Читать книгу Christmas Kisses Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Louise Allen - Страница 36

THEY HAD BEEN walking since sunrise and Ellen’s feet were already screaming. Even with the attention Chance had given them they’d still had to go back into damp leather boots. It hadn’t been a pleasant experience. To have a thick, dry pair of socks would have been wonderful. But that was only a fantasy.

Ellen had wanted to work in a developing country but this was more than she had planned on. Sleeping in a tree in only her underwear hadn’t been a scenario she would have imagined. She had slept, though. Exhausted from hiking, swimming and raw fear, she’d been fast asleep as soon as her head had snuggled into Chance’s shoulder. Despite her lack of clothing, she’d been warm the entire night nestled against Chance.

Sometime she had been jerked awake by the sound of a wild animal growling.

“Shush, sweetheart. He’s a long way off. Go back to sleep.” Chance’s hand had caressed her hip and waist.

For once she’d appreciated his protection. She hadn’t questioned further and had soon been asleep again. How did Chance do that? Make her feel secure by just being there? She’d been consumed by fear the day before. She’d run down a path in the jungle without question because Chance had said that was what they needed to do, and had been confident he would take care of her.

He’d distracted her by kissing her when she’d been so sure the bad men just feet away would find them. The kiss had started out as something to help her keep quiet but had turned into a passionate meeting of lips, as all of her and Chance’s kisses had. Her distress had disappeared with only a touch from him.

The pinnacle of her terror had been those seconds before she’d wrapped her hands around his bag strap and pulled him back against her. It had taken all her strength but she’d managed by sheer determination. Her heart had been in her throat and there had been a roaring sound in her ears. Losing him hadn’t been something she would even consider. If he had been washed away and the drug traffickers had seen him they would have shot at him. She couldn’t let that happen. After they’d climbed out of the river the look on Chance’s face had aid he was proud of her. She’d wanted to dance a gig in happiness that they’d been alive but she’d been afraid they’d be seen or heard.

Ellen watched Chance walking ahead of her a few paces. He was confident and watchful at the same time. He had to move a leaf or push away a vine more often than she because he was taller. His clothes clung to his body in the tropical dampness. Occasionally he pushed his hair back with a hand when he glanced over his shoulder to check on her.

She and Chance had become a true partnership through this ordeal. He was no longer pushing her away. Last night he’d trusted her to see to something as important as the water. He saw her as a competent person, something that her father would never open his eyes to. Someone who could take care of herself. For that alone she adored Chance. She looked at his broad shoulders and the back of his handsome head. Her heart was full.

Sometime later Chance called for a rest stop. They shared a bottle of water. There was little better than the feel of the liquid going down her parched throat.

“I’d like half a bar, if that’s okay?” Ellen said.

“Sure. I’ll join you.” Chance pulled a food bar out of a side pocket of his bag. Opening and breaking it, he gave her a piece.

Ellen found a seat on a nearby root. “So how long should it take us to get to Saba?”

“Maybe tomorrow evening if we’re lucky. If we can keep the same pace as we have been. How are your feet?”

“Much like yours, I imagine.”

His chuckle was a dry one. “My boots are more broken in than yours. I’m sure your feet are dying to get out and dry out.”

“It may be a long time before I can wear open-toed shoes again. I’m pretty sure I’m going to lose some skin.”

Chance sat beside her and took one of her hands in his. He stroked a fingertip much like the Honduran girls had. Her nails were no longer neatly polished. A number of them were broken and chipped. Dirt circled the cuticles. Under any other circumstances she wouldn’t have let him look at them. Now she was just too tired to argue.

“I’m sorry.” He sounded sad.

“For what?”

“Your nails.”

“I thought you hated them. Thought they were…frivolous.”

“No. They’re one of the nicest things about you.”

“Really? You could have fooled me. You acted like I had committed a crime when I brought out my polish.”

He kissed a knuckle. “Yeah, but you made those girls’ day.” He kissed another. “I couldn’t fault you for that.” He touched his lips to a different knuckle. “When we get out of this I’ll see that you get a day of pampering at the resort. Including a manicure and pedicure.”

“What about you? You’ll deserve something.”

“I’ll get to enjoy you.” He gave her a quick kiss.

Warmth seeped through her that had nothing to do with the steamy weather or the sun beaming down on them. They still hadn’t had that talk he had promised but she was going to see to it that they did.

“Come on, it’s time for some more walking.” Chance stood and helped her up.

It was around noon when the sound of the river grew louder.

“We’re getting closer to the river,” Ellen said.

“Yes. I think this path leads to a ford. It’s time we crossed back over,” Chance said. “Wait here and I’ll check it out.”

