Page 73 of Love By a Landslide

Lucy strained, listening for a response. A groan, a curse . . . Anything. But there was nothing rising above the sound ofunrelenting rain and the feral heartbeat pounding between her temples.

I should go after him.

She flicked open the buckle at her chest to remove her pack and flung it to the ground.

No, that’s no good. What if he needs the first aid kit?

She lugged the bag back on then paced feverishly, working up the nerve to slide blindly through the bush that swallowed her guide.

What if he went off a cliff? What if he’s dying? What if he’s already dead?!

Bile rose in her throat. Water and bits of jerky threatened to come back up.

Breathe!

Laboring oxygen in and out of her lungs, Lucy nearly choked on the rain-laced air and rising sick.

Count to ten, then if you don’t hear him . . . slide.

“Jonathan?!”

Nothing.

One, two, three . . .

“Please, pl—” Her sob broke off the call. She swallowed the fear, but her voice only came out as a wobble. “Please answer me.”

Four, five, six . . .

Still nothing beyond the storm.

Seven, eight . . .

Lucy lowered to the ground and slid closer to where Jonathan had dropped out of sight. There were so many ways this could end. All the bad ways were running like ticker tape through her doom-focused mind. But she had to go after him. They were a team. He would do the same thing for her, and he probably wouldn’t have freaking counted to ten to work up the nerve either.

Niiine . ..

“Lucy!” Jonathan called distantly through the raindrops and trees.

A relieved breath wooshed out between Lucy’s trembling lips.He’s ok. Oh my god, he’s actually ok.“Jonathan, where are you?” His voice hadn’t traveled up the same muddy chute but to the left of her . . . south of her? She struggled to determine directionality for a moment before deciding it didn’t matter. Scrambling to her shaking feet, Lucy scanned the area. “I’ll come to you.”

“No, no!” His voice closer now, she halted. “Just stay put. I’ll make my way back to you.”

They hollered back and forth for a minute before Jonathan came around the corner with a grin splitting wide across his muddy face. Relief flooded her entire system, and she stumbled over, throwing her arms hard around him. She welcomed the responding crush of his embrace.

“I was so scared,” she gasped, gripping his jacket with numb fingertips and breathing in his sweaty, cedar scent. “Watch where you’re walking next time, will ya?” The warble of her voice made her jest less effective.

Jonathan loosened his hold and took her hand. “Come on.” His grin hadn’t faltered, eyes crinkly with the intensity of it. “I found the trail.”

Lucy followed silently, his words not yet sinking in. Slogging back the way he came, she remained in disbelief. He led her to the edge of a rock embankment, clambering down first, then assisted her with the descent. When her feet finally landed on the packed dirt of a very well-manicured trail, reality sunk in.

Mouth hanging open, Lucy let out a single, choked sob. “Eight Mile?”

“Yep.” Jonathan laughed, shoulders shaking in mirth as he squeezed Lucy’s hand a few times. “Ready?”

“More than you know.”

“I highly doubt that. Less than an hour to the parking lot.”

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