Texas Heir

She swallowed. “Yes. That’s all that’s left of the plane.”

“Oh my God! How did we get out?”

“I pulled you out.”

“Fletcher and Melody?” His voice was hopeful despite the anguish imprinted on his face.

“I was going back to get them when the plane exploded, but they…were…already dead.” She had to believe that.

He buried his face in his blood-covered hands. She wrapped her arms around him. “A rescue team should be here soon.”

He raised his head. “But not in time for Fletcher and Melody.”

“No.” She felt his tears as they dripped onto her cheek and she tightened her arms, her face buried in his chest. His arms went around her like a vise and they grieved for the two people they’d lost. They sat that way minutes or maybe hours. She wasn’t sure, but the light was fading. Raindrops peppered their heads. They had to find shelter.

She untangled from him and stood, surveying the desolate, bare scenery. They were in the middle of nowhere and as she looked out, she saw more of the same. More mountains, more desolate landscape.

“What are you doing?”

“We have to find shelter for the time being.” She glanced toward the darkening sky. “It looks like another thunderstorm is on the way. Stay here. I’m going to scout around.”

“Cari…”

“I’ll be okay, Reed. Just rest. You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

“I can’t seem to do much else at the moment,” he replied in a low voice.

She walked away on the uneven terrain in her stocking feet. Several deep indentations had been hollowed out in the mountain from the elements. They could possibly use one as a cave until a search party arrived.

Lastly, she moved toward the charred wreckage. Pieces still smoldered. She didn’t know what she was hoping to find. Something. Anything. She peered over the side of the mountain. A wing from the plane, a wheel, objects she couldn’t identify and several personal items had been thrown free.

A backpack caught her eye. If there was clothing inside she could use it to bandage Reed’s wound. The backpack was on a steep incline going down to nowhere. Could she reach it?

Ever since she fell out of a tree as a kid, she’d had a fear of heights. Flying had been a challenge, but her job was important to her so she had conquered it. Now she had to find the courage to crawl down and retrieve the pack.

Reed was still sitting with his head buried on his knees, so weak and needing medical attention. Without a second thought, she turned around and inched down the side of the mountain. Her stocking feet were a problem. Damn, she should have removed them, but she wasn’t climbing back up to do that. Luckily she was able to find footholds on clumps of dirt and rocks, which scratched the bottom of her feet. But she kept going.

As she put pressure on one rock, it came loose and tumbled down, carrying a load of dirt with it. Cari closed her eyes, sucked in a breath and held on to a scraggly bush for dear life. Dust clogged her sinuses and she tasted it in her mouth along with her fear. She took a long ragged breath, said a prayer and found another foothold.

Finally she reached the backpack. It was pink and black, so she knew it must have belonged to Melody. With one hand she reached for it and slipped one arm through. Then she did the same with the other arm. Tentatively, she started the trek back up.

She climbed over the top as raindrops started to fall. Staggering to her feet, she ran to Reed.

“We have to find shelter,” she said, plopping down beside him.

He raised his head and his eyes were unfocused, dazed, and she wondered if he was going to pass out. “Wh-at?”

Slipping an arm around his waist, she asked, “Can you stand?” Within minutes she had him on his feet, but he swayed. With a fierce grip she led him to the partial cave that had a slight overhang. Just as she did, the heavens opened and torrential rain splattered the terrain.

She shrugged off the backpack and placed it on the ground. Reed slumped against her and she watched as the rain beat down on the wreckage.

After a moment she turned her attention to Reed. He probably had a concussion, so she had to keep him awake. She shook him several times and kept talking, but he was so out of it she finally gave up. Her strength was waning, too. The sound of the rain was hypnotic and she drifted into an exhausted, restless sleep.

MARISA KINCAID HURRIED into her father’s study followed by her husband. “Have you heard anything?”

“No, sweetheart, we’re still waiting,” Richard replied.

“Where’s Mother?”

“She’s in her room. The doctor sedated her, but I’m sure she’d be happy to see you. Actually, she keeps calling for you.”

“I’ll go right up.” She turned and then pivoted to face Richard. “Have you notified Cari’s family?”

“No. I thought I’d wait until we heard something definite.”

“I suppose that’s best.” His daughter’s face crumpled and Richard saw the first crack in her strong facade. Colter put his arm around her and she clung to him.

Richard didn’t think he was ever going to get used to this cowboy being his son-in-law. Marisa had her choice of the most eligible bachelors in the country, yet she chose a rodeo cowboy. For his daughter and grandchildren, he tried his best to like the man. And he wasn’t so bad. Colter had a lot of qualities Richard admired: responsibility, honesty and loyalty. It was his blue-collar roots that got Richard.

Daphne stepped into the room. “Has there been any news?”

Now, there was class and breeding, a woman who had it all. How he wished Marisa had made such a good choice.

“I’m afraid not,” Richard answered. “The weather is still a factor.”

Marisa wiped away a tear and looked at Daphne. “You’re taking this very well.”

“Of course. It’s not going to do me any good to fall apart.”

“Yes. Heaven forbid,” Marisa said and walked out.

Colter twisted his hat. “Her brother and her best friend are probably dead, so you can understand her state of mind.” He placed his hat on his head. “Or maybe not.” Saying that, he followed Marisa.

“What did he mean?” Daphne asked.

“Never mind. Everyone is a little emotional.” Richard walked to her. “How are you, my dear?”

“I’m okay.” She glanced at her watch. “I have an interview at a TV station in about an hour, so I better go.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“It’s better than them hounding me. I’ll give them an interview and they’ll leave me alone.”