Surrender by Joan Johnston

Author:Joan Johnston [Johnston, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2018-02-26T18:30:00+00:00

THE RAINWATER DRIPPING onto his neck through the parachute overhead felt wonderful to Brian. He was tempted to stand up and let the rain pour over him to cool his fevered flesh. But a clap of thunder, and the smell of ozone as another bolt of lightning zinged through the air, reminded him how risky that would be. The storm was moving off, but he had no desire to abandon his position, wedged comfortably against a tree trunk.

Taylor had fallen asleep in his embrace. One of his arms had fallen asleep as well, but he didn’t want to move, for fear of waking her. For the first time, he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. He wondered how little she’d slept when they were in the cave, and how little she was sleeping out here in the open, while his illness savaged him during the night.

He could feel the fever taking hold again. In a few minutes he’d need to wake her up and get moving. Every step counted, now that his strength was fading.

He was a man who’d always been very much in control of his life. As little as a year ago, he’d felt smug and cocksure, knowing he had the world by the tail, with both work and a woman he loved. That complacency had ended with his divorce. After that swift kick in the nuts, he’d concentrated on being a good firefighter and smoke jumper.

He’d never imagined Tag would come back into his life, that he might have another chance with her. But if they survived…

There was the rub. Things weren’t looking too good for him, which was why he hadn’t said anything to her about the future. Tag was in good shape, and she was smart. With a little luck, she might make it. Better not to say anything that would have her grieving once he was gone. She needed to concentrate on staying alive.

If she cares about you, and it seems she does, won’t she grieve whether you speak or not? Tell her how you feel, Brian. While you still have time.

He heard Tag snuffle and felt her stretching in his arms. “Hey, sleepyhead. How do you feel?”

“Hmmph,” she said.

He watched her open her eyes and saw in their troubled blue depths the sudden realization of where she was.

She sat up straight and looked around. “The storm’s gone.”

“It passed off a half hour ago.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

She started to rise, but he tightened his grip on her waist. “I’m not ready to go yet.”

She pushed against his shoulders. “Half the day is gone, Brian. We need to get moving and find a source of water.”

“We have plenty of water.”

“I want enough water to sponge you off and keep your fever down overnight.”

That was plain speaking. There was no use arguing that he wasn’t as sick as she believed he was.

“Come on, Brian. Let me up.”

Reluctantly, he released her. She shoved her way onto her feet, then turned and gripped his hands to pull him upright.

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