Kitabı oku: «12 Gifts for Christmas», sayfa 4

Maricela headed straight for her father, but Ally didn’t want to intrude and instead went over to the cafeteria-style service bar where the guests could help themselves to a wonderful array of dishes. She fixed herself a plate of fruit and eggs and ham rollups.

“Ally? Come over here and join us,” Miguel called to her. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

CHAPTER TWO

ALLY turned in her friend Miguel’s direction and walked toward him. Then she abruptly halted when she met a pair of eyes so fiery black and piercing, she felt scorched by them. They belonged to the man sitting across from Miguel—a sophisticated-looking Spaniard with his glossy black hair tied at the nape with a thong.

She guessed he was in his mid-thirties, like Miguel.

Beneath the man’s sculpted black brows, his gaze made a swift assessment of Ally’s body, traveling from her cowboy boots to the crown of her head. He said nothing, but she felt instinctively there was something about her that displeased him. Why? She hadn’t even met him. She fought to tamp down her flare of temper.

“Allison Bonner, please meet Señor Desidiero Pastrana, my boss. He’s also the CEO of the Pastrana luxury hotel chain that operates throughout Spain. I told him you’d arrived from the States a few days ago and will be our guest for a while.”

The impossibly handsome, olive-skinned Spaniard got to his feet. “Señorita Bonner,” he said, shaking her hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Señor Pastrana.”

With his tall, dark, Aragonian looks, she could easily imagine that he’d just stepped out of a painting done by one of the Spanish masters. In his black shirt and trousers, he took her breath. Yet behind his clipped tone, she still sensed his displeasure.

Perhaps being in the hotel business had caused him to develop an aversion toward Americans. Whatever his problem, she hoped his work wouldn’t keep him here long.

Miguel patted the chair next to him. “Sit down and eat, Ally. I’ve told Desidiero you’re an excellent climber and that you’re keen to try ice climbing on the waterfalls while you’re here. He has agreed to be your guide.”

She moaned, hoping no one heard her.

Her host smiled. “Naturally I couldn’t let you go with just any climber, no matter how good they think they are. Since Desidiero is the expert and is willing to take you, I’ll leave you two to talk. Come on, children. I have work to do. Let’s go find your mamacita.”

Now she understood the resentful vibes coming from the proud Spaniard seated across from her—he thought he’d been cornered into playing babysitter. “I know Miguel’s intentions were the best, but I’m not his responsibility and I’ll hire my own guide. I’m sorry he approached you, señor.”

He gave an elegant shrug of his broad shoulders. “He knew I came here to do some ice climbing. He cares about you, it’s important to him that I go with you.”

“But as he said, I’ve never climbed on ice. I don’t want to hold you back.”

He pursed his lips. “At least that’s honest,” he muttered. “Your inexperience won’t be a problem if you can follow directions. Today is the only time I have. Are you prepared to leave now?”

She’d planned to go skiing today, but this kind of opportunity was exactly what she’d wanted to do on this trip. She just hadn’t expected do it with this throwback to the time of conquistadores who had no desire to be with her.

“Yes,” she said spiritedly. Why not today, now? She’d come to Spain to defy the odds and sensed he presented as much of a challenge as the mountains themselves.

He was surprised by her answer. No doubt he’d counted on her saying no, that she couldn’t get ready that soon. Now he’d have to follow through on this favor to Miguel. “In that case, I’ll take you up for a few hours and give you your first lesson. Do you think you can last that long?”

“Absolutely. It’s very kind of you to take me.” But it was hard getting those words out when it was clear by his cold tone and stiff body how he really felt. His friendship with Miguel must have meant a lot to him.

“You’d be wise to finish all your breakfast.”

So he thought she couldn’t keep up with him? She’d be climbing circles around him before the day was out. “I promise not to fall behind.”

“Bien.” He sounded as if he were already bored with their conversation. “I’ll meet you in the foyer in half an hour.”

Ally checked her watch. “I’ll be waiting. Thank you, señor,” she said but he’d already started walking away.

