To Be a Mother

by Rebecca Winters

  “Do you get these often?” Samantha’s mother asked Jessica.

  “No. Dad says there are tremors all the time throughout the Yellowstone-Teton corridor, but we don’t usually feel them.”

  “I remember there was a major quake in the fifties near here. It broke the Hebgen Lake dam in Montana and created a lake.”

  “Quake Lake! We studied about it at school.”

  Samantha’s thoughts flew to Nick and Pierce. “Jessica, honey? Call Cory on your cell and find out if he and Leslie are all right.”

  “Okay. Poor Lucy,” her daughter moaned. “I bet it frightened her to death. Dad says earthquakes terrify animals.”

  “And people,” Samantha’s mother murmured.

  “Mom? Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “Just startled.”

  “How about you, Dad?”

  “I’m fine. Come on, my love. Let’s walk around and see if there has been any structural damage to the house.”

  He helped his wife to her feet. They set the things up that had fallen, then disappeared into the other room.

  Samantha kept an arm around Jessica while she talked to Cory. “Just a minute…” The girl lifted her head. “Mom? Cory told me they didn’t feel anything, but Leslie wants to talk to you. I’m going to turn on the TV!”

  “Thanks, honey.” She took the phone from her before Jessica dashed off. “Leslie?”

  “Hi. Are you all right?”

  “We’re fine.”

  “Cory said your chandelier was swaying.”

  “You should have seen it!”

  “I don’t know, Samantha. I’m kind of glad I didn’t. Cameron’s mother called me while Jessica was talking to Cory. She’s the first person designated to relay information on our phone tree. Her husband just got word that the epicenter was in Idaho.”

  “I thought it came from Yellowstone.”

  “I assumed the same thing. From what I’ve gathered, no one in Moose was affected. Sometimes it happens that way.”

  Beads of perspiration dotted Sam’s hairline. “Leslie—”

  “I know what you’re going to ask,” her friend interrupted gently. “I haven’t heard from Pierce. The minute I do, I’ll call you. So far no park rangers have reported any problems to dispatch except for the avalanche.”

  “Thank heaven.”

  “Yes indeed,” Leslie commiserated. “Cory says they’re talking about it on the cable network.”

  “I’m going to go look right now. If I hear from Nick, I’ll call you.”

  “Good.”

  After they hung up she rushed through the house to the family room, where Jessica had turned on the TV.

  “…but the early reports indicate no fatalities yet. The epicenter of the 6.9 earthquake near Borah’s Peak in central Idaho sent out tremors that have been felt in parts of Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, Canada.”

  By now Samantha’s parents had joined them. “Nothing’s broken, honey. No cracks in walls or ceilings that we could see. We were lucky.”

  “That’s a relief. Thanks, Dad. Jessica, honey? Will you turn to another station and see if they’ve got any local information?”

  “…tuning in, some Jackson residents got a surprise tonight when the Idaho quake knocked glasses and cans off shelves and caused some vending machines in a few local businesses to topple over. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported yet.

  “The biggest story tonight focuses on a rescue attempt being carried out in Grand Teton National Park. Seismologists say an earlier tremor foreshadowing the major quake dislodged a wall of snow off the Grand Teton, burying some avalanche experts who’ve been camped at the base for several days, carrying out a training session.

  “Rangers and other rescue workers are doing everything possible to free the victims. The public is being asked to stay away. We’ll keep the following Jackson number on the screen for those people inquiring about the victims through the sheriff’s office. Please do not call unless you’re a relative.”

  While the announcer was still talking, Jessica turned to Samantha. “Dad gets so mad when people show up to watch. They just get in the way.”

  “It’s human nature, Jessie.” Samantha’s father turned off the TV. “I’ve got a great idea. While we’re waiting to hear from your dad, let’s get in the car and go out for a steak dinner. I’d like to celebrate your mother’s new job.” And her good news from the doctor, his expression said.

  “It’s a terrific idea, Dad.” If Samantha had to stay here and think about all the things that could happen to Nick, she would go mad.

  TWO HOURS LATER Samantha pulled into the driveway of her house. They’d been at dinner all that time. There was still no word from Nick.

  Her parents looked tired. Once they entered the house, she urged them to go to bed. Jessica wanted to watch more cable news coverage of the earthquake, but by midnight her eyelids were drooping, and no wonder. It had been a long, emotional day.

  Samantha turned off the TV. “Come on, honey. Time to go upstairs.” Jessica didn’t protest.

  Tucking her daughter into bed was a joy that Samantha cherished. “Thank you for letting me treat you like a little girl sometimes.”

  Jessica was almost asleep. “I like it,” she whispered.

  “Honey? Since your grandparents are here, I’m going to drive to the house and wait for your father.”

  “That’s good. It’ll make him so happy to find you there, Mom.”

  “If by any chance he calls you, pretend I’m here asleep. I want to surprise him.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t give you away.”

  “I can always count on you. Is your house key in your purse?”

  “Yes. It’s in the living room.”

