Page 34 of A Ranger for Christmas
A vibration under his words hinted at Merida. Color warmed her cheeks. She wanted to open her eyes and see his expression but didn’t dare.
After a heavy hesitation, Lucas asked, “Was the sky clear or cloudy?”
Welcoming the question, she allowed her mind to drift, and as she did, thousands of lights twinkled in her mind. She’d been so rushed to get to her father’s, she’d not really noticed the night sky full of stars that winked and sparkled like polished gems. It had been a lovely night, but she’d not really seen any of it. She’d barely heard a favorite song on the radio. How much of her life was she missing because of work? “Stars. Lots of stars. And the road was empty. I remember wishing I were making the drive during the day because it’s one of my favorite drives.”
“When did you notice the headlights?”
Ah, there was one of the pieces she could not connect to the others. Instead of being afraid, she felt safe cocooned in the car with Lucas. Memories couldn’t frighten her here. “I don’t think I noticed until shortly after I dialed you. I’m good at getting lost in thought.”
“I’ve noticed.” A smile softened the coming words. “You called me as the headlights appeared.”
“He could have been following me for a while, but I didn’t notice him.”
“When did you notice him?”
“I was near the bend in the road near the creek bed. I remember glancing up from the radio dial and looking in the mirror. I saw the lights, distant at first, and wasn’t surprised when they grew closer. I drive slowly when I’m distracted, which is why I assumed the other car was closing ground.”
“The lights were bright.”
“Very bright. He had on his high beams. I had to adjust my mirror because they were too bright. And when I took my hand off the wheel, he bumped me.” A cold chill rushed through her veins.
The memory of scraping metal grated against her mind. The sound grew louder, filling her ears and startling her heart into a gallop.
“You said you had to toss the phone aside.”
“I needed both hands on the wheel.” Fear constricted her throat. “I was so afraid.”
“What happened next?” His voice deepened, soothing her as if she were a wild horse.
She squeezed her eyes shut. “I don’t remember.”
He held back his next question, giving her time to slow her heart and get control. “The music was still playing.”
“Yes. Did you hear it?”
“All I heard was your voice.”
“What do you remember?”
“The excitement in your voice and your promise to see me the next day with a full translation. And then the sound of a crash, and you screaming.” His grip on the wheel tightened until his knuckles were white.
He’d never once frightened her. Not even when she’d seen him sitting alone in the café in Mexico. But in this moment, she knew she’d glimpsed a formidable warrior.
Chapter 12
Tuesday, December 23, 2P.M.
They arrived at the accident site a half hour later and Marisa felt tension building in her as they drew closer and closer. Silence wrapped around her like a shroud.
As they approached a bend in the road, she saw the skid marks that cut sharply to the left. Those had been her skid marks.
Lucas slowed the car before pulling off the side of the road onto the dirt shoulder. Marisa moistened her lips. “I used to love this stretch of road. Even at night. Now I’m not sure I can ever drive this again.”
His wrist rested easily on the steering wheel. “I never figured you could be scared off easily.”
The unspoken challenge nipped at her. “I’m not scared. But I had a near-death experience right here.”
“Not the road or land’s fault. This is all about a driver who wanted to hurt you.”
