Sound of Summer

by Annette Broadrick

  "All right," he whispered. "You stay here. I'm going back for your truck."

  "My truck! Are you crazy?" she hissed.

  "Shhhh. No. It will be much more simple to get out of these mountains on wheels. I don't know how long it will take them to discover we're missing or how interested they will be in finding us once they do. The truck will get us out of here."

  "But they'll hear you!"

  "Probably, but by then, it will be too late to stop us. Watch for me, and be ready to jump into the truck. We won't have much time."

  She nodded. Her heart was suddenly thumping in her chest. She wasn't afraid for herself, but for him. "Be careful."

  He smiled. "Always." In the act of turning away, he paused, then turned back to her. Pulling her close to him, he leaned down and kissed her—a very thorough, very possessive kiss. "See you later."

  Within two steps from her, he had blended with the shadows and Selena shivered. Once again she was alone. She backed up against the trunk of a tree and slowly slid down until she was resting on her heels.

  She had no idea how much time had elapsed when she faintly heard a car engine start up. He'd done it! Sounds carried on the still night air and she heard shouts along with the steady drone of an engine being pushed to its limits. She ran to the roadside.

  Shots rang out. Gunfire! "Oh, Adam," she whispered. There had been no reason for him to be involved, but he had come with her anyway. He'd done a darned good job of getting them out of the situation, but at what cost?

  Headlights beamed through the trees, sweeping the curve, then straightening out and pinning her in their beam. She quickly ran to the side of the road.

  Gravel flew when he slammed on the brakes. He threw the passenger door open and Selena leaped onto the seat. They took off while she scrambled for the door handle. "Are you okay?" she asked breathlessly.

  He laughed—an exhilarated sound that reassured her. "I'm fine. Just fine."

  "Who was shooting back there?"

  "I don't know. You can't hit much with pistols—not as far away as I was. They didn't do much, if any, damage."

  Just enough. When the truck started sputtering several miles later, Adam glanced down at the gas gauge and began to curse. "A ricochet must have punctured the gas tank."

  "Are you sure?"

  "I checked it when I first got in. You had over a half tank left. We've gone less than fifteen miles. Even Detroit manages better gas mileage than that!"

  He pulled the truck over to the side of the road.

  "What do we do now?"

  "Get to the nearest phone. As I recall, there's a combination service station-grocery store down the road. There's a public telephone there. We've got to reach it."

  "Why? At least now we have my truck back. Once I get the gas tank repaired, I'll be fine."

  "Sure you will. Until those goons catch up with you again."

  He helped her out of the truck, took her hand and hurried her down the road. All the while he kept watching the road behind them.

  "Who are you going to call?"

  "An old friend of mine in Washington. I'll let him handle the matter."

  She digested that in silence.

  Adam suddenly jerked her hand, pulling her off the road. "Here they come. Come on, we've got to hide." They leaped over the small ditch and dived for cover just as the car stopped by their truck. Adam got up. "They'll be looking around there for a while. If we stay in the shadows and keep moving, we should be all right."

  They silently raced along the side of the road, out of the range of the headlights. When they heard the car, they immediately hid again, watching as the vehicle drove by slowly. They waited until it was gone.

  "What do we do now?"

  "Nothing's changed. I intend to find that phone. Come on."

  It seemed like hours later before they rounded the curve and saw the small glowing sign of the gasoline station. Everything was closed. "You stay here," Adam cautioned her, once again disappearing into the night.

  Selena was too out of breath to debate the issue. Whatever Adam's previous occupation, he was good. She neither saw nor heard him. Even if the men who were looking for them had been standing there, they wouldn't have seen him.

  She concentrated on the phone—and blinked. He was already there, standing in the shadow of the post, holding the phone and looking like a wraith. She shook her head, wondering how he did it.

  He almost scared her out of a few years' growth a few minutes later when he clamped his hand over her mouth and whispered. "Don't yell. It's me."

  "How did you get behind me?"