Her chest tightened. “I’m going with you. I don’t like it when you leave.”

He regarded her a moment. “You know, that’s the first complaint you’ve made since we started this trek.”

“Complaining does no good. I learned that a long time ago.” That lesson had been clear when she’d been trapped in a car with her mother and later in the hospital. Even with her father she’d found out that she didn’t make headway by complaining. It hadn’t been until she’d forced the issue by coming here that she’d made a step away from him.

Chance took one of her hands in his. “Why now?”

“Because I’m afraid that something will happen and you won’t come back.” Was that how her father felt? This was the fear he knew when he thought of losing her?

“I won’t be out of your sight two minutes. Promise.”

She tapped her wristwatch. “I’m going to time you.”

“I expected nothing less. While I’m gone think about what you want to do when we get back to the resort. I want to hear every detail.” He hurried off.

She was so busy making plans for their return, she forgot to check her watch. As good as his word, Chance was soon back.

“Did you miss me?” he asked with a grin.

“Always.” But at least this time she hadn’t been a big bundle of nerves thanks to him giving her something else to ponder. Maybe that’s what her father needed—something else to focus on besides her. He’d not dated since they had lost her mother. It was time for him to move on. Past time.

Maybe it was time for her to embrace life more as well. She’d taken a major step by coming to Honduras but not in her personal life. Working so hard to earn her independence, she’d put her love life on hold. Was it time for her to open up? Let someone in? Should that person be Chance? If she did, would he accept her?

“This is a good place to cross. The river is wide but not running fast.”

Ellen picked up her pack. “At least I don’t have to worry about saving your butt.”

“Did I say thank you for that?”

She smiled. “I think you did but feel free to do so again.”

“Thanks. Let’s get moving.”

She hurried to catch up with him. There was the old Chance. Focused.

The river was much wider than it had been where they had crossed before. The rocks were not nearly as large and were spaced so that one large step or jump could get her from one to another. There was a real possibility they could cross without getting wet.

“I want to lead this time.” Ellen wasn’t sure what had gotten into her when she said that.

Chance looked surprised. “Okay.”

Ellen chose her path carefully, managing to get out into the middle of the river without any mishaps. There the water was moving faster and the gap between the rocks was wider. She hitched up her pack, preparing to jump. Pushing off hard, she jumped over the water and landed on her hands and knees on top of the next rock. Chance stepped up beside her. He took her forearm and helped her up.

“You’re the most determined woman I know.”

“Thanks.” Ellen moved on across the river. When she reached the other side she waited for Chance to join her, which he soon did. “Come on. We need to get going.” She headed down the path.

“So are you usurping my authority now?”

“I just thought I’d like to lead for a while. You know the saying: if you aren’t the lead dog, the view never changes.”

He released a bark of laughter. The birds reacted by screaming and flying away.

“Shush,” she said.

Chance looked contrite then searched the area. His gaze came back to her. “No more smart remarks from you.”

“You can’t blame me for that. You were the one being loud.”

They didn’t walk long before the sound of civilization could be heard over the flow of water. Chance took the lead again, making his way into the greenery under a large tree. From their location they could see women doing laundry at the riverbank. There was an open field of high grass between the women and a group of huts sitting back against the jungle.

Chance put his mouth close to her ear. “We’ll have to stay here until they leave. We might as well rest.”

They slowly and as quietly as possible removed their packs. He leaned his back against the tree and she scooted up next to him. The women’s chatter lulled her to sleep.

“Ow!” Ellen woke, slapping at her pants leg. She’d been bitten. Shaking out the material, she saw nothing.

Something was wrong. Chance was gone. Going up on her hands and knees, she searched the river area where the women had been. There was no one in sight.

Chance knew how she felt about being left alone. How could he disappear? Terror threatened to fill her chest but she pushed it down.

He would be back. He had to come back.

Off in the distance, downriver, clothes were hanging over a rope strung between two trees. There was a movement. One of the items disappeared from the line. Chance. She watched another piece of clothing being snatched away.

He would have to cross the field and come upriver again to get her. It would be safer if she met him. Quickly pulling on her pack and putting his bag across her chest, she carefully left her hiding place. With her body as low to the ground as possible she worked her way across the field. A dog barked. She crouched down. Her calf burned. She couldn’t worry about that now.

Waiting for further noise and hearing none, she hurried to the jungle edge and along it to where she’d last seen Chance. There he was, pulling another item from the lie. She moved again to where she’d seen him duck out of the trees.

