Surviving With Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  At around six, he smelled coffee and went downstairs to find Sam and Lucy at the kitchen island with large mugs. Lucy started to get up but he motioned her back. Grabbing a mug from the mug tree, he poured it full of fresh black coffee and joined them.

  “You didn’t sleep well, did you, Cord?” Lucy asked when she saw his bloodshot eyes. “Was it the bed?”

  “The bed was fine, Lucy. A situation has come...” he stopped when he heard Stacey coming down the stairs. He waited while she filled a cup then sat down on the stool next to him. “When I checked in I was put on standby. I may have to leave in a hurry. I’ll have to be close to a phone and check in every couple of hours to monitor the situation.”

  “Well that eliminates hiking up the mountain or horseback riding today,” Stacey smiled at him. “We can take a swim or just hang around here until you find out.”

  “But you’re self-employed, aren’t you, Cord? Can’t you take a few days vacation?” Lucy didn’t seem to accept it as well as Stacey.

  “Normally that’s true, but this involves a child. I have to go in if the officials there can’t negotiate his release,” Cord explained.

  “I’m sorry, Cord.” Lucy reached out to lay her fingers on his arm. “Of course you’d have to go. I just wanted to see you have some time to relax. Let’s hope everything is resolved quickly and you won’t be needed.” She put her cup in the sink and kissed Sam. “I’ve got morning duty in the dining room. You two have fun and I expect to see you later at the lodge.” Coming around to them, she placed a kiss on each one’s cheek before rushing out.

  Sam moved slower but got up too and placed his cup in the sink. “I hope things work out. Let me know if you need anything. Stacey, you might get him a few more things out of my closet. That lavender shirt in particular.”

  “Now dad, mom loves you in that shirt,” Stacey laughed at her dad’s efforts to pawn off a piece of his wardrobe he hated. “I’ll get him a few things, dad. What are you up to today?”

  “I’ve got a couple of meetings and an interview this morning. This afternoon I have to go over some plans with Harold. We may add a new slope for next season.” He hugged her and slapped Cord on the back before he left.

  “They like you,” Stacey told him.

  “They’re good people,” Cord agreed. And they’ll put up with me because they love you. He used the phone to check in. Still nothing new. The waiting was almost worse than being there.

  “Nothing?” Stacey asked.

  “No,” he shook his head.

  “Would you like some breakfast?”

  “Maybe later. Do you want to walk over to the lodge with me to leave a message for Junior?”

  “Why don’t you call?” she suggested.

  “I need to walk.” Cord didn’t like the idea of being alone in the house with her. It gave him too many ideas.

  “Okay. Let me get my shoes,” she wriggled her bare toes at him. “Would you like for me to get you a tee shirt? It’s going to be warm today.” She wore a green tee shirt and khaki shorts.

  “Yeah, I guess. Maybe you can show me around a little before I have to call in again. I’d like to see more of the grounds.” Cord needed activity to control the building adrenaline. He followed her upstairs and lounged in the doorway of her parents’ bedroom. She tossed him a white tee shirt and headed to her room.

  “Come on in,” she invited as he stopped in the door. Opening her closet door, she disappeared for a minute then backed out with a white tennis shoe in each hand. She moved to sit on the edge of the unmade bed and slip them on. “I need to make my bed. I usually do it after my first cup of coffee.”

  “Go ahead, there’s no big rush.” He pulled off the knit shirt and started to put on the tee shirt when she bent across the bed to retrieve a pillow. Her shorts pulled tight across her firm rump and the hem rode up to reveal a lot of tan, shapely thigh. Cord stood and watched as she made the bed, the forgotten shirt hanging in his hands.

  Stacey finished quickly and turned to see where Cord was. He stood five feet away, bare-chested with eyes like hot, melted chocolate. She couldn’t resist and moved to run her fingers lightly over his upper body.

  “We’re alone in the house,” she whispered as she touched him.