  “I’ll find it. Talk to you in the morning.” She leaned over to kiss her forehead. A contented smile on her daughter’s face was the last thing Samantha saw before she turned out the light.

  Not the least bit tired herself, she hurried downstairs to wash her hair and shower. After donning jeans and a cable knit sweater, she left the bedroom with her journal. After retrieving her jacket and the key, she was ready to go.

  Once she’d left the town behind, the grand image of the jagged Tetons shooting up from Jackson Hole in the middle of the winter night startled her. Tonight she understood why they were heralded as America’s most famous mountain vista. To think this was Nick’s backyard. Now it was hers, too….

  All was quiet in the park. As she drove into Moose, she felt above the visor for the remote control device. Once the house came in sight, she raised the garage door. With the aid of Jessica’s key, she let herself into the kitchen.

  After removing her jacket, she sat down at the table to write in her journal. Until Nick walked in the front door, she would bring her entries up to date.

  Jackson, Wyoming

  January 3

  It’s quarter to three in the morning. I’m in Nick’s kitchen, waiting for Pierce to drop him off. They’ve been out on a dangerous rescue operation.

  As soon as Nick gets here, I’m going to tell him I want to get married as soon as possible.

  Seven hours ago I made that decision. It seems fitting that as soon as I did, there was an earthquake. It shook the earth and a huge part of the continent.

  Tonight at dinner my adorable daughter asked me and my parents why we thought the quake had happened when it did.

  Dad said no one knew the answer. Pressure had been building under the earth’s crust for years and for some reason it finally found release today. He gave her a perfectly sound, logical explanation, but I have my own theory.

  I’m convinced there has been a special force at work in the cosmos. Today I got the job I wanted. Tonight I received another clean bill of health from the doctor.

  All the stars and planets have lined up in a particular way to open my eyes. I can see clearly now. I see what Nick saw so many years
ago.

  We belong together!

  I’ve come to my senses at last.

  Is it any wonder an earthquake followed?

  I’m reminded of a game my friends and I used to play in elementary school. Red Light, Green Light. When it was red, you couldn’t cross the line.

  Today it’s green, green, green.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  THE MAN STRAPPED IN the toboggan drifted in and out of consciousness. He muttered something. Nick crouched down next to him. “What are you trying to say?” He put his ear to the man’s bluish lips to listen.

  “L—Leo…” His voice faded before he blacked out again.

  Nick signaled the others to get the man to the snow machine, and from there to the chopper.

  After putting his skis back on, Nick used his poles to push off toward the last group of rangers. They were huddled around one of the injured guides, who was suffering from a dislocated hip.

  “Pierce?”

  His friend turned around.

  “Has everyone been accounted for from the master list?”

  “Yes. This man’s the last one.”

  “Was there a member of the group named Leo? The guy we just shipped out on the toboggan kept muttering that name.”

  Pierce frowned. “It doesn’t sound familiar. I’ll ask.”

  While Nick waited, he lifted his head to study the couloir where the avalanche had buried eight men in a sea of ice and snow. They’d survived because of their expertise and the quick response of the rescue teams. Still, it was a miracle their lives had been spared.

  But the greatest miracle of all was Sam. She was a survivor. Nick couldn’t wait to get back to her so their life could begin. They were going to have a life together. A long one.

  “Leo’s the guy’s brother.” Pierce said a minute later. “We told him we’d get word to him. We know eight men camped here, and eight have been shipped out to the hospital.”

  “That’s good enough for me. Let’s go home.” Nick waited for him to put on his skis, then they shushed down the mountain to the snow machines waiting for them below.

  When they arrived, one of the rangers approached. “Chief? Big news. There’s been a whopper 6.9 earthquake in Idaho near Borah Peak. It was felt over most of the west and into Canada. The tremor that triggered this avalanche must have been a precursor. So far there’s no report of injuries or damage in the park.”

  Pierce shot Nick a look before he said, “What about Jackson?”

  “I heard of two fatalities, but most likely there won’t be a detailed assessment before tomorrow.”

  With his heart banging in his chest. Nick whipped out his cell phone.

  Pick up, Jessica. Wherever his daughter was, that’s where he would find her mother.

  “Hi, Dad. Where are you?”

  She didn’t sound alarmed, she sounded as if she’d been asleep.

  “I’m on my way home.”

  “It’s almost six in the morning. I bet you’re tired.”

  Actually, he’d never felt more wide awake. “Honey—I just heard about the earthquake.”

  “It was amazing. Mom was standing up when it happened. If she hadn’t grabbed hold of the end of the couch in time, she would have been thrown to the floor.”

  “Is she all right?”

  “Yes. Everyone’s fine and sound asleep.”

  His eyes closed tightly in relief. “That’s good. Tell you what. I’ll have Pierce run me home from the airport. When you and your mother wake up in the morning, she can bring you over. Okay?”

  That’s when he’d kidnap Sam and drive her to the church, where they were would get married. Pierce had already made the arrangements with the pastor.

  “Okay. Dad? Did anyone…die tonight?”

  “No.”