  "It doesn't matter. I knew you didn't see me. I didn't want to startle you."

  "So now what do we do?"

  "Wait."

  "For what?"

  "A ride."

  "From whom?"

  "Friends."

  "Dammit, Adam. I've known clams who are chattier than you."

  He led her deeper into the trees. He leaned against one of them and pulled her against him. "But haven't you figured it out yet? I'm a man of action."

  His kiss tasted of the night, of excitement, danger and a tingle of fear. His hands slid down her spine in a sensuous exploration that caused tiny coils to tighten within her. Selena couldn't understand her reaction to him and at the moment was too caught up in the myriad sensations he evoked to even try to analyze them.

  His hands slipped beneath her sweater and delicately unhooked her bra. With measured movement, he explored the slight indentation of her spine, then moved his hands around to her midriff, directly below her unbound breasts.

  Selena drew a ragged sigh when he released her mouth, pulling back slightly. "Adam?"

  "Hmmm?"

  "Why are you doing this?"

  "Doing what?"

  "Distracting me."

  "Is that what I'm doing?" he murmured, his mouth leaving a moist path along her cheek to the corner of her eye.

  "You know very well what you're doing," she muttered.

  His hands cupped the fullness of her breasts and Selena shivered at his touch. When his mouth found hers once more she realized she didn't need an explanation. She needed him.

  The sound of a car driving slowly alerted them and Adam straightened. There were no lights. He watched as it paused in the driveway of the station; the lights were flicked on and off twice, then the car remained in darkness.

  "Come on. Our ride's here."

  Adam grabbed her hand and they raced for the car. The passenger door opened and a low voice murmured, "Taxi?"

  Selena found herself shoved to the middle of the seat, with Adam leaping in behind her. "Let's go," he said, while his arm wrapped around her and pulled her close to his side.

  "Where to?"

  She looked at the driver. In the shadowy car she could see no clear features, just an impression of quiet strength.

  Adam leaned forward slightly to look at the driver. "Do you know this area?"

  "Fairly well."

  "Can you get us back up near the pass?" The driver glanced at him quickly. "I think so, why?"

  "I know a place where we can disappear for a couple of days."

  Selena interrupted. "Wait a minute. We don't need to disappear. If I can get my truck repaired, I intend to forget all of this and enjoy what's left of my vacation!"

  She could see Adam's smile flash in the dark and she found it very irritating.

  "She doesn't have a clue, does she?" the driver offered.

  Adam chuckled. "Unfortunately, no. But we'll have some time while we're waiting up there. I'll fill her in." He settled back into the seat. "My name's Adam, by the way."

  "Glad to meet you. I'm Eric."

  ''Yes. D.G. said he was sending one of his best men to us. I'm sure you're wondering why he chose you to be a driver at this time of night."

  Selena felt the driver shrug. "I've been on alert for the past ten days, waiting for a call that it was time to move. I just didn't know what form it would take."

&n
bsp; Adam began to stroke Selena's arm, up and down slowly, softly, rhythmically, and she felt herself relaxing almost against her will.

  "I think we may have triggered it. Selena happened to stumble across their setup. The situation may be premature for them—but that can only help us."

  "Yes."

  "Would you two mind explaining what you're talking about?" Selena demanded.

  In a soothing voice Adam murmured close to her ear. "Be patient, love, and I'll explain in a short while."

  "We have visitors," Eric muttered.

  Adam abruptly shifted in the seat and peered out the back window. A car with no lights was approaching, by necessity, slowly. He smiled. "Good."

  "Good!" Selena stared at him.

  "As long as we're still of interest to them, they don't realize others know about it. Otherwise they wouldn't waste their time." He leaned forward. "Can we gain on them without letting on we know they're there?"

  Eric laughed. "I'll see what I can do." He glanced at the rear view mirror. "How much farther do we need to go?"

  Adam thought for a moment. "There's a trail a couple of miles up the road from here, if you can make the curve enough ahead of them and slow down, we'll get out. If we're lucky they won't see us and will continue to follow you."

