Lost in His Arms Read Free Page A

Talbot, she’d felt a crazy pull toward him that had been frightening. And for the nine years of her marriage to his brother, she had fought it. She had consciously never spent any time at all alone with Talbot. And now they were stuck alone together in the middle of nowhere. She tried to ignore her disquiet.
    â€œI think we’ve both seen too many movies,” he said. “Besides, I wouldn’t waste a good lean-to on you.”
    Although he was merely returning Elizabeth’s comment in kind, she was grateful for the slight coolness in his voice, a coolness that reminded her she had never been sure she even liked Talbot McCarthy.
    A light flashed someplace in the distance. Elizabeth shot to her feet. “Did you see that?” she asked. Excitement and relief ripped through her. “Maybe it was the light from a search helicopter.”
    As soon as the words left her mouth, a loud rumble resounded overhead. Not the rumble of a search plane, but rather the result of cold air meeting warm.
    â€œI don’t think it’s a search helicopter,” he said. “I believe we’re in for a storm.”
    As the first fat raindrops fell from the sky and splattered on her upturned face, Elizabeth glared ather companion. “I think I hate you, Talbot McCarthy,” she stated emphatically.
    â€œTrust me, Elizabeth, before this is all over with, I believe the feeling just might become mutual.”

Chapter Two
    T albot had never felt so out of his element. The rain fell steadily for about an hour, effectively dousing any lingering embers that might have still been burning on the plane and getting them wet enough to be miserable.
    Fortunately the storm moved on, leaving behind a profound darkness and a silence broken only by the sounds of their breathing.
    â€œNo search party will be coming tonight, will they.” Elizabeth’s soft voice broke the silence.
    He considered lying to her to ease her mind, but realized honesty was smarter. “I doubt if anyone will begin a search tonight.” What he didn’t tell her was that he doubted anyone would begin a search tomorrow, either. No, he’d save all the gruesome details for later.
    â€œSo we’re stuck out here for the night.” Her voice held a strange tension. It didn’t seem to be anger, but rather something deeper, something darker.
    â€œIf a search party doesn’t show up first thing in the morning, we can probably walk someplace for help.” Talbot also didn’t mention the fact that he had no idea if he’d be able to walk by morning. His knee throbbed clear down to the bone, and he knew he’d aggravated the old football injury that had, at one time, given him major problems.
    â€œSo, all we can do now is sit here in the dark.” Again that same tone colored her voice.
    Talbot wished for just a spark of light, a tiny illumination that would make her features visible. “I know it isn’t going to be the most comfortable night you’ve ever spent, but there don’t seem to be any alternatives.”
    She didn’t speak for a long moment, but he felt the pressure of her shoulder against his. “I don’t like the dark,” she murmured.
    Fear. That was what he heard in her voice, and it astonished him. The cool, always together, always competent Elizabeth McCarthy was scared of the dark. “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said.
    He felt her stiffen in protest. “I am not afraid. I just don’t like the dark.” Still, she didn’t inch away from him, but remained with her shoulder firmly touching his.
    He didn’t believe her protest. She was afraid of the dark. Amazing. One of the things he’d told himself he disliked about her was that she was always in control, always seemed so incredibly strong and efficient.
    Someplace deep inside, Talbot had always believed that maybe if she had been a little less strong, a little more needy,