Читать книгу Snowbound With An Heiress - Jennifer Faye - Страница 11

CHAPTER FOUR

AT LAST.

Serena’s gaze zeroed in on the large log cabin. Any other time, she’d stop to admire how picturesque it looked with the snow-covered roof and the icicles hanging around the edges. But not this afternoon. With the thickening snow and the added weight from supporting Jackson, her back ached and her legs were exhausted. Still, her minor discomforts were nothing compared to Jackson’s injuries.

She felt bad for being so mean to him back there. But angering him enough for him to prove her wrong was the only way she knew how to keep him going—how to save his life.

If he’d stopped, she’d have never gotten him moving again. Pain and fatigue were deeply etched on his handsome face. And there was no way she was letting her favorite morning news show anchor become a human Popsicle.

Still, she had to temper her sympathy. If she let herself become too involved with this man, she’d end up paying a steep price. Her last romance had cost her dearly.

Her thoughts turned to Shawn McNolty—Hollywood’s rising star. He’d also costarred in Serena’s latest movie, which was set to release over the holidays. During the filming, their agents had contrived for them to be seen together to get the public buzzing about a potential romance. But as time went on, Shawn had convinced Serena that instead of putting on a show they could start a genuine romance. He had been so charming and attentive that she’d convinced herself that taking their romance from the big screen to real life could work.

And everything had been all right, or so she’d thought, until she overheard Shawn talking to one of his friends. They’d been out to dinner and she was just returning from the ladies’ room while they were standing in the waiting area. Shawn was telling his friend that his arrangement with Serena was working out much better than he’d planned. The longer he spent escorting Serena around town, the more promo he got. The more headlines he received, the more movie scripts came his way. And the best part was Serena didn’t even have a clue. He prided himself on being that good of an actor. The memory still stung.

He wasn’t the first man to date her in order to further his acting career, but she’d soon realized with those other men that the relationship was one-sided at best. But there was something about Shawn that had caught her off guard. Maybe it was his dark, mysterious eyes or his warm laugh that made her stomach quiver or the way he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world for him. Whatever it was, she’d convinced herself to let go of the past. She’d been sure Shawn was different—that he’d truly cared about her.

Maybe that was why she hadn’t suspected something was up when he continually demanded that they go out instead of chilling at her Beverly Hills mansion. He always insisted that they stop and pose for the paparazzi, saying that it was good publicity for their upcoming film. The list of suspicious activities went on—activities that at the time she’d refused to see, but later it had all made sense. The pieces had all fallen into place when she overheard his words at the restaurant. Shawn McNolty had used her for his personal gain.

But he wasn’t the only actor in this relationship. Not wanting a public confrontation, she swallowed her heated words and pretended that she hadn’t heard a word he’d said about her. Serena didn’t even remember what she’d ordered for dinner that last night or how she made it through the meal before she pleaded a headache and took a cab home. The rest of the evening was a blur.

Finding out that her romantic relationship was nothing but a sham was followed by a voice mail from her agent telling her that she’d been turned down for not one but two serious award-contending roles. At that point, she had nothing keeping her in California. She’d needed some downtime. A chance to unplug and regroup. That was the moment when her plan to go off the grid had been born.

With the aid of some temporary hair dye left over from Halloween, she’d switched her honey-blond hair to red. She’d been told by her housekeeper that she was practically unrecognizable without her distinctive eye makeup. Add a ball cap and nondescript jeans, and her disguise had been complete. She’d marched right out the door and jumped in a cab bound for the airport.

And now, even though she had the best of intentions, she knew taking this journalist into her home would end up decimating her serene escape from reality. Jackson may not be on the same level as the paparazzi who would climb the trees outside her Hollywood home, but as soon as he recovered, he’d want something from her—just like Shawn.

Unless she drove Jackson directly to the hospital. It would be what was best for all of them. And her rented all-terrain vehicle was sitting in the driveway. If she could make it to the road, the rest would be slow going, but she was confident she could make it, at least to the nearby village. It may not have a hospital, but there should at least be a doctor. Right?

When they reached the vehicle, she stopped. “Just give me a second.”

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for my keys.” She pulled off her glove and reached in her coat pocket. Her fingers wrapped around the keys. “Okay. Let’s get you seated.” She brushed some of the snow from around the door. When she pulled it open, the man sent her a puzzled look. “Come on. We have to get going before the snow gets worse.”

His gaze narrowed. “You know how to drive in this much snow?”

Not really. A few times, she’d driven when she was in Tahoe, but it hadn’t been in a snowstorm. Still, these weren’t normal circumstances.

“I... I’ve done it before.”

He looked at her, then the vehicle and finally at the rise up to the road. He shook his head. “No way. I’ll wait here until the authorities can get me.”

“But—”

“Arff! Arff!”

Gizmo started to wiggle in her arm. “Okay, boy.”

