It’s loud.
And it’s so startling that Chandler yelps, “Jesus Christ!” and swings his bug zapper tennis racket in the direction of the danger, which just so happens to be Theo.
But he doesn’t hit Theo.
Oh, no.
He hits somethingfarworse.
A paper drink umbrella.
There’s azzzzzzzip!that echoes across the pool as the zapper connects with the drink sloshing in Theo’s hand.
It’s immediately followed by a very distinctpoof!
And accompanied by a spark of flame.
“Oh my god.” I drop my purse. I drop the leftover protein bar. And I take off at a dead run.
The drink umbrella has lit up on fire.
It’s on fire.
And it’s too close to Theo’s costume.
Waytoo close.
“In the pool!” I yell as I get halfway around the pool. “Theo!Jump in the pool!”
The Sullivan triplets scatter, one closer to get pictures, the other two to clear the older people out of the way of the fire, while Chandler gapes at Theo.
Theo twists his head at mewhile his costume ignites. The flamingo head is on fire.
It’s on fire.
We’re mountain people. We don’t screw around with fire.
Especially flaming flamingo head fires.
But Theo’s giving me a look I’ve seen so many times, Ihearhim in my head.Oh, good, Princess Plainy-Laney is here.
I’m still in sneakers. Practical for plane rides, practical for sprinting around a pool, and I’m closing in fast. “You’re onfire!” I shriek at him.
Finally—finally—he looks down.
And then the dumbassgrins. “Aww, are you worried about me, Laney?”
“You’re. On. Fire,” I yell again. So close.So close.
“What thehell, ass—idiot—Theo,” Chandler snaps.
“Theo.Theo! Jump in the pool!” Chandler’s mom yells from behind the triplet who’s trying to get her out of harm’s way.
I’m finally right on top of him.
He has me by at least six inches and probably fifty to sixty pounds of solid muscle, but I won’t let a little thing like his size and his strength stop me.
He’s about to beon firehimself.
