Under Fire by Beth Cornelison

Author:Beth Cornelison [Cornelison, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Adventure;suspense;romance;action;smokejumper;wildfire;survival;terrorist;wilderness
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2015-03-16T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“What’s the matter with these people?” Lauren groused as the third car in row sped past them without stopping, despite their frantic waving and shouts.

Jackson watched the car, only the third to drive by in the last two hours, disappear down the two-lane mountain road with a mounting frustration. “Can you blame them? Look at us.” He swept a hand between them indicating their bedraggled appearances. “We hardly inspire a sense of confidence and safety. I’m not sure I’d stop to pick us up either, considering what we look like.”

“We look like we have an emergency. Like we need help. Which is why I can’t understand how these people can ignore—”

When the rumble of another vehicle drifted down the highway, Lauren spun back toward the road without finishing her sentence. “There’s another. Maybe I should take off my shirt and flash my boobs or something.”

Jackson nearly swallowed his tongue. “That’d only work if the driver’s a man. The last three were women.”

The dilapidated truck shuddered closer.

“This guy’s gotta stop,” she mumbled, raising her arms to flag the driver.

The truck showed no signs of slowing.

“Hey!” Jackson yelled then gave a loud whistle.

“Come on, pal!” As the truck rolled toward them, Lauren jumped into the road. Directly into the path of the oncoming truck.

Jackson’s stomach lurched, and the cold grip of terror washed through him in an instant. “Lauren, are you craz—”

The truck’s horn blared. Brakes screeched. Tires squealed.

The driver swerved, narrowly missing Lauren, and came to rest on the opposite shoulder.

Jackson shuddered. “Jesus, woman! I nearly shit a brick! Have you lost your mind?”

Lauren scooped up the PG bag and started toward the truck. “He stopped, didn’t he?”

Pumped with adrenaline, Jackson drew a ragged breath. “Next time flash your breasts. It’s a hell of a lot safer.”

She shot a devilish grin over her shoulder. “Save that thought. We may have time for that later.”

As Jackson gaped at her, his thoughts now spinning off in carnal new directions, the truck driver emerged from his vehicle, swearing a blue streak at Lauren.

Pushing aside thoughts of Lauren’s spectacular breasts, how sweet they’d tasted, how warm they’d felt beneath his palms that morning, Jackson jogged across the road, ready to defend her from the truck driver’s wrath.

“We need a ride into the nearest town,” Lauren told the man as she climbed into his truck without asking permission.

When the driver gave him a what-the-hell’s-going-on glare, Jackson returned a smile that was more of a grimace. “We would really appreciate it.”

The old man groaned and threw up his hands. “I should take you hooligans straight to Sheriff Billows! Of all the—!”

“Yes! The sheriff. That’d be perfect. Thank you!” Jackson nodded to the man then swung up on the bench seat next to Lauren.

As Whitefeather approached the spot where he and Boomer had camped overnight, Boomer struggled to prop on one elbow. He eyed the little girl in Whitefeather’s arms curiously then arched a black eyebrow in question. “Is she…okay?”

Hearing the new voice, Emily raised her head from Whitefeather’s shoulder and twisted to look at the injured man.

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