by AJ Quinn
Jake didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
“Good answer.” Conceding with a nod, Kellen’s lips tugged into a half-smile as color burned across Jake’s cheekbones. “Go get your gear together. You’re with me.”
On a bright winter’s day, the location they were searching was inviting, luring hikers and extreme-sports enthusiasts to its untouched trails, the sunshine sometimes whispering a false sense of security. But Kellen knew from experience it could change in an instant. The clouds would quickly roll in, the snow would start to fall, the winds would pick up, and even the best outdoorsmen could find themselves caught out.
Even so, the appeal remained—the challenge of tough terrain and the thrill of virgin snow. She knew it well.
Progress was slow, and as darkness descended, temperatures on the mountain plummeted below zero. The good news was the snowboarders had been equipped with transceivers and the search team had begun sporadically picking up signals. But the mountainous landscape meant the signal bounced off the uneven geography, producing many inaccurate readings.
After countless false starts, they finally picked up a solid electronic signal. As the crow flew, they were less than a mile away. But due to the steep terrain, it took several hours for the team to circle around to the location.
The deep, fresh snow was soft and slowed their progress, with searchers, including Grant’s sharpshooters, trading off to break trail. The wind continuously pounded them and they were cold and tired. But still they pushed on, persevering until at last they reached the lost snowboarders and shifted gears from search mode to assessing the victims and administering first aid.
Kneeling by the first man, Kellen had difficulty getting him to answer questions. He could barely tell them his name, finally managing to tell them it was Don. But he was unsure of the date and began intermittently sobbing, thanking them profusely, and trying to tell them what happened all at the same time. More worrisome, she could see he wasn’t shivering, which told her he was likely so hypothermic his body had lost the ability to warm itself.
“Frostbite on his hands and feet,” Gabe murmured.
Kellen nodded and continued talking to Don. Reassuring him while working side by side with Gabe, putting heat packs in his armpits and groin area, then wrapping him in blankets. She knew he would need to be airlifted out, and as she moved to kneel by the second victim, she began considering the best location for a landing zone.
The other rescued snowboarder was so elated he immediately began to talk Jake’s ear off, showing no sign of slowing down. One of a rescuer’s most important activities during missions was to manage other people’s emotions. Kellen could tell the man was simply overcome with relief at having been rescued and was pleased as she watched how Jake handled him, listening and providing reassurance.
She made eye contact with her trainee, just long enough for her to silently tell him he was doing great. Jake stared at her a few seconds longer then broke into a wide grin.
Then Kellen heard the bullet, the crack echoing all around her. The searing burn followed a second later. She jerked and dropped to the ground at the same instant she heard a cry of pain coming from Jake. Turning her head, she could see blood staining the snow near him.
“Jake—how bad are you hit?”
She heard Jake groan before he answered. “My arm…I think it went through my arm. Jesus, Kel. It hurts like a son of a bitch.”
She heard the pain in his voice and smothered her own inside her rage. But there was no time to do anything as three successive shots quickly followed, striking the ground inches from her head.
This time, she heard the FBI sharpshooters fire back.
She felt blood drip from her neck, but knowing there was nothing she could do, she closed her eyes to wait. It was either that or stare up at the hypnotically falling snow. Been there, done that. Not again.
*
The day had proven relentless and hectic, and it was long after dark before Dana realized Kellen had gone on a callout.
“They’re looking for a pair of snowboarders whose families last heard from them early this morning,” Annie told her.
Dana frowned. “When did the team head out?”
“Early this afternoon, just after the call came in. Truthfully, no one’s really expecting them back before tomorrow morning. The area they’re searching is pretty remote. Kellen arranged it so that if they haven’t found them by morning, we’ll send a second team out to resume the search.”
Processing the information, Dana tried to push her concerns out of her mind. But she had little success. It would be cold on the mountain and the forecast called for heavy snow at higher elevations, which would make the search area even more treacherous. Especially at night.
Her mind immediately created a jumble of scenarios for her consideration. And if those weren’t bad enough, she couldn’t forget the shooter was still out there.
“If it makes you feel better, when the team went out, two FBI agents went with them.” Annie shook her head, clearly surprised by the move. “Who would have thought?”
“Kellen told me about that,” Dana confessed. “She said she’ll do anything she can to protect everyone on her team. Even if it means working with Grant and having FBI sharpshooters on her teams.”
“I always knew she was a smart woman.” A spark of humor crept into Annie’s eyes as she leaned closer and pulled Dana into a tight embrace. “And you need to believe she’ll be fine. Because she’s on a mission, she’ll already be hyperalert, focused on finding the two snowboarders. She’s also a superb tracker and knows the terrain—these woods and mountains—like no one else I know. So she’ll be aware of anything that doesn’t look right or feel right. The FBI can take care of the rest. Have faith in her.”
Dana rested her head against Annie’s shoulder and just breathed. “I do have faith in Kellen. It’s just that I have this feeling I can’t shake. He’s out there, Annie. And it’s Kellen he wants.”
They waited together until it was clear the team wasn’t coming back that night. Dana offered to put Annie up in her cabin.