Chance’s eyes went wide when he saw her. He handed her a couple of articles of clothing and nodded his head downriver. He didn’t give her a chance to respond before he took his bag from her and quickly moved to the river and down the path. They walked at a rapid pace for a good while before he stepped off the trail.

Out of sight he turned to her. “You scared me to death, showing up like that.”

“And you left me.”

“I planned to be back before you woke.”

She glared at him. “Don’t do that to me again.”

Chance studied her a second then said, “I won’t. I promise.”

She believed him. “I saw you and knew you’d have to double back for me so I decided to meet you.”

“Smart girl.”

“So what did you get us?” She rubbed her calf. It was still stinging. What had bitten her?

“Something for us to sleep on and a couple of clean shirts.”

Ellen grinned. “I look forward to high-style living tonight. Shouldn’t we get moving?”

“You’re starting to sound like me.” Chance smiled back and headed down the trail. Ellen had almost scared the life out of him when she’d shown up near the clothesline. He had really misjudged her when he’d first met her. Ellen had a backbone of iron.

When she’d announced that she was going to take the lead he couldn’t help but be proud. If he had been in her place he would have been tired of following as well. The woman was full of surprises. His mother and ex-wife would have given up before they’d even got started. He wasn’t used to having such a resilient woman in his life. Life? Could he really have her in his life? Would she stay with him?

He set a steady pace and Ellen kept up. A couple of times he checked behind him to see how she was doing. There was a determined look on her face, but occasionally her face was twisted as if she were in pain. Her feet must really be bothering her.

It was drawing close to evening and he had started to look for a place to stay for the night when the sounded of rushing water reached his ears.

“Is that a waterfall?” Ellen asked with enthusiasm.

“Sounds like one.” If luck was with them they might have a good safe place to sleep and an opportunity for a fire. Even a bath.

They made a turn in the path and the water disappeared over the edge of a cliff.

He called back. “Are you up for a little climbing?”

Ellen shrugged. “Do I have a choice?”

“Not really. But if all goes well it’ll be worth it.”

“Lead on, then.”

Over the next half an hour they made their way around and down to the pool of water at the bottom of the falls.

“It’s amazing,” Ellen said.

“It is. Honduras has incredible falls. I’d leave you here but I know you’d have none of that so come on and let’s see if we can find a room for the night.”

“Here?”

“Sure.” Chance led the way around the pool toward the falls. He made a few maneuvers across rocks until they had worked their way behind it. There was the small cave he was looking for. It was large enough for them to remain dry and still have a small fire.

Pulling his bag off, he dropped the clothes on top. Speaking loudly, he worked at being heard over the roar of the water. “Your hotel room for the evening.”

Ellen looked around. “It’s wonderful.”

“I need to look for something dry enough to burn before it gets too dark. Are you going to be okay here by yourself or do you want to come with me?”

“Aren’t you worried about the smoke being seen?”

He smiled and pointed to the falls. “It’ll blend in with the mist. We’re safe. Hopefully we can have dry clothes.”

She looked unsure a moment then straightened her shoulders. “No, I’ll be fine here.”

“I won’t be long. Why don’t you get that trash we have in our packs out to use as starter?”

It took Chance longer than he’d expected to find something in a tropical rain forest dry enough to burn. The entire time he was gone he worried about Ellen being frightened. He did manage to locate some dry leaves and small sticks. He and Ellen wouldn’t have a bonfire but it would be something to dry clothes by.

With arms full, he made his way back to the river. He started to take his first step on the rocks when he saw her. Ellen stood naked beneath the falls. Her arms were raised as she held her hair out to let the water reach each strand. He’d never seen anything more breathtakingly beautiful or more uninhibited.

He should leave. Let her know he was there. But he couldn’t.

Ellen turned, giving him a profile view of her delicious curves. His body hardened. Her breasts were high and her stomach flat. There was an arc to her behind that made his hands itch to hold her. He stood mesmerized by her splendor, unable to put a thought together beyond the acknowledgement of the desire building in him. Waiting and watching, he didn’t want to disturb her or break the spell.

Ellen did it for him. She stepped out of the water. The gold of the evening sun caressed her skin as she walked to a nearby rock and gathered her clothes. She pulled on her shirt and pants and ducked behind the falls.

Chance remained where he was until he had control of his breathing. By the time he’d made it back to their hiding place some of his libido had eased but at the sight of Ellen it climbed again. He had to regain some perspective. It didn’t help that Ellen’s underwear lay in a small pile nearby.

The tension was thick between them. She wouldn’t meet his gaze. Was she feeding off his emotion? Had she known that he’d been watching? It was as if the easiness between them over the last two days had disappeared and been replaced by the disquiet of heightened awareness of the weeks before. As alluring as Ellen had been as a water nymph minutes ago, he had to focus on them surviving. They needed to have a fire, eat and tend their feet. Those needs took precedence over his sexual cravings.

