to Ember with cats in arm, barely slowing down. Shelby and Morgan exchanged a laughing look.
“Come on through, Juniper,” Forrest teased. He tweaked one of her braids.
“Thanks!” Juniper replied, oblivious to her siblings’ teasing.
Ember stepped forward and put her wet nose right into the tiny kitten’s fur, sniffing her small gray head. Twig stared intently at the pair before reaching out a paw and gently putting it on Ember’s snout … claws in. No scratching.
“I think Twig’s gonna miss her!” Forrest said, shaking his head in disbelief. He’d thought the dog and cat were a mismatched pair, but maybe they were actually pals. He laughed and stroked Ember’s golden fur one last time.
Ember’s long pink tongue circled up to lap the orange paw on her snout, which Twig didn’t seem to mind.
“I guess you’re not such a menace,” Juniper told Ember. “Twig here is an excellent judge of character.” She paused, sizing Ember up anew. “But you’re still a dog,” she said with a sniff.
Everyone laughed at that, and Juniper stepped back, her arms still overloaded with cat.
“Impressive, June Bug,” Martin said. He and Georgia had come to say goodbye, too, and they were watching their youngest, awaiting disaster. “Those cats really trust you,” he added.
Ember gave a lick to Martin and Georgia, and then the lady who was always with Cocoa. Cocoa, for her part, offered a slow wag and a friendly parting sniff.
Roxanne and Pedro came last and got good long nuzzles. By the end Ember’s ears were drooping … goodbyes made her think of old times, hard times.
Roxanne shook Marcus’s hand. “Congratulations again on your certification. You earned it. I hope we didn’t rush things. You two may still have some details to work out, but I think you’re going to make a great team. I think you are a great team.”
Marcus held out a hand, but Roxanne ignored it, hugging him instead. “Hope you don’t mind. I’m a hugger. And now we’re family.” She grinned and squatted down to talk to Ember.
“You’re going to do great,” she said. “You’re ready for the field, and you’re in excellent hands. Marcus will take good care of you.”
Marcus! Ember’s ears perked up and her wag returned. Yes, she loved Marcus. Marcus saved her. Marcus worked with her. Marcus gave her …
“Oh, wait! We almost forgot!” Morgan dashed out of the welcome center and returned with the best-smelling thing in Ember’s world. “Here you go, Em.”
Ember took her glove in her mouth and carried it out to Marcus’s truck. When she was settled in the passenger seat, Marcus climbed in behind the wheel. He glanced over. It was great to have a copilot again. The empty spot was filled with the warmth of an Ember.
“Reach out anytime with questions or concerns,” Pedro said through the open window. “We’re here to help.”
“I can’t thank you enough … for everything,” Marcus said gratefully. “My time here has been wonderful, and well spent.”
Pedro’s handshake was firm and friendly. “Our pleasure, Marcus. De verdad,” he added, because it was the truth. “Take care of each other out there.”
With a final wave, Marcus put the truck in reverse. Ember sniffed the air. Marcus smelled like happy and sad and smoke … and home. He ruffled the fur on Ember’s head. “You’re going to like the station,” he told her. “And my place, too. I mean, our place. I mean, your new home.” Ember wagged. She had Marcus and her glove … As far as she was concerned she was home already.
Life in Big Fork was good. There was space to run and roam, and a lot of trees. And rivers and lakes and even more trees.
“Come on, girl … I’ve got to get to the station,” Marcus called. They’d just finished a training session with Victor, whom she’d had to find. Victor was tall and skinny and smelled like coffee and cats. He came with her and Marcus to the open space in the mountains near Marcus’s house where they practiced a lot—they both wanted to keep their skills sharp. Sometimes Ember had to find Victor, and sometimes Victor and Marcus would walk together while Ember found Greta, who also worked at the fire station.
“Ember!” Marcus called a second time … something he rarely had to do. Ember was taking her time breathing in all the smells on the way back to the truck. They were different from the smells on the ranch—piney and earthy at the same time—and she was still getting familiar with them.
Ember hopped into the truck and settled between Marcus and Victor. She liked going to the station—the firefighters were nice to her, and there were usually treats. The only problem was that Ember didn’t get to go along with Marcus on the calls. Dogs didn’t fight fires … only people did that. When Marcus was gone, there wasn’t much to do other than investigate the station smells and chase mice. Which was fun, but wasn’t work. Not real work, anyway.
Ember and Marcus had training sessions almost every day, but they didn’t last long, and that wasn’t real work, either.