“And where will you sleep, as if I don’t know?”
Dana felt a hot blush spread across her face. “Does it bother you?”
“That you’ve been spending your nights with Kellen? On the contrary,” Annie said, “I couldn’t be more pleased, for both of you. Has she told you how she feels?”
“No. I believe…I know she cares. She has so much heart, so much emotion. But it’s like every time it comes close to the surface, it scares her and she shuts it all off.”
“It shouldn’t surprise anyone, given how she grew up. But you can see how she feels every time she looks at you. We’ve all seen it. Be patient, Dana. Give her time.”
Time. It passed inexorably, relentlessly, slowly. She dreamed of snowshoeing and skiing with Kellen. Of sitting by the fire reading while Kellen worked on a carving. The dreams left her aching and needy and finally chased her from her bed.
After a long hot shower and a quick coffee, she made her way back to the clinic only to find it a hive of activity. She looked for Liz to find answers. “Have they found the snowboarders?”
“Yes. I understand one is in pretty rough shape, but thankfully, they should both make it.”
She knew immediately there was something else. She could hear it in Liz’s tone, see it in the serious, professional look that came over her face, and in the stiffness of her stance. “There’s more, isn’t there. Something you’re not telling me. What is it?”
“There was another incident involving the team. Another shooting. Sam went out at first light and is bringing in the injured along with the snowboarders. Two of them.”
Dana went very still, her eyes half-closed. Hearing the words but unable to decipher them. “How badly is she hurt?”
Liz’s eyes were filled with compassion. “I’m sorry, Dana. I wish I could tell you more but I just don’t know. I didn’t get a lot of details. But I don’t think either of them i
s badly hurt.”
She thought Liz was holding back, leaving something out. But she didn’t know how to press her into telling her everything. All she could do was wait.
*
Awash in pain, Kellen’s head pounded, trying but failing to keep rhythm with the sound of voices and the noise of the helicopter rotor beating the air. She gritted her teeth, shivered, and listened to Gabe talking on the radio.
But through the din, she could still hear it. The echo of the bullet that creased her neck sending shards of pain shooting through her before drilling through Jake’s upper arm as they crouched over one of the snowboarders.
Another scar, she thought and wanted to laugh. She probably would have, except her head hurt too much now that the adrenaline had faded. So she concentrated on listening to Gabe talking to dispatch.
“We’ve got a male, thirty-two. Name is Don McVeigh. Hypothermic, dehydrated, and has frostbite on his fingers and toes. We’ve administered IV fluids, cranked the chopper’s heat, have heat packs in his armpits and groin, and have him wrapped in blankets. We’ve managed to get him shivering again, but he’ll need to go to Denver for a couple of days—they can check his kidney function and treat the frostbite.”
“Good job. What about the other snowboarder?”
Dana’s voice sounded tinny and echoed over the radio, but it was still immediately recognizable and made Kellen smile hazily. What did that say about her? God, she had it bad.
Gabe laughed. “Sorry, Doc. I didn’t realize it was you on the other end. Don’s buddy is twenty-eight. Name’s Frank Dillon. He’s mostly scraped and bruised, goose egg on his forehead, slightly disoriented, a touch of frostbite on his feet.”
“Roger, team one. We’ll have Life Flight standing by when you land and will notify their families.”
“Thanks, Doc. You might also want to have a couple of sewing kits ready. But nothing too serious.”
There was a slight pause before Dana’s voice came back. “Roger, team one.”
Gabe signed off and turned to look at Kellen, picking up her wrist and checking her pulse again. “Are you hanging in? Because I’ve got to tell you, you look like shit.”
Kellen turned her head to scowl at Gabe and immediately felt dizzy with reaction. “Did Tim ask you to take his place here at comedy central?”
“As a matter of fact,” Gabe responded with a smile. “Seriously, Kel. Your face is white as a damn ghost, your pulse isn’t great, and you’re cold and shaking. Talk to me. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been shot,” Kellen said and grimaced. “Again, damn it. How am I supposed to feel?”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry, Gabe. I shouldn’t be taking it out on you. It’s just that it makes no sense. How is it I lived on the street for years and never came close to getting shot? And now, twice, in a little over a year—?” She could feel herself fading and tried to pull herself back, struggling to stay awake. “Have you checked on Jake?”
“Yeah. He’s sleeping like a baby. Bullet went straight through. Looks like it did minimal damage all the way around, if you don’t count the dead first-aid kit.”
Kellen surprised herself and a weak smile curved her lips. “Is that where the other bullets ended up?”
“Yes.” Gabe laughed. “And there’s more good news. One of the agents says they found some blood that’s not yours or Jake’s. The two FBI guys think maybe they winged the shooter when they fired back.”
“Is that a good thing?” she murmured, uncertain how she should feel.
“Yeah. It’s a very good thing. At the very least, it should slow the bastard down while Grant and his boys try to figure out who he is.”
“Maybe. But if he got that close to us, tell me why he didn’t just kill me. He’s proven how good a shot he is. Why am I still alive?”
