Unlaced by the Outlaw (Secrets in Silk) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Thankfully, he was able to lift it a few inches. He could only pray that it was enough.
    “Go!” he shouted. His muscles burned with exertion, the cords of his veins straining as he lifted. It was excruciating, and he felt his hands slipping.
    Steady , he urged himself. Seconds ticked by, and he fought with every last fiber of his being to keep the weight aloft.
    “I’m out!” she called to him. With that, he released the weight, the jarring burden falling from his hands. He struggled to catch his breath, leaning his head against one of the seats. Relief poured over him, and he hardly cared what happened now.
    Margaret would survive this, and it was enough.
    His breathing was labored, his heart pounding with the exertion of lifting the weight. But strangely, he was at peace with himself.
    The fire would continue its path toward him. The flames would consume the wood and metal, and Margaret might not save him. But there were no regrets. He might have made a thousand mistakes in his life, but he would never regret giving up his life for hers.
    He kept his head low, waiting for death to claim him.

    Margaret was horrified by the sight of the overturned coach. Fire raged where the oil lantern had struck the wood, and it was steadily overtaking the vehicle. The driver was already dead, the flames turning his body into a blackened corpse. The horses had scattered, their terrified neighs breaking the stillness.
    And Cain was going to die if she didn’t get him out.
    Nausea swelled up in her throat, but she couldn’t let herself become sick. She had to find a way to open the door. Cain had risked everything to save her, and she could do no less for him.
    Margaret gripped her skirts and moved toward the vehicle. Flames licked at the wooden wheels, and the body of the coach was already hot. She didn’t know how much time she had to get the door open, but she hoped it would be enough.
    The door was well out of her reach, but she thought she could climb up. You’re not strong enough, the voice of doubt taunted. Margaret gritted her teeth, ignoring her fears. Cain would die if she stood by and did nothing.
    She reached up as high as she could, struggling to pull herself up the side of the coach while she avoided the fire. “Hold on, Mr. Sinclair!” she called out to him. “I’m almost there!”
    She crawled on her hands and knees, gasping at the smoke until she reached the top. Once she reached the twisted door handle, it became clear why Cain had been unable to get it open. It was badly bent, and when she tried to turn it, the metal wouldn’t move. Through the jagged glass, she could see him holding a length of plaid across his nose to avoid the choking smoke. Her eyes burned, and she found a handkerchief in one pocket to cover her own nose.
    Her mind blurred with panic while she tried to find something to use as a lever. Anything.
    The spokes of a wheel might work. She climbed back down, trying to break one free, but it held fast. From inside the coach, she heard the sound of Cain trying to smash the remaining glass. But even then, she didn’t know if he could fit through the window.
    He would die if she didn’t work quickly. The fire was burning faster, and soon enough, it would destroy the coach. She couldn’t let that happen.
    Determination drove out the fear. Using her foot, she kicked at the wheel spokes, until the wood cracked. At last, she was able to wrench one of them free.
    Her muscles burned with pain, but she ignored the vicious ache as she climbed back to the top. Right now all that mattered was getting him out alive. Margaret wedged the spoke against the twisted door handle and leaned back. Beneath her feet, the coach was growing hotter, as if she were trying to stand upon a wood stove.
    “Hold on!” she called out to Cain. “I’m trying to pry open the door.”
    He said something in reply, but his words were muffled amid his coughing. She pulled as hard as she could, struggling to straighten the bent