“Do you think it will work?” Chloe’s yell brought his focus back.
She bent over, her hands resting on her thighs as she tried to catch her breath.
“Yeah. It’s great. Come inside. I have dinner cooking.” He straightened, his hair catching on something and yanking it out.
A bent piece of metal stuck out of the cabin wall. Perfect. He hung the bag of meat on it as Chloe stomped up to the door.
“That was smart to think of that,” he offered as she drew close.
She gave him a forced smile and shrugged. “It’s probably too small to do any good.”
She turned at the door and looked out across the sunset-tinted landscape. Her face turned from contented to dejected. He wanted to snake his arm around her back and pull her close, but he held back.
“I guess we got to watch the sunset after all.” Her flat monotone voice broke his heart a little more.
With a sigh, she opened the door and turned away. He followed her into the cabin, closing the beauty out and throwing the cabin into dreary darkness. The wedge his careless words had slammed in between them pinched. If he didn’t apologize, the hurt he’d created would continue to wedge space between them. But would she even accept an apology?
“Wow. It smells good.” Chloe pulled off her winter gear and hung it on the cargo net. “Where’d you get the spit?”
“Had to put my impotent leg to use somehow.” He stripped his coat off and tossed it next to the door. The smell of roasting meat made his stomach growl.
Chloe glanced at him, her eyes narrowing. He ignored it and hopped to the hearth. Using a rag and the pliers on his Leatherman knife, he rotated the rabbit. His words he’d said to her replayed in his head, and he cringed, his appetite gone. He couldn’t leave it be, though logic told him to.
He pulled the boiling hearts from the fire, using the delay to figure out what he would say. He cut the meat into smaller pieces, stirred half a packet of salt from the MREs in, and set it in front of their nest to cool. He went to his pile of food and grabbed a pack of crackers so she wouldn’t gripe about him not eating.
She’d sat in her usual spot, staring into the fire. Instead of her normal spunk and optimism, her shoulders slumped. He couldn’t take it.
Plopping down beside her, he fidgeted with his pant leg. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I didn’t mean what I said. I was angry at myself for failing you and … and scared.”
“You know, that’s usually when we are most truthful. When emotions are high.” Chloe gingerly picked up the pot of meat and water and poured half into her mug. “I’m a hassle. I’ll be one until the day I die. Not many want to sign up voluntarily for that.”
She went to pour the rest of the soup in his mug, and he stopped her. “That’s yours. I still have food.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she glanced toward the pile of food. “Shouldn’t we save that just in case we don’t catch more rabbits?”
“I’ll be fine with what I have for tonight. You need this more than me.”
She stared into her mug, stirring the contents with the spoon. Come on, Silva. You can do this.
He cleared his throat. “You haven’t been a hassle, Chloe. You’ve been amazing through this entire fiasco.”
“Jake, you don’t have to lie.”
“I’m not lying.” He cringed at his yell and softened his tone. “I’m not lying.”
She glanced up at him, doubt filling her eyes, and he wanted to lean in and kiss her. Shoot. He wasn’t doing a very good job at convincing her she should run far away from him.
“But the truth is I can’t take care of you like I am.” Jake motioned to his leg.
Chloe closed her eyes and shook her head. “You’ll get a new one and be right as rain. Me, on the other hand, I don’t have a spare body waiting for me at home.”
“That’s just it. I’ll never be right as rain.” He turned the cracker packet over in his hand. “Maybe if you had a calm, boring life, I could make this work. But what if you’re attacked by your stalker or some crazed fans get too excited and my leg gets caught again?”
“That could happen to anyone. Anyone protecting me could fall and get injured.”
“Yeah, but a simple trip wouldn’t keep them down for long.” He shook his head, rubbing his hand across his heart. “In fact, this entire situation has told me I’m not cut out for this line of work. I put our clients and my brothers in more danger by being there.”