“I don’t know, Kel.” Gabe checked her pulse again and stroked her hair. “We’ve an ETA of about fifteen minutes or so. Why don’t you close your eyes and rest until we land?”
Kellen nodded and winced but ignored the pull on her neck as her eyes closed and her head lolled.
Chapter Twenty-two
As soon as the helicopter landed, Dana went to meet it and began to coordinate the transfer of the gurneys holding the two snowboarders. She quickly checked their vital signs and IVs, and relayed their medical status to the Life Flight crew who were prepared to take over.
It was only after she heard the thumping beat and saw the Life Flight helicopter take off over the treetops that she allowed herself to look for Kellen. Thankfully, it didn’t take long. She found her leaning against Sam, watching intently as Gabe helped a bloodied Jake down and handed him over to Liz and one of the doctors, who quickly ushered him into the clinic.
Dana took an uninterrupted moment to study the strain and exhaustion evident on Kellen’s face, to take in her torn and bloodied jacket, and the dark red stain leaking through the bandage visible on her neck. She continued to stare, frozen in place, shuddering when Kellen turned and met her gaze.
Kellen made it across the short distance separating them and gathered her close. “Hey, you,” she whispered. “It’s okay. Jake’s going to be fine. I’m fine.”
She could feel Kellen’s hands as they came up and framed her face, then felt the fleeting, silky soft touch of her lips. Lighting a fire inside her and numbing her mind of everything except Kellen. But only for an instant. As she drew back, she narrowed her eyes and studied her intently.
“How much?” she asked. Her voice shook with repressed energy. “How much of the blood on you is yours?”
“Only a bit. Honestly, most of it belongs to Jake. I promise.”
Dana shuddered again, then reached for Kellen’s hand and led her to the clinic and into one of the exam rooms without saying another word. Helping her out of her jacket and tattered sweater, she removed the bloodied bandages and examined the deep gash along her neck. “I can’t remember if I’ve asked you before. Any known allergies to medications?”
“No.”
Working in silence, Dana concentrated on treating the wound, not stopping until it had been closed by a neat row of stitches and covered with fresh bandages.
She had just finished when Annie poked her head around the curtain. “So? How’s our girl?”
“Stitched and bandaged,” Dana answered, managing to get the words out before her throat closed and her eyes filled with tears. Life really was a game of inches, she thought. An inch to the left and the bullet would have missed her completely. An inch to the right—
“Annie,” Kellen said, “my sweater’s trashed and my jacket’s not much better. Do you think you could get me something to wear?” As soon as Annie disappeared from view, she got up, pulled the curtain closed, and drew Dana into her arms. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on inside that head of yours. Please, don’t shut me out.”
Dana burrowed into the security Kellen’s arms offered. She felt the steady beat of Kellen’s heart and the strong arms that held her where she knew she was safe. Where she knew, if she let herself, she could fall apart. “I’m not shutting you out. Not really. But it scares me to realize how close he got to you again, in spite of having those two sharpshooters along for the ride.”
“Dana—”
“No, Kellen. Even you have to admit the situation is going from bad to worse. It’s like he’s toying with you. A game of cat and mouse. Trying to show you he can get you at any time, no matter what you do.” Dana swallowed. “And I’m scared. Damn it, I’ve just found you and I don’t want to lose you. But this bastard’s doing his best to kill you.”
“Maybe. But we’re not going to let him, are we?”
Dana shook her head. “No. But I’ve no idea how the hell we stop him.”
“I don’t know either,” Kellen admitted, exhaling a ragged breath. “Something doesn’t feel right, but I’m hurting, I’m tired, I’ve lost a bit of blood, so I’m not thinking straight. I just know I need to figure
it out because I won’t live in fear. I had enough of that when I was growing up, living on the street. I won’t go back there.”
“And I don’t want you to. But I don’t know what I can do. How can I help?”
A mere breath away, Kellen spoke softly. “Just be with me. With you I can be me, without worrying about who that is.”
Dana’s eyes widened and Kellen realized that was probably the closest she had come to telling her how she felt. But she also sensed more than knew that Dana didn’t want to talk about how she was feeling anymore. Her emotions were too raw, the wounds still too fresh.
Leaning closer, Kellen whispered, “As soon as Annie brings me something to wear, why don’t we go back to my cabin? The girls will need to see I’m all right, Bogart will need to be fed, and you, Doctor, look like you need to rest after all this.”
“Are you going to rest with me?”
“Where else would I be?” Dana’s skin was soft, the feel of her breath warm. Kellen kissed the top of her head and held her close a little while longer.
Hours later, Dana lay sleeping, her left arm tucked under Cody, her right holding Ren close. Standing in the shadows, Kellen dragged a hand through her hair. She was bone tired, her head ached, and her stomach growled, reminding her too many hours had passed since she’d last eaten.
But she had no real interest in food. Nor could she pull herself away from where she stood. Watching the three most important people in her life sleeping soundly in her bed.
The feel of Bogart’s nose against her hand reminded her that others still relied on her for their needs. “Sorry, Bogart. Don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
After putting food and fresh water out for him, she put on her boots and grabbed a jacket, so she could take him out as soon as he was finished eating.
