A tiny crease appeared between her dark brows. “You’re coming with me?” She winced as she rolled on the first sock.
“Unless you don’t want me to.” If these guys were friends with Pete, it could send the man deeper into hiding, setting Todd back days or weeks. But he couldn’t very well leave Lindsey in the wilderness with no supplies and who-knew-how many more goons on her trail.
Especially not when she stared at him with a mixture of confusion and awe. Close up, her eyes were a fascinating shade of mahogany, clear and bright with scattered flecks of black. Just looking at her made him a little breathless.
“But you were going the other way.” She put on the left sock and began loosening the laces on the boots, pointedly not looking at the trussed-up assholes nearby.
“And I’d prefer to keep going that way, but you’re not equipped to be out here alone. I can’t just walk away.” Maybe a one-day detour wouldn’t make a difference. And if it did, he’d keep pushing until he got a lead on Pete again. “So, as long as you’re okay with it, I’ll accompany you down the mountain.”
CHAPTER TWO
WOULD LINDSEY BE comfortable being accompanied down the mountain by the badass backpacker who’d just saved her life?
Uh, yeah. Normally, the gun would freak her out, but under the current circumstances…
She glanced at the two men on the ground, both of whom watched her exchange with Todd with avid interest. At this point, she’d just be happy to get as far away from them as possible. Trusting a total stranger wasn’t ideal, but she didn’t have a wealth of options right now. He was her best chance at escape. “I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
“Of course.” Todd’s gaze flicked toward JJ and Harris. He looked as eager as she was to ditch the pair. “Let’s get out of here. We can talk later.”
Happily.
After they’d put at least a quarter mile between themselves and her attackers, he stopped. “How’re you doing?”
Her ribs and hip ached, her feet throbbed, and she was dehydrated, physically depleted, and scared. “I’m fine.”
He scoffed. “Hardly. You look half ready to collapse.”
She feltfullyready to collapse, but she couldn’t afford to let anything stop her from reaching the police. “I’ll live.”
He looked skeptical.
“Do you have a phone?” she asked. “I’d like to call the cops.”
“I did, but I had it out to take a picture when we collided.” He grimaced. “It went over the edge too.”
“Damn. Sorry.” A phone would’ve meant getting help for her friend Megan much sooner, especially given Lindsey’s current level of fitness.
Todd shrugged. “Nothing we can do about it now. But, tell me, what exactly did I walk into here?”
Fair question. “My friend and I were kidnapped, but I managed to escape.”
“Shit.” He rested his hands on his hips. “So your friend is still there?”
Her heart cinched. “Yes. Which is why I can’t stop moving. I need to get help for her before…” She didn’t want to think about it. “As soon as possible.”
“If you’re struggling, I can carry you.” His cheeks turned pink, and that hint of a blush on this big, strong, confident man made him seem less intimidating, more human. He cleared his throat and lifted his chin.
“Um…” Part of her was tempted, but she also didn’t know this guy. If she’d collapsed or something, then it wouldn’t seem strange for him to carry her to safety, but to voluntarily jump into his arms when she was perfectly capable of walking, albeit not very well, would feel like taking advantage.
Or flirting.
Megan would do it in a heartbeat. She was far more confident and playful and daring. Lindsey could almost hear her friend whispering in her ear, “Do it, LinLin. He’s hot!”
“I’m okay for now, thanks.” His arms had to be tired after pulling her off the side of a mountain, right? And she was no lightweight. At six feet tall—and not what anyone would describe as willowy—she was almost as big as him.
“You need anything?”
She shook her head and they resumed walking. Thirty minutes later, Lindsey was rethinking her choices—pretty much back to childhood—but especially her decision to walk. Todd’s arms sounded better and better as she hobbled along, slower than the line at the DMV.
