Out of the Depths

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

KYNDAL BREATHED A PRAYER of relief as she hung up the phone and sank back into the pillows. Despite his bad toupee, Charlie Short was a good person. He’d read about her and Chance’s ordeal in the newspaper and called to give her a couple of days’ extension to get her photos and résumé to him.

That was especially uplifting because Jaci had brought her different news. Shop-a-Lot had left her a sympathetic message that they wished her well, but they’d lost a week of revenue and had replaced her with another photographer. They had, however, forgiven the broken lamps and weren’t charging her for them.

Her mom had also left a message. She and Lloyd were somewhere out in New Mexico and liked it so much they were going to stay for a while. Would Kyndal please check on the house occasionally?

Tears stung her eyes as she realized she could be dead right now, and her mom wouldn’t even know.

The frustration in her chest made her want to heave something out the hospital window, but the only thing within arm’s reach was her laptop. She grabbed it and flipped it open instead.

She had a portfolio to prepare.

Jaci had downloaded the photographs from the camera before bringing the laptop to the hospital. Kyndal hadn’t seen them yet, and while a part of her was excited at the prospects, another part dreaded the memories that would be dredged up.

She set up the files and began going through the shots, dragging one after another into the group she would send to Charlie.

The sheer number was staggering. She never would’ve guessed how many shots she’d taken over the four-day span. They chronicled the journey from beginning to end, and the deeper they dragged her back, the more agonizing it was to look at them.

Not that they weren’t good. They were. As a matter of fact, she knew in her heart they were amazing from the reaction she had to them.

The ones of Chance were particularly difficult to look at. The early ones showed him smiling or talking as he explained something about the cave. But there was one near the end that was so poignant she couldn’t take her eyes off it even though she started to sob when it flashed onto the screen.

It was a shot of him in the ancient room, and she didn’t even remember taking it. It was as though she’d been guided by instinct.

The camera caught him as he hovered over the tiny clay bowl of water, body poised in a tense crouch, hand extended and reaching but obviously afraid to grasp. The whiskers of his black beard intensified the dark circles of his eyes—eyes that bore a look of pure anguish. And all about him were the red walls with their painted ebony eyes, seeming content to watch the horrific drama play out without the least bit of preference for the outcome.

It was the best photo she’d ever taken, the kind that made the national news and won Pulitzers and solidified careers. The shot she’d been waiting for that would make her somebody.

But she couldn’t use it…couldn’t use any of the shots of the ancient room. She remembered too well the graffiti scrawled across the walls of the room near the entry.

Public knowledge of this room might lead to its vandalism, and she didn’t want that guilt hanging over her. Chance had trusted her with his cave. She wouldn’t betray that trust.

A soft knock on her door startled her. “Come in.” The figure that stepped across the threshold caused a lump to form in her throat. “Rick.” She stretched her hands out to him.

The ranger had been on her mind a great deal since she’d been here. He was a fabulous guy, but making love with Chance had her all mixed up. She just wasn’t ready to start dating anyone yet.

He crossed the room and took her hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. “How you doing, lady?”

“I had a clean break.” She pointed to the cast and the crutches leaning on the wall. “We start Crutches 101 this afternoon, and the doctor has promised I’ll be out of here the day after tomorrow.”

“That’s good news.” But as he studied her face, his wrinkled brow didn’t convey the same message. “You look like you’ve been crying. Are you in pain?”

“Oh—” she waved her hand toward her laptop “—looking

at some photos made me weepy.”

His eyes locked on to the picture of Chance, and she watched his mouth press into a thin line.

She reached to close the laptop, but Rick’s head got in the way as he leaned down and peered at the picture.

“Y’all must have been terrified. I’ve seen that same look on faces in Afghanistan.” He shook his head but the movement seemed to filter down his entire frame. “Still gives me nightmares.” He cleared his throat, straightened and pointed to the eyes in the background of the photo. “What’s all that?”

Kyndal told him about the room with the red walls and the black eyes and the pelts on the floor. “Chance thought it might be a Native American fertility room.”

Rick’s eyes went wide with wonder, and he gave a low whistle. “Well, how many of your competitors are going to have anything like that? I’d say this job is yours.”

