by Terri Reed
Maybe attending good old Bend Community Church in the morning would bring him some peace. “I’ll think about it,” he said hoping to take away the fretfulness in Julie’s pretty eyes.
Gordon stepped over. “I was telling the guys that all the hotels in town are booked. I did find a couple of places that would have rooms available tomorrow night. We’ll have to drive over to Warm Springs and stay at the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort tonight.”
“That’s an hour and half away,” Julie said. “Why not stay in Sunriver in one of the gated communities? My stepdad might have a place that you could rent for the duration of your stay.”
“That’s a good idea,” Gordon said. “Can you call him?”
Julie glanced at Nick. He nodded his approval with a slight smile. Her heart did a little skip. She busied herself with the phone to combat the reaction she was having. The slightest smile made her heart pick up speed. She was acting like a teen again, pining for the most popular athlete in school.
Get a grip and get over it.
Marshal answered on the first ring. “Julie, is everything all right?”
She blinked. No greeting, just assuming she wasn’t okay. Annoyance crept into her tone. “Everything is fine. I have a question.”
“And I will try to answer.”
“It’s more like a favor than a question,” she said. Anxiety churned in her tummy. She rarely asked him for anything; she was afraid he’d think this was too much of an imposition. “Do you have any rental homes in one of the gated communities? Nick Walsh and his teammates need a place to stay.”
“Let me see,” he said. After a long moment of silence, Marshal returned to the phone. “I don’t have anything available this week.”
“Okay. It was worth a shot,” she said with dread knotting her chest. She hated to disappoint Nick.
“Why don’t you invite them all to our house?” Marshal asked.
Julie did a mental double take. “Really? You’d be okay with strangers coming to stay while you’re in residence?” When he traveled he rented out his own house for a premium.
“If it brings you home for a few days, then yes,” he said.
“Thank you,” she said. “That’s very generous.”
“I’ll call the gate and let them know to expect you and your friends.”
Marshal hung up, leaving Julie a little stunned. Marshal had not only offered to let Nick and his friends stay at the house, but he’d made it plain that Julie was to stay there, as well. He’d been trying to get her to move in with him since he and Mom had the house built ten years ago. He’d been putting more pressure on her lately. Seemed he was getting his wish. Temporarily.
“I have a solution to your problem,” she told Nick and the guys. “My stepdad has invited you all to his house. It’s big enough to accommodate all five of you.” She refrained from saying she’d be joining them. “It’s in a gated community with twenty-four-hour security patrolling the grounds. The house has a state-of-the-art alarm system.”
“That sounds like the perfect setup,” Ted commented.
Nick stroked his chin. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be.” She could see the internal debate in his expression. “Nick, if not for yourself, then for your teammates. One of them could have easily been bitten.”
Her word had the desired result. He decided. “We’ll accept your stepdad’s generous offer.”
Julie was glad to help, but the knot in her chest tightened even more. All this talk of attempted murder and knowing how much danger Nick was in only made asking Marshal for help that much more profound because she was putting Marshal and herself in potential danger, though she truly believed they would be safe at Marshal’s house. Still, asking for help didn’t come easily. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d asked her stepdad for a favor. Or for anything, really. He had helped pay her college tuition, but she fully intended to pay it back one day. Her mother had instilled in her the need to stand on her own two feet.
Contemplating going to her condo and packing made her realize this couldn’t have been a more perfect setup if she’d planned it herself. She’d have Nick and his buddies as a captive audience. They’d have to find the time to talk with her. She slanted a glance at Bob. She couldn’t ask him to be at the house late at night or too early in the morning. No, she would be on her own, under the same roof as Nick, sharing the same air. Staying professionally detached was becoming harder by the minute.
SIX
Julie stayed and they ended up spending the rest of the afternoon at the training center, which was part of the mountain’s draw for many winter athletes. Nick put on his best behavior for the camera, though he couldn’t help glancing over his shoulder every few minutes. The attempts on his life were wreaking havoc on his nerves. Gordon had gone to the pro shop and procured some Thunderbird apparel—sans spiders—for Nick and Julie to wear. With Bob filming and Ted keeping a discreet distance, Nick led Julie through the center, answering her questions, telling her, and the world, about learning to ski on Mt. Bachelor, how he’d become interested in aerials, and of his aspirations to compete with the world’s best athletes.
“I was six when I found a jump someone had built on the trail. That was way before this mountain had a terrain park with ramps, rails and the works. I spent hours hurling myself off, trying to get as much air as possible. My ski coach caught sight of my attempts one day and suggested I take some gymnastic lessons during the summer. Mom stuck both me and Cody in classes. We loved jumping and flipping into the foam pit. I wasn’t much for the bars or rings. But the vault was pretty cool, too.”
“Your mom had her hands full with the two of you,” Julie remarked good-naturedly.
“Yeah, she did. We were rambunctious and fought like crazy, but—” He had to look away as his throat closed with grief.
“You miss Cody.”
Her softly spoken words impaled him. Understatement of the century. Remembering those carefree days with his brother brought an ache deep in his soul that he couldn’t shake. An ache that reminded him to keep focused on the goal—winning gold for Cody.
