Blood Storm Read online

  “Do you remember what happened, Kate?”

  She turned her face to the wall, trying to ignore the dark images pummeling her thoughts. She couldn’t remember. And for some odd reason, she was reluctant to try.

  “How did I get here?”

  “You were in a plane.” Her eyes widened. “Do you remember now?”

  A hazy scene with a red and white Cessna popped into her mind. So it hadn’t been an automobile accident, after all.

  “A little.”

  Sam kept his expression guarded. “Do you recall why the plane went down?” He studied her reaction in silence.

  Her breathing quickened as she squeezed her eyes shut. “No! I . . . I don’t remember.”

  “Try.”

  Her gaze pleaded for understanding but there was none. His granite features said he intended to push her. “Something . . . someone was shooting at us,” she replied at last. Her knuckles grew white from gripping the blanket. She stared at Sam.“Were you in the helicopter?”

  “No, but I saw what happened. I was able to reach you shortly after the crash. Otherwise you would have frozen to death. Why were they shooting at you, Kate?”

  She heard the skepticism in his voice. “I don’t know. But what if they come back?”

  “They can’t. At least, not until the storm blows through. There’s one hell of a blizzard out there. It’s impossible to travel in weather like this.”

  An icy fear twisted her heart. He didn’t have any reason to lie to her. Did he?

  “Why was your plane attacked?” he asked again.

  “I told you, I don’t know. The helicopter just came out of nowhere.” Her stomach rolled with another wave of nausea, adding to her sharp tone.

  As if sensing her distress, Sam rose to his feet. “We’ve got plenty of time to speculate about this later. You need fluids and food to fight the remaining effects of hypothermia. Why don’t I rustle up a meal while you rest?”

  Kate swallowed the lump building in her throat. “I am a bit thirsty,” she managed in a hoarse whisper.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  She studied his angular features as he turned toward the door. He was of average height but his body was lean and sculpted, making him appear taller. Sun streaked hair fell casually across a wide brow, complementing the blue grey of his eyes. For a mountain man, he wasn’t half bad. But looks could be deceiving, and this hunky stranger had a long way to go before she could trust him.

  Kate touched her temple where a small butterfly bandage covered a laceration. Her head began to spin. She didn’t know if it was from her injuries or the nausea. An incessant throbbing served as a painful reminder of the wound on her thigh.

  Sticky saliva filled her mouth as her stomach began to heave. She glanced around helplessly for a bathroom.

  “Sam . . . ” Her voice sounded weak, even to her own ears. “Sam!” The second call was a bit louder, garnering instant response. Within seconds he poked his head around the door.

  “Do you need something?”

  One look at her pale complexion and the hand covering her mouth provided the answer. Grabbing a small waste basket, he shoved it under her chin as a rush of yellowish liquid came pouring from her lips. He pulled a red bandana from his hip pocket and dabbed her mouth.

  Kate collapsed against the pillows, embarrassment staining her cheeks. “I’m so sorry . . . ”

  “Nonsense. This is normal for what you’ve been through. You probably have a slight concussion.”

  Sam brought a small bowl and washcloth from the bathroom. Without saying a word, he began sponging her face and neck, applying a gentle touch around the laceration on her head. She kept sneaking peeks at his concerned features. Although he bore a serious expression, she noted laugh lines etched into the tanned skin. He must have a sense of humor lurking in there somewhere but at the moment she was too weak and tired to try and resurrect it.

  Kate felt better when at last he placed the pan on the floor and sat back to scrutinize his patient.

  “You’ll probably experience some additional bruising and muscular aches but I think you’re out of the woods. I still want you to take it easy, though. Your body needs time to compensate for lost blood and hypothermia.” His voice sounded reassuring. “The wound on your thigh isn’t deep but it may leave a scar.”

  She nodded. There wasn’t much she could do about it at this point.

  “You came out of this a very lucky woman.” He paused, as if choosing his next words carefully. “Your pilot didn’t fare as well.”