“I think he agrees with me. We should go inside.”

“We can’t.” When the man’s eyebrows rose, she added, “I mean, you need medical attention.”

“I’ll be fine. Unless we get in the vehicle and end up in another accident.”

She worried her lip. She was out of reasons not to take this journalist into her home. She quickly inventoried the cabin’s contents to make sure there wasn’t anything lying about that would give away her true identity. There were the contents of her wallet, but he wouldn’t see that unless she gave him reason to be suspicious of her—like standing here in the snow, making him wonder why she didn’t just take him straight inside.

Serena inwardly groaned.

Stubborn man.

“I know I’m a stranger,” he said. “But I promise you no harm.”

She wasn’t afraid of him. At least, not in the manner that he thought. But at this point, he was either an excellent actor or he hadn’t figured out her true identity. Perhaps the hair dye, Strawberry Temptation, and lack of makeup worked as well as her housekeeper had said.

“Arff! Arff!”

She couldn’t fight them both. “Well, don’t just stand there. Let’s go inside.”

Serena again let Jackson lean on her shoulder. Trying to get him up the snowy, icy steps was quite a challenge. She wasn’t sure her shoulders would ever be the same again. But at last, they made it.

She helped him into the warm cabin and shut the door on the cold. She normally loved snow. But not this much, this fast. And not when it left her snowbound with a member of the press.

She helped him take off his gloves and wool dress coat. He was totally soaked. And ice-cold. His teeth chattered. The only way to warm him up was to strip him down. She started to loosen his tie.

His hand covered hers. “I... I think you’re pretty and all, but...but I don’t move this fast.”

He thought she was coming on to him? She lifted her chin to set him straight when beyond his bluish lips and chattering teeth, she noticed a glint of merriment in his eyes. He was teasing her. That had to be a good sign, right?

“I’m glad to see your sense of humor is still intact, but if you don’t get out of these wet clothes, you’re going to get severe hypothermia.” She attempted to move his hand, but he wouldn’t budge.

“I know how to undress myself.”

“Fine. Take everything off. I’ll get you some blankets.” Seeing him standing there leaning all of his weight on his good leg, she knew he was close to falling over from pain and exhaustion. “Let’s move you closer to the fire.”

She once again lent him her shoulder. Lucky for both of them, the couch was close by. Once he was seated and loosening his tie, she worked on getting a fire started.

A few minutes later, she returned to the great room with her arms piled high with blankets. Jackson sat on the couch in nothing but his blue boxers and socks. Heat immediately rushed to her cheeks. She was being silly. This was an emergency and it wasn’t like she was a virgin.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

She knew she was blushing and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She averted her gaze. “Here you go.”

She set the blankets beside him. One by one, she draped them over him. That was better. But she couldn’t get the image of his very lean, very muscular body out of her mind.

She swallowed hard. “You forgot your socks and they’re soaked. I’ll get them—”

“No. I can do it.” There was obvious weariness in his voice and his eyes drooped closed. “Stop...”

She ignored his protest and set to work. She removed the sock from his good leg. His foot was scary cold. She held it between her hands, trying to get the circulation going. It didn’t work.

She glanced up at her unexpected guest. His eyes were still closed. Next, she worked the sock from his injured leg. His ankle was swollen and an angry mess of red and purple bruises.

“Is something the matter?”

His voice startled her. “Um, no.” She had to tell him something. “It’s just that your feet are so cold.”

“They’ll be fine.”

“It could be frostbite. You weren’t exactly dressed to hike through a blizzard. Can you feel your toes? They are awfully pale.”

“They have that pins-and-needles sensation.”

Holding his feet in her hands wasn’t going to be enough help. She grabbed a basin of lukewarm water for him to soak his feet in. He put up a fuss, but eventually he gave in to her ministrations.

When Jackson’s feet had sufficiently warmed up, he settled back on the couch. “How does it look?”

The horrible purple-and-red bruise was on both sides of his ankle. The inside wasn’t as bad as the outside, but the ankle was a mess. And it was swollen to the point that she couldn’t see his ankle bone.

“I think it’s broken,” she said as though she had any clue about medicine.

“Are you a doctor?” he asked.

“Me? No.” Heat swirled in her chest and rushed up to her face. She knew where this conversation was headed.

He arched a brow as he studied her face. “I have the strangest feeling that we’ve met before. Have we? Met before, that is?”

“No. I don’t believe we have.”

She knew for a fact that they’d never crossed paths. For the most part, her life was limited to Los Angeles while she knew his work kept him based in New York City. And if they had met, she wouldn’t have forgotten. The man was drop-dead gorgeous, and he had the sexiest deep voice. He was the only reason she tuned into the morning news show.

