Somewhere Montana Read Online Free PDF Page B

it.
    “I was trying to get to the bathroom,” she stated.
    “Never thought of that,” he mumbled, turning toward that location. He stood her up and held her until she was steady.
    “I’m a big girl. I can do this by myself,” she informed him, tilting her chin.
    “No doubt. Just wanted to be sure you wouldn’t do another face plant. Too many things in here you could hit that could cause major damage. I’ll be right outside the door.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Sage did what she came in for before forcing herself to stand up. She grabbed onto the safety handholds by the toilet and then the tub/shower as she made her way to the door. Now, if she could make it back to bed without his assistance, it would make her very happy. Being held against his hard, muscular chest took her back eight years. To that night and her foolish mistake. Her face burned with the remembrance. It didn’t help that seeing him again stirred all the old feelings. Feelings that had never gone away. She still loved him.
    “Sage, are you all right?” His concern broke through her reminiscence. She squared her shoulders, determined he should never know her true feelings, and opened the door. His frown and the worry in those liquid brown eyes disturbed her.
    She took a step toward him and her legs buckled. His arm snapped around her, his hand clamping along her rib cage, his fingertips brushing against her breast through the cotton flannel she wore. His other arm whipped under her thighs and she was again clasped to his naked torso. She shivered, but not in fear.
    “Don’t be afraid of me,” he said quietly. “I would never hurt you.” He placed her gently on the bed and drew up the covers. Then he sat beside her and took both her hands in his. “Did you disrupt anything when you fell? You want Little Mouse to check your dressings?”
    “Not necessary. I didn’t realize how weak I was until I stood up. Then the pain grabbed so quickly. I’m sorry if I scared you.”
    “You in much pain now? You need your pain medication? Guaranteed you’ll get only one pill at a time from now on.”
    “I only took one last time. When I thought I was safe in the cavern.”
    “But there were two pills missing from the bottle.”
    “I had taken one once I was in the air. I thought it would be safe enough. Couldn’t have the discomfort breaking my concentration.”
    “I know about the knife wounds,” he said, a flash of anger in his eyes. “What about the knee?”
    “Dislocated the patella in the rough landing. Had to fix it before I could get out of the plane.”
    “Good God, Sage!” How much had she endured before they found her? “Why did you hide from us?”
    “I couldn’t be sure who was coming. I told you. Marcos seems to know where I am every second. I had to be in a place where the advantage was mine.”
    “Who is this Marcos? He seems to be stalking you. Couldn’t you get a protection order against him?”
    “I went out with him once. It was a date arranged by a friend. He’s supposed to be a PI. Showed me all kinds of surveillance equipment he had in his car. But he turned out to be a real sleaze. Tried to force me into bed on the first date. I refused to go out with him again. He’d call or show up wherever I was. After Derek and I announced our engagement, his calls became more threatening.”
    Her hands quivered in his, her breathing became more rapid, the pulse in her throat accelerated, and the fear grew in her eyes. He squeezed her hands firmly, but gently.
    “Easy, Sage. Calm down.”
    He spoke to her soothingly, as one would to a frightened animal.
    “He can’t reach you here. You don’t have to continue. It’s only causing you more distress.”
    “I have to finish it. If only to make you understand why I must leave. I can’t put all of you in danger, too.”
    “We are not strangers to danger around here. I’ve seen worse than what one psychopath can do. We can protect you better than if you’re alone.”
    “No! I