She took a deep breath and twisted the mug shaking in her hands. “If you think that, you’re nuts. You’ve chopped enough wood to last for weeks. You single-handedly dragged at least four hundred pounds of supplies through a blizzard—”
“It’s not that much.”
“You found us food in the middle of nowhere and survived an avalanche.”
“I wasn’t really in the avalanche.”
“Would you stop interrupting me?” Chloe huffed. “In the right situation, anyone can fail. You have a better chance at succeeding, because you know you’re not invincible.”
“It doesn’t feel right giving people false security when one misstep would leave them vulnerable.” He moved to check the rabbit, needing to escape her defense of him. Escape the notion that he could stay at the ranch and be a part of his team that meant so much to him.
“I guess that’s something you’ll have to figure out then.” The clink of her spoon on the metal mug reached his ears.
He didn’t turn as the sound of her sipping her soup filled the cabin but, rather, leaned against the rugged hearth and stared into the flames. He couldn’t let her strained words change his mind. He didn’t trust himself, not now, maybe never. When his leg failed again, the consequences could be deadly.
Eighteen
Chloe curled in on herself as she listened to Jake roll over in his sleeping bag on the other side of the cabin. The evening had been tense, and she had inhaled her rabbit hearts, thinking it was a fitting meal when her own heart shriveled in her chest. When she finished, she’d curled into her sleeping bag without saying another word.
She’d pretended to sleep, hoping Jake would snuggle up beside her, but knowing it was futile. When he’d grabbed his bed and moved to the farthest open space in the cabin, her shattered heart froze solid in her chest like the hard-packed snow of the avalanche. She knew she wasn’t worth the hassle. Hadn’t her parents’ own flippancy concerning her taught her that? It was better that she found out now instead of becoming completely entangled with him. If she kept telling herself that, maybe she’d eventually believe it.
He moaned and drew her attention to him across the room. His eyes connected to hers and his body froze. Her breath caught with the emotion in his eyes. Pain? Maybe. Regret? Most likely. Even her parents regretted having her. Chloe closed her eyes. That was harsh and probably not true.
She couldn’t handle the tension. “Ja—”
“Shh.” His harsh tone caused her to pinch her mouth shut. “Do you hear that?”
Chloe sat up and cocked her head to the side. A faint thumping noise sounded behind the chirping of the birds. A jolt of excitement raced through her body, rushing the fatigue away.
She turned and smiled at Jake. He rubbed the back of his neck where he sat on the other side of the cabin. “Is that—”
“Helicopter.” Jake nodded, his voice strained.
“We’re saved,” she whispered.
He rubbed his hand across his forehead and swallowed. “Yep.”
Her energy hiked, and she had to go see. She scrambled, kicking the sleeping bag that had twisted and bound her legs during the night away from her. She slipped on the snow pants, pulled on her boots, and grabbed her coat as she raced out the door.
Barely stopping to slip on the snowshoes she’d propped against the outside of the cabin, she ran across the top of the snow to her signal, bracing her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. The sun hadn’t reached the valley floor, only highlighting the craggy mountain tops with bright morning light. Would t
hey be able to see her? She glanced at the limbs lined up around her and wondered if she should pile them up to light a bonfire.
The wind whistled through the valley, blowing its frigid fingers into her coat. She shivered and quickly zipped it up. She turned in a slow circle, scanning the air for the helicopter. The thumps of the rotors echoed from every direction. Why couldn’t she see it?
The icy air and frantic run made her throat raw. The wood smoke and fresh pine scents calmed her racing heart. Her scan halted on Jake who leaned against the cabin watching her.
“Where are they?” She hated the trepidation that pushed the joy from her.
“Sound travels funny in mountains like these.” He surveyed the ridges behind her. “They could be miles away or right over the peak. It might be a while before they find us.”
Her shoulders slumped as she peered back into the sky. “Should I pile all these limbs up and light a bonfire?”
His lips tweaked up in one corner. “What are you going to use as a starter? We’re all out of spare undergarments.”
