Just a Kiss in the Moonlight: Georgia Moon Romance Book 2 (16 page)

He couldn’t see anything promising and was frustrated by his immobility. Taylin surprised him when she pointed out a cluster of downed pines that formed an A-frame.

“I noticed it when I was finding the sticks for your splint and thought it would make a great fort for my nephews.” She tucked a matted strand of hair behind her ear. “What do you think? Can you make it over there?”

Luke figured it was at least four yards away. If he couldn’t get there, at least Taylin would be somewhat protected from the elements. “I’ll do my best.”

With Taylin’s help, Luke navigated the ground by scooting on his backside. Once he made it there, he reached up and jiggled one of the branches to see how stable the shelter was. The trees were wedged tightly, and he guessed they’d be safe enough. Unless another tornado decided to touch down again.

Although it hurt to move, he inched his way inside the opening. The space was tight, and his head touched the branches overhead. He leaned back against the mass of pine boughs and was relieved when they didn’t budge.

Taylin peered inside the opening and bit at her bottom lip. “I’m a little on the claustrophobic side. Maybe I’ll stay out here.”

A clap of thunder rumbled in the distance. “Never mind,” Taylin said as she scrambled inside to sit next to Luke.

“You okay?” he asked once she was settled.

“Yeah.” She glanced up at him. “How long until you think they’ll start lookin’ for us?”

Not any time today
. He hesitated answering, since it probably wasn’t what she wanted to hear.

“And be honest,” she said, holding his gaze. “I promise not to freak out.”

Outside their shelter, the wind whistled through the branches and rain started to fall. “Unless this storm blows over quickly, I think it’ll be tomorrow before they can come look for us.”

U
nder Luke’s watchful gaze
, Taylin did her best to hide her panic at spending the night in the forest. At least she wasn’t alone. “Well, this is a first for me. Our family’s idea of camping is staying in a cabin with running water.”

He smiled. “My brothers and I spent many weekends camping in the woods.”

“Good, that means I’m with an expert.” A drop of water hit her cheek, and they both looked up. It was raining pretty hard outside, and the branches wouldn’t keep them dry much longer.

Pushing aside her anxiety, Taylin dove into action and retrieved the emergency blankets from her backpack. She handed one to Luke and then figured out a way to secure the other one as a makeshift roof using the safety pins from her bag. It was more secure than her earlier attempt to protect them from the elements while Luke was unconscious.

“That’s pretty good,” he said.

“It’ll help keep us a little dry.” She shivered as the cold settled in around her.

Luke handed the other blanket to her. “Just pretend like this is a minky blanket.”

The thin metallic material crinkled as she spread it open. “That’s like tellin’ a severely dehydrated person to pretend a glass of sand is really fresh spring water.” She scooted close to him. “But it’s better than nothing, and I’m not hoggin’ the entire blanket. We’ll share.”

Luke started to protest, but Taylin pressed even closer, feeling a hint of warmth from his body. “It might not be Montana, but it’s gonna get pretty cold tonight and we need to keep each other warm.”

“You’re right. Thanks.” He tucked the corner of the blanket under his arm. Then, with their shoulders touching, Luke found her hand under the blanket and threaded their fingers together. “So, how many forts have you built for your nephews over the years?”

Taylin loved the feel of her hand in his. While the rain continued to come down, she talked all about her large family. She made Luke laugh a few times then had to apologize when he reminded her about his bruised ribs.

The air grew chillier as the time passed, but they remained fairly warm huddled together. Luke’s stomach growled, and Taylin was once again grateful for something to do. She let go of Luke’s hand to dig inside her backpack.

“We can split the other half of my roast beef sandwich,” she said, pulling it out. “And then share one of the cheesecakes. We’ll save the other one for morning.”

“You sure you were never a girl scout?” Luke teased after thanking her again for bringing food along.

“Afraid not, although I did do a year in 4-H when I was ten.” She tore the sandwich in half and gave one to Luke. “But I think I might look into a medical survival class when we get home. It could be useful if I end up somewhere overseas.”

Luke was about to take a bite of his sandwich, but dropped his hand and stared at her with troubled eyes.

“What did I say wrong?” she asked, unsure why he was upset.

“Nothing. It’s just…” He trailed off and looked away from her.

She waited before nudging him softly with her shoulder. “It’s just… what?”

“Never mind.” Turning back, he met her gaze. “I’m just being selfish.”

The intense look in his eyes sent her pulse galloping like a runaway horse. “This isn’t the time to be cryptic, Luke.” She grinned and pointed to his leg. “Besides, with your bum knee, you’re not going anywhere, so you might as well tell me.”

He started to laugh, but stopped and clutched at his side. “Ow. Would you stop making me laugh?”

