Riptide by Elizabeth Goddard

Author:Elizabeth Goddard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2013-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

Darkness overtook the rudimentary shelter—their only protection from the elements, and Jake had left it so he could be the one to stand guard. She’d wanted to protest, but she knew that tone he’d used, and arguing wouldn’t get them anywhere. Exhaustion didn’t bring sleep to her overworked mind, though.

Kelsey had made quick work of bandaging Jake’s wound, and had tried to hide her distress at seeing the injury again. The man was too stubborn for his own good. They should have stopped to take better care of that immediately, but she understood his fear, and the risk. How much more he’d bled, she couldn’t tell because he’d washed it all away before she could see. There were plenty of things she didn’t have a clue about, but one thing she knew—blood loss and infection would be their main concern.

Don’t forget the hijackers. Thieves. Looters. Murderers. Whatever they were called with their list of crimes.

And what should she call herself? Why had she taken that stupid map?

Her body ached along with her heart and mind. She blew out a breath. Oh, Lord, please lead us out of this. Show us what to do.

Oh, God, I can’t lose him. The familiar surge of moisture threatened behind her eyes. She squeezed them tighter, but it was no use. Salty tears streamed down her cheeks. In this darkness, no one knew but her.

And God.

They were lost in what Jake said was the wildest place left in this country. And they weren’t just up against the wilderness, dark, cold and rain. Men were hunting them.

Her stomach growled. But they had no food.

Could Jake hunt without tools, even if he had the skills? Did he know which berries were edible? She didn’t. Why should she? Maybe someone who planned to hike in the national park or wilderness area would plan ahead for all possibilities, but getting lost in the wilderness was never in the realm of possibilities for Kelsey.

Nor was being pursued by killers.

The tears sliding across her face had grown into a river. Racking sobs threatened now, warring with her tired-to-the-bone exhaustion. Kelsey figured she had two choices. Give in to the sobs. Or succumb to fatigue.

For hours now, she’d fought both to be strong for Jake.

In case... In case he crumpled under the weight of his injuries. And that last thought, that last image, was the one to push her over the edge. The sobs won the battle line, finally pushing through.

Oh, God....

She wanted to be strong, but maybe a girl was allowed a good cry now and then. Kelsey sighed, feeling the weight of the day closing in on her mind now like a big blanket. How could he be so strong? With a heavy heart, her mind drifted to sleep, barely hanging on to consciousness as she wrestled with one last thought.

What kind of woman was she to let a guy like him go—push him away, the way she had?

* * *

Gray light penetrated her thoughts.

She sat up on her elbows and scanned her surroundings.

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