her foot in exasperation. Fifteen, she’d demanded they just give it to her as it was.
She rounded the hallway and saw Derrick coming out of the couple’s lounge, his white robe still wrapped around him. He made eye contact, and at first, a look of utter gratitude washed over his features as he pulled to a stop, both of his hands running through his hair. But then, if looks could kill, well, when she’d thought Victoria was dangerous looking, she’d been way off.
“I’m sorry…” She almost fell into him, the paper plate still clutched in her hand. “I’m so sorry. I was running to get back before we were supposed to meet.”
He exhaled a breath as one arm latched around her body and his hand cupped her face. Kris stared up to see his eyes completely glazed over. He pulled her against him. “I thought—” He ran his hands through her hair and kissed her forehead. “Please don’t ever scare me like that again. Any other time I wouldn’t freak out that you’re late, but right now, with that maniac—”
“I’m sorry,” she said again, her words disappearing into his chest as he squeezed her tighter.
“Pizza?” he groaned, pressing his lips to the top of her head, as if just happy she was with him. “All you had to do was order it. They would have brought it to you.”
She peered up at him, feeling like a little girl. “I didn’t want to eat it in front of you.”
“Why on earth not?” he demanded, his voice rising a fraction.
“Because you can’t eat it.”
Derrick swiped his hand across his forehead. “Kristina, I’ve never even tasted pizza, so I don’t miss anything. But oddly enough, it doesn’t appeal to me. It’d be like offering a great white shark ice cream.”
She covered her mouth to retain a laugh. “Yesterday a superhero, today a great white?”
“I’m not comparing myself to a shark. I’m just saying pizza isn’t in our food group. We don’t crave food the way humans do. We eat when we’re hungry, simple as that.” He lifted her chin. “And you’re in trouble, so stop trying to change the subject by laughing.”
She dropped her head. “I really am sorry. I knew you’d be worried, but I thought it’d only take a few minutes.”
Derrick scooped up her hand and led her to the couple’s area so they could change and be on with their day. “We’ll find him, Kristina. I promise. And then I won’t go insane when you’re fifteen minutes late. It’s just—”
She pulled him to a stop before he opened the door. “I understand, Derrick. This is serious. I know you’re not being ridiculously obsessive. I saw Beth; I know this is real. I just figured I was safe here.”
He nodded and pulled her against him again. “You are safe, but I can’t take any chances. I can’t lose you. I just got you.”
She smiled, even though he couldn’t see it. She felt the same way. She’d been irresponsible. “I promise. I’ll never cause you to worry again.”
Obviously comforted, he lifted her chin and kissed her again. “Okay. So, since you’ve already eaten lunch, how about we go change before we head off to our next adventure?”
“Maybe we can take a little nap before getting ready,” she said suggestively, hoping he wasn’t too upset with her. Though, oddly enough, he didn’t seem angry at all. It’s as though he’d gotten over his frustration in seconds.
“Well, our reservation is at two, so I’m sure we can fit in a nap if you’re tired.” He raised his eyebrows in question, but then continued, “But first off, I have to go in and settle our bill and make certain the staff doesn’t have us thrown out for disorderly conduct.”
Kris bit down on her lip. “Um… exactly what did you do?”
“I was looking for you the last place I saw you—the ladies’ locker room. They don’t like men in there, it seems.”
Catching the gist of his confession, Kris mashed her lips together to keep from laughing again, even though she knew it wasn’t funny. “You think? It’s not as if you can sneak in and out.”
He shook his head. “There wasn’t any sneaking going on, believe me. I’m surprised you didn’t hear me from the other side of the hotel.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip, her head lowered. She’d have to be extra nice to him when they returned to the room. He was being kind, but evidently, he’d been more upset than he’d let on. “Okay. I’ll go get my stuff out of the locker while you make amends.”
“I’m sure there will be a hefty tip involved.” He pushed open the door and stopped, peering into the eyes of the woman who’d checked them in earlier. He shrugged. “Found my wife.”
Kris cringed and then slunk off toward the ladies’ room, knowing Derrick would take care of everything.
Two hours later, Kris stood bundled in a harness and helmet, ready to take on the largest treetop zip line, approximately 165 feet off the ground. It didn’t sound high when she was on the ground, learning how to zip line five feet above the snow. But now looking over the expanse of the hemlock canopy below her to the platform over eight hundred feet away, she knew she’d been utterly insane to think she could do this. She was sixteen stories up; even Derrick couldn’t fall from this height and live. Or, at least she didn’t think he could. She’d never actually asked. The guide had mentioned that some of the trees were two hundred and fifty years old, dating back to The Revolutionary War. So they were strong and sturdy. The zip lines consisted of two vinyl-covered cables, assuring they were completely safe, and she’d been okay on the first few zips. Even the sky bridges they’d crossed had been okay. But getting a bird’s eye view of Rosebrook Canyon, she was having second thoughts.
“You okay,” Derrick asked, encircling her waist with his arms.
She afforded him an unconvincing nod, gulping in the process, her hands sweating. She knew she didn’t have to hold on, but the instructor had told her to be careful that no part of her skin touched the line. So what if her hand slipped out of the glove?
The guide stepped in front of her. “It’s no different than the others, Mrs. Ashton. Just let the harness do all the work. Lean back in the cannonball position we showed you, point your toes downward, and have fun.”
Kris gave another nod and stepped forward, but then turned to Derrick. “Maybe you should do this one first?” she suggested.
Derrick pressed his hand to her cheek. “You’ll be fine, love. Just keep your eyes forward. Focus on Mount Washington.” He gave her a wink. “Pretend you’re gazing out at the trees from our suite.”
She smiled and huffed out a breath. “Maybe I’ll just rappel down. I handled the rappelling okay.”
“But how would you get to the next platform?” Derrick suggested.
“You go first,” she insisted again. “That way you can catch me if I fall—I mean, come in too quickly.”
The guide laughed, so obviously he thought nothing of her blunder. Of course, who would imagine that her husband was capable of jumping off a building and saving her?
Derrick stepped toward the front of the platform. “Okay, Kristina.” He chuckled along with the guide. “I’ll be waiting to catch you.”
The guide checked Derrick’s straps, and using the carabiner, hooked his harness onto the line. After getting an “all clear” from the guide on the opposite platform, Derrick whooshed over the expanse of trees, letting out a thrilled whoop for her benefit she assumed.
After a few minutes, the other guide’s voice came through the radio, signaling it was safe to send her down. Even though her heart pounded in her chest and her hands were still sweaty, Kris took a deep breath and let it out and then said through gritted teeth. “Okay. I’m ready.”
The guide didn’t respond. She turned, but saw nothing as a cloth covered her entire face. Unable to control her need to take a breath, she inhaled the ether-like odor, a sweet taste prickling her tongue. She tried to pull the glove-covered hand away, but to no avail. Obviously, this was the rogue. The world seemed to wobble before her eyes, and her legs felt non-existent. For a second, she wondered if she was even standing. Then the trees whooshed by her, but she heard no sound as if she’d gone deaf. Was she falling? Had the rogue just dropped her? She tried to scream for Derrick, but nothing left her throat, at least she didn’t think so, remembering she hadn’t heard the trees that jumped over her either.
Now the entire forest bobbed up and down, and she just wanted it to stop. Dizzy and feeling sick, she closed her eyes and just waited to hit the forest floor and die. Unfortunately, Derrick would not be able to save her this time.