A strange quiver ran through her body as she watched him stride off, making her think of a dark prince before he disappeared.

She ate her food quickly and then hurried back to her room to get ready, hardly able to believe this was really happening.

After her mastectomy, she’d undergone a lot of physical therapy and eventually worked up a routine of squats, dead lifts, overhead presses, pull-ups, step-ups and dips. Before she left for Spain, her doctor told her she was in excellent cardiovascular condition and saw no reason why she couldn’t do any kind of climbing she liked.

Though this would be a new experience for her, she’d been a climber for years and was determined that the inscrutable Spaniard would eat crow when he realized his low opinion of her was unfounded. She was going to prove herself today or die trying. Better that than to remain home in Afton listening to those inner voices whispering what if you don’t stay in remission?

Ally wasn’t in the foyer one minute before Señor Pastrana came walking through the double doors in his climbing gear. His striking looks caused every female guest coming and going from the posada to stare. He stopped when he saw she’d beaten him there. Without saying anything, his eyes scrutinized her, taking a mental inventory of what she was wearing, as any expert guide would do.

He was the kind of man who had to shave every day, but he hadn’t done it this morning. Was she mistaken, or did he seem paler than he had earlier, even with the shadow of his beard … or maybe because of it?

Why she cared or paid that much attention was beyond her. It had to be the dimmer light here in the foyer, which retained all the elements of the former cloister.

Sensing his displeasure again she asked, “Have I forgotten something?”

His gaze grew shuttered. “Not that I can see,” he muttered in a gravelly voice. “Shall we go?” He opened the door.

She nodded and walked out into the sunshine, aware of his eyes on her body. For no reason she could readily identify, Ally trembled. That had never happened to her before, not even with her fiancé. The blond, fun-loving Rex was so different from Desidiero Pastrana the two men might as well have been born on separate planets.

An elegant, black, four-wheel-drive truck stood outside the Posada d’Ara with the motor running. Her guide opened the passenger door for Ally to get in. Their arms brushed as she climbed inside.

The slight contact sent a dart of awareness through her, shocking her. For so long she’d been dead inside. There’d been a couple of men since Rex who’d tried to get close to her, but she couldn’t give them what they wanted. Getting involved with someone inevitably led to physical intimacy, and she wasn’t ready to suffer the rejection after he saw her scars.

So it was confusing and scary that her senses would suddenly be stirred by this dark, brooding force of nature from the other side of the world … who wanted to be anywhere else except with her.

CHAPTER THREE

DES didn’t speak as he drove several kilometers away from the ski area and began climbing the mountain road, making new tracks in the snow. He’d driven up here in a foul mood last night, but it was nothing compared to his state of mind right now.

Not only hadn’t he been able to stomach food this morning, but he was also now committed to coaching an inexperienced climber—just like his former fiancée. It had taken a lawsuit for him to see through to her mercenary soul, but he knew better than to trust so easily now.

Señorita Bonner might have charmed Miguel’s family, but Des had no illusions about her or any woman. Never again.

As he drove, he noticed Allison taking in the scenery. A true nature lover would find nothing more breathtaking than the beauty of the snow-covered peaks towering above them. They’d left the village behind and were alone on the road. Des shifted gears and they arrived at the road’s summit. He rounded a corner where everything opened up.

“Oh!” she cried out.

They’d come to the massive amphitheater of frozen waterfalls falling from great heights for which Puerto d’Ara was renowned. By the awe on her face he could see she was dazzled by the sight. The sun glinted off the ice as it cascaded over the boulders, giving the illusion of bride’s lace.

“I’ve never seen anything so spectacular in my life!”

Her reaction sounded genuine enough, but he hardened his resolve to remain unmoved by her.

“I’ll grant you this is a unique place.”

She flashed him an enraptured smile. “Thank you for bringing me here. I can’t wait to try climbing one of these ice cascades!”

He studied her animated features with a dubious glance. “The treacherous surface of a waterfall is slick and textured. Have you considered the danger?”