  Cord swallowed hard and called himself all kinds of a fool before shaking his head, “I know that, Parker. But I gave your dad my word. His trust means a lot to me. As much as I want you, I can’t—not here. You have to go with me when I leave. I think I’ll go mad if you don’t.” He turned and hurried from the room.

  He was drinking a large glass of orange juice when she arrived in the kitchen a few minutes later. She knew her cheeks were pink since she could feel the heat of the blush spreading across them. Her embarrassment forced her to look everywhere except at him.

  Walking to her, he held out the glass then watched as she took a long drink.

  “I’m sorry about—I shouldn’t have...” she shrugged and seemed at a loss for words.

  “Don’t Stacey. Please don’t ever regret wanting to be with me or letting me know it.” Cord finished the juice then pulled her close for a few precious minutes.

  She could hear his heart racing in his chest and feel how tightly he held himself.

  “Come on. I need to let Junior know we’re on standby.” Cord took her hand and pulled her out of the house.

  “Why do you call him Junior?”

  “He’s named for his dad who is still in the business. Most everyone calls him Junior.” Cord nodded to a couple who passed by.

  “How can you afford to keep him on call like this?” Stacey asked, walking with him in the early morning sunshine.

  “I did a favor for his dad once. Junior and the chopper are his way of paying me back. He’s my ride until I leave the area.”

  “Must have been some favor,” she commented. When they reached the front desk, Cord wrote out the message for Junior and left it in the new messages box on the counter. The smell of coffee drew them and Stacey poured two disposable cups to carry with them.

  Lucy spotted them and waved, but kept going into the kitchen. The dining room had several breakfast customers already.

  Taking Cord’s arm, Stacey urged him out the front door and to the left. She told him about each building and cabin, describing some of the people who used them. They sipped on the coffee and walked to the other side of the Lodge. Following a gravel road they passed the ski hut at the foot of the first slope and walked on to the stables. A group of guests were being matched with gentle, dependable horses that were well mannered and sure-footed. They stayed out of the way and went to lean on the top rail of the fence surrounding a small field. The horses enjoying a rest day came up to nuzzle Stacey and have their noses rubbed hoping for apples or carrots.

  Finally, Cord told her, “Much as I hate to, I have to go back to the phone.”

  “I know.” She held onto his arm as they walked back down the path to the lodge. “Would you rather fly out, Cord? I understand wanting to be there.”

  “I’d just have to wait there, too. I prefer to wait here with you.” He took her hand and received one of her special smiles. “It would definitely be nice to spend a month like this with you.” Pulling her close against his side, he whispered, “But I don’t know if my body could stand the strain.”

  Heat spread across Stacey’s cheeks and she admitted, “To be honest, I don’t think mine would either.”

  As they reached the front of the lodge, Derek led a group out for the early morning nature walk. Cord and Stacey stood to one side to allow them to pass.

  Derek glared at them and spoke curtly to a small elderly lady who was asking a question.

  Stacey couldn’t let it pass. “Mr. Watkins, may I see you for just a moment?” Even though she phrased it as a request for the benefit of the guests, it was a demand.

  Cord stepped away slightly to give them the appearance of privacy, but stayed close enough to intervene if Derek touched her.

  “What?”
Derek growled as he trailed down the steps away from the group. His head was killing him from tying one on the night before and he didn’t need this.

  “I know you have a problem with me, but you were just rude to a paying guest.” Stacey told him quietly but firmly. She stared up at him, but Derek refused to meet her eyes. “You either apologize to that lady or I report your behavior to Sam this minute. You know you don’t mistreat a guest whatever your personal problems. If you can’t control your attitude, maybe you should ask for time off.”

  Derek curled his lip and almost snarled, “Well, Miss High and Mighty, if you want me fired go ahead and run to daddy. I’ve put up with all the crap I can stand around here anyway. If you do have daddy fire me, I’ll file suit for wrongful termination. I’ll own part of this place without having to put up with you in my bed.” His voice rose and the guests turned to look their way.

