Free Whitney in Charge by Diane Craver Page B

lobby.”
    “My sister Shannon mentioned both the tournament and art show when I gave her your website.” How embarrassing though she’d never heard of their resort when they’d obviously done a fantastic job of having all kinds of events year round. “I’m surprised I never heard of your resort until Ben told me about it. How long have you had it?”
    “Ten years,” Gary said.
    “Oh, I see why I didn’t know about it. Ten years ago I was in college in New York. I’ve only recently come back to this area.”
    Ben grabbed her hand, as he stood from the table, drawing Whitney with him. “I think we better get started on our hike.”
    Whitney said, “Okay, but it’s going to be hard to leave here. I small bread baking.”
    “I love baking, especially bread. After your hike be sure to come back to eat,” Susan said.
    Gary mentioned, “Susan bakes whole wheat and white bread.”
    “Mmmmmm, I can’t wait,” Whitney said with a grin.
    They said good-bye, giving quick waves as they started toward the trail signs. Susan called after them, “Be careful.”
    Ben turned and gave a broad smile at Susan. “Hey, we’re experienced hikers.”
    At first they could walk side by side but as it narrowed, Ben took the lead. They stopped frequently to look at the wildflowers scattered in the woods and along the trail. When they saw a small waterfall, Whitney leaned against a rock staring at it. “The waterfall’s beautiful. I love hearing the sound of water falling against the rocks. Of course, this isn’t anything like Niagara Falls, but it reminds me how much I loved going there with my parents and sisters when I was little.”
    Ben stepped next to her and pulled her into his arms. “I wanted to kiss you when you brought the casserole over for us. And I’m feeling the same way again.”
    She grinned. “You’ll lucky. Whenever water’s near, I feel like kissing someone.”
    “I hope that means you won’t mind me kissing you.”
    “I’ll be disappointed if you don’t.” Her gaze went swiftly to his mouth. She was ready when his lips touched hers in a slow and tender kiss.
    When they stopped kissing, she said, “Susan and Gary should print on their website how the waterfall’s a good spot to kiss someone.”
    His brown eyes filled with amusement. “I don’t know if I want others kissing here. I like it being so private and special.”
    “Is it much farther to the top?”
    “No. It should take us about ten minutes. This part of the trail’s pretty rough but so worth it. The view’s spectacular.”
    They’d traveled several feet when Whitney saw Ben slip on a huge rock. He yelled, “Watch out.” His hand reached out to grab a limb to stop his fall when a rock was jarred from above.
    She moved quickly, trying to avoid getting hit by the rock, but she lost her balance and fell. Her head smacked against the brutal rocks and light danced in her peripheral vision as pain shot through her skull. Then everything went dark.

Chapter Seven
    “Whitney!”
    Horror raced through Ben’s veins. His blood ran cold and he couldn’t breathe. For a second he looked down at her still body and couldn’t move. Then his brain relayed to his limbs he needed to help her. He scrambled down the rocky slope and reached Whitney, his heart clenching at the sight of blood on the side of her head. Ben ripped a portion of his shirt to gently press against the bleeding wound. With his other hand he checked Whitney’s pulse and felt intense relief that he found one. The fall hadn’t killed her.
    Thank God, he had his cell with him. Holding the rag to her head with one hand, he opened the phone and dialed 9-1-1with the other. It seemed to take forever for someone to answer, even though he only heard the dial tone once.
    “9-1-1. Please state the nature of your emergency.”
    “My name is Ben Spencer. My friend fell maybe ten feet on a hiking trail and is unconscious. She’s bleeding from a cut on her forehead. We’re at Wild