Kyndal shook her head. “I’m not going to use these. Chance has had a lot of problems with vandalism, and if people knew this was there, they might try to find it and loot it.” She shook her head in disgust. “Or spray paint the walls.”

“Yeah, I see what you mean.” Rick nodded his agreement.

“And it’s not like I don’t have plenty of others.”

That brought a chuckle from the former marine.

Kyndal closed the laptop and set it aside as Rick pulled a chair closer to her bedside. “Have you been able to see Chance?” he asked as he sat down.

She shook her head and tried to keep the emotion out of her voice. “He’s two floors up, but they won’t let either of us travel that far. We’ve talked on the phone, though…in small spurts. Did you know he had kidney failure?”

Rick nodded. “Bart’s kept me well-informed.”

“Then you know he’s going through dialysis.”

Rick nodded again.

“He’s going to be fine, but he’ll have to stay a little longer than I will.” Kyndal reached out and took Rick’s hand. “We’re alive thanks to you.”

He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. “That’s what rescue teams do best.”

The sweet gesture caused a pang of guilt. She had to be honest with him. “Rick…about our date—”

“Yeah,” he broke in. “Um…would you mind if we cancelled that?”

She gave him a quizzical look, which he answered with a smile.

“Bart filled me in on the history you and Chance have, and I saw the way you clung to him when we loaded you into the ambulance.”

Ouch! His word choice stung, reminding her of the promise she’d made. “There’s nothing going on between me and Chance.”

Rick snorted. “Yeah? You just keep telling yourself that until the two of you come to your senses. And, in the meantime, you and I can continue to be good friends, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to get caught in the cross fire.”

She looked at him directly. “Do you mean that? Can we be friends?”

“Hell-pee-roo yeah.”

“Hell-pee-roo? That’s a new one.” She squinted in question. “What does that mean?”

“Just an expression my best friend made up.” He gave a soft laugh. “It means I want to be there for you—as a friend—like Jaci and Bart.” He shrugged. “And we’ll be getting together more often with my night tours finishing up.” He brushed a finger down her nose as he stood up. “Gotta go now, and let you get some rest. I’m going to visit Chance on my way out.”

“You really are my hero,” she said as he started toward the door.

He stopped at the end of the bed and shook his head. “Naw. A true hero would have gotten the girl.” He winked and left her with a smile.

His words about her clinging to Chance had caused a tightening in her chest. She’d been feeling pulled toward Chance since the night they made love, and, if she wasn’t careful, their chemistry would have her believing stupid things again. Like that getting this job would showcase her work and make her successful—make her somebody—make her good enough to be the kind of woman Chance needed in his life.

Crazy ideas.

She pulled her laptop onto her lap and opened Word.

When she finished typing, she sent the document as an email to Jaci along with a request: Would you print this out and bring it to me when you come to the hospital? Thanks!

She opened her bank account and stared gloomily at her dwindling savings. The hospital bills were going to take most, if not all of what she had left. Getting this job was more imperative than ever, but not because of Chance.

She opened her photo files, determined to email her portfolio to Charlie Short today.

* * *

DENISE MACOMB HAD OVERSTAYED her welcome…again.

Chance was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to settle back into the pillows and snooze the day away. He had yawned several times, but the statuesque redhead with the weird accent that irritated the shit out of him wouldn’t take the hint.

“Brilliant!” Denise gasped into her phone, and Chance grimaced at the word.

Who in the hell says brilliant around here?

Although she grew up in Benton, Kentucky, Denise was more than proud of her college years at Oxford. Apparently, she’d practiced to rid herself of the western Kentucky accent, but the results came across as laughably phony and set Chance’s teeth on edge.

He’d tried hard to like her—she was, after all, his dad’s handpicked favorite. Beautiful. Successful. Well connected. She was everything Bill Brennan wanted in a daughter-in-law, and she had no qualms about showing her interest in Bill’s son. Hell, she’d done everything but show up on his doorstep naked. They’d been to dinner three times, and, rather than sex, Chance had found himself fantasizing about sticking a sock in her mouth so he could eat in peace.