“Of course I have. Let’s see … I could fall in an icy crevasse, or get frostbite, or an avalanche could come out of nowhere. But it’s the risk of the unknown that fuels my need to push the envelope. You of all people should understand what I’m talking about.”

Des made a sound in his throat but didn’t respond. He got out of the car and opened up the back to retrieve their gear. “We’ll climb a little on that cascade to the left of us where the sun won’t be shining directly in our eyes. The lower portion isn’t too steep.” He handed her a helmet. “This is Inez’s. Try it on for size.”

She settled it on her head. “It fits perfectly.”

“Bien.” He handed her some crampons and she put them on. Within minutes they were outfitted and ready.

“I’ll put my helmet on once we start climbing.” He was still feeling nauseous, and the thought of putting on the confining helmet made his stomach churn. “Let’s drop the formality. I’ll call you Ally.” He picked up the axes and ropes and started toward the ice. “Follow me along this flat portion for practice. I’ll stop when we reach the place where you’ll need to start using your ice tool. If you feel nervous, let me know.”

“I promise.”

“Then let’s go.”

As they made their way across the frozen waterfall, Des looked over his shoulder several times to make certain she was all right. She’d gotten the hang of it in minutes. “I’m impressed how well you’re handling yourself on the ice.” It was only the truth.

She half laughed. “We’ll see how long it lasts.”

They soon reached the area where the ice started to angle upward. Though it wasn’t steep, it made the going more precarious and he helped her into her harness. He also attached the rope and belay in case she fell. Her moves on the ice were instinctive, indicating she knew what she was doing.

By the time he’d shown her how to throw the ax and kick her foot so the front of the crampon dug into the ice, he was starting to admire how quickly she was catching on. He also had to admit she was in great shape.

“Now grip your tool while you push yourself up with your legs. Do it a couple of times to get the feel.” He gave her a few pointers as she tried the motion out. With each effort she made, he found himself impressed by her grit. “I think you’re ready to scale this a ways.”

She flashed him a nervous smile. “I’m going to give it all I’ve got.”

He stared at her for a minute, respecting her courage and spirit of adventure that called to something inside him. He’d been unfair to her. “Forgive me for being abrupt with you earlier, Ally. I’m afraid I haven’t been on my best behavior today.”

“Forget it. If our situations had been reversed and Miguel had roped me into helping you, I would probably have told him I had a headache and walked away.”

In spite of himself, he found Ally Bonner’s rare honesty appealing. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

She threw her ax and began to mount the ice in increments, making certain the point at the front of her crampon was embedded. With each try she gained another foot. So far so good—until he saw the ax fall out of her hand. She’d thrown it wrong.

“Uh-oh!” She had to grab the notch she’d made because the leashed tool was just out of reach.

“Hold on.” He gauged the distance between them and figured she was about eight to twelve feet above him. “I’ll get it for you so you can use it to come back down and take a rest. When you think you’re ready again, we’ll do a short climb together.”

“Okay.”

Her legs were set in the proper stance. She was doing everything right, but she was new to ice climbing and would need a short rest. It took a lot more energy than one would imagine, even for somebody in great shape. If she hadn’t done a lot of climbing back in Wyoming, she could never have accomplished as much as she had.

Des reached her in a few seconds and handed her the tool. “You’re doing fine.”

“Thanks.”

After she took it, he swung back to his foothold. As he started to climb down, he was suddenly seized by nausea and a blast of dizziness. His vision blurred and he lost his grip. Then everything went black.

“Des!” Ally cried out, watching in horror as his body suddenly slid down the ice and his head hit the hard surface—his bare head. He hadn’t stopped to put on his helmet. She moaned in anguish.

His body came to rest facedown at the bottom of the ice waterfall. It had all happened within seconds. “Des!” she cried out in panic. No answer. “Des?”

He was out cold, possibly injured. She had to help him. She pulled out her ax and found the former hole she’d made with it. Slowly she eased herself down in increments until she reached his body. She removed her harness so she wouldn’t be hampered and crouched beside him.

She was trained in first aid, and did a quick assessment.

