Riding the storm by Julie Miller

Author:Julie Miller
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, General, Hurricanes, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373612963
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2004-09-15T07:48:06.368000+00:00

“NATE!”

Before his coffee-dark hair disappeared under the water, Jolene had spurred her horse. With Checker in tow, she rode to the fence post closest to the arroyo, shouting at Rocky to keep him out of the water and away from Nate. Wherever he’d gone.

Had Rocky crushed him when he’d come down off the bank?

Had Nate’s knee given out?

Was he drowning? Dead?

Her fear was a powerful stimulant, erasing cold and fatigue in a single heartbeat.

“Ee-yah!” She charged Sonny straight at the bull, turning him away from the arroyo. Nate’s cap flew off her head and was lost. She pursued Rocky just long enough to ensure he’d lost interest in the man who’d saved his ornery hide. Once she was certain he’d keep trotting north along the fence line, Jolene spun around and galloped back to the water.

She’d dismounted and tied off both horses at the nearest fence post before she saw Nate surface again.

“Nate!”

“Damn wire.” He cursed again, then dove back under. Or was he pulled?

Jolene shed her poncho and scrambled down into the ditch. Waist-deep, she grabbed her belly and shivered at the shock of cold water. “I’m sorry, baby. Be strong. Mommy has to help.”

Nate spluttered to the surface again. His stern eyes locked on hers. “Get the hell out of here!”

Not gonna happen. “What’s wrong?”

He sank before he could answer.

Jolene took a deep breath and dove into the rushing current.

A pair of strong arms latched on to her and dragged her to the surface. “Jolene.”

Blood. On his face and neck.

“You’re hurt.”

Nate gasped for breath. “Get out.”

The current hit them, splashed over their heads and swept them under. Jolene kicked to the surface, pulling Nate with her.

“The wire-cutters.” He spit water from his mouth, gulped down a quick breath. “I’m caught. Can’t reach them.”

He grabbed her arm and shook his head when she tried to dive down to retrieve them. The water was too murky, too fast. The bottom was washing away beneath their feet. She’d never find them.

But Jolene didn’t know how to quit. She turned and half jogged, half swam toward shore. “There’s another pair with the horses.”

“Angel!” Whether it was a plea or a reprimand, she didn’t stop to listen.

Jolene’s legs felt like lead weights by the time she’d climbed onto solid land. The rain and wind were coming so hard at her, it was impossible to tell the difference between swimming and running. Her fingers worked like stiff, robotic appendages, but she finally got the saddlebag open, pulled out the wire snips and hauled ass back to the water.

“Nate?” She didn’t see him. Couldn’t hear him. “Nate?” She followed the path of the fence and stumbled into the water. A twinge of pain stabbed at the small of her back, but she ignored it. “Damn it, California, where are you?”

He was not going to leave her.

Just as quickly as her temper had flared and tears stung her eyes, Jolene rubbed her tummy. “Don’t listen to me, sweetie. We’re going to find him.”

It was just enough comfort to keep her fighting.

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