Page 2 of Holiday Hostage
I liked my curves well enough, though they posed the occasional challenge…like when trying to hike a mountain with a pack while wearing snowshoes.
A flurry of snowflakes whirled around us, tangling in Liam’s hair and reminding me why I’d walked away from the group.
“You can look all you want.” Liam used his snowshoe to draw a line in the snow. “As long as you don’t cross this line.”
I raised my foot and patted the snow on the other side of his line, challenging him with a grin that caused my frozen cheeks to ache.
I’d never felt cold like this, the kind that settled in my bones and made them creak like I was eighty instead of twenty-five.
Liam made a noise somewhere between laughter and exasperation. “I should’ve known better than to say anything. You’re determined to push every boundary.”
“Only the ones I don’t like.” I shoved a strand of blonde hair that had fallen from my hood behind my ear and tugged the fur-lined hood over my forehead. “How long are you staying here?”
He checked his watch. “Another thirty minutes or so.”
“I’m going to take a walk along the river.” I pointed at the thread of darkness between two trees.
Liam had shown it to us earlier with a comment about following the trails if we ever got lost.
They were supposed to lead us to water, which should lead us to people.
The sheer magnitude of the wilderness below me told the truth. A person could get lost out here and never be seen again.
Liam started to argue but relented when I gave him a pleading look.
“I’ll stay within shouting distance. I promise. Just a quick trip to the river, take a few pictures, then I’ll be right back.” I stuck my thumbs through my backpack straps. “Okay?”
“Swear you won’t go too far.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know how much shit I’ll catch if anything happens to you?”
“Trust me, I know.” I’d never intentionally get anyone in trouble.
As the only child of the rich and famous Frank Rivers, I’d suffered my fair share of issues.
Dad loved me, and he let me live my life, exploring the world for the blog that paid my bills. I
never had to rely on Dad’s money, even if he’d be more than happy to pay for anything I wanted or dreamed of. “I’ll be fine. If I see anything, I’ll come running back.”
“Make sure to eat.” Liam walked backward toward the group. “You’ll need the calories for the next part of the climb.”
I snapped a salute, mimicking what I’d seen on TV, and pursed my lips into a tight pucker. “Yes, sir.”
“Be careful.” Liam took a step toward me. “I should come with you.”
“Don’t you dare.” I held up a hand to stop him. “I’ll be fine. Really. I could use a few minutes to myself.”
He wavered a few more seconds before finally moving away, calling over his shoulder, “You have ten minutes. One second past that, and I’m coming after you. I don’t care how much personal time you need.”
“Ten minutes. Got it.” I checked my watch. Quarter till noon.
A bright bubble of excitement tickled my belly, and I grinned as I took the path between the trees.
The sound of rushing water grew louder as I approached, and I discovered the river was more than the trickling stream I’d spotted from overhead.
Thick tree limbs blocked my view when I reached the edge of the woods.
I grasped them with both hands and pulled downward, revealing the immense power of water roaring over rocks and tumbling toward a series of short rapids.
My mouth dropped open as awe locked me in place.