His face had gone the color of ash but she found a pulse, though it was a slow one. He wasn’t bleeding and he didn’t seem to have a spinal injury, thank heaven.

Something must have happened to him after he’d handed her the tool. Something that had caused him to lose consciousness.

Oh, Des … I need to get you to a hospital, fast.

Just the day before Miguel had told her there was no cell phone service in this area to call for assistance. So she’d either have to leave him here and go for help, hoping hypothermia didn’t set in in the meantime, or drag him to the truck. She chose the latter.

After removing his crampons, she turned him over, grabbed hold of his harness and began pulling him toward the car. They were still on the ice, and she had to dig her crampons in with every step, slowing her progress and draining her strength.

Ally prayed every inch of the way over the flat cascade of ice. Several times she heard a moan from Des. Relieved for even that much response, she finally reached their vehicle. After removing her crampons and helmet, she went through several of his pockets and found the keys.

Once she’d opened the rear door, she grabbed him in a fireman’s lift the way she’d been trained in the Tetons and managed to get him inside. He had to weigh at least two hundred pounds of hard muscle, but she couldn’t stop to rest. Frantic to reach help, she raced around and got behind the wheel of the truck. Thank heaven it was only a few kilometers to the village.

All the while her mind was replaying the horrific moment in the raft with Rex when they’d hit the rapids. He hadn’t been wearing a helmet, either. She’d told him to put it on after they’d put the boat in the water. But like Des, he’d said he would get it in a minute but had left the shore without it. They’d gone into the rapids at the wrong angle and the boat had flipped. Rex had been thrown from the boat and his head had hit a boulder. He never regained consciousness.

This was like déjà vu. Des couldn’t die, too! She wouldn’t let him.

CHAPTER FOUR

“DES? Can you hear me?”

That voice crying softly to him … A woman’s voice … An American, he realized, since every once in a while he could hear her speaking English to him. Who in the hell was she?

Slowly his senses picked up other things. The warmth of two feminine hands closed around his, the subtle fragrance of wildflowers found in the highest meadows.

“Please wake up and talk to me,” the sweet voice called to him.

With that urgent entreaty, he made the effort and opened his eyes to discover an enchanting face bent over him, wet with tears. She’d been crying. He didn’t understand why.

The tips of her light brown hair, streaked with gold highlights, brushed against his jaw. Those liquid-filled eyes of amber brown … He’d seen them before. But where? Right now they were full of anxiety and a plea for him to stay with her.

“I’m Ally. Do you remember me?”

He was trying to think, but the pain at the side of his forehead kept interfering with his concentration. “Ally who?” he whispered.

“Ally Bonner. Miguel asked if you would take me ice climbing.”

Something clicked in his brain. “You’re the Teton girl who wears the cowboy boots!”

“Yes!”

Her smile of relief radiated a universe of sunshine. It seeped into those dark places where he’d been living for such a long time. “Thank heavens you’re going to be all right.”

He took a deep breath. “I remember reaching you and handing you the ax. Then I was overwhelmed by dizziness and couldn’t hold on.”

She squeezed his hand before letting go. “So that’s what happened! I watched you fall. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life.”

“I’ve never felt that sick in my life. I was supposed to be protecting you. Where am I?”

“At the clinic here in Puerto d’Ara.”

“Why are you crying?”

He heard her take a shuddering breath. “Because you’re alive… . My … fiancé wasn’t as lucky.”

Fiancé? “What happened to him?”

“We were doing a float trip together down the Snake River with a group of tourists from the dude ranch I help my family run. Like you, he said he’d put his helmet on in a minute. When we hit the rapids at the wrong angle, it tipped and Rex was thrown. He hit his head on a boulder. We managed to rescue him from the water but he was unconscious… . He never came out of the coma,” she said on a whisper.

Des’s stomach clenched, imagining the horror of it. He’d heard her anguish.

“When I saw you lying there, I couldn’t bear it.”

“I’m sorry for your loss, Ally.”