  “Pete.” Her whisper faded into silent contemplation. “Is he dead?”

  Sam nodded. “I saw the attack from my cabin. When I found the wreckage, you were unconscious. Somehow you managed to leave the plane and crawl under a tree for shelter. If you’d stayed with the plane, you could have lasted longer.”

  “I fell out of the plane,” she sighed. It was all coming back now.

  “Tell me what happened.”

  “I saw Pete and got scared. When I jumped back, I must have fallen out of the plane because I woke up in a snow bank.”

  You must not have been there too long because the hypothermia was mild. I’m just glad I saw the plane go down.”

  “What happened to the helicopter?”

  “It flew away. I’m assuming whoever attacked your plane decided the occupants were dead. What about the pilot? Do you think he was transporting drugs?”

  Kate shrugged. “I never met him before I arrived at the airport. He was taking me to Reno so I . . . so I could gamble.” It was a lie but she wasn’t quite ready to tell the truth. He seemed to accept her answer. “What did you do with Pete?”

  “The plane’s wedged between a couple of trees about fifteen feet off the ground. His body won’t deteriorate in the freezing temperatures so I left him there. When the storm subsides, I’ll schedule a recovery mission.” He studied her for a few seconds before speaking. “I still can’t figure out why someone wanted him dead. Did you see any unusual cargo aboard the plane?”

  Kate shook her head. She needed to deter him from asking more questions. “How about that food you promised earlier? I’m famished.”

  She glanced away as his eyes seemed to bore right through her. It was obvious from his expression that he suspected she hadn’t told him everything. Well, no matter. He didn’t need to know the details of her trip. The less he was involved, the better it would be for both of them.

  “Yeah, I’ll be right back with some grub.”

  Kate watched his retreat, releasing a sigh of relief as her lids descended. She wanted to sleep. Her body had to heal so she could get the hell out of there and complete her journey.

  It wasn’t that she was ungrateful for Sam’s rescue efforts. The poor man had no idea how much trouble she was in. And how much trouble he could be in if anyone knew he’d given her refuge.

  Sam returned with a tray bearing a toasted cheese sandwich, chicken broth and juice made from powder concentrate. He must have realized she was feeling ill again because he set the tray on the small table and felt her head with his palm.

  “You’re running a fever. There could be infection in your leg. We can’t take any chances so I’m putting you on an antibiotic immediately.”

  Kate was surprised by the gentleness of his touch. He had kind eyes, too. Or maybe she was feeling so bad that any form of considerate behavior seemed benevolent.

  Sam reached into the black bag he had brought in earlier and extracted a small orange bottle. “Here, take these.” He handed her two capsules with the glass of juice.

  “What are they?” She wrinkled her nose before hesitantly accepting the pills.

  “Penicillin. It’s the only antibiotic I have but it should combat the infection.”

  Kate swallowed the pills, choking as she gulped the liquid.

  “Take it easy, princess. You’re dehydrated. You need fluids but let’s do it slowly.” Sam took the glass from her trembling hand and positioned it near her mouth
. “Small sips, Kate.”

  She liked the way her name rolled off his lips, soft like a caress. It sounded nice.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, offering a hesitant smile in response.

  Their gazes locked and held. A strange electricity sparked the air between them.

  Sam cleared his throat before pushing to his feet. “Food will help you feel better. Let’s start with this.” He motioned toward the tray.

  “Sam?”

  He paused in mid step, cautiously turning to face her. One brow lifted quizzically.

  “I don’t suppose you have a t-shirt I could borrow? I feel a little uncomfortable without any clothing.” She pulled the blankets closer to her neck.

  His eyes raked boldly over her and for a moment she thought he might refuse. “I’m sure I can come up with something.” His voice sounded unnaturally husky as he approached a small closet. A few seconds later he tossed a large flannel shirt across the bed. “This should work if you roll up the sleeves.”

