Twelve Across Read Online Free PDF Page A

of her.
    He nodded.
    She noted that he was dressed darkly and that he was bearded, but if he was who he said, then he was a friend of Victoria s, and she was safe.
    "I need help, " she croaked forcing the words out with great effort. "My car got stuck in the mud " You need a shower, " Garrick interrupted. He strode to the far side of the room-the large and only room of the cabin-where he opened a closet and drew out several clean towels. Though he didn't know who his guest was, she was not only trembling like a leaf, she was also making a mess on his floor. Theqsooneq she was clean and warm, the sooner she could explain her presence. qflipping on the bathroom light, he tossed the towels onto the counter by the sink, then gestured for Leah to come. When she didn't move, he gestured again. '"
    There s plenty of hot water. And soap and shampoo: ' Leah looked down at her clothes. They were nearly unrecognizable as those she d put on that morning. "It wasn't like this in the movie, " she cried weakly.
    Garrick stiffened, wondering if he was being set up. "Excuse me? "
    "Romancing the Stone. They went through rain and mud, but their clothes came out looking clean : ' He hadn't seen a movie in four years, and whether or not her remark was innocent remained to be seen. "You'd better take them off: '
    "But I don't have any others: Her body shook; her teeth clicked together between words. " They re in my car. "
    Garrick set off for the side of the room, where a huge bed shared the wall with a low dresser. He opened one drawer after another, finally returning to toss a pile of neatly folded clothes into the bathroom by the towels.
    This time when he gestured, Leah moved. Her gait was stilted, though, and before she d reached the bathroom, she was stopped by a raspy inquiry.
    IN hat happened to your leg? "
    She shot a glance at her thigh and swallowed hard. Not even the coating of mud on her pants could hide the fact that they were torn and she was bleeding. "I fell: '

    "What did you hit? "
    "Something sharp: Rooted to the spot by curiosity as much as fatigue, she watched Garrick head for the part of the room that served as a kitchen, open acabinet and set a large first-aid kit on the counter. He rummaged through and came up with a bottle of disinfectant and bandaging material , which he then added to the gathering-pile in the bathroom. "
    Take your shower, " he instructed. " I'll make coffee: '
    "Brandy, I need brandy, " she blurted out.
    "Sorry. No brandy"
    "Whiskey? " she asked more meekly. Didn't all woodsmen drink, preferably the potent, homemade stuff?
    "Sorry. " tlnything? " she whispered.
    Garrick shook his head. He almost wished he did have something strong.
    Despite the warmth of the cabin, the woman before him continued to tremble.
    If she d trekked through the forest for any distance-and from the look of her she had-she was probably feeling the aftereffects of shock. But he didn't have anything remotely alcoholic to drink. He hadn't so much as looked at a bottle since he d left California. "Then hot coffee would... be lovely" She tried to smile , but her face wouldn't work: Nor were her legs eager to function in any trained manner. They protested when she forced them to carry her to the bathroom. She was feeling achier by the minute.
    With the tip of one grimy finger, she closed the bathroom door. What she really wanted was a bath, but she quickly saw that there wasn't a tub.
    The bathroom was large, qhough, surprisingly modern, bright, clean and well equipped. "There s a heat lamp, " Garrick called from the other side of the door.
    She found the switch and turned it on, determinedly avoiding the mirror in the process. Setting her glassqs by the sink, she opened the door of the oversize shower stall and turned on the water. The minute it was hot, she stepped in, clothes and all.
    It was heaven, sheer heaven. Hot water rained down on her head, spilling over the rest of her in a cascade of instant warmth. She didn't know how