Page 32 of Healing Love

Wrapping his arms around her shivering frame, he offered her his warmth, keeping her held tightly, until he could feel her heartbeat next to his. Allowing her a moment to cry, he continued to whisper endearments into her ear. Words his mother had whispered when one of her children was upset. And words he heard his father whisper to his mother when he thought no one else could hear.

After a few minutes, she heaved a huge sigh and lifted her face to his while keeping a tight hold onto his shirt. “I’m sorry, Cam.”

“Babe, you’ve got nothing to be sorry for,” he said, pushing the wet strands away from her face as the rain continued to send rivulets of water down her skin. “You’re tired and scared but I gotta tell you, you’re a fuckin’mujer de acero, babe.”

Seeing her questioning expression, he chuckled. “Woman of steel. You’re strong, Miriam. You can do this. And I’m going to make sure we make it.”

Sucking in a huge breath, she nodded. “Okay, well, I’m down to my last crackers so we’d better fuel up before we start lugging this down the hill.”

Chucking her under her chin with his knuckles, he grinned.Jesus, she’s beautiful.Standing and making sure she was steady on her feet, he moved over to the canoe, grateful that it was not too heavy.

“I’ll drag it where we can and will only need you to assist when two people have to get it down a steep slope.”

Nodding, she watched as he fashioned a harness from the rope and looped it around his shoulders. Moving forward through the trees near the water’s edge he began walking, dragging the canoe behind him. She followed dutifully, keeping an eye on both the canoe…and the man.

13

The first hour was not too difficult but then, as the roar of the falls came nearer, the terrain became more difficult to travel with the canoe dragging behind. Rocks jutted out in the underbrush, so Cam moved inland slightly to keep the river within range while being able to continue to head downhill with the woods over their heads.

The ground was soaked and slick but with the cover of the trees, the rain did not reach them as easily as it had when they were exposed in the water.

After another hour, they came to a section where the drops in the path were more significant. He surveyed the land and turned to see Miriam slipping down some rocks to join him.

“How you doing?” he asked and was rewarded with a smile and a nod. He stood, stretching his aching muscles. “I’d really like to get as far as we can before nightfall. Hopefully, the rain is almost at a stop.”

“What do you need me to do?” she asked, eying the steep terrain.

“It looks like we can keep moving to the south a little bit, but head inland to skirt these rocks while staying near the tree line.”

“If we stay with these rocks, can’t we just lower the canoe down a bit at a time?” she asked, thinking that would be easier.

“Eventually, we’ll have to, but we need to avoid the rocks as much as possible.” Seeing her curious expression, he explained, “We’d be more in sight, babe.” Keeping his gaze on hers he could tell she did not know what he was implying. “If someone is looking for us and they’ve got helicopters, they could see us if we stay next to the river on the rocky ledges.”

Her jaw dropped open as she realized once the storm passed the possibility existed that someone could come searching for them. “But why? I’m nobody. Just a Red Cross nurse, that’s all.”

“Babe, you’ve seen where their main compound is. You’ve seen one of the local leaders. You’ve got inside information that they would love to contain.”

Miriam turned her eyes to the side, not willing for him to see her fear. Sucking in a deep breath through her nose, she slowly let it out, blinking furiously to keep the tears at bay. Gaining control, she turned back to him. “Okay. Show me what to do.”

“Mujer de acero,” he said, shaking his head. “We keep walking for now.”

Several hours later dusk was fast approaching, and they ran out of cover. The rain had stopped, and they could actually see a sliver of blue sky in the distance.

“Okay, babe, it looks like we can’t put it off any longer. We’ve got to climb down these rocks out in the open. But since we haven’t seen sight of anyone looking for us, I’d say we’re in good shape.”

Walking over to her, he threw his arms around her back, slinging the rope with them, and tied the ends around her waist.

“I’ll lower you down and you walk it just like you did that wall the other night,” he instructed.

She looked up in surprise, and with a small giggle said, “Oh, my God. Was that just the other night? It seems like a lifetime ago!”

Chuckling, he agreed. He stood with his hands on her waist for a moment longer than necessary, liking the feel of her in his arms.

“You know, Cam, I don’t even know anything about you,” she said, her eyes searching his. “You’ve risked your life for me, and I don’t even know your last name.”

He leaned over and touched his forehead to hers again, whispering, “Perez. Cam Perez. At your service.” Then he kissed her forehead once more. “All right, babe, hang on.” With that, he assisted her out over the edge of the rock cliff, and she gave a little scream as her hands and feet scrambled to find their holds. The edges were rough, pointing out in jagged, sharp angles.

She felt as though she did not do much to help since most of her descent was controlled by Cam’s muscles. Soon her feet touched the ledge, almost ten feet fromwhere she started, and she called out. Untying the rope about her waist, she let it free so that he could pull it up and then fasten it to the canoe.

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