Alaskan Mountain Pursuit Elizabeth Goddard (best short novels .TXT) 📖

me to share, but maybe she’ll understand.”

“Tell me.”

“You have to keep this to yourself. Can you do that?”

“Depends, Will, you know that.”

“Yeah, well, try to keep this under wraps for her sake. Sylvie Masters is Regina Hemphill’s daughter. The child she conceived with your father before she left Mountain Cove.”

Will stared at Cade, watching as his pupils dilated, as realization knocked him back into his seat, pinned him against it. The man’s expression morphed, pain etching his features when he glanced over at the woman fighting for her life.

Finally, an exhale burst from his lips along with, “She’s my half sister.”

Light filtered into her dreams, stirring her awake. Sylvie wanted to open her eyes but her lids were heavy. Nor could she move or lift her arms. Was something pressed on top of her, holding her down? No, it was more that she had no strength. She wondered how she could have survived the freight train that had obviously barreled over her.

“Sylvie.” A familiar male voice wrapped around her. “You’re going to be okay. You’re going to wake up soon and everything is going to be fine.”

Where was she? Sylvie frowned. At least she could do that much.

“Sylvie, please, wake up.”

An image came into her mind. The face that belonged to the voice. Who was he?

“Will?” her voice croaked out, sounding as if it had come from down a long, dark tunnel. As if it had come from someone else.

A large hand with a strong grip squeezed hers. She squeezed back.

“Can you hear me?” he asked.

Sylvie’s eyelids fluttered and she found the strength to open them—though she could already tell that keeping them open would be a problem. She looked at Will now, the details of his handsome face coming into sharp focus. Only he looked beaten up, haggard in a way she hadn’t remembered. What had happened to him?

“You’re awake.” His grin thrilled her, but concern, as well as delight, poured from his gaze.

Now she started to remember. His brown eyes taking her in when she climbed into his plane. The wariness in them the first time she’d seen him. There was a tug at her heart that he was there with her now. She was glad to see him, but wasn’t sure why. Who was he to her? What was wrong with her that she couldn’t remember?

She drew in a ragged breath, unsure how much energy she had left to keep her eyes open much less speak. “Where am I?”

His grin quickly faded, but he squeezed her hand again. “You’re in the hospital. They’re taking good care of you.”

“What happened?” She had to know. Had to remember before she lost her strength.

“You lost a lot of blood.” He inched closer. “Sylvie, I’m so sorry.”

“How long... How long have I been here?”

“Two days. You’re going to be fine. They say it will take you some time to regain your strength. You had a mild case of DCS, and with the gunshot wound it was complicated.”

“Oh, right.” She’d needed the hyperbaric chamber, but...gunshot wound?

And why was Will here instead of her stepfather? Sylvie tensed, hoping they hadn’t known to contact him, or hadn’t been able to reach him since he was out of the country.

Sylvie felt herself drifting in and out, and Will’s voice, his face, did the same.

“You should rest.”

Will said nothing more, and Sylvie’s sluggish mind took time to process the words. Soak up his presence. Something about him sitting next to her gave her a sense of security, though she struggled to understand why she needed it. Then the horror came rushing back and she wished it hadn’t. Wished she could feel safe with Will without the harsh memories of the attacks against her.

A nurse entered the room and insisted Sylvie needed to rest, confirming Will’s suggestion. She didn’t want to release Will’s hand, let go of the strength there, but he pulled away from her. Sylvie wanted to look in his eyes, let the warmth there wash away the disquiet in her heart, but her lids betrayed her. Then darkness replaced light.

When Sylvie awoke again, she found two men in her room. Fear jumped down her throat, then Will stepped forward. She hoped he would reach for her hand again, but he didn’t.

His grin, revealing a couple of dimples, could make her feel better, but his eyes weren’t convincing.

What was wrong?

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

I’d be better if you’d sit close to me and hold my hand. But she couldn’t say that. She hated how vulnerable and needy she’d become.

A nurse came in and repositioned her pillow and bed so she could sit up. She brought her a tray of hospital food. Sylvie had no appetite. She felt uncomfortable with the stranger and waited for Will’s explanation. When the nurse left them alone, he stepped closer. He looked as though he hadn’t slept in days. How long had she been here? She got the sense that he hadn’t left her side, but she was certain she was just fooling herself. She couldn’t be that important to him.

“The police are going to question you soon,” he said.

She turned her hand over, hoping he’d take it. It hadn’t required a conscious thought, simply reflexive need. And Will, apparently attuned to her subtle needs, took her hand. She wasn’t sure what she felt about her desires or his response to them.

“I don’t think I’m coherent enough to answer questions.”

“Do you remember that you were shot?”

She shook her head. “I’m not sure. I remember clinging to the tree as gunfire erupted. Everything is blurry after that.”

“I tried to protect you but he shot you.”

“Who, Will? Who shot me?”

“I don’t know. I fired back, but he got away. We think the rescue helicopter sent him running.”

“The police are hoping you can give some answers about who might be trying to kill you.” The man standing in the shadowed corner of the room finally spoke.

Was he with the police? Sylvie let her gaze travel to him.

Will chose that moment to