Smoky Mountain Danger by April Arrington

Author:April Arrington
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-07-22T11:46:21+00:00

* * *

Will kept a steady pace up the winding riverbank, slowing his steps a bit to keep by Taylor’s side and avoid overtaxing her slightly slower gait. After the sun had fully risen, they’d finished off the last few berries, then hiked back to the riverbank and renewed their journey upriver, scanning the thick woods around them for any sign of Andi.

“Andi!” He listened carefully, studied the woods, rocks and river surrounding them, but only the sporadic chirp of birds, rustle of small animals in the trees and steady rush of the rapids met his ears.

There was no answering call and no sign of Andi.

A slow burn of restless energy coiled in his middle and his legs strained to break into a sprint, wanting so badly to race up the steady incline of dirt and rocks, round each tree-lined curve and scream her name. But that wouldn’t be wise.

For one, his mind was in better shape than his body. The little bit of juice he and Taylor had gleaned from their breakfast of wild strawberries hadn’t gone very far in rehydrating them, and his gut still growled on an angry demand for food. His muscles were weak, there was no way of knowing how far they’d have to hike to reach Andi, and it wouldn’t be long before the taxing demands of the past three days took their toll.

Better to conserve his energy...and help Taylor conserve hers.

He glanced to his right, his gaze trailing over her flushed cheeks, bright eyes and determined expression. Her pink lips parted on swift breaths as they approached a rocky incline and admiration flooded through him at the thought of all she’d sacrificed so far for Andi...and for him. For two people who were perfect strangers to her only four days ago.

Will lifted his hand, his fingers grazing the soft skin of her forearm before curling loosely around her elbow. “Careful here.” He pointed to a trail of stones that glistened beneath the morning sunlight. “There’s a wet stretch near the bend in the rapids. It’ll be easy to fall. You can go first if you like, and I’ll follow close behind. That way if one of us slips, maybe we can manage to hold each other up.”

Those beautiful eyes of hers looked up at him, a warm look of gratitude momentarily breaking past the shadow of exhaustion lining her features. “Thank you.”

It’d be so easy to dismiss his concern for her as residual appreciation for the way she’d saved Andi from drowning, her ceaseless determination to accompany him on his journey to find Andi despite the dangers they faced and, most especially, the quiet words of encouragement she’d shared with him last night, calming his tirade against the unfairness of their situation and reminding him of his own sentiments that God still answered prayers even in the most difficult of times.

But that wasn’t the whole truth. The strong and unexpected connection he felt for Taylor ran deeper than that, and he couldn’t help but feel a strong surge of guilt.

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