Page 17 of Mountain Summons

Then, softer—“Thank you, Tristan.”

He closed his eyes. Christ. She was going to be his undoing.

Minutes blurred together, the steady flicker of the emergency lantern casting long shadows on the cave walls. He kept rubbing warmth back into her arms, her fingers, and even cajoled her into drinking a bit more tea. Eventually, she drifted into an exhausted half-sleep.

Tristan forced himself to stay alert. He listened. For the first break in the storm. For voices.

Then—finally.

Distant at first, barely audible over the last whispers of the rain. Tristan snapped to attention. He shifted, careful not to jostle Lena as he stood up and put on his shirt again.

He reached for his radio.

“Beau, do you copy? We’re in the southernmost cave formation. I left a strobe light near the entrance.” He looked at his watch. It was only midnight. He couldn’t believe only a few hours had gone by.

The static crackled, then, “We see the light. How is she?”

Tristan let out a breath, relief making him lightheaded. “Stable, but she needs a hospital.”

A brief silence. Then?—

“We’re close. Sit tight.”

Tristan exhaled sharply, looking down at Lena. Her lashes fluttered open slightly, her brow furrowing. “Help’s here,” he murmured. “We’re getting out of here, sweetheart.”

She blinked up at him, eyes still hazy with exhaustion. He helped her into his too-large jacket to cover her bra, then draped the bivy sack around her shoulders.

A few minutes later, he heard the sound of boots on wet rock outside the cave. Flashlights sweeping through the dark. Beau’s large frame appeared in the doorway.

His commanding officer. His friend. His furious, about-to-rip-him-a-new-one boss.

Tristan braced himself.

Beau stepped into the cave, his gaze immediately locking onto them. His face was unreadable—except for the sharp exhale of relief that barely lasted a second before his expression darkened. Two more figures stepped past Beau and into the cave: Ry and Lorenz. Tristan had never been so happy to see his friends.

Lena, however, looked overwhelmed.

“Tristan?” she asked, her voice suddenly fearful.

“These are my friends, Lena. They’re here to bring you home,” he said, squeezing her hand.

Ry kneeled next to Lena. “Madeleine? My name is Ry Harrison. I’m a medic with the PGHM. Is it okay if I look at your ankle?”

Lena nodded, but squeezed Tristan’s hand tightly in hers. Tristan looked up to see Beau staring right at their joined hands.

A few minutes later, Ry looked up. “I don’t think the ankle’s broken, but she’ll need an X-ray to be sure.” Tristan sighed, relieved, as Hugo and Ry carefully loaded Lena onto the stretcher. At that instant, the familiar whir of rotor blades cut through the air.Kat.

Beau spoke up for the first time. “Mademoiselle Pelegrin, the helicopter is waiting to take you home. Your father is already at the hospital.”

Tristan forced himself to stay still, when all he wanted to do was follow her outside.

“Don’t leave me,” Lena begged, leaning over to grab his hand.

“You’re safe now, Lena,” Tristan said, extricating himself gently. “I trust these men with my life.” He stood aside as the stretcher exited the cave. Instead of following, he turned again and forced himself to focus on Beau’s anger.

He expected the reprimand. Hell, he’d welcome it. He’d lied to his commanding officer—a lie by omission was still a lie. He’d ignored a direct command. It was everything he shouldn’t have done.

And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

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