The Price of Fame - KJ1 Read Free Page B

on campus once before, but although she had looked, she had never seen the beautiful young co-ed again.
    “Did you get the license plate number of the truck that hit me?”
    Kate laughed in spite of the seriousness of the situation. “Hey,” she said softly, lowering herself so that the blonde could see her without moving her head. “You’re gonna be all right, but I need you to stay very still for now, okay?”
    “Yes; I hurt so much.”
    “I know. I’ve got a team on the way so that we can move you safely.
    Hang in there.”
    “My shoulder.”
    “Mmm. It’s dislocated from the looks of it; I can try to put it back in if you want.” Gently she added, “It will be less painful if I do.”
    “Ok-k-kay, but this is going to mess up my lacrosse season, isn’t it?”
    “’Fraid so.”
    19

    Lynn Ames

    Kate dug her foot into the snow and tried to get leverage. God, she didn’t want to cause this woman any more pain, but she knew that the discomfort would be temporary, and that the end result would leave her feeling better. She braced herself and grasped the dangling shoulder, being careful to jar her as little as possible. Then, using direct pressure at the correct angle, she gave a quick push and felt the bone slide back into place. The woman gave a short yell.
    “Okay?”
    The blonde looked up at Kate and gave her a weak smile, her lips starting to quiver and her body starting to shake from the shock of the accident and the cold. Without thought, the ski patroller unzipped her own jacket, sliding carefully behind the injured skier, zipping the jacket with both her and the woman inside, and effectively using her own body heat to try to warm her. Feeling the young co-ed shivering uncontrollably against her, she wrapped her arms carefully around the slim waist, pulling her closer still.
    Kate’s lips were almost directly behind the blonde’s ear; murmuring soothing words, she tried to comfort her, wishing with her whole heart that she could take this woman’s pain away. To distract her, she began asking questions.
    “What’s your name?”
    “J-jam-mison P-p-p-p-parker.”
    “Is that five p’s or six?”
    “V-very funny,” Jay said, rolling her eyes. But she smiled just the same, a fact that warmed Kate to the core.
    “That’s a pretty name.”
    “M-my f-friends call me Jay.”
    “Ooh. Are you including me in that number?”
    “S-sure.”
    “Boy, you’re easy.”
    “D-don’t let it g-get around.”
    “Hey, your secret’s safe with me. You’re a student, right?”
    “Y-yes, a sophomore.”
    Kate looked around impatiently; where the hell was the team? As brave as this young woman was being, she was in shock and hurting, her leg was clearly broken, and it was vital to get her off the mountain and taken care of. She took out her radio once again and asked what the holdup was.
    “Almost there, Kate; we’re doing the best we can.”
    At that moment, Robbie skied up. “Whatcha got, Kate?”
    She jerked her head in the direction of the big gorilla and explained to Robbie, who actually made the guy look small, what had happened.
    20

    The Price of Fame

    “Get him out of my sight,” she hissed. Hearing the tone in her voice, Robbie did just that.
    Kate turned her attention back to her patient, whose lips were starting to turn blue, and whose skin was very pale.
    “Is my leg broken? It h-hurts s-so much.”
    “I think so. No dancing at the Winter Carnival Ball for you, I’m afraid.”
    “D-darn. And I was s-so counting on b-bringing F-fred Astaire as my d-date.”
    “Um, isn’t he dead, Jay?”
    “Is he? See, there’s another r-r-reason I c-can’t g-go.”
    Kate was utterly charmed.
    Just then a snowmobile came over the rise, instantly heading for the crossed skis in the snow. Behind it was a litter with all manner of medical equipment and four more members of the ski patrol. As soon as they pulled up, Kate apprised them of the skier’s condition, noting possible frostbite, exposure,