And now he was here, in her cabin, in nothing but his underwear. But it couldn’t be further from a romantic interlude. He was a member of the press and she was a Hollywood star in hiding. Once he figured out who she was, he’d broadcast it to the world. The thought made her stomach roil, especially after the mess she’d left behind in California.

“Hmm... I don’t know where I’ve seen you, but I’m good with faces. It’ll come to me.”

Not if she could help it.

She retrieved a towel that she’d grabbed while gathering the blankets for Jackson. She called Gizmo over and dried him off. Then she situated him on a chair near the fire with an extra blanket. The puppy immediately settled down. With one eye closed and one partially open, he looked at her as though to make sure she didn’t go anywhere.

“I won’t leave you.” She petted him and then kissed the top of his fuzzy head.

She got to her feet and turned to Jackson. “I’ll call emergency services. They’ll be out in no time to take you to the hospital and deal with your car.”

“I’m sorry to be such a bother.”

“It was my fault, or rather my dog’s. Anyway, everything turned out okay. Except for your ankle...and your car.” She moved to the phone on the desk.

When she’d checked in at the leasing office, they’d warned her that cell service was spotty in the mountains so they’d installed a landline. She picked it up and held the cordless phone to her ear. There was no sound. She pressed the power button on and off a few times, but there was still no dial tone. Great!

She could only hope she’d get a signal with her cell phone. She hadn’t in the couple of days she’d been here, so why would today be any different? But she refused to give up hope.

With her cell phone in hand, she headed for the door. She paused to slip on her boots.

“Where are you going without a coat?” Jackson asked.

“Out on the porch. The phone lines must be down due to the storm, so I’m going to see if I can get a cell signal outside.”

He didn’t say anything more. She noticed this was the first time she’d headed for the door without Gizmo hot on her heels. Today’s adventure had wiped him out. He hadn’t budged from the chair. In fact, at one point she’d heard Gizmo snoring. He was so sweet and she felt so blessed that he was safe.

She paced from end to end of the large porch. There was no signal at all. She held it above her head and craned her neck to see if that helped. It didn’t.

She lifted on her tiptoes and waved it around. Nothing. She leaned out over the large wooden banister. Snow fell on her phone and her arm, but there was still no signal. There had to be something she could do.

Her gaze moved to her rented all-terrain vehicle. Maybe she could go get help. But then she noticed how the snow was piled up around the tires. She glanced into the distance and she couldn’t even see the line of trees at the end of the smallish yard. Who was she kidding? She’d never even get out of the driveway.

With a heavy sigh, she turned back toward the door. Chilled to the bone, she rushed back inside. She brushed the snow from her arm.

“Well?” Jackson’s weary voice greeted her.

“Do you want the bad news? Or the bad news?”

He arched a dark brow. “Is that a trick question?”

“Not at all. So which shall it be?”

Was that the beginning of a smile pulling at his lips? Serena couldn’t quite be sure. And then she conjured up the image of him smiling like he did each morning on television when he greeted the viewers. He was so devastatingly sexy when he smiled—

“Did you hear me?” Jackson sent her a funny look.

She’d lost track of the conversation, but she knew that he was waiting on her news. “The bad news is that there’s no phone service whatsoever.”

“And the other bad news?”

“We’re stuck here. Together.”

His handsome face creased with frown lines. “And exactly how long do you think we’ll be snowbound?”

She shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. They did warn me when I rented this place that should there be a snowstorm, it would be quite a while until they dug me out considering I’m off the beaten path.”

“Just great.” He raked his fingers through his thick brown hair. “I can’t be stuck here. I have a job to do.”

Did he mean reporting that he’d found her? Serena didn’t want to believe he was like the paparazzi. She wanted to believe that Jackson Bennett had integrity and honor. But she couldn’t trust him. She couldn’t trust anyone—including her own judgment. She always wanted to see the best in people. And that had gotten her into trouble more times than she cared to admit.

Still, she didn’t want him to worry. “I promise you that as soon as possible, I’ll get you medical attention. And I’m sure soon people will be looking for you.”

His eyes widened. “Do you know who I am?”

What was the point in keeping it a secret? “You are Jackson Bennett. You’re the face of Hello America.”

A pleased look came over his face. “And I’m here on assignment. I have a camera crew flying in to help me film some Christmas segments.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him if she was to be included in one of those segments, but she caught herself just in time. If he could be believed, he didn’t recognize her. “I can promise you, they aren’t getting through the storm.”

“Is it getting worse?”

She nodded.

He muttered under his breath. “I can’t just sit here.”

He went to stand up. As soon as his injured foot touched the ground, his face reflected the pain he felt.

“Sit back down. First, I think I should bandage your ankle and then you can sleep. When you wake up, help should be here.” She sincerely hoped so, for both of their sakes.

This luxury cabin may come with a fully stocked pantry and fridge, but something told her it would be lacking on first-aid items. She’d have to be inventive.