“This is the back side of Holt’s ranch. He’s willing to sell us the land needed to get to the ski area.”
“How far is it from the highway?”
“Ten miles.” She motioned to the area. “It’s scenic all the way in. And the only stipulation Holt asked for is no large billboards to mar the countryside.”
Morgan glanced at him and their gazes locked momentarily, but it was enough to send a surge of awareness through him. He swallowed the dryness in his throat. “I agree with Holt on that. I’m liking this idea more and more.”
She smiled and stepped back, suddenly losing her balance. He grabbed her hand and pulled her upright.
“Be careful,” he said, not releasing her. Instead he walked her away from the ledge. “Maybe we should talk back here.”
Morgan pulled her hand away. “I lie, I am this clumsy.” Suddenly there was a strong wind mixed with snow.
He glanced up at the sky. “Maybe we shouldn’t stay any longer. The storm is coming in sooner than expected.”
Morgan agreed, a little angry with her reaction to Justin. They walked back to the Jeep and got in. She started the engine, hoping that she could make it back to the ranch without any more mishaps. But when she peered out the windshield at the white haze, she knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
She turned on the wipers. “Well, here comes the snow that was forecast.”
Slowly she backed up on the crest, maneuvered the vehicle around and started down the steep grade.
“This has really picked up,” Justin said as he stared out. “Are you all right driving?”
“I’m okay.” She hit a rut and gripped the wheel tighter. She wasn’t sure if she was shivering from the cold, or from nervousness. “I’m just taking it slow, because visibility is so bad.”
“If you want I’ll drive,” he offered.
She didn’t dare take her eyes off the road. “Really, I’m doing fine,” she lied. Had she been crazy to bring him up here today? Would he think she was? At this point she didn’t care. The Jeep went over a big rock and bounced hard. She knew the trail pretty well, but she’d never had to tackle it during a snowstorm.
“This is like an amusement park ride,” he tried to joke.
“Can I get off?” she kidded back.
“I’m with you on that.”
Just then the Jeep hit another rut, and this time went sideways. She turned the wheel back, but not in time to stop the Jeep from heading toward a group of rocks. There was a horrible scraping sound from underneath the vehicle and suddenly they jerked to a stop. She gasped as she was thrown forward. The old Jeep’s seat belts were useless, and she bumped the windshield.
“Are you all right?” Justin asked, reaching for her.
She nodded. “What happened?” She glanced out to see the Jeep sitting at an angle.
“We went off the path. Sit tight, I’ll go check,” he said, grabbed the flashlight from the glove compartment and climbed out into the blinding snow.
It seemed to take forever but he finally returned to the cab. She could barely see what he was doing, and worried that he could fall and hurt himself. God. What a mess. What a mistake she’d made.
The door opened and a blast of cold air hit her as he climbed into the seat, snow covering his coat. “The boulder tore out the transfer case.”
Morgan had no idea what that was. “Is it important?” That sounded so dumb. “Of course it’s important.”
“It is, if you want the Jeep to move forward, or in reverse. Besides, we’ll need help to get off the rock.”
“So we’re stuck here.” This wasn’t good.
“We should call Holt. Is there any reception here?”
Lord, she hoped so. She took out her cell phone and saw the bars were nearly nonexistent. “Sometimes yes, and sometimes no.” She punched in the ranch house.
“Hello,” Leah answered. “Morgan, where are you?”
“It’s a long story. We’re stuck about halfway down the mountain. The Jeep is…disabled. Do you think Holt could come get us?”
Her brother-in-law came on the phone. “Morgan, I’ll try but in this weather, it may take a while. Just in case, you need to take cover.”
Morgan looked around. The snow blanketed everything, but she’d been on outings with her dad. He’d taught all his daughters how to survive in the mountains. Did she remember anything? “Can’t we stay in the Jeep?”
“Not if the snow keeps up. Look, I’ll call Reed and we’ll try to get through the pass before it’s blocked. You need to give me some landmarks.”
She looked at Justin. “Holt needs landmarks.”
Without hesitation, Justin stepped out of the cab and looked into the dim late-afternoon light. When he returned, he took the phone from her.
“Holt, we’re about two miles down from the summit and there’s a huge rock formation that looks like a church steeple.” He paused and listened, then reached in his pocket and wrote something down. “Yes. Yes, I’ll try to call you when we reach it. Thanks.” He pocketed her phone. “Bundle up. We have a short hike to a cave. Holt said it’s the one Corey stayed in.”
“I know that place.” It still didn’t ease her fears.
His eyes met hers. “Then we need to get going.” He grabbed the basket from the back and a blanket and flashlight off the rear seat. “Holt said the cave was about a quarter of a mile from here.” He rummaged through the glove compartment, took out a lighter and stuffed it in his pocket. “We can wait out the storm there.”
Morgan buttoned her coat and tugged on her gloves. She released a breath, oddly feeling a calm take over. With a nod, she took the blanket, opened her door and followed Justin down the mountain trail.
For the first time in a long time she was about to trust a man she barely knew.
CHAPTER THREE
LOSING daylight and with the wind against them, it wasn’t easy to get to their destination. Justin was shielding her as much as he could from the bone-chilling cold. Finally they reached the familiar ledge and he gave her a boost onto the rock, handed her the basket, then he braced his arms and jumped up.
Gathering their things, Justin shone the flashlight onto the ground as they continued to search for the elusive cave opening…and warmth.
“It’s around here somewhere,” Morgan called out as Justin illuminated the side of the mountain. He stayed close to her as they walked among the rocks.
“Here,” she called. “It’s here.” She picked up the pace and headed to the opening.
She allowed him to go first. He had to duck his head at the entrance, but once inside there was room to stand up in the dark cave.
“Stay here.” He set down the basket, and began walking around, shining the flashlight along the walls.
Morgan could see that other humans had taken shelter here. There was a rough log, and next to it a pit that once held a fire. “Good, it seems to have enough ventilation to warm up the place.” He turned to her. “Best part we don’t seem to have to share it with any animals.”
Shivering, Morgan hugged herself. “So we’ll be safe here?”
“A lot better than out there. But I better get some firewood before it gets too dark.” He walked to the opening.