Between Strangers by Linda Conrad Page A

blowing storm.
    After he closed the door behind him, she unbuckled her own belt and twisted in her seat to check on the baby. So far, Angie hadn’t budged. It would probably take a little time for her child to notice the lack of motion, become aware of the growing chill and wake up.
    Marcy wondered how long it would take for the interior of the SUV to cool, now that the motor and the heater had been shut down. She was afraid it could get really frigid in here…really fast.
    Before she had the opportunity to become too concerned about their situation, Lance jerked open the back right passenger door. A blast of cold air crashed into the interior of the SUV, and Marcy found herself up on her knees and pushing through between the seats to reach Angie in that same instant. All she could think of was reaching her suddenly awake and sobbing child.
    â€œThe tire landed in a snowdrift that was covering a ditch,” Lance hollered over the noise of wind rushing through the SUV and the baby’s cries. “It would take some time before we could free the tire. But it’s still snowing and I don’t want to take any chances with you two. We’ll be better off hiking to the ranch house. I’ll come back and retrieve our things after I make sure you’re safe.”
    She didn’t like the idea of hiking with Angie in this weather. But there didn’t seem to be much choice. And in the meantime, Lance was working to release the baby from her restraints.
    He pulled Angie free and captured her against his chest with one strong arm. Then he bent over the seat and with his free hand dragged out the army blanket from the rear compartment.
    â€œButton up your parka,” he demanded. “The temperature is dropping again.”
    Marcy flipped up the hood on her parka and scrambled out of the back seat. Dropping into snow that was deep enough to reach clear up to her butt, she had to grab Lance’s arm in order to steady herself. How were they supposed to walk in this mess?
    After catching her balance she stood beside Lance, trying to ignore being half buried in snow while she tightened up Angie’s snowsuit. Pulling the baby’s cap down tight, she realized Angie had stopped crying the very moment that Lance picked her up. Now her child’s eyes were growing wide as she began to pick up on her mother’s fear. Marcy cautioned herself to calm down.
    Lance took a quick inventory of everyone’s clothing, checking the snaps on all the coats. “I don’t want you walking in those lightweight shoes,” he toldMarcy with one last tug to make sure everything was buttoned down tightly.
    He handed Angie over to her, then put the blanket over both their heads. “You carry the baby. I’ll carry you.”
    â€œWhat…?”
    Without another word, he swept her off her feet—baby, army blanket and all.
    â€œBut, Lance… We’re too much for you. I can walk.”
    â€œOf course you can walk,” he said with a smile in his voice. “But the snow is three feet deep already. And if we don’t get to the ranch shortly, it may drift over the road another foot or so. You can’t walk in snow up to your chin.”
    Marcy tightened her arms around Angie and closed her eyes. She felt safe and warm next to his chest and began to relax.
    In a few more moments she leaned her cheek comfortably against his shoulder. She could hear his heart, beating in strong, even pulses as he strode effortlessly through the building blizzard.
    Â 
    Marcy lost track of time but soon noticed Lance’s breathing become labored. Her first reaction was embarrassing. All of a sudden she wanted to hear his breath catch that same way while they were making love. She could picture him, laboring above her to give them both the ultimate pleasure.
    It was an exciting thought. And it drove an electric jolt straight through her.
    But then the reality of their current, dire situationflashed