She drew herself up and wiped her eyes. “It’s in the past now. What’s important is that you’re awake and will live to climb another day.”

“Thanks to you. How did I get here?”

“I brought you.”

He frowned, but even that hurt. “How?”

The corner of her mouth lifted. Though she wasn’t conscious of it, he found her smile seductive. “The old-fashioned way.”

What? He stared hard at her. “You mean you dragged me off the ice by yourself?”

She nodded, causing her wavy hair to dance along her shoulders. He remembered she’d been wearing it in a ponytail before. Either way, she was a knockout. “Those harnesses come in handy for a lot of reasons. The hardest part was getting you in the back of your truck.”

“But you managed it. And got me here.” A swell of gratitude and admiration took over, shocking the hell out of him. Only then did he realize there was an IV in his other arm. “What time is it now?”

“Five in the evening.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“On and off since yesterday afternoon.”

He’d lost a whole twenty-four hours? “But that’s impossible!”

“Your body needed the rest. Besides having a slight concussion, the doctor says you have the flu. It hit you hard, that’s why you’ve been sleeping so long.”

Des was incredulous. He passed a hand over his jaw and felt his growth of beard with disgust. “I remember feeling nauseous for the last few days, but figured it was a bug and would pass. Instead of obeying the warning signs, I endangered your life.”

“No, you didn’t,” she insisted. “You did such an expert job of preparing me that I was able to respond. But next time, take your own advice and put your helmet on before you do anything else, okay?”

Des was in awe of this woman. She’d endured heartbreak and grief. Des’s experience with his fiancée couldn’t compare. Now he could truly see it for what it was—a blow to his pride, nothing more. He felt the fool for having allowed it to affect him so much. He’d wasted the past year of his life. On a trifle.

“What’s put that fierce look on your face?” she asked.

“I was also engaged once … this time last year, in fact. But I broke it off and am happy to say that by now she has probably found herself someone greedier than she is.” At her surprised expression, he explained his words. “When I took her ice climbing for the first and only time, she bruised her ankle, then sued my company to make money off an injury that was so minimal she could walk on it within a day.”

“Oh, dear. Are you very rich?” she teased.

“Extremely,” he said in total honesty, unafraid to admit it to her.

“Is she very beautiful, the way I imagine Bizet’s Carmen? Long black hair? Fiery dark eyes, passionate to her very soul with a figure to die for?”

“I’ll admit her beauty was extraordinary.” But her soul …

“Then you’re probably right, and she has the kind of marriage she’s been waiting for all her life, where both grasping parties have their needs completely met.”

After that comment Des broke into full-bodied laughter, delighted by her intelligence and the fact that she didn’t take herself seriously.

“Señor Pastrana,” the doctor said as he walked into the room. “I’m happy to hear you laugh like that. It is the best of signs. And I’m glad that you’re now fully awake and talking to Señorita Bonner. She’s been at your bedside since yesterday, waiting for you to open your eyes. Welcome back. How are you feeling?”

“Good.” It was the truth … since he’d awakened to an angel staring down at him.

The doctor checked Des’s vital signs while Ally kept watch. “Can you give me a few more details, por favor?”

“My head hurts, but it’s not that bad and I’m no longer feeling sick to my stomach.”

“Muy bien. We’ve been giving you antinausea medication in your IV. Keep this up and tomorrow you’ll be able to go home—provided you take care of yourself.”

Ally’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful news.”

For several reasons, Des agreed.

The doctor smiled at him. “You were fortunate your lovely climbing companion here got you off the ice quickly. Otherwise we would have had to treat you for hypothermia. But I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t warn you of the dangers of pushing yourself too hard. You may be the head of a successful business empire and famous throughout Spain, but you are still human.”

“I’ve had a lot of work to accomplish,” he admitted.

“Don’t we all, but that’s the reason why this particular flu hit you especially hard. Follow my advice and take it easy for a while.” He smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Gracias, doctor.”

“De nada.”

As Des looked at Ally again he considered the doctor’s words. Perhaps he should take some time off from work and find more … pleasurable ways to fill his life.