Free To Love & Protect Her by Margaret Watson Page B

stuck in a tight spot and need it.”
    â€œThank goodness for that. I’m getting a little thirsty.”
    He passed her water in a plastic bottle, and she drank it down. Setting the empty bottle on the rock beside her, she looked at it, amazed. “I didn’t realize I was that thirsty.”
    â€œThis altitude can dehydrate you pretty quickly.” His gaze searched her face. “Are you light-headed at all?”
    â€œNot a bit,” she lied. In fact, her head was beginning to feel detached from her body. “If I sit here fora few minutes and catch my breath, I’ll be ready to start back down the trail.”
    Griff tried to hand her a candy bar, but she shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”
    He gave her a searching look, but didn’t say anything. Eating his own candy bar slowly, he drank some of his water, then passed her the bottle.
    She eyed it longingly, but shook her head. “I’ve had my fill.” She wasn’t about to take water away from Griff. He was bigger than she was, and he undoubtedly needed more.
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œPositive,” she said firmly. It wouldn’t take nearly as long to get back down the mountain. Then she could have as much water as she wanted.
    They sat quietly for a while, and eventually her breathing sounded less raspy and strained. Her head still ached, but she was determined to ignore it. When Griff said, “Ready to go?” she nodded.
    Griff led the way again, and she followed him down the trail. Her shoes caught on a loose rock, and she slid for a foot or so. Catching herself on a boulder alongside the trail, she looked up to find Griff beside her.
    â€œAre you all right?”
    â€œI just slipped on a rock,” she said, holding onto him as the world spun slowly around her. “I’ll watch where I’m going.”
    He stood and looked at her, and she could see the worry in his eyes. “I think we came too far up,” he said finally.
    â€œDon’t be silly,” she replied, standing and pulling her jacket more tightly around her waist. “I’m fine.”
    But as she began to walk again, they rounded a turn in the trail. Instead of following the curve, she stepped off the edge of the trail—and into the air.

Five
    G riff heard the clatter of rocks behind him and was spinning around even before he heard Willa’s high-pitched, terrified scream. She tumbled over the edge of the trail and seemed to fall in slow motion away from him. He grabbed for her arm, and fell onto the rocks, but she was gone before he could catch her.
    â€œWilla?” he called, holding his breath to hear her voice.
    â€œI’m okay, I think.” Her voice came from below him, and although it was shaky, it sounded damn wonderful.
    Afraid that the edge of the trail had crumbled and broken off, he wriggled over to the drop-off on his stomach. Willa had landed on a small ledge about ten feet below him. She sat there, a bewildered look on her face, and stared up at him.
    â€œAre you hurt?” he asked, his voice sharp.
    â€œI don’t think so.” He could see her move her legs and feet. “Everything seems to be working.”
    â€œWhat happened? Did the rock crumble on the trail?”
    She shifted her gaze away from him. “I don’t think so.”
    â€œThen how did you fall?”
    â€œI just fell,” she said, but she still wouldn’t look up at him.
    â€œWilla, something’s wrong.” His voice sharpened even more, and he swung his leg over the side of the small cliff. “I’m coming down there.”
    â€œDon’t,” she said, finally looking at him. “I know what’s wrong. I let myself get light-headed and dizzy from the altitude and didn’t say anything to you. Okay? Are you satisfied?”
    Her voice sounded belligerent, but he could see the flags of color on her cheeks and the embarrassment in her eyes,