A Time to Live (12 page)

“How many tables do you need? Of course, we’d have to make sure no light can leak in. Will you need a sink?” He frowned at her, suddenly realizing she was not answering his questions.

Nikki couldn’t believe the detailed sketch that had appeared as if by magic on the paper.

His face turned ruddy. Was he actually blushing? “Remember...drafting classes too.” A shy grin escaped him. “I can do a rough sketch and then plan it out properly.”

For a moment
, her heart warred with her common sense. It would be useless to build a dark room. She wouldn’t be alive long enough to use it.

Michael studied her for a moment.
“Between both of us, it will be done in no time.”

Good grief, how did he know how to take the wind out of her arguments before she even uttered them?
Michael was right though. His skill was obvious in the simple drawing. They could have the dark room finished quickly. Perhaps she could get some use out of it.

“Carpe Diem,” she whispered to herself.
She grinned at Michael. “Why not?”

Michael smiled.
“All right then. Where did you want to put this dark room?”

Michael carried her down the stairs to the basement.
She showed him a spot in the corner, next to some plumbing outlets. “I’ll need a small sink.”

The next two hours were spent with their heads bent over Michael’s drawing, discussing every detail of the small room.

The telephone interrupted them. Her heart lurched as she remembered the call from the other night.

Michael gazed at her as the phone continued to ring. “Do you want me to answer it?”

She shook her head. “I’ll not cower in my own home.”

Michael grabbed the phone and brought it to Nikki. She picked up the receiver, waiting to her the ominous voice on the other end.
She was only marginally relieved when the sheriff spoke.

Nikki gritted her teeth
, but let him say his piece. The ball of dread in her stomach unknotted as he explained the situation. “Thanks, sheriff. I’ll come down after this storm breaks.” She hung up the phone and looked at Michael.

His face was pallid and his expression flat.
Nikki swallowed hard, seeing remnants of the young man who bordered on violence the first night they met. She took a deep breath. “They are dropping all charges, Michael. The only evidence they have are the shell-casings, but they can’t find a gun. Since I refuse to testify against you, the DA doesn’t have a case. They are refunding your bail money.”

The tension drained from him so suddenly, Michael dropped into a nearby chair.
He closed his eyes, and Nikki leaned forward worriedly. “Michael, are you okay?”

His eyes flew open and he bolted from the chair, wrapping her tightly in his arms.
“Yes, Nikki, I’m going to be just fine.”

She rested her head against his shoulder, savoring the strength of his embrace.
Michael’s lips brushed her ear then lightly moved to her throat. His tongue touched her skin and ignited her blood, for a moment she remained frozen against him as his lips traveled across her flesh with a light caress.

Abruptly
, he stopped and Nikki bit back a groan of disappointment. He cupped her face in his hands. “You need to get some rest. You should not be pushing yourself your first day out of bed.”

She nodded in agreement
, but didn’t want to.

“Besides,” he said, glancing at the mantle clock.
“I need to start dinner. You’re probably getting sick of soup.”

Nikki laughed.
“You’ve got that right.”

He carefully picked her up and returned her to her room.

Michael settled Nikki in bed. She gazed up at him as his fingers caressed her cheek. Warmth and peace washed over her.

“I don’t want to leave
, but I have to feed Cetan. She’s going to peck my eyes out for ignoring her.”

Nikki smiled.
“Go ahead, Michael. I’ll be fine.”

“It will only take a minute.”

She nodded. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and quickly left. Within minutes, she heard the engine of the snowmobile as he drove away.

Nikki buried herself under the blankets as silence descended over the cabin.
She had just started to drift off when a strange noise brought her bolting awake. Nikki sat up, frowning, had Michael returned? But she hadn’t heard the snowmobile.

She heard it again, a strange thunk.

Puzzled, Nikki climbed out of bed and hobbled to the top of the stairs. “Michael?”

Her gaze locked on a form crawling through the window.

Nikki’s heart lurched to her throat and her breath caught. The man wore a winter camouflage snow suit, with a hood and a ski mask covering his face. He straightened from the window, his gaze searching the room. His gloved hand moved to his belt and he pulled out a huge hunting knife.

Nikki staggered back, fighting the scream strangling in her throat.
The intruder caught her movement and sprinted for the stairs.

Nikki lunged into her room, ignoring the agony that shot up her leg, and slammed the door behind her.
The intruder threw himself against the door with a thud and it lurched. Nikki braced herself, keeping the door closed, terror giving her strength. The man threw himself against the door again and it almost opened. Nikki strained to reach the chair.

A third bash against the door nearly sent her flying.
The door opened an inch before she managed to slam it closed. The knife suddenly shot through the tiny gap between the door and the frame, missing her fingers by a hair.

She screamed and again battled to reach the chair.
Her fingers closed over it and she shoved it against the door, pushing her weight onto the chair.

The door thumped and she heard a muffled curse.

