States of Love: Alaska Adventurer: A Steamy Forced Proximity Enemies-to-Lovers, Opposites-Attract Mountain Man Romance by Ann Omasta & Callie Love

Author:Ann Omasta & Callie Love [Omasta, Ann & Love, Callie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-27T18:30:00+00:00

10

BOONE

When I sprint into the clearing, it doesn’t take long to realize that Quinn and, to a lesser degree, Cleo are in an extremely dangerous situation. The bear is charging in their direction. It will get to Quinn first, but will quickly turn its attention to Cleo if I’m not able to stop it in time.

I lift the rifle I picked up from my truck as I ran past the house to follow this trail. The shooting conditions couldn’t be much worse. It’s dark, I’m a significant distance away, Cleo and Quinn are near the target, and the animal is on the move.

As close as the bear is to Quinn, I know that I’ll only have time to fire one shot before the animal attacks her. I have to make this a kill shot, and my aim has to be true.

After expelling the air from my lungs, I level the gun and fire.

I’m horrified to see Quinn crumple to the ground. My panic is so overwhelming and all-consuming as I rush forward that I don’t even give the enormous bear another thought. I have to get to Quinn. If I’ve shot her, I’ll never forgive myself. Not ever.

When I draw near, I’m surprised to see the large animal on the ground. It looks like my shot was a direct hit in its head––just like I intended.

My only concern is for Quinn. I can’t imagine what happened to her. Did the bullet somehow ricochet and hit her?

I kneel beside her to assess her injuries, but come up dry. My hands rove over her as I try to figure out where she’s bleeding. As I feel for a pulse at her neck and angle my head around to listen to her breathing, she begins to wake up.

Gazing down at her, gratitude and relief that she’s okay nearly overwhelm me.

Her eyelashes flutter in confusion just before she asks, “Did the bear kill me? Am I in heaven?”

“No, sweet lady, you’re still stuck here on earth with us mere mortals,” I answer, cupping her soft cheek with my palm.

Her eyelids seem heavy, so I try to get her to focus before she passes out again. “Where does it hurt? I haven’t found your injury, but we need to stop the bleeding before I carry you out of here.”

“Bleeding?” Her eyes widen in alarm. Sounding as confused as I feel, she asks, “I’m bleeding?”

“I assume so,” I answer. Her eyebrows pinch together, so I explain further. “I shot at the bear, and you both went down.”

Understanding dawns in her expression just before she says, “Oh, I probably just passed out. I do that sometimes.”

Her flippant explanation irritates me. “And you didn’t feel the need to mention that? I’ve never been so frightened in my whole life.”

As I run a hand through my hair, she grins up at me. “You care about me?”

Since it was posed as a question, I answer. “Of course, I do––more than you can imagine.”

The last part slipped out without my express permission, but it is the truth, and it is out there now, so there is no point in trying to deny it.

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