Their gazes connected, the tension leaving his face as a genuine smile tipped the other side of his mouth up. Her face heated in embarrassment, but the goosebumps that rose on her skin wasn’t from the cold. Could she figure out a way to keep what she’d found while stranded in the Colorado wilds? Figure out a way to not be such a burden?
His comment about starting her own music label sprang to her mind. Could she do that? Maybe find a following on YouTube, doing fewer live concerts. That appealed to her more than she cared to admit. The constant travel had taxed her body. She’d hate to give up concerts completely, but maybe she could pick only the ones she wanted instead of all the ones offered.
As the sun crested the peak and shone its brilliance on Jake, her inner scramble stuttered to a halt. It wasn’t her schedule he’d been opposed to. There was nothing she could do about her health. Her bum genetics weren’t leaving her anytime soon. In fact, it could get worse as years went by. She blinked rapidly as her eyes filled and nose stung.
Jake glanced down at his leg as he scratched his thigh, breaking their connection. “Why don’t you come in and eat something? We could be waiting a long time before they get to us.”
Her shoulders dropped, and she didn’t have the will to push them back up. She should be hungry, but the thought of eating made her nauseous. Maybe she’d just sit on the porch and finish watching the day begin.
The choppy sounds of blades spinning through the air thundered into the valley. She turned as a helicopter crested the mountain, the sun haloing it like a metal guardian angel. She let out a loud whoop, jumping up and down and waving her arms like a madwoman.
She glanced back to Jake. The serious set of his face chilled the warmth that had spread through her at the sight of their rescue. He didn’t look at her, just focused on the approaching helicopter with dull eyes. His hand opened and closed at his side and his shoulders hung low. Would he be in trouble for wrecking the plane? Was he even a little sorry their time together was ending, or was he just glad to be rid of her?
She turned back toward their rescuers as the helicopter descended, glad she didn’t have to make Jake uncomfortable anymore. Relief from the worry and pain hit her, and the tension that had held her muscles taut over the last four days rushed from her. Her knees buckled, and she sank to the snow.
Lifting a shaky hand to cover her eyes from the violent wind pelting her with snow, silent sobs welled up and shook her shoulders. They were saved. Why didn’t she feel more happiness? Why did her stomach twist? She peeked back at Jake. He still didn’t look at her. She hadn’t felt this amount of despair since her time in the hospital.
“Chloe!” Rafe’s call whipped her head to the helicopter that was landing.
Rafe jumped from the open door before the bird touched down, hitting the hard-packed snow and tucking into a roll. She brought her trembling fingers to her lips and burst out laughing. He came out of his impressive dismount and stood with ease. His snowshoes kicked a trail of snow into the air as he ran across the surface toward her.
“Chloe, are you all right?” Rafe asked, concern creasing his forehead.
She nodded, her throat too thick to speak.
He kneeled down in front of her and pulled her into a bear hug. “Thank God you’re alive.” He squeezed her tighter. “Piper would’ve killed me if I didn’t come home with you.”
“Thanks for finding us.”
“We would’ve been here sooner, but the weather didn’t cooperate.” A tall man with short dark hair and piercing blue eyes came up behind Rafe. “I’m Zeke Greene. Nice to finally meet you.”
Chloe smiled and nodded.
“Where’s Jake?” Zeke scanned the area, his eyes going wide. “Where’s my plane?”
She looked back at the open door of the cabin. “Jake must be inside. An avalanche buried your plane.”
“What?” Zeke turned around and held his hand to his forehead as he searched the valley.
“It was my fault, really. I pointed this area out, not realizing it was an avalanche shoot.” Chloe’s words rushed out, hoping to turn any blame on herself.
“I could care less about the plane.” Zeke glanced down at her. “You two have been through it, haven’t you?”
Chloe nodded. She squeezed her eyes to hold the tears in. They had been through it, but they were alive.
“Let’s get home.” Rafe snaked his hand around her back and helped her stand.
