Page 64 of A Rebel's Shot

She scanned the landscape, desperation growing with each passing moment. Tiikâan’s breathing had grown labored, and she could feel the tremors in his arms increasing.

Just as she was about to insist he put her down, Merritt spotted a rocky outcropping jutting from the mountainside.

“There!” She pointed toward the formation. “Those rocks look dry.”

His pace quickened, his grip on her tightening as he navigated the uneven terrain. Merritt clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders as they approached what she hoped would be their sanctuary in this unforgiving wilderness.

Tiikâan gently set Merritt down on the first flat rock, his hands lingering on her waist for a moment longer than necessary. He plucked her pack from her grasp, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

“I’ll be right back.”

Before she could protest, he turned and began scaling the jumble of rocks that lined the mountainside. Merritt watched, her heart in her throat, as one minute he was clambering up the rock and the next he dropped from sight.

“Tiikâan?” she called out, her voice wavering.

Silence answered her.

Panic clawed at her chest. She pushed herself to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her. Had he fallen into a hole? Cracked his head against a rock?

“Tiikâan!” she yelled again, louder this time.

Still no response.

Fear propelled her forward. She climbed up the rocks, her weakened muscles screaming in protest. The rough surface of the rocks bit into her palms and knees as she crawled upward, each movement a battle against her exhaustion.

“Please,” she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. “Please be okay.”

She was about halfway to where he’d disappeared when movement caught her eye. His head popped out from between the rocks, looking like a meerkat she’d seen in Africa. His eyes widened when he saw her.

Relief flooded through Merritt, so intense it made her dizzy. She sagged against the nearest boulder.

He scrambled down the rocks toward her, his movements quick and sure. He reached her side in seconds, his warm hands cupping her face.

“Hey, I’m here.” His thumbs brushed away tears she hadn’t realized she’d shed. “I found us a place to camp for the night. It’s not perfect, Merritt, but we’ll be safe there.”

His words washed over her like a soothing balm, and she leaned into his touch, allowing herself a moment to soak up his presence.

Tiikâan’s arm slid around Merritt’s waist, supporting her as they made their way up the remaining rocks. His touch was both steadying and electrifying, sending shivers through her that had nothing to do with the cold.

“Almost there,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

They reached a large fissure in the ground, nestled between two massive boulders. He released her gently, then lowered himself into the opening. He turned back to her, arms outstretched.

“Come on,” he said softly. “I’ve got you.”

Merritt hesitated for a split second before allowing him to guide her down. His strong hands gripped her waist, lifting her effortlessly into the shelter. As her feet touched the ground, she found herself pressed against his chest, her face coming to rest in the crook of his neck.

She should step back, she knew. But her body refused to move. Instead, she leaned into him, drinking in his warmth, his strength. His arms tightened around her, one hand splaying across her lower back, the other cradling the nape of her neck.

For a long moment, they stood there, clinging to each other in the dim light of their rocky refuge. Merritt could feel his heart pounding against her cheek, matching the frantic rhythm of her own. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to linger.

In that moment, surrounded by his warmth and the solid presence of his body, Merritt realized she never wanted to let go.

Tiikâan’s lips brushed against the side of Merritt’s head, sending a wave of warmth through her despite her sodden clothes. He eased away, his hand finding hers as he guided her deeper into the fissure.

The narrow opening widened into a small cave-like space, barely big enough for two people to lie down. Their packs rested against one rocky wall. He leaned her gently against the opposite side, his touch lingering before he bent to rummage through his large pack.

Merritt surveyed their shelter. The walls stretched about six feet high, with another rock forming a partial roof at the highest end of the cave. She swallowed hard, pushing away the irrational fear that the rocks might collapse on them at any moment.

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