  “I’m glad. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  The guys were waiting. After hanging up, Nick took off his skis and got on the snow machine. The trip to the chopper seemed to take forever, but once they’d climbed on board, it wasn’t long before they reached the airport.

  While in the air, the pilot told them about the fatalities in Jackson. They learned that the quake had caused a car with two teenagers to veer off the road. It overturned on the shoulder. They’d sustained head injuries, and wouldn’t have died if they’d been wearing seat belts.

  Tragic as it was, Nick couldn’t help but be thankful it hadn’t been Sam or Jessica.

  Pierce had to be thinking the same thing about his own wife and son.

  His wife.

  Nick had always thought of Sam as his wife. He couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t feel married to her. It explained why he could never build a lasting relationship with another woman.

  Our time has finally come, sweetheart.

  Ten minutes later Pierce dropped him off in front of his house. Nick had discussed his strategy for the kidnapping with him. “I’ll be waiting for your call,” his friend said with a grin.

  “Thanks, Pierce.”

  After waving him off, he hurried to the porch and let himself in the front door. Before hitting the sack, he needed a ton of food, a shower and shave, in that order.

  On his way to the fridge, he froze. A woman with red-gold hair was sitting at his kitchen table. Actually, she was slumped over it with her head resting on her arms, sound asleep.

  The sight of Sam gave his heart the workout of its life. He tiptoed toward her. She’d been writing in her journal. Unable to resist, he read a few words.

  Talk about shaking the earth! There wouldn’t have to be a kidnapping, after all.

  She loves you, Kincaid. She wanted him in sickness and in health. They were, finally, going to be a family.

  SAMANTHA STIRRED, thinking she could hear water running, but suddenly the noise stopped. She lifted her head from the table, shocked to realize she’d fallen asleep while she’d been writing in her journal.

  Her watch said ten after seven. She couldn’t believe that she’d been exhausted enough to sleep in the chair. But now that she was wide awake, she sensed she wasn’t alone.

  Had Nick come home?

  She flew from the kitchen and through the house. Her feet barely touched the ground. As she turned down the hall toward his bedroom, she noticed him coming out the door dressed in a pair of sweats.

  “Nick—”

  “I know, darling—”

  Samantha ran to him and Nick swung her around, both of them intoxicated by the knowledge they’d never be alone again.

  He cried her name in a voice of intense yearning before his mouth covered hers. The world wheeled away. Only their love for each other remained as they tried to show each other the depth of their long suppressed feelings.

  She quaked in response to the familiar feel of his lips, hands and body. Being back in his arms again, she could almost believe there had never been the painful thirteen-year separation.

  Overwhelmed to find release like this, she smothered him with the love pouring out of her. When they eventually reached the bed and she looked into his eyes, she discovered his were wet, too.

  He lifted trembling fingers to her face, tracing the bones and hollows the way he used to do. “I thought you were beautiful before…” He swallowed. “Sweetheart—”

  His lips made a relentless sweep of her face and throat, finding the path they’d taken so many times in the past. He ended up burying them in her hair, crying out his need of her. “I love you, Sam. I’ve always loved you.”

  She crushed him closer. “I’ve always loved you, too,” she said in a shaking voice. “I’ve missed you so terribly, Nick. I swear it was the memory of the love we shared that held me together during my darkest hours.”

  “We’re back where we belong now. From here on out, we’ll share everything, because this is forever,” he vowed.

  The realization that they were together at last, really together, that nothing would ever keep them apart again, still hadn’t sunk in. Samantha couldn’t get close enoug
h. No kiss lasted long enough.

  When the phone rang, they both let out a groan. She knew that because he was a ranger, he would always be on call. In case this was an emergency, he had to respond, but she could hardly bear to let him go long enough to answer it.

  He pulled her with him as he reached for the phone on the bedside table.

  “It’s our daughter,” he whispered against Samantha’s lips, made swollen and tender by his.

  She smiled. That was different. “You have to talk to her. Before I drove over here, I told her and Mom and Dad we were planning to get married.”

  At that revelation his eyes gleamed.

  “Naturally, she’s dying to know if you’re home yet, let alone if we’re together,” Sam added.

  “Nothing’s sacred in our house,” he teased, kissing her mouth long and hard.

  “You mean the one in Jackson? I bought it for us.”

  “That’s the one I intend on living in with you. I love it.”

  “I love you.”

  Their mouths clung feverishly. The phone was still ringing.

  “Quick, darling. She won’t be satisfied until one of us answers.”

  Nick clicked the phone on. “Good morning, honey.”

  “Dad?”

  He grinned to hear the shock in her voice. “Yes?”

  “You don’t sound like yourself.”

  “I don’t? What do I sound like?”

  “Different, and younger, and so happy!”

  You’ve got that right, daughter of mine. With my wife-to-be nestled in my arms, her gorgeous blue eyes trained on my face, life is almost perfect. “I’m going to be even happier in about four hours.”

  “How come?”

  “Because there’s going to be a wedding at the church.”

  “What?” Sam sat straight up, with an ecstatic expression. He put his hand around the back of her head and pulled her close so he could kiss her again.