  Kate smiled her gratitude, pulling the blue plaid material against her like it was the finest silk from India. She waited until the bedroom door had closed behind him before attempting to put it on. As she raised her arm, a searing pain shot through her shoulder, crying out as she grabbed the affected area. Damn! That hurt. A light tap on the door made her lunge for the covers and pull them back to her neck.

  “Everything alright?” When she failed to respond, Sam peeked into the room. “Kate?”

  “I can’t seem to move very well,” she admitted reluctantly.

  “Let me help.”

  Her eyes widened as he stepped toward the bed. “I’m not dressed!”

  “I know,” he retorted dryly. “I’m offering to help you get dressed.”

  “You can’t see me . . . like this.”

  Sam lowered himself next to her. “How do you think you got that way?”

  She drew back, her eyes wide with indignation.

  “You were injured and unconscious. I removed your clothing because you were hypothermic.” His lips compressed into a thin line when she refused to budge. “You have two options, Kate. I can help you get dressed or you can lie here naked until you can do it yourself.”

  Indecision fluttered across her face. “Very well, I suppose I have no choice.”

  His triumphant gleam infuriated her. She immediately regretted giving in.

  Sam positioned his hand on her back, sending a shiver down her spine as his fingers brushed her skin. He slowly eased her to a sitting position before pulling a sleeve over one of her arms.

  Kate gripped the bedcovers with her other hand but the blanket slipped, revealing an expanse of creamy white flesh. As she switched hands, the blanket dropped further, this time exposing her breast and pointed, rosy tip.

  She felt him stiffen, then heard the hiss of air being sucked through his teeth. Realizing what had captured his attention, she scrambled to cover herself. “I can finish from here,” she snapped, wincing from the sudden movement.

  His eyes darkened to a steely tint. “No problem.” With a curt nod, he hastened from the room.

  Kate closed her eyes. She didn’t need this man to distract her. Just because he was good looking and wore his jeans well did not mean he could be trusted. As soon as the snow let up, she would call a taxi and be on her way.

  Sam released a ragged breath, leaning against the closed door. He struggled to dispel the image of Kate’s silky skin from his thoughts - and failed. This is insane. His hands were trembling.

  He’d taken the job as Wilderness First Responder for the solitude. He didn’t mind helping injured snowmobilers or wayward cross country skiers but no one said anything about sharing his cabin with a woman. A damn fine woman, too. He was a recluse, not a saint. How in the hell was he supposed to manage such a situation?

  His eyes searched the horizon through the frosty window. There was no way he could get Kate off the mountain in this weather. She was too weak for the snowmobile and the blizzard made an air-lift impossible. The truth settled about him like a heavy weight. He was trapped in the middle of nowhere with a beautiful woman. At least until he could contact base station. And since the storm had knocked out his short wave radio, that might be a week or more.

  A week?

  Hell, it might as well be a year.

  Chapter Four

  The man listened to the nervous voice on the other end of the phone. Why did people get upset over such stupid things? He broke through the emotional tirade.

  “I’ve already told you – I watched the plane go down myself. I don’t think even your holy God knows that mountain exists. It’s very desolate.”

  “I want the lockbox. You’ve already bungled this once. Get me those papers!”

  “I will,” he sighed in a bored tone, “as soon as the blizzard stops.”

  “You’re not getting another dime until the job is finished.”

  “I got rid of the father and the daughter. I think my work speaks for itself. Now calm down. As soon as the blizzard stops I’ll go back to that Godforsaken wilderness and find your damn box.”

  He hoped the crash hadn’t damaged Kate’s body too much. He wanted to strip her naked to see what he’d missed. It was a shame he couldn’t find a way to experience her tight pussy before she died. Hindsight was 20/20. He should have taken her the night he killed her father.

  If only he had another chance.

  Chapter Five

  Kate tucked the flannel shirttail discreetly around her legs. Wearing Sam’s shirt made her feel more civilized. She peeked at the large bandage around her thigh, admiring the neat, professional way he had cared for her wound.