Her chest throbbed and she knew if she started coughing, she would never be able to hold the door. She reached for the inhaler on her nightstand, her fingers missing it by a fraction.

If only Michael would return.
“Michael!” she screamed, tears clouding her vision. “Michael, help me!” She knew it was useless, Michael was too far away to hear her.

The thumps on the door stopped and Nikki seized her inhaler, two blasts easing her
aching lungs. Silence descended. Gulping a deep breath she threw open the door.

Nothing - no sound, no one.

She half limped, half lunged for the stairs.

The front door stood wide open.
Nikki rushed down the stairs, almost falling because of her injured leg, but clung to the banister.

Somehow
, she made it to the door. She saw nothing but snow and trees. Her heart pounded as her gaze scanned every inch of landscape. A form moved at the edge of the tree line.

Nikki blinked in shock as Michael emerged, sprinting toward the house.
Wait a minute, what was going on? His house was in the other direction and where was the snowmobile?

“Nikki?” he shouted.
He barreled through the door and swept her into his arms. “Oh God, Nikki, are you all right?”

She gulped down her sobs as she clung to him.

“Nikki,” he said, his voice terrified. “Did he hurt you?”

“No,” she said hoarsely.

Michael abruptly turned, staring out the door then slammed it closed, locking it. Again he engulfed her in a tight embrace, his body shaking as hard as hers. He buried his face in her hair. “He’s long gone now. Are you sure you are all right?” he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.

“Yes,” she replied, holding him with all the strength she could muster...which was rapidly fading.

Michael pressed her even closer to the hard form of his body. She relaxed against him, depending on him to remain standing.

“I can’t let go of you,” he said.

“Don’t,” she replied, tears streaming down her face. “Please don’t let go of me.”

She had no idea how long they stood locked together in the middle of the room
, but the cold air from the still open window made her shiver and Michael quickly straightened. He helped her to the couch then moved to close the window.

“I see he forced this open and crawled inside.”

Nikki nodded, her arms wrapped around herself and described what happened.

Michael choked, again enveloping her in a warm embrace.

“But how...where...?” she stammered in confusion.

“I knew...I felt something was terribly wrong.
I came back as fast as I could, but wasn’t watching where I was going and floundered the snowmobile in an air pocket,” he said his voice strained. “I ran the rest of the way, then heard you screaming. Right as I approached, he ran out of the door. I lost him in the woods. I could have tracked him, but was too worried about you.” Michael grimaced. “I almost caught him, but he cut at me and I jumped back into a sapling.” He rubbed his back.

“Let me see it.”

“I’m fine. I think the tree is worse off than I am.”

“Let me see it.”

Michael sighed and stood, removing his jacket, sweater, flannel shirt, and finally the long sleeved thermal shirt. Nikki’s heart again caught in her throat as she gazed at his perfect torso. He turned and pointed to a small red mark on his back. “See no harm done.”

She nodded, it would probably only be a small bruise.
It could have been worse...much worse. Nikki shivered and Michael pulled her close. He sat on the couch and leaned back. She was certain she found a piece of heaven as she nestled against his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“Nikki,” he said softly.
“We should call the sheriff.”

“No,” she said stubbornly.
“He will only try to find a way to blame it on you.”

Michael stiffened
, but his hand stroked her hair and he kissed the top of her head. “I don’t care, Nikki, that guy might have killed you.”

Fear clawed through her
. but she took a deep breath. “No,” she said stubbornly. “They won’t be able to find him anyway.” She gestured toward the window. “No prints, nothing. All the sheriff will do is try to arrest you and I need you here in case....” she sucked in a breath. “In case he comes back.”

Michael’s arms tightened around her.
“He won’t hurt you Nikki...I won’t let him.”

She burrowed closer.
“I figure it was just Taylor again trying to scare me. I never thought I would say this, but I might end up buying a shotgun. When does goon season open?”

“As of today,” Michael muttered.

For a long time, they stayed on the couch. Nikki’s exhaustion caught up with her and she found herself dozing. With Michael holding her, she knew she was perfectly safe.

But too quickly, he slid away.
She muttered a protest. Michael gently hushed her and carried her back to bed. He settled the blankets around her and Nikki tried to reach for him. Michael’s fingers caressed her face and he spoke softly. Nikki never caught his words, but soon she fell sound asleep.

****

Days later, Michael didn’t understand what was happening - but he also didn’t want it to stop. He stayed at Nikki’s helping her until her leg healed enough she could safely negotiate the stairs and then he didn’t want to leave.

The storm passed and Michael had heavy work to do, digging out the doorway and a path to the garage and driveway.
He rationalized Nikki couldn’t do it herself right now...and there was no reason for her to do it while he was here.

Nikki stuck her head out the door.
“Hey, workaholic! Lunch is ready.”

Michael laughed and pushed the shovel to stand upright in the snow.
He strode toward her, his gaze traveling over every inch of her sleek frame. In the time he had spent with her, locked in the cabin because of the snow. He discovered a vibrