Quicksand by Janet Dailey

Author:Janet Dailey [Dailey, Janet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

FROZEN WITH TERROR, TESS WATCHED THE DESERT LANDSCAPE RUSH closer, as if the plane were standing still and the ground rising up to meet it. Her brain was still trying to process what Brock had told her. The plane was out of fuel. They would have to glide to the ground.

Glide was the word Brock had used to calm her. But she knew what was really going to happen. They were going to crash-land in the middle of nowhere. There was no guarantee they would even survive.

Brock was icy calm. He had radioed their position to anyone within range. Now he sat intent on the controls, using the plane’s technology to hold steady and adjust the angle of the glide. On the screen, Tess could see the flight path, marked by the plane’s small front wheel. The ground, rough, rocky, and scattered with thorny cactus, looked about as hospitable as the surface of Mars.

“We’re going in. Bend over. Protect your face and hang on.” Brock’s voice was calm but terse. If he was scared, he hid it well.

The ground became a blur as the plane sailed forward at a downward angle that was almost flat. Tess felt a bump as the front wheel touched and bounced. Then, with a sickening crunch, the plane slammed down and slid forward, accompanied by the screech of more tearing metal. As the motion stopped, Tess lowered her hands from her face. Incredibly, she and Brock were alive.

He turned toward her, clearing his throat. “Are you all right?”

Tess was shaking. She swallowed, fighting tears. “I . . . think so. That was quite a landing. Thanks for getting us down in one piece.”

“You can thank the plane—or the people who designed it,” he said. “It was built to hold up in a situation like this—although I’m pretty sure we lost the wheels.” His gaze narrowed. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

Tess nodded yes, but that was a lie. She pressed her hands to her face as emotions welled inside her. Fear and relief burst to the surface as violent sobs.

“It’s all right, Tess.” Turning in the seat, he reached across and pulled her awkwardly close. His hands massaged her back. “It’s okay to be scared. Anybody would be,” he murmured. “But everything’s going to be fine. I radioed a Mayday signal before we crashed. People will be looking for us—and they’ll find us.”

For a moment she let herself be comforted, leaning into his strength as her tears soaked his shirt. Then she remembered.

“Oh, no!” Her body went rigid. “Lexie—I promised to be there. Val will be waiting for me. I’ve got to call her!”

She whipped her phone out of her purse, then groaned at what she saw. No service.

The plane’s control panel had gone dark, as well. Brock tried different buttons and switches and attempted to start the engine. Nothing worked. He swore, muttering curses that would make a streetwalker blush. Then he glanced at Tess. “Sorry,” he said. “I forgot there was a lady present.

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