“We’d better go,” he said.
“All right.” Still unsettled, she followed him back to the Jeep and started the engine. He slid in the passenger side and closed the door.
“How far until we meet up with that Forest Service road?” she asked.
“Hold on. I’ll check the map.” He turned on the dome light and reached toward the backseat, then stopped.
The pallor of his face caught her attention. “I’ve got it.” She grabbed the map and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” He spread it awkwardly over his lap. After a moment, he lifted his head. “We should get to a river pretty quick. Once we cross that, we’ve got about twenty miles to go.”
“Twenty miles? Just to reach a dirt road?” Her jaw sagged. This trip could take all night. And she couldn’t imagine driving this trail in full darkness. “But what about your shoulder?”
“It’s fine. I’m guessing my collarbone’s cracked, that’s all.”
“That’s all?” She gaped at him. “Are you joking? You must be in terrible pain.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“Right.” She didn’t believe that for a second. “Is there something we can do?”
“We can rig a sling up later, when we’re farther away from the fire. I don’t want to take the time right now.”
“All right,” she said, still stunned. She knew they didn’t have the luxury of stopping, at least not yet. “But let me know when you want to do it.” She put the Jeep into gear and released the brake.
A quarter mile later, they crossed the ridge top and started down the opposite side. They descended slowly, working their way haltingly down the rutted road, every sway and jostle of the Jeep bringing their shoulders dangerously closer. Jordan focused on the path the headlights cut through the dusk, determined to ignore her nearness to Cade.
The smell of the fire finally faded, replaced by the strong smell of pine. She braved a glance at Cade. He’d fallen asleep, thank God. At least now he could escape the pain that injury must cause. And she could stop pretending he didn’t affect her.
She let her gaze linger on his handsome face, on the hard, familiar planes of his cheekbones, the stubbled line of his jaw. The dim light emphasized the shadows under his eyes, his fatigue. He seemed vulnerable suddenly, exhausted, and she felt a reluctant surge of sympathy.
He’d always come home from fires worn out. He’d shower, wolf down more food than she’d thought possible and promptly crash into bed. And leave her feeling even lonelier than when he’d been gone.
She forced her gaze back to the road. After seeing that fire, she had to admit he had a right to be tired. She could only imagine the strength his job demanded.
Pensive now, she continued picking her way down the mountain. Soon she heard a low rushing sound over the noise of the motor. It grew steadily louder, and her hopes rose. They’d made it to the river. Now just twenty more miles until they reached a normal dirt road.
But then the headlights flashed on a barrier blocking their path and she quickly slammed on the brakes.
“What’s wrong?” Cade asked, his voice rough with sleep.
She peered through the windshield at the metal pole. What on earth? “The road’s closed.”
He dragged a hand over his eyes and straightened. “I’ll check it out.”
“I’ll come with you.” Her anxiety rising, she pushed open her door. Why would anyone block off this old trail? Unless…
She hurried around the front of the Jeep. The sound of rushing water filled her ears. The Jeep’s headlights shone past the barrier to the dark, swirling water below, and her breath jammed in her throat.
Someone had put up that pole for good reason. The bridge was gone.
Chapter 4
Cade strode around the roadblock and peered down at the river snaking through the rock- strewn valley. Months of drought had shrunk it back from its broad banks, exposing rocks and stranded deadfall. But even now, in this weakened state, it wouldn’t be easy to cross.
“I can’t believe this,” Jordan said from beside him. “Why would anyone take out the bridge?”
Her voice floated to him in the dim light, and the low, throaty sound tightened his nerves. He forced himself to ignore that temptation and concentrate on the problem at hand. “The mining company probably built it. They wouldn’t want to maintain it after they shut down. And nobody uses this road.”
“Except for us.”
“Yeah.” Which was their bad luck, but he hadn’t expected the trail to be problem-free. In fact, he was surprised they’d made it this far.
Jordan crossed her arms. “So now what? Should we turn around?”
He started to shake his head, but the stabbing pain stopped him cold. “Too dangerous. We need to keep going in case the fire turns.”
“You think there’s another bridge?”
“No, we’ll just have to cross without one. The bank isn’t steep,” he added. “The Jeep can make it down.”
Her eyes widened, and even in the low light he could see her alarm. “But what about the water? How do we get through that?”
He kept his gaze steady on hers, hoping she wouldn’t panic. “I’m guessing it’s pretty shallow with the drought we’ve had. But we won’t know for sure until we’re in it.”
Her hand rose to her throat. He wished he could spare her this. He worked with danger and risked his life every day. But she’d always been more vulnerable, in need of protection. Or so he’d thought.
“If you want, we can leave the Jeep here and wade across,” he said slowly. “I can come back later and pick it up.”
“But then we’d have to hike to that road. And what if the fire turns? Wouldn’t it be better if we had the Jeep?”
“Maybe.” Depending on the path the fire took.
She turned toward the river again. The Jeep’s high beams reflected off the thrashing water. The scent of moisture permeated the air. “I guess we’d better drive it across,” she finally said. “But shouldn’t we wait until morning?”
“More light won’t help that much.” The real danger lay under the water, with river rocks and mud. “And the way that front is moving, I’d rather cross tonight, at least get a firebreak between us and the fire.” Even then, sparks could blow across, but he didn’t mention that. She already looked anxious enough.
Her long sigh cut through the dusk. “All right, but you’d better drive. This is totally out of my league.”
If only he could. He tried to lift his right arm, but sharp pain blazed through his shoulder, a deep, dizzying spasm that burned from his neck to his ribs.
He clenched his jaw and sucked in his breath, willing the ache to subside. He’d always been the strong one, the man who took all the risks. Sure, he relied on his smokejumping bros, but that was part of the job.
But this weakness, this damned dependency…
His stomach balled, and something close to panic rocked his nerves. It was only temporary, for God’s sake. He wasn’t a permanent ground-pounder. He’d be back on the jump list in no time.
But it was still damned hard to admit. He forced his fist to uncurl. “You’ll have to do it. I can’t shift with my shoulder this bad.”
The rushing water filled the stark silence. He felt Jordan’s gaze on him, and his pulse slugged hard through his head, as if he’d just run the PT test. God, he hated being weak.
“All right,” she said. “I’ll try.”
He flicked his gaze to hers, but didn’t see condemnation. The knot slowly eased in his gut.
But then, she’d always had that effect on him. She’d been his oasis, his refuge, offering him the comfort and solace he’d craved.
