Page 7 of Ice Princess

“Thank you… Kinsey,” Rebel says earnestly.

I try to swallow and realize that my throat has gone completely dry. The symptoms worsen as Rebel stands there, looking at me with those summer-sky eyes.

Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

With a nod and a swift turn, I leave her behind.

My steps are slow at first.

And then I move faster and faster until I’m running like a loon.

When I’m a good distance away, I stop and catch my breath.

Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

My pulse is racing, and it’s not from the run.

Before heading in, I dial the number of the hospital and set an appointment to see the cardiologist bright and early on Monday.

CHAPTER

THREE

REBEL

After Gunner leaves,I go in search of a water hose to wash my mouth. Fair is fair and I wouldn’t have gotten out of that situation with Cliff on my own.

But why did it have to be Gunner who came to my rescue?

He’s the last person I want to be around. He’s a Kinsey, and thus, he’s my enemy by default, but beyond that… I just don’t like him. Simple as that.

Before I can find a hose, a familiar truck lurches to a stop in the sandy yard.

Dalton and his crew are here.

I usher them into the barn.

“What’s the plan, Hart?” Dalton asks, setting his tool box down with a serious expression.

I smile at the question. Dalton has no sky-high ego I need to stroke nor does he have a propensity for asking me out for drinks—what with him being happily married and a father of twins.

Talk about a breath of fresh air.

We get right to work.

At first, my calculations are slightly off and we scratch our heads, trying to figure out how to substitute the materials we don’t have.

After talking it over, I realize we can bend the iron rods using a unique welding method that I researched online. Dalton has no experience with it, but after showing him the video and talking him through the process, he gets it done.

The hour mark passes.

Anxiety causes sweat to bead on the back of my neck. My undershirt sticks to my chest like a second skin.

We’re out of time and we’re only three quarters done.

I check in with Rodney. To my relief, he was able to switch with another contestant.

“I was just about to call and inform you,” he says. “How are things on your end?”

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