  “Derek, I can’t believe what is happening to you. You’re not who I thought you were at all.” Stacey lowered her voice almost to a whisper, hoping he would do the same, as she tried to reason with him. “Please calm down and think about your career. Don’t hurt yourself because you’re angry at me.”

  “Baby, you never knew me.” He gave a quick bark of laughter. “You never took the time. I waited and courted and sweet-talked you for two years to get this place and you roll on the ground with the first hard-nosed roughneck that shows an interest. Now your precious parents moved him right into the house for you, where I was supposed to be. If I knew that was the way to get through to you I would have thrown you down in the dirt a long time ago. You go ahead and have your daddy fire me, I dare you!” He poked his finger in her chest with the last word and turned to walk quickly to his group when Cord started after him.

  Stacey grabbed Cord’s arm, “Let him go, please. Don’t cause a scene in front of the guests. It’s time for you to call in.” Her voice shook, but she refused to cry.

  “Stacey, you have to talk to Sam. It’s getting out of hand.” Cord held the door for her to enter the lobby.

  “I know. I hoped it would fade away with some time, but it’s getting worse. I was such a dope to go out with him in the first place.” Stacey led Cord to a small office behind the desk and got an outside line before handing him the phone. “I’ll go find dad and tell him what happened. It probably should be his decision what to do about Derek since the guests are being affected,” she sighed and left him to make his calls.

  Cord listened to two new messages and made several more calls confirming the situation and making travel arrangements. As he put down the receiver, he watched a teary-eyed Stacey slip into the office to join him.

  “You have to go.” It wasn’t a question. She saw it in the stern set of his jaw.

  “Yeah. Negotiations fell through a little while ago.”

  “What can I do to help?” She offered quietly.

  Cord heard disappointment in her voice but she made no attempt to get him to stay. Maybe she truly understood his need to do this. “Smith, the wounded man, was captured at a small medical clinic last night. He’s making a deal that might lead to the others. Could you tell Morris and Cathy?” Cord pushed buttons on the phone even as he asked.

  Stacey touched his face tenderly with the tips of her fingers then slipped out. She rushed to find Morris or Cathy then ran to the house. As she reached the guest room she saw he already wore his black clothes. Swallowing down the urge to beg him to let her go too, Stacey waited.

  Cord looked up to see her standing in the open doorway while lacing his boots. “You still have my number, right? I’ve written the addresses of both apartments on this pad. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. Do you want me to come back here when I get back or do you want to come see where I live?” He stood, hesitating. I do not want to say goodbye to this woman.

  “Would you call me as soon as it’s over—from wherever you can?” Stacey attempted not to make too big a deal out of it, but she needed to know about his safety.

  “If I can find a phone or get a line out, I’ll call you. I’ll be in a small under-developed country, for the most part. I don’t know how reliable communications will be. I’ll call from the first civilized place I get to.” Cord dropped his pack by the door and reached for her. “You have to know I don’t want to leave.” Gently urging her chin up with his fingers, he forced her to look at him. “You do know don’t you, Parker?”

  “I know.” Stacey couldn’t stand staring into his chocolate brown eyes and backed away, searching for a lighter tone. “Be careful and don’t do anything stupid, McConnell. I won’t be there to watch your back.” She would not let him see her cry.

  Cord drew her back to him and kissed her more tenderly than ever before. Not satisfied with her response, he kissed her again.

  Stacey didn’t hold anything back this time as his mouth settled over hers, hot and demanding. She let him take whatever he wanted from her.

  The things Stacey said about love flashed through Cord’s mind. He realized he felt all of that and more for this woman. Shocked, he pulled back, gazing down into her passion-filled blue eyes. She tried to turn away and he stopped her. “Wait, Stacey,” he ordered hoarsely. “Let me look at you. I don’t want to forget one tiny detail over the next few days.” Cord twirled a strand of her curls around his fingers and smiled.