Zeke placed a hand on her shoulder and strode toward the cabin. She longed to see Jake, to see his reactions, but he stayed inside. Rafe pulled on her, and her knees buckled with the first step.
“Here we go.” Rafe swung her into his arms like she weighed as much as a child. “Land sakes, woman. You’re nothing but skin and bones. We need to get some meat on you.”
“Yeah, well, any meat I had melted away with little to eat but meal replacement bars and bad coffee,” she tried to joke.
Rafe sobered. “Piper worried about that. When we told her the plane had provisions, she demanded I opened some we had at the ranch so she could see what you had.” Rafe shook his head. “When did she get so bossy?”
Chloe snorted a laugh. “She’s always been bossy, just in a quiet way where you don’t realize she’s bossing you.” She laid her head on his shoulder when it became too heavy to hold up. “How is she?”
“Beautiful.” Rafe smiled when Chloe lifted her head and peered at him. “Why did I never notice that before?”
“Because you’re an idiot.”
“Yeah, probably right.” Rafe sighed. “She’s been a worried mess.”
Rafe set Chloe in the helicopter door and patted her leg like a child. “Now you sit tight while we gather everything up.” He gave her knee a squeeze. “I’m glad you’re fine.”
“Me, too.” She smiled despite the lie. She wasn’t sure how she was. “We have some snares out behind the cabin.”
Rafe waved and took off toward the woods. Chloe lifted her feet that weighed a ton and pulled her snowshoes off, tucking them under the seat as Zeke emerged from the cabin carrying one of the packs. She said hello to the pilot as he waved at her, then scooted back and climbed into the seat on the far side of the interior. How was it that she hadn’t felt this tired the entire time they were stranded? Leaning against the window, she watched as Zeke and Rafe brought the supplies from the cabin.
After a couple of trips, Rafe climbed in and began strapping the packs to the floor. She leaned forward to help, but he waved her off. She didn’t want to admit how relieved that made her. She hardly had the energy to keep her head up, which was weird since she’d had plenty of energy before.
Her heart picked up as Zeke came out with Jake under his shoulder. Jake met her gaze, then quickly lowered his head. Her heart stuttered. Was he embarrassed that he needed help?
When they made it to the helicopter, Jake placed his hands on the floor and hoisted himself inside. Chloe stared at him as he hop
ped around the packs and sank into the seat across from her. Her vision blurred and heat rose up her chest. She wouldn’t cry—not here. She caught Rafe’s eyebrows draw close together when he glanced from her to Jake. Rafe shook his head, muttering something she couldn’t hear with the engine powering up.
Rafe plopped next to her and draped his arm across her shoulder. “You okay?”
She nodded. Jake’s distance would not turn her into a blubbering mess. She stared out of the window at the snow-covered landscape as the helicopter lifted into the air. She blamed the dropping sensation in her stomach on the takeoff rather than the freeze-out she was getting from Jake.
Nineteen
Jake refused to look at Chloe—at least straight on. She stayed glued in his peripheral, despite his effort to ignore her. Every time her shoulders would slump, a stab would go straight to his heart.
Jerk.
Rafe had hit that nail on the head when he had muttered that Jake was an idiot. It couldn’t be helped. He had to sever this tie that had wrapped around them, so she could find someone who could really take care of her. Two broken people in a relationship just wasn’t healthy. He couldn’t be the weak link holding her down from her dreams.
Couldn’t watch himself fall short over and over again.
So he pretended to stare out the window while he watched the woman of his dreams gather her strength back up around her.
“We’ll be landing at Valley View Hospital in about five minutes,” Zeke announced over the headset.
“Hospital? I don’t need to go to a hospital.” The panic in Chloe’s voice nearly broke his heart.
She’d told him, during one of their many talks, how much she hated hospitals. It was something they both had in common. She caught his gaze, her eyes begging him to say something.
Crashing Into Jake Page 12