A Time to Live (A Time for Love Book 1) by Kathryn Loch

Author:Kathryn Loch [Loch, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-01-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Michael’s axe slid neatly through the wood, cleaving it in twain. Even though it was cold, he was sweating like crazy and shed his jacket and sweater. Only a soaked long-sleeved thermal shirt covered his torso. He had more firewood than he needed, but the activity kept him from wandering to Nikki’s house.

He had tried to think of some excuse, a good reason to visit her, but everything sounded lame, and he didn’t want to come across as some love-struck calf.

Michael put another chunk of wood on the dead trunk. “Which,” he muttered to himself and lifted his axe. “Is exactly what you are; a love-struck calf.” The thunk of the axe punctuated his statement.

He reached for another piece of wood. A terrible chill shuddered down Michael’s spine. Dread and unease clawed at him, just like when the stalker....

“Oh God,” he whispered. Fisting the axe, he jumped over the pile of deadwood and sprinted up the trail towards Nikki’s house.

He crested the hill and saw Nikki running toward him, terror in her eyes. Behind her ran a man in a snowsuit.

“Michael!” Nikki screamed as the man tackled her and dragged her to the ground.

“Nikki!” he bellowed, charging toward her. He dropped the axe, he couldn’t use it without endangering her.

****

Nikki’s heart soared the instant she saw Michael running toward her. Suddenly, she knew all the terrible accusations were untrue. The man’s weight bore her to the ground and she tried to roll. A knife flashed above her and she battled to grab the man’s wrists.

Michael’s deafening roar startled her attacker. He looked up just as Michael dove, knocking him off of Nikki. They rolled a pace away and broke apart, leaping to their feet.

The attacker slashed his knife at Michael, who jumped back with an agility of a panther. Michael swung, slamming his fist into the man’s jaw. The man staggered, tripping over a log and falling into a ditch. Michael lunged over the log. The man scrambled to his feet and ran with Michael right behind him. Nikki sagged, a coughing fit ripping through her. She fought to retrieve her rescue inhaler from her pocket.

“Nikki!” Michael called, exploding through the bushes and dropping to his knees beside her. Gently, he took her in his arms, pulling her inhaler out of her pocket and helping her hold it to her mouth. She sucked in three bursts of the medicine before it finally relaxed her lungs.

She buried her face against his chest. Michael held her tightly, his hand caressing her face. He pressed lips against her head.

“Where...?” she asked hoarsely.

“He vanished into a thicket,” he panted. “I almost caught him, Nikki, but I knew you would need help. Are you hurt?”

“My chest aches but I’m all right.”

He sighed softly and lifted her into his arms. “Let’s get you home.”

****

Michael’s body shook with adrenaline and fear - the realization of what almost happened struck his heart. His emotions tangled into a confusing knot. He wished he would have caught the man,

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