He glanced at the camera, disliking that big black eye that stared at him with unrelenting intensity.
He’d been so distracted by how comfortable he felt with Julie and how easy talking with her was, he’d opened the door for conversation about Cody.
Ready to call a halt to this farce, Nick met Julie’s blue gaze.
There was compassion in her eyes. But there was also a battle raging in her expression. He waited, his breath trapped in his lungs. Would she press him to talk about Cody?
Nick understood her desire to get her promotion, but he wouldn’t drag Cody through the media mud. Not again.
“Is your first coach still here?” she finally asked.
Letting out a grateful breath, he acknowledged her kindness with a nod and a smile. “Coach Anderson retired a few years ago. But I bet there are lessons going on.”
Julie’s approving smile hit his chest like a ray of sunlight, radiating warmth through him. He pushed out the door of the center and welcomed the chilly air, needing to cool off. He had to get a grip. Stay focused, dude.
They found a teen group lesson in session. The kids were excited when he stepped up. For the next hour he answered questions and talked about skiing. The kids were especially interested in hearing about the upcoming games.
“Are you going?” one kid of about fourteen asked. “I saw you wipe out last night.”
“Yeah, I biffed pretty bad, but I walked away. And that’s a good day. Taking a tumble is part of the deal. You have to learn your limits and know when to bail.”
“Will you get to hold the torch and light the flame?” a girl decked out in a red ski suit asked. Her light brown eyes were huge with curiosity.
“No, that honor is reserved for natives of the host country.”
“So if the winter games were held in the U.S., you’d get to light the flame?” another girl ask
ed.
Nick laughed. “If I were asked, I’d be honored.”
“Okay, guys,” the ski instructor interrupted, putting a halt to the questions. “We’ve got a mountain to tame. Let’s get to it.”
When the instructor led the kids to the ski lift, Nick wanted so badly to go with them. He was itching to feel the wind against his face, to zip down the hill as if he could outrun the world. Though the breathless feeling of jumping was exhilarating, he relished the downhill speed, as well.
“You were good with those kids.”
Turning to face Julie, he smiled. “Someday I’d like to coach.”
“You’d do well at it.”
“Hey, Julie, the light’s fading,” Bob said. “Can we call it a wrap for today?”
“Yes, of course,” Julie answered.
Nick checked his phone clock and was surprised to see how much time had passed. This hadn’t been as bad as he’d anticipated.
They returned the clothing they’d borrowed for the show and then headed toward the parking lot. It had cleared out as the sun started its descent on the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of pink and orange.
Nick watched with interest as Bob touched Julie’s elbow, pulling her to a halt. “You gonna be okay? I’m not sure about you taking these guys to your house.”
Julie smiled at her coworker. “It’s my stepdad’s house, and it will be fine. I’ll see you on Monday.”
Bob scowled at Nick. “Be careful with her.”
At face value the words could have meant anything, but Nick had a feeling he’d just been warned not to hurt Julie. Like he had any intention of doing so.
Obviously the man cared about Julie. Nick wondered just how deeply those feelings went and if Julie returned them.
“No worries, buddy. She’s safe.”
Bob grunted and headed in the opposite direction.
Two little frown lines appeared between Julie’s eyes. “He’s been acting strange all day.”
“I wouldn’t stress about it,” Nick said, unable to keep the amusement from his tone. Obviously, she didn’t realize Bob had a thing for her. Which had to mean she didn’t have a thing for Bob. Now why did that bit of knowledge lift Nick’s mood?
She gave him a confused look. “He’s usually much more congenial than he was today.”
Nick’s phone chirped. He answered. Gordon wanted to know when and where to meet them so he and the guys could follow Julie to her house.
“We’ll meet you in the parking lot in five,” he said and hung up.
With Ted keeping pace with Nick on one side and Julie on the other, they headed out of the training center. Julie slipped slightly on the sloping walkway. Nick tucked her into his side to keep her upright. The shy, grateful smile she gave him sent his heart galloping. He ignored how good it felt to have her meld against him, as though they were a couple. He hadn’t been part of a couple in longer than he cared to remember.
He didn’t have time for a love life with his travel and training schedule. He barely had time for friends, let alone dating. Hanging out with his female teammates didn’t count, since he regarded each one like a sister he’d never had. He certainly didn’t view Julie with the same lens. He was skating on dangerous ice here. Remembering why he needed to keep a distance from her was proving difficult at every turn.
He liked her, and if his life wasn’t so complicated and she wasn’t a reporter, he might want to see where a relationship with her would go. But his life was complicated and commitment was a fire he wasn’t ready to leap into, especially not with a woman who had an agenda that put his reputation and that of his brother on the line.
He had to remember someone was trying to kill him. He was waiting to hear if he’d be going to compete in the biggest sporting event in the world. And Julie was who she was. Or rather, what she was—a reporter, which put her in the frenemy category. Friend, yet enemy.
The gunning of an engine rent the air, grabbing Nick’s attention. His gaze whipped to his left. A white utility van barreled down the aisle of the parking lot.
He and Julie stood directly in its path.
“Watch out!” Ted shouted while giving Nick a shove to move him out of the way.