“I thought for sure we would have gotten a search call by now.” Victor put his hand on Ember’s back. He was a big fan of the yellow Lab. And as much as he did not want to pray for disaster, he was anxious to see her in the field … for real. When a backcountry rescue call came in, he would go with them.
“Me, too,” Marcus said, nodding. “I can’t wait for Ember to show her stuff. And I worry she’s getting bored with just practice.”
“I can relate to that!” Victor replied, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “I never know what to do with my time off …”
It was a short drive to the station, and soon Ember was hopping down and trotting inside. Marcus unclipped her vest and hung it on her hook on the wall with her leads, next to the row of the squad’s fire protection suits. Ember greeted the firefighters with sniffs and wags, and Greta unwrapped a beef bone and offered it to her.
Ember took the bone in her mouth and carried it to her bed, turning three times before settling. She gave it a few licks and nudged it aside in favor of her favorite treat. The bone was tasty, but it wasn’t her glove.
Ember had just gotten her glove nicely covered in slobber when the bell rang, signaling a call. She was on her feet and next to her hook, awaiting her vest before the bell stopped ringing. Marcus was on her heels.
“Standard fire call, Ember,” he said as he pulled on his heavy, fire-retardant pants and then the jacket. “You’ve got to stay here.” He pointed her back to her bed and glove. Ember held back a whimper. She understood that dogs didn’t fight fires. Still, she wanted to help.
“I know, girl. Our time will come … we just have to be patient.” Marcus grabbed a helmet. “Be good.” Ember rested her chin on her paws and listened as Marcus and the crew climbed into the big truck without her. She swallowed another whimper and licked her glove. It didn’t really help. Not much.
When she opened her eyes several hours later, it was dark outside, and her nose quivered. Smoke. It smelled like smoke. Her ears went flat, and she felt a moment of panic before she remembered where she was … at the station. And then Marcus was there.
“I’m back, girl,” he said, stroking her scar. The smell of smoke was strong on him. Smoke and sweat and exhaustion. He put his dark head to hers. “I’m back and everything is all right.”
Ember licked his hand even though it tasted like soot. She didn’t like that Marcus had to fight fires. He always smelled terrible when he came back, and sometimes the smell was so strong it made her want to bury her nose in her bed, or anywhere that didn’t smell like smoke. She hated fire. Fire burned. Fire moved and sparked and flared. You couldn’t trust it.
Ember licked Marcus’s smoky hand again. She trusted him, but she would never trust fire.
Not ever.
“Ember, girl … it’s time,” a voice said. Marcus. It was Marcus. Ember lifted her sleepy head and saw his broad shape in the dim light. He was standing over her bed holding her vest. She cocked her head. It was a strange time to train.
“This is it, girl. We got a search call,” he said in his deep voice. Ember didn’t understand his words, but she understood the vest in his hands. She got to her feet and bowed low in a stretch. Then she stood and let him buckle on her work uniform. The weight of it was a familiar comfort.
In the kitchen, Marcus filled her bowl and packed more of the dry kibble into a bag, along with treats and water. Then he got on the phone. Ember could tell by his voice that this wasn’t training. Something serious was happening.
“Okay … Okay,” Marcus repeated. It was good to hear a familiar voice on the other end of the line. Greta was the incident commander on the mission—the person responsible for everyone on the search. She had already established a base camp and staffed it, as well as a command post for the mission leaders. Only a few designated people would communicate directly with Greta—the team leaders—and Marcus was one of those people.
“Travis and his two daughters have been missing for over twenty-four hours. They were supposed to return from their backpacking trip last night but didn’t.” Greta supplied the details she had. “The girls are six and eight. I have a team handling confinement to keep the search area from getting any larger, and two more teams coming in from the other side of the pass. I want your team to go directly to the campsite—their last known position. Hopefully Ember can track them from there. I’ll send the GPS coordinates. Marcus, be careful. And good luck.”
Marcus could hear a touch of nervousness, or maybe adrenaline, in Greta’s voice. There was no doubt she could handle being incident commander—she’d taken classes, been on several missions, and shadowed more experienced ICs. Still, this was the first time she’d be fully in charge, and the first time Marcus had gone out with his own dog. It was new territory for both of them.
Marcus reached down and pet Ember behind her ears. She gazed up expectantly, and he couldn’t help but smile. Ember wasn’t nervous. She couldn’t wait to do what she’d been trained to do.
