Colorado Abduction - By Cassie Miles & Marie Ferrarella Page 0,55
she’d been hit. “I was shot. I’m going to have a giant bruise. Otherwise, I’m fine. It’s kind of amazing really.”
“You’re amazing,” he said.
An exchange of gunfire between the deputies and the sniper distracted him. He peeked over the edge of the boulder they were hiding behind. The two deputies seemed to be doing a good job.
“Logan must really hate me,” she said. “Do you think he’s the sniper?”
“Is he a good shot?”
“Not really. He probably sent one of his men to do his dirty work.”
He lay back down beside her, aware of the possibility that another of Logan’s men had moved into position behind them. At any given moment, Burke could be shot in the back, and he didn’t want to die—didn’t want to go until he told her. “About last night…”
“Now you’re ready to talk?”
“Here’s how I feel. You said you wanted me to know you’re not a bimbo who sleeps around. The thought never entered my mind. You’re a smart, principled woman. Different from anyone—male or female—that I’ve ever known. Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to you. I can’t figure you out. You challenge me in a good way. And I want to be with you. You can call that a bond or kismet or fate. I don’t know what it is. I’m not one for analyzing. I just know it’s there. It’s real.”
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Gently, he wiped it away. “You said you weren’t ready to get married. You’re probably right about that. It might be too soon. But I want you to know that I’m not afraid of commitment.”
“I’m not afraid, either,” she said.
Pressed against the boulder, they held each other. Her legs twined with his. In the midst of danger, he felt at peace. He’d rather be here with Carolyn than anywhere else.
He heard the thunk-thunk of the helicopter rotors and looked up.
The chopper couldn’t land in this canyon, but the hovering bird made an effective predator as it swooped down. There was more gunfire. More shouts from the deputies. A bullhorn voice from the chopper shouted an order to put down the weapon and raise both hands.
Carolyn looked up at him. “What’s happening?”
“We’re being rescued.”
He rose to a crouch and peeked over the boulder.
The deputies were waving their arms. Coming toward Burke and Carolyn, they called out, “They got him.”
Burke stood. On the far hillside, he saw a man standing with his arms raised over his head. Even at this distance, he knew it wasn’t Logan; he wasn’t blond.
One man from the chopper aimed a rifle at their quarry. Another descended on a rope to make the arrest. Impressive work.
Carolyn stood and leaned against his chest.
They were safe. For now.
TWO HOURS LATER, Carolyn had been evacuated from the Indian Trail. Elvis and all the other horses were safely tucked away in the stable. She’d been checked by a medic who told her that she was okay, apart from a bad bruise above her right breast. The medic gave her pain meds and suggested she go back to bed. Though she’d taken his advice, she couldn’t sleep. Her mind whirled, remembering what had happened and trying to imagine what would come next.
She couldn’t stop thinking about Burke. Instead of wondering whether or not he felt anything for her, she accepted him at his word. They had something special. And it might lead to a commitment between them. Joyful warmth flowed through her veins and she immediately felt guilty.
Nicole was still in danger. Jesse Longbridge was still unconscious in the hospital. The Carlisle Ranch was under siege. Not to mention the fact that Logan wanted her dead. In the middle of this disaster, how could she be happy?
She threw off the covers, climbed out of bed and got dressed. The pain medications were making her dizzy, and her bruise still throbbed, but she had to do something. It wasn’t in her nature to lie back and let someone else take responsibility.
Completely dressed except for her boots, she heard a tap on her door. “Come in. I’m decent.”
Burke stepped through her bedroom door and closed it behind him. His smile sparked those irrelevant happy feelings that she’d almost squelched.
“Too bad you’re decent,” he said. “I was hoping for a sexy lace negligee.”
“Not at the ranch.” She couldn’t help smiling back. “All my classy nightwear is at my condo in Denver.”
“Can’t wait to see it.”
He lived in Denver, too. That was his full-time residence when he wasn’t on assignment. “What part of town do you