Julie screamed.
Nick swung his arm out to capture Julie by the waist and, using the momentum of Ted’s push, dove to the side, taking Julie with him. They landed hard between two parked cars. He tried to break their fall, taking the brunt of the impact himself. His heart beat like a stampede of mule deer.
The loud crack of a gun echoed in Nick’s ears. Were they being shot at? He folded himself over Julie, protecting her as best he could against the unseen threat.
Nick’s mind spun. Had the driver of the van simply not seen them or was this another deliberate attempt on his life?
“Are you guys all right?”
Ted’s frantic question pierced through the thundering in Nick’s ears. The resort parking lot came into focus. He rolled off Julie and sat up.
“Yeah.” His voice came out ragged. “I think we are. Julie?”
She lay on her back staring up at the dusky sky, her face pale. She didn’t respond.
Panic seized Nick’s breath. “Jules?”
She gripped his hand and squeezed. “Give me a minute,” she whispered.
The sound of pounding feet on the pavement sent a fresh wave of alarm through Nick. Ted whirled to face the oncoming threat, his weapon drawn.
“Whoa! Just us,” Gordon said as he, Frank and Lee drew to a halt.
Ted lowered his weapon.
Nick looked up at him. “Did you shoot at the van?”
“Yep, took out his taillight. That will give the police something to look for, since it was a generic white van with no markings and the plates missing.”
“What happened?” Gordon asked, his gruff voice quaking. “Nick, you okay? Tell me you didn’t get hurt!”
“I’m fine.” Ignoring the others squeezing close, Nick went to his knees and checked Julie for injuries. “Are you hurt?”
She pushed his hands away. “Just. Give. Me. A. Minute.”
He lifted his hands. His pulse beat erratically.
Julie came up on her elbows. “That was close.”
“Are you hurt?” Nick persisted, needing to know she was unharmed.
She shook her head. Strands of hair had broken free from her bun, making her look more like the girl he remembered. He smoothed a hand over her cheek. “That’s a relief.”
Her pretty blue eyes searched his face. “You?”
“A few scrapes and more bruises, but nothing that would keep me from competing.” He shifted his attention to Ted. “Call the police.”
“Already called it in,” he replied.
Nick rose and held out his hand to Julie. She slipped her smaller hand into his. Her skin was soft and smooth, her bones delicate, yet her grip was strong. When she had her feet under her, he tried to let go of her hand.
She held on for a moment longer. “Thank you for saving my life.”
Uncomfortable with her gratitude and the way her eyes looked at him with a bit of hero worship, he shrugged. “I was saving my own skin, as well.”
A corner of her lush mouth lifted. “Yeah, well, thanks just the same.”
“Did you get a look at the driver?” Frank asked.
Nick shook his head. “It happened too fast. The windows were tinted.”
Lee clapped him on the back. “Glad you’re okay. You’re like a cat with nine lives, dude.”
“Landing on my feet is my specialty,” Nick quipped.
Lee grinned. “As well as saving damsels in jeopardy.”
Nick barked out a short laugh. “And that.”
“The police will be here shortly,” Ted said. “Let’s get back inside.”
“Julie, you should probably leave. I don’t want you getting hurt because of me,” Nick said.
“Save your breath,” she replied. “I’m staying. And you’re coming with me to Marshal’s. End
of discussion. Okay?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “When did you get pushy?”
One side of her mouth tipped up. “About the time you popped back into my life.”
He laughed, liking her spunk. He sent up a silent plea for her safety and hoped God would listen.
They waited inside the lodge, and by the time the police arrived, took their statements and left, night had fallen. After a quick dinner in the lodge restaurant, Julie gave Gordon her stepfather’s address in case they got separated.
“You guys give us a ten-minute head start,” Ted instructed. “I need to be sure we’re not followed.”
Acutely aware that Ted had his hand on his weapon in case of another attempt as he escorted them to Julie’s car, Nick kept Julie close so he could grab her again if needed. He hated that she’d come close to being hurt twice now because of him. She led them to a red hybrid hatchback car with snow tires and shiny rims.
Nick let out a low whistle. “Sweet car.”
She beamed. “Thanks. It handles amazingly well. But then again, it’s an all-terrain vehicle.”
“I should drive,” Ted said as he stopped behind them. “You two sit in back. Less of a target that way.”
Nick’s heart thumped at the reminder of the danger plaguing him.
Julie’s eyes widened. “That works for me.” She held out the keys attached to a heart-shaped gold fob.
Nick placed his duffel bag into the trunk. He and the guys had removed their things from the motor home after the exterminator had inspected their clothing to make sure no hitchhiking spiders were trying to escape the RV.
Climbing into the backseat of the car next to Julie, Nick tried not to notice how nice she smelled or the way her knee brushed against his in the tight confines.
“I’m going to take the route through town instead of the back roads in case that white van decides to come after you again,” Ted told them.
As Ted drove them down the mountain to the valley floor below and into the town of Bend, Julie gave directions in between keeping up a continuous dialogue, telling Nick of the changes in town. He figured talkativeness was a response to the adrenaline of almost being mowed down.