  Sam mentioned working as a wilderness first responder. Was that the same as a mountain ranger? Well, whatever he was, he had definitely dealt with her injuries in a professional way.

  “He must have medical training,” she mused aloud.

  Kate relaxed against the pillows, a contented smile lurking at the edges of her mouth. Doctors were used to seeing people in various forms of undress every day. It would be unethical for him to look at her like a woman. She was his patient so it was silly to feel embarrassed.

  She turned her attention to the tray near her bed and sniffed her nose hungrily. What was that old saying, feed a cold, starve a fever? A loud rumble from her belly reminded her she was famished.

  “I’m not starving this fever,” she muttered, reaching for the mug.

  Kate took a large sip of the steaming broth, enjoying the warmth as it made its way to her stomach.

  “You’re eating.”

  She glanced up as Sam’s head peeked around the door. “This may qualify as the best meal I’ve ever had.”

  “It’s not fancy but it should help with the nausea.”

  She took a bite of the sandwich, chewing thoughtfully before speaking. “Why did you become a doctor?”

  The question seemed to amuse him as a rich throaty growl filled the room. “I’m not. What gave you that conclusion? Is it my bedside manner?”

  She refused to be put off by his mocking tone. “You’ve taken excellent care of my wounds and you had antibiotic on hand. I thought you might be a physician.”

  “The Remote Rescue teams are given medical supplies and training in the event we encounter injuries.”

  That’s kind of like a doctor, isn’t it? “Where’s the rest of your team?”

  He snorted derisively. “I’m the only one willing to live up here this time of year.”

  “You live here? It’s not just a winter station?”

  Sam shook his head. “This is my home. I make a trip to town for supplies in October. I usually don’t go down again until March or April.”

  His words sent alarm bells clanging inside her head. It was only November. Was he saying she had to stay here for five more months? “Can’t you drive me to the nearest town? What about a taxi?”

  Sam stared at her, his expression clouded. “My car’s in storage at the Base station. I don’t
have a phone, Kate. No television, no electricity, no shopping malls. What part of remote did you not understand?” His tone grew sharp. “This is rugged terrain. The roads are considered primitive at best during the summer. But in the winter, there are no roads. And this early blizzard has covered everything with several feet of snow.”

  “But how am I going to leave?” Her voice sounded like the echo from an empty tomb. And no wonder. After Sam’s proclamation, Kate felt like she’d died and gone to hell. “I have to get to Atlanta.” She could feel his eyes probing and dropped her gaze.

  “I thought you said you were on your way to Reno?”

  “I was. I mean, I intended to stop over for a day or two of gambling before continuing to a meeting in Atlanta.”

  He shot her a black layered look. “Sorry, princess, your luck just ran out. They’ll have to conduct that meeting without you. You’re not going anywhere in this weather.”

  His contemptuous tone sparked her anger. “You don’t understand. I have confidential information I must give to. . .” Kate broke off the sentence, clamping her lips together in a thin line.

  He eased forward, reminding her of a stalking cat. “What kind of confidential information? Who are you meeting?”

  “It doesn’t matter who. It’s why. I must deliver something very important. I know this sounds trite but it’s a matter of life and death.”

  Sam lowered himself into a nearby chair. When he finally glanced in her direction, his expression was brutal and unfriendly. “Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me what’s going on.”

  “It’s none of your business.” She quickly recanted when his glare burned right through her. “I can’t. It’s a secret. I don’t even know all the details.”

  He stiffened as though she had struck him. “This is sounding awfully dramatic. Want to put it in simple terms even a mountain man can understand?”

  “If you’ll fetch my backpack, I’ll try to explain but I can’t tell you everything, Sam. I’m sorry.”

  “And I’m sorry I didn’t retrieve your backpack. I wasn’t thinking about luggage when I found you half dead in the snow.” The impatient words ripped from between clenched teeth.