He closed his eyes, trying to block out Denise’s phone conversation by conjuring a memory of Kyndal’s nonpretentious Southern drawl.

“Is he asleep?”

Southern—but deep and male and definitely not Kyndal—the voice startled Chance out of his daydream. He opened his eyes and focused on the man standing beside his bed.

“Rick Warren.”

Rick clasped his hand like a brother’s. “How you doin,’ guy?”

Chance gave him a weak smile. “I’m gonna make it, thanks to you.”

The ranger’s face pinkened at his words. “Glad I could be of service.”

His visitor’s presence brought an assortment of emotions to the surface of Chance’s awareness. This man had saved his and Kyndal’s lives so, foremost, Chance felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. But a tiny niggle of something else was there. Resentment? Jealousy? Kyndal had shown an interest in Rick. If they started dating, as they had planned to do, she would probably be intimate with him. Maybe sometime soon.

Chance forced a yawn to release the ache in his tight jaw muscles.

But Rick Warren was a great guy—the kind of guy Kyndal deserved. Someone who would love her and take care of her…be all those things he himself couldn’t be. It eased the guilt, knowing she would have Rick in her life.

“Soon then. Ta-ta.”

Damn! Denise’s voice instantly tightened his jaws again. Who in the hell says ta-ta?

Denise slid her phone into her pocket, and just as smoothly, her eyes slid over the ranger. “And who might this be?” Hand extended, she sauntered around the end of the bed, the sway of her hips exaggerated by the tight fit of her skirt.

Chance watched Warren’s eyes rove over the woman in an all-too-familiar gesture.

Well, I’ll be a son of a bitch. He can’t do that.

Before Chance could answer, Rick had taken Denise’s hand. “Rick Warren, ma’am.”

“Rick’s Kyndal’s boyfriend,” Chance interjected.

Rick shook his head. “Um, not really.”

“You’re the hero I’ve been reading about. How fascinating.” Denise’s voice was almost a purr, but it scraped across Chance’s eardrum like a claw. She withdrew her hand, and he watched her eyes drop to Rick’s left, no doubt checking for a ring.

Chance tried to shift the conversation again. “Yeah, Rick risked his life to save the woman he loves.”

The ranger turned a bright red face toward Chance. “Actually, I care about Kyndal, but we’re just good friends. Nothing more.”

Denise laid a hand lightly on Rick’s arm. “Where did you pick up that yummy Southern drawl?”

“Arkansas, ma’am.”

She works to get rid of an accent, but on him it’s “yummy”?

Denise’s throaty laugh sounded as if she was gargling. “‘Ma’am’? Ooooo!”

“If you and Kyn are just good friends, she hasn’t figured that out.” Chance spoke a little louder to try and get Denise’s attention. She seemed to be ignoring him, yet hanging on Warren’s every word. “She talked about you nonstop the whole time we were together.”

Rick gave Chance a bewildered look. “So…um…when will they let you out of here?”

“A few more days.” Chance pointed to Denise. “And then I’ll be taking this pretty lady to a long overdue dinner.”

Denise didn’t acknowledge Chance had spoken. She still had both eyes on Rick, who seemed to be growing more uncomfortable by the second. “Well, I don’t want to tire you out,” he said, “so I’ll mosey along. Just wanted to see how you were doing.”

“I need to be going, too, Chance.” Denise nearly vaulted across the bed for the jacket she’d left on the chair. “I’m pleased you’re doing so well, and I hope to see you back in the office soon.” She turned her attention back to Rick who was holding the door open, waiting for her. “I’m an attorney,” she explained. “Chance and I have been involved in a case…” Blessedly, her voice faded away.

“You’re losing it, Brennan,” Chance muttered as he lay back against the pillows. “But one date with Kyndal and he’ll be hooked.”

Kyndal…with her gorgeous eyes that gave away every thought she had. He smiled, thinking about their poker games in the cave. He’d won every one. And her hair that feathered around him like elfin fingers when they made love. Her perfect body. Her passion.

No guy in his right mind would pick Denise once he’d had Kyndal.

* * *

“YOU’RE SURE YOU’RE UP TO THIS?”

