Free Between Strangers by Linda Conrad Page B

had a chance to wonder if they should keep going under the onslaught, he caught sight of deep tire tracks in the road ahead. Looked as if a semi was moving along the same highway just in front ofthem. He breathed a little easier and kept his eyes trained on those tracks.
    Flicking a glance in Marcy’s direction, he saw that she’d gripped the door handle and her knuckles were white with tension. She hadn’t seen the tracks of their fellow traveler yet and her whole body was tight. He needed to take that panic off her shoulders somehow.
    Clearing his throat, he started talking in as calm a voice as he could manage. “Looks like we’re right behind a trucker. If he thinks the road is good enough to navigate, then I’m not too worried. We’ll follow his tracks.”
    She didn’t make a comment and he figured he’d better keep on talking. “Do you need to check on Angie? She’s been awfully quiet.”
    Marcy released a pent-up breath, and he was glad to know she was at least breathing. “The baby’s asleep. It’s dark and warm and cozy in here…for her.”
    Marcy’s voice wasn’t all that steady. But he’d gotten her to talk and breathe. That was something.
    â€œI sure wish it was daylight so you could see the scenery,” he quickly told her. “The mountains and rocks in the Badlands are spectacular. Giant, craggy peaks tower over the road right in this section. They make a phenomenal picture. Just like a postcard.”
    As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Lance saw red taillights flashing directly up ahead. He gingerly put his foot on the brake, hoping he had enough time to come to a stop without skidding off the road.
    Marcy hissed in a breath. “What’s going on?”
    When the SUV slowed to a halt, Lance put it inPark and pulled the Stetson lower on his forehead. “I don’t know but I intend to find out in a minute.”
    As soon as he’d walked ten feet, he immediately saw the problem. But it took him fifteen minutes to discuss potential solutions with the handful of truckers that had gathered out in the storm and stood gabbing in the middle of the road.
    By the time he climbed back in the driver’s seat, he’d come to a decision. “The road’s closed,” he told Marcy. “The heavy snow caused a slide. It’ll take hours, maybe a day, to dig it out.”
    â€œWhat are we going to do?”
    â€œHalf a mile back we passed a side road that leads to a friend’s house,” he said in a fairly steady voice. “It’s no more than three miles off this road to his ranch. We’ll go there. Wait out the storm until they clear the road.”
    â€œA friend? What friend?”
    He took the SUV out of Park and eased it into a 180-degree turn. “Hank’s brother, Bobby, and his wife, Vicki. You’ll like them.”
    â€œNo.”
    The sudden panic in her voice caused him to put on the brakes so he could turn and really look at her. “What…?”
    â€œWe can’t go there,” she said with a nearly hysterical crack in her voice. “Marianne told me Bobby and his wife are in Florida for the holidays. They aren’t at their ranch.”
    She put her hand on his arm and squeezed. “What are we going to do?”

Six
    â€œD on’t panic.” His voice was smooth and low, and a smile touched the corners of his mouth. “We can still find shelter at Bobby’s ranch. I helped him build the place, and I know where they keep everything. Bobby and Vicki won’t mind if we stay there until the roads are clear.”
    It wasn’t so much Lance’s words as his calm manner that gave her the hope everything would be all right. “Well, if you’re sure they won’t mind.” Marcy pried her fingers off his arm and tried a hesitant smile. “I’m a little concerned about Angie.”
    The minute she’d said