But those carnal needs pulled at him with each look he gave her.

He squatted and let the pile of brush fall from his arms. “Ellen, look in the side pocket of my bag and you’ll find a round silver tube. Would you hand it to me?”

She did as he asked and included the trash as well.

He placed the paper under the brush and opened the watertight container, removing two matches.

“I should’ve known you’d have something up your sleeve to start a fire with.”

“I keep them in case I have to go old school with sterilizing a needle. You just never know.”

“Like this time.”

He gave her a tight smile. “This was more than I planned for.” Striking one match against the other, he quickly placed them on the paper. He slowly added some of the material he’d gathered until they had a small fire. “Bring your clothes over here and spread them out to dry. I wish this was going to be large enough for you to get your pants dry after a wash but I don’t think they’ll dry by morning. At least our underwear and shirts will be cleaner.”

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

“Yes. I could eat.”

“That was sort of a dumb question.” Ellen picked up what little food they had and joined him beside the fire.

She gave him half of the food from the rag and ate the other. “That leaves us with one food bar.”

“Hopefully we’ll be in Saba by tomorrow night.”

“As much as I’ve enjoyed this walk through the jungle, I have to admit I’m looking forward to seeing the resort again.” She put the rag back in the backpack.

“Not New York? I would think after this you’d want to go home.”

“No. Most of all I’d just like a good shower.”

Chance looked at her. “I thought that’s what you were having a few minutes ago.” Even in the glow of the fire he could see her blush.

“You weren’t supposed to see me.”

He stood. “How was it?”

“Wonderful.”

“If you’ll keep the fire going I think I’ll give the falls a try as well.”

Ellen watched Chance leave. She wasn’t sure why she had suddenly turned bashful around him. It was as if they had been fighting for their lives every hour of the last two days and she now felt safe enough to think of living. The intimate space they would share for the night only added to that awareness. She still tingled all over with the knowledge he had watched her bathe. For how long?

The waterfall had looked so inviting. She hadn’t felt nastier in her entire life. Dirt mixed with sweat, her clothes sticking to her, pants less black than tan. Her hair had been a mass of tangles with bits of leaf and twigs. No one at home would have recognized her. The rush of the water had called to her. She had planned it to be a quick bath but she’d become caught up in the heavenly feeling of the water flowing over her and had stayed longer than she’d intended.

Ellen looked at the falls. She couldn’t see Chance through the rush of water but she could picture him beneath it as water washed over his shoulders and ran down his chest. What if they didn’t make it home the next day? Were caught? Never had a chance to be together?

What would it be like to really spend a night in his arms? Life was too short not to have that pleasure.

She spread the blanket out near the fire and stored their packs. Her leg let her know it was there as she moved. Sitting down, she pulled her pants leg up and twisted so she could see the back of her calf. There was a red welt just above where the top of her boot came. She had been bitten. It was tender and warm. There wasn’t much she could do about it now. She’d check it again in the morning.

Pulling Chance’s pack to her, she found the ointment and gave her feet some much-needed attention. Her blisters now had blisters. She dreaded putting her boots on in the morning. At least her socks had been rinsed, which would help cut down on infection. She would lose one of her big toenails, if not both.

Chance joined her. His hair was wet. He’d pushed it away from his forehead. A lock of it hadn’t stayed in place. Bare-chested and with his pants low on his hips, he strolled toward her. The fire reflected off his still-damp skin. Every nerve in her body was alert to him.

He laid his clothing beside hers. There was something oddly intimate about their undergarments drying next to each other.

“You need to get some sleep. We have another day of walking ahead of us.” He put another piece of brush on the fire.

He continued to stand as if he wasn’t going to join her on the blanket. “You aren’t going to sleep?”

“I think I’ll sit up for a while.”

“Then I’ll keep you company unless you’ve had enough of it.”

“I don’t think that’s possible.” A stricken look covered his features as if he’d said something he hadn’t meant to.

“We haven’t had that talk yet,” she said just loud enough that she could be heard over the falls.

“Ellen, I don’t think—”

“You’re right. I don’t want to talk.” She stood. “I’ve spent the last two days worrying about dying.”

“Ellen…”

She stepped around the fire. “There might not be another day, another time and I want to celebrate being alive. With you.” Placing her hands on his shoulders, she went up on her toes and kissed him.

Chance grabbed her around the waist. Pulling her against his chest, he brought her feet off the ground. His mouth devoured hers as if he was hungry and a banquet was being served.