So do I, he thought wryly.
The rocking motion gradually slowed and Max let out a sigh of relief. It was hard to think when the world was constantly moving. Once the carriage was still, he slowly got to his feet.
Visibility outside the gondola was bad. The air was filled with a fine powder from all the snow—it was like they were in the middle of a cloud. Gradually, though, some structures could be seen through the haze.
“The Lodge is still there,” Molly said, her relief plain.
Max squeezed her hand as he looked down the mountain. “And I can see The Chateau,” he added, referring to the French-inspired luxury hotel at the bottom of the mountain. “The path of the avalanche seems to have angled just enough that the place was spared.” Which hopefully meant the gondola cable supports were safe, as well.
But just as he began to relax, a sharp crack filled the air. The carriage dropped again, only to jerk to a sudden stop once more. Molly’s cry sounded like a sob, and Max reached for her as the gondola began another stomach-lurching parabola.
“It’s okay. We’re okay,” he muttered, repeating the words in the hopes of convincing himself as much as Molly.
“Max, there’s something I need to tell you.”
The cables groaned under the weight of the carriage as it swung back and forth. Fear gripped Max’s heart in a cold fist, and he fought the urge to panic. He took a deep breath, drawing on his Special Forces training to remain calm.
Even though there was nothing he could do.
Or was there? He glanced up, wondering if there was some way they could climb out the top of the carriage. Maybe they could hold on to the cables until rescuers arrived? No, not likely, he thought, dismissing the possibility as he turned his gaze down. Just how far of a drop was it? It looked like soft snow underneath—could they try to jump for it? What were the odds of a safe landing?
“Max.” Molly’s voice was insistent. He looked back at her, surprised to find her blue eyes full of determination.
“What is it?” His thoughts continued to whirl. How long until the rescuers would arrive? How much damage had been done by the avalanche, and would the rescuers even be able to reach them soon?
“I’m pregnant.”
It took several seconds for her words to sink in. But when he finally registered what she was saying, his heart skipped a beat.
“What?”
She smiled nervously. “I’m pregnant,” she repeated. “And it’s yours.”
Copyright © 2019 by Harlequin Books S.A.
ISBN-13: 9781488041341
Undercover Refuge
Copyright © 2019 by Melinda A. Di Lorenzo
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