  "Sounds good. I've got nothing else to do until morning. I can spend the night encouraging them to learn these mountain roads."

  They're enjoying this, Selena realized. She could feel the tension in Adam—his body was almost humming with it. He'd better have some answers for her. And soon.

  She could feel the pulling power of the car as it began to increase its speed along the uphill grade. There was power to spare. She was amazed at how well it hugged the road and took the corners.

  Adam kept watch out the back. "No rights yet. I think they'll keep them off as long as they think we aren't aware they're following."

  "How much farther?"

  Adam glanced around, alert for landmarks. "There's a straightaway for about a quarter of a mile after this next curve, then the road curves sharply to the left. Just on the other side of the curve is the trail I'm thinking about."

  "Okay. I'll slow down as much as I can, but you'll have to be fast."

  "I know."

  The straightaway helped them outdistance their pursuers, but Eric had to slow for the curve. He continued to brake until Adam opened the door, then he stopped the car. "Good luck."

  "Thanks. We'll see you in a couple of days."

  Eric grinned as he watched Selena scramble out of the car. She barely heard his comment as he pulled away. "Wish we could exchange jobs."

  "We don't have time to stand here, let's move." Once again Adam grabbed her hand and they sprinted up the trail. Selena found herself giving thanks for her hours of aerobic workouts and gym training. She had needed them to keep in shape for her role, but only now could she appreciate what good shape she was in.

  She was also aware of Adam's condition. He had looked fit enough, but his stamina astounded her. His body was a well trained machine. He moved tirelessly up the trail, sometimes by her side, other times ahead of her. But he never lost his grip on her hand.

  At one point they reached a clearing and the moonlight cast a glow that was almost spellbinding. Adam paused and listened. She could hear nothing, but she waited. Eventually satisfied, he motioned with his head for her to follow him once more.

  What am I doing here? she thought more than once over the next few hours. But by the time Adam had paused again, she was too tired to care.

  They must have been traveling for several hours, since the moon had shifted well to the west. Selena knew they had come to a higher elevation because she was short of breath. The naked peaks of the mountains stood like sentinels along the rim of the sky. She shivered.

  She was out of her element and knew it. She had no business playing hide-and-seek with these people, whatever their purpose. Oh, what she'd give for a hot bath and a comfortable bed to curl up in.

  "Do you see that canyon wall?" Adam said softly, pointing past her ear.

  How could she miss it? The towering, sheer cliff was almost overpowering. She nodded, too tired to speak.

  "That's where we're headed. When I was doing some exploring last fall I found a cave. It will do for shelter until this deal is taken care of."

  "Why couldn't we just go back to your cabin?"

  "Because that's the first place they'll look."

  "Why are they so interested in finding us?"

  "They're afraid you know too much."

  "But I don't know anything," she wailed.

  "Yes, I realize that, but it no longer matters. You are in just as much danger as if you had recognized what they're up to."

  "Do you know?"

  "I didn't until I talked to D.G." He slid his arm around her. "Come on. We're almost there. Once you get some rest I'll tell you everything I've managed to find out."

  She tossed her head in a tired semblance of her usual manner. "Don't make it sound like you're promising candy if I'll be good."

  He grinned. "What would you like me to promise you?"

  "Oh, go to hell!"

  His laughter didn't appease her anger. She followed him down the slope, across a shallow creek, then up a slight incline until they approached the canyon wall. She was convinced they'd followed it for several miles when he paused. "There it is."

  For some reason Selena had pictured a cave along the floor of the canyon. This one opened a good seven feet above it. ' 'How do you propose to get up there?"

  "Easy. I'll boost you up, then climb in after."

  What she found so disgusting was that he managed to do just that, lifting her as if she were made of helium, then hoisting himself up.

  When she stood up, she realized the cave was spacious. Adam flicked on a penlight and shone it around the area. The cave wasn't deep, but the floor was a fine sand, soft and silky to the touch. Selena gratefully sank down on its surface. "I may never move again."