  She looked up at him seeing both desire and regret on his face. I can do this. I can make him smile before he leaves me. Purposely changing her mood, she twirled away, out into the hallway and struck a model’s pose. After a moment she made a quarter turn, gave him a haughty look over her shoulder, and struck another pose. Stacey continued until Cord viewed all sides of her and several haute couture poses.

  He chuckled. “Parker, you continue to surprise me.” Picking up his pack and sliding his arm around her shoulders, he urged her along. “I need to get going. But first you have to tell me what Sam said about Derek.”

  “Derek will lose his job. Dad said Derek’s attitude will determine if he gets to work a notice or receives a referral. You were right about dad being upset that I didn’t tell him straight away about the first occurrence.”

  “I’m glad I don’t have to leave without Sam being aware of what’s going on.”

  “Dad will definitely take care of it. Now, have you got everything?”

  “Everything but you, Parker. Don’t walk to the chopper with me. I’d have to kiss you right out there in front of God and everybody.” He grinned and kissed her again, hugging her tightly.

  “I love you, McConnell.” She hugged him until he pulled away and went out the door. Stacey heard the chopper take off a few minutes later.

  CHAPTER 16

  “Don’t worry about a thing here. I’ll fill in on the desk. Take your time in town,” Stacey reassured Cathy as she almost pushed her into the vehicle. “If you don’t leave now, you’ll be late.” The Haleys decided to take Stacey’s advice and get help dealing with what happened to Marcus. Today marked their first appointment.

  “Okay,” Cathy laughed at Stacey’s loving pushiness. “Okay, we’re going. Buckle up, Marcus, Marie.” Cathy waved a quick goodbye to Stacey as Morris drove away. “I thought they would never leave,” Stacey muttered as she returned to the desk.

  For the rest of the day she answered phones, made reservations, and signed guests up for various activities. But all through the work, she waited to hear from Cord. Her mind knew it was too soon but her heart begged him to call.

  That night she couldn’t sleep. I am not going to do this. I will not worry myself crazy over Cord McConnell. Jumping out of bed, she pulled on running shoes, slipped out of the house, and ran until she was exhausted. After a warm shower, she fell into bed and finally managed a few hours of sleep. Vivid dreams of Cord’s kisses left her frustrated and lonely.

  The next morning, Stacey helped Marcus and Marie with schoolwork while Cathy worked the desk. Her godchildren helped distract her from thinking of Cord and amused her with their attempts to get out of
writing their spelling words.

  Lucy came into the small office. “Let me take over, honey. S & R is on the phone, line two.”

  After the call, Stacey explained she was needed on a rescue. “If Cord calls, mom, be sure to call headquarters with the message. I wrote it down at the desk, but I still wanted to remind you. Will you be sure the twins are watched until Cathy gets through?”

  “Of course I will. If there’s a problem they can go over to the house with me.” Lucy hugged her daughter. “Be careful and I’ll see you get any messages from Cord,” she promised.

  “Thanks, mom, love you.” Stacey kissed the twins then raced to the house. In her room, she gathered her summer rescue gear. Changing into her usual warm weather uniform of a cotton tank top, a long sleeved cotton shirt, and khaki cargo pants, she tugged on her favorite hiking boots. She hastily pulled her hair into a tight ponytail and put on a white baseball cap. Stacey heard the large rescue chopper flying in to pick her up. She grabbed up her pack and ran toward the lodge. Her dad met her on the walkway.

  He gave her a tight bear hug, “Go find the lost ones. Don’t worry about anything else.”

  She kissed her dad and ran to board the waiting chopper.

  The team leader handed her earphones as she settled in the rear compartment then briefed her during the short flight. “Two young couples were reported missing after they strayed off a main trail. From the signs the ranger found they’re hiking in the wrong direction. The ranger and some volunteers searched for a while but then thought it best to call us in.”

  Once again Stacey and the team were lowered into an area where landing the large helicopter proved impossible. Stacey went to work, immediately searching for a trail and the men knew to stay out of her way. She followed the winding tracks of the hikers for two days before finding them late evening of the second day.