Kyndal couldn’t face the concern in Jaci’s voice. This wasn’t something she wanted to do, but it was what she had to do. “I’m sure.” She punched the up button, and fixed her eyes on the numbers above the elevator door.

Jaci’s elevator, headed down, arrived first. “I’ll be watching for you, and I’ll pick you up at the door.”

“I won’t be long,” Kyndal promised, clutching the paper in her hand even tighter.

She took some deep, calming breaths as she waited, and they worked for the few seconds it took for her elevator to arrive and the doors to open. But when she hit the button for the fifth floor, her hand started to tremble.

She hadn’t fully mastered the art of crutches, and trying to hold the paper and grip the crutch at the same time slowed down her progress, but eventually she stopped at the door of room 546.

She knocked softly.

The familiar voice beckoning her to “Come in” sent her heart into a gallop.

Chance sat up in bed, looking thin and pale, but her eyes feasted on him as if they’d been starving for the sight.

“Kyn.” His dark eyes glistened as he held out his hand to her.

“Hey.” She shuffled over and took his hand awkwardly, but had to let go to balance on the crutches.

“So you’re headed home, huh?”

“Yeah. Well, to Jaci’s for a few days,” she corrected herself. She cleared her throat. “You look good.”

His mouth lifted at one end. “Like I told you before, don’t ever play poker, babe, because you’re the lousiest liar I’ve ever known.”

“Hey.” She gave a defensive shrug. “Alive is good.”

He nodded his agreement. “It is good, indeed.”

Although hearing him speak was comforting, Kyndal almost wished he’d been asleep when she came in. She would have loved nothing more than to sit and stare at him for hours so she would have that memory to carry with her through the years.

But she could feel emotions starting to beg to be released. It was a warning she needed to get this over with quickly.

She held out the paper. “Could I get your signature?” Chance’s dark eyes squinted in question. “It’s a release so I can sell my photographs,” she explained. “Since they were taken on your property.”

His full lips turned down as he took it and looked it over. “You didn’t need to do this.”

“I just thought it would be a good idea.” She spotted a pen lying out of his reach and handed it to him.

Chance scribbled his name on the bottom and gave the paper back to her. “So you got the job?”

“No, but Charlie wants to buy eleven of my shots.” Kyndal balanced on her good leg to ease the soreness already threatening her underarms. “This issue will have caves from all over the state taken by several photographers who are still in the running for the job. He probably won’t make his final decision until December.”

“Well, I’ll keep sending good vibes your way.”

“Thanks.” She tried to ignore the tingle his words and warm smile were causing inside her. “Well, Jaci’s waiting.” She fought to keep her voice light. “But before I go, I want to thank you for all you did.”

“Kyn.”

He paused, and she held her hand up. “Let me finish. We said a lot of things in that cave, things we wouldn’t have said if it hadn’t been for the situation we were in.” She forced a laugh, praying it sounded sincere. “I’ve heard of bedroom promises and deathbed promises, and I think we got bitten in the ass by the worst of them both.” She gave him a playful wink as she made an ungraceful, yet successful turn. “See you around, Counselor. Despite your misguided political views, you’ll make a great judge.”

She held her breath and made it all the way to the hall before tears escaped from the corners of her eyes.

* * *

CHANCE WATCHED HER LEAVE, torn between wanting to call her back and relief at seeing her go.

The newspaper story had linked their names together, so he’d already had to start thinking of damage control and that meant staying as far away from Kyndal as possible. Comments from well-meaning friends confirmed the scandal she’d been involved with alone would dim his political chances, but throw in her environmentalist shenanigans and she would become the dynamite that would blow his dreams to smithereens.

What he needed right now was someone with a squeaky clean reputation that he could get his named linked with for just a short time. That would clear heads of ideas about him and Kyndal.

Of all the names he’d come up with, Denise Macomb was the most promising, but his dad had already made a point of rubbing in that Denise was already referring to Rick Warren as her boyfriend in conversation since their meeting last week. Which left Kyndal alone.

He squeezed his eyes closed and tried to push thoughts of Kyndal from his mind.

Damn the chemistry between them. It made up for a whole lot of her shortcomings—made her feel so right in his arms even while he knew she was so wrong.