  Adam sat down near the mouth of the cave, facing the way they'd come. "Go on to sleep. I'm going to stay up for a while."

  She turned around and glared at him. He was still going to be the intrepid male, watching for predators. Well, let him! She was going to sleep.

  After curling up on the soft sand, Selena remembered Clay. If he'd written such a stupid plot for one of the series' episodes, she would have ridiculed him. She could hardly wait to get home to tell him of her peaceful and serene vacation in the mountains!

  Chapter Six

  When Selena woke up she was alone. Bright sunshine fit up the shallow cave and the day before seemed like a dream that she might have had after spending too many hours rehearsing.

  Abduction? Spies? A car chase? Bullet holes in the gas tank? She sighed. Her body told her it was very real. Some of her muscles were vigorously protesting the inhumane treatment. Wearily she sat up, rubbing her back.

  Where were they? She crawled over to the mouth of the cave and looked out. Adam was kneeling by a small stream several yards away. She contemplated the broad expanse of his back that was bared to the sun, while he was splashing water over his head and shoulders.

  Actually, that didn't seem a bad idea. She wondered if he had thought to bring soap, then she remembered her handbag. She'd left it in the truck. It held her change of clothes, her makeup, as well as a small bar of cosmetic soap.

  Who could have guessed she would be reduced to living off the land totally in such a short time? Had she been here only a few days? It felt more like years. And it felt as if Adam already was a part of her life, which was odd. They couldn't be more different. She could never picture herself living alone with a dog for months on end—she enjoyed people too much. At least, most of the time. Lately, everything had gotten on her nerves.

  Selena swung over the edge of the cave and slowly let herself down. By the time she let go, she only had a couple of feet to drop. Resolutely she moved toward the stream.

  "Good morn
ing," she said cheerfully, joining Adam by the water.

  He glanced around, surprised at her good humor. "You must have slept well."

  "Oh, I did. Nothing like a good hike to ensure a good night's rest and whet the appetite. When do we eat?"

  Her hair tumbled around her shoulders and her face was devoid of makeup. The bright sunlight illuminated her skin, searching for flaws, but revealing none. Here was a woman who needed no artificial help to enhance her beauty. Her clear, blue gaze met his with an openness that Adam found wholesome and appealing—and foreign to his way of life.

  She was an innocent in the ways of the world as he knew it, and he had a sudden sharp pain somewhere inside that others were trying to take advantage of that innocence. Was there such a thing as the rape of an innocent soul and mind, impregnating it with the evils and cunning of deceit and destruction?

  He had never given the matter much thought, probably because he'd been exposed to the other life so early. He had never considered the type of person he was trying to protect with his way of life.

  Now he had come face to face with one, and he found it soul shaking. He didn't want her to know the sort of life he'd led until a year ago. He didn't want to see her eyes fill with revulsion when she knew more about him. Adam had grown used to the lively curiosity in her eyes, the amusement, and at times, the attraction she felt for him. He was aware she fought against that attraction—and with good reason.

  He could bring nothing good into her life— only fear and a possible destruction of all her ideals. She means too much to me to let that happen.

  "As a matter of fact, we are going to eat, but first, we have to clean our breakfast."

  "Clean it?"

  He pointed to a nice sized trout. "Didn't you know? I've been up for hours planning our meals. I managed to catch that."

  "With what, Superman? Your bare hands?"

  "No, as a matter of fact, I had some fishing gear stashed up here. I got tired of carrying it back and forth to the cabin. That's why I knew where the cave was." He glanced around the meadow. "The stream gets deeper not much farther from here. I enjoy fishing."

  Several hours later Selena discovered she enjoyed watching Adam fish. Perhaps it was because she was hungry, or perhaps it was because she enjoyed the company, but whatever it was, the morning had flown by while she watched him clean the fish, wrap it in some leaves and cook it among some coals.