“Sorry, but I’m not tryin’ to be funny. I’m serious.”

“Okay, I’ll talk.” Their eyes connected, and all at once, an awareness as tangible as lightning during the thunderstorm crackled between them.

“I know it isn’t fair,” he said in a low voice. “But I don’t want you to leave.”

The underlying message from his words made her mouth go dry. She moistened her lips before asking, “Then what do you want?”

One corner of his mouth edged up. “To be completely honest, right now I want to kiss you until you decide to give me a chance… to give us a chance.”

Without waiting for a response, he slanted forward and captured her mouth with his, kissing her soft and slow. A heady dizziness spread through her as if she’d jumped onto a spinning merry go round at the park. The promise for something more than just a few stolen kisses and pretty words swirled around her. Taylin knew that for the first time in her life, she was falling in love.

“All right,” she said against his mouth. “You win.”

He pulled back, and she saw a storm of emotions in his gray eyes. “Taylin, I don’t want to stop you from pursuing your dreams, but I do want you to know where I stand.”

She suppressed the urge to ask him to expound further. He might not be able to physically run away, but she didn’t want to scare him off with talks of marriage and children. “Thank you.” She brushed her lips across his. “I’m glad to know I have options.”

Luke gave her one more lingering kiss. “Can we talk about those options?” He winced and gripped his knee. “Maybe just not now.”

Taylin wished she could do something to ease his pain. She had one more
Midol
pill she could give him. “Definitely later.” She found the container of pills and offered the last one to him. “I wish I had something to help with the inflammation.”

“I’m grateful for this.” He took the pill and swallowed it with a sip of his dwindling water bottle.

By the time they finished their meager supper, the storm had abated somewhat. Any hope Taylin had for a last minute rescue vanished along with the day. The interior of their shelter became so dark they could no longer see one another. They talked for a little while about their families and what their favorite vacations were, but when Taylin asked Luke more about camping, he was slow to respond and she could tell he needed to rest.

She didn’t press him, and it wasn’t long before he’d drifted off to sleep. Although she was exhausted, Taylin doubted she’d be able to sleep. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against Luke’s shoulder and listened to his deep, even breaths. The next thing she knew, Luke was nudging her awake.

“Taylin, I think I hear a helicopter.”

It took a few seconds for her brain to comprehend his words. Then she heard the distinct sound from the blades slicing through the air. In her haste to get outside, she inadvertently jarred his knee.

Groaning in pain, Luke clenched his jaw and held onto his knee protectively.

“I’m so sorry,” Taylin said. “What can I do?”

“I’m okay.” He swallowed and gestured with his head. “You’d better get out there so they can see you.”

The noise grew louder, so Taylin only hesitated a second before exiting their shelter. She ignored the destruction surrounding their little shelter and scanned the clear sky, hoping for a glimpse of the helicopter. As the sound intensified, Taylin glanced down at her yellow poncho. It was muddy and a little tattered, but hopefully they’d be able to spot her among the trees.

The thumping grew louder, and she caught sight of the machine coming toward her. Taylin lifted her arms up and began frantically waving them. “Hey, we’re over here!” she yelled, even though she knew they couldn’t hear her.

The helicopter didn’t slow down and passed over her so quickly she was sure they’d missed her.

“Hey, y’all! We’re over here!” she hollered out in a desperate attempt to get it to notice her.

She started to run in the direction of the helicopter when it made a wide sweep and turned back toward her. The big machine gradually decreased its speed and then hovered over her. A guy wearing a helmet and mirrored aviator sunglasses smiled at her and gave her the thumbs up.

He turned and spoke to the pilot, and then the door slid open and a man in a green jumpsuit stepped out onto the metal runners. He steadily descended to the ground using a long cable. When he twisted from the movement, Taylin read the logo printed boldly on his back, declaring he was part of the search and rescue team for the sheriff’s department.

As soon as his feet hit the ground, he unhooked himself from the cable. Turning, he grinned and lifted his hand to wave at her. “Are you Miss Taylin Nichols?”

“Yes, sir,” Taylin said, suddenly very aware of how disheveled she must look. The guy had the bluest eyes and was kind of cute.

He pressed a button on the mic he wore on his suit and confirmed he’d found their target.

“Well, Miss Taylin, I’m Clay, and you have a lot of people worried about you.” His smile disappeared as he looked around her. “We had reports you were with a Mr. Luke McKay.”

“I’m right here,” Luke said, scooting out of their shelter.

Everything happened so fast after that. Another search and rescue member named Mickey hoisted Taylin inside the helicopter while Clay stayed with Luke. Glancing out the open door, she pulled the blanket tight around her as she watched Clay secure the straps over Luke in the rescue basket. After hooking the cable to the litter, he gave the thumbs up to his team member perched on the runners. Both Clay and Luke were lifted up. Clay jumped inside and secured the litter on the runner of the helicopter.

The helicopter ride was quick. Taylin learned that she and Luke had only been a little over a mile away from the resort. As the helicopter landed in the parking lot of Harmony Springs, Taylin noticed several news vans from various networks also parked there.

While two paramedics assisted Clay to transfer Luke from the litter to a gurney, Mickey helped Taylin out of the helicopter. Several reporters hovered as close as they could get, trying to get Taylin’s attention.

“I’m so relieved y’all are okay,” Jennifer said, rushing forward to hug Taylin. “I didn’t sleep at all last night because I was so worried.”

Rick stood next to Jennifer and gave Taylin a brief hug. “Glad y’all are safe.”

“Thanks.” She pointed to the camera he had slung around his neck. “Too bad you and your camera didn’t come along. The video of the tornado we witnessed would’ve gone viral.”

“Seriously? Y’all were right in the middle of it?”

Before Taylin could fill him in on the details, Clay, along with the two paramedics, rolled Luke’s gurney to a stop.

“Dude,” Rick said, coming over to shake Luke’s hand. “What happened to you?”

“A horse rolled over top of me and then a tornado hit.”

Jennifer rushed forward. “I’m so sorry, Mr. McKay. You have a free night stay with your pick of amenities whenever you feel up to it.” She glanced over at Taylin. “You too, sweetie. And I promise not one camera will follow y’all around.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Luke said. “A soak in one of your mineral pools would feel like heaven right now.”

That made Jennifer light up like one of the resort’s jack-o'-lantern on display in the lobby. “Wonderful. I’ll be sure and follow up with you once you’re done at the hospital.”

“Do I really need to go to the hospital?” Luke asked Clay.

“Of course you do,” Taylin said before Clay answered. “You know they need to check your ribs and your knee out.”

“Don’t worry, Luke. Your girlfriend can ride with you,” Clay said with a wink.

One of Rick’s eyebrows lifted up. “Girlfriend?”

Luke only grinned and took Taylin’s hand in his. “I guess let’s go then.”

Rick chuckled and took the lens cap off of his camera. “Let me get a few pictures of you two to put in your scrapbook.”

“But I look horrible,” Taylin said.

“No,” Rick said, lifting up his camera. “You look like you just survived a tornado.”

He took a few quick shots before the paramedics declared they needed to get them to the hospital.

“Hey, did the horses make it back okay?” Luke asked before they left.

“Yes, they were a little battered, but Oscar said they’ll be just fine with some TLC.” Jennifer reached inside her purse. “I almost forgot. Oscar found your phone in the saddlebag.” She handed it to Luke.

“Thank you.” Luke started to slide it into his pocket, but even that movement hurt him. He handed it to Taylin. “Can you hold on to this for me?”

“Sure.” She put the phone inside her backpack and held on as the ambulance started to move out.

Because of road closures from downed trees, the ambulance took them to a smaller hospital about twenty miles away. Luke was given something for pain that made him pretty groggy.

The ER doctor checked out Taylin while Luke was taken to radiology for x-rays of his knee and chest. While she waited for him to come back, she used Luke’s phone to call her parents. They were relieved to hear she was okay. Apparently they’d been notified early this morning about Taylin’s disappearance. They had been trying to get to the resort all morning long, but couldn’t get through due to the road closures. They would come to the hospital just as soon as the road cleared.

Taylin wondered if Luke’s parents had been notified as well, but since there weren’t any missed calls from them, she assumed they remained unaware.

A nurse came in and offered Taylin a set of scrubs and a package of blue hospital socks. “Hey, I thought you might want to change into these while you wait.”

“Thank you so much,” Taylin said. “Do you know when Luke will be done?”

“It shouldn’t be long, sugar, but I’ll let you know if he’s been delayed.” She handed Taylin a cup filled with apple juice. “The kitchen is preparing a tray for you. Once Mr. McKay is cleared to eat, we’ll make sure he gets something too.”

“Thank you.”

Taylin took several long swallows of the juice before going into the private bathroom to change out of her dirty clothes. Her beautiful riding boots looked terrible and were scratched and muddy. She peeled off her socks and replaced them with the blue socks. The scrubs were a little big, but they were clean and dry.

She groaned when she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair looked like she was working on dreadlocks, and her face was smudged with dirt. Unable to do anything about her tangled hair, she washed her face.

A hospital tray was waiting for her on the bedside table. Suddenly very ravenous, Taylin lifted off the lid that covered the plate and inhaled the delicious scent of bacon, eggs and hash browns. Taylin ate almost everything on her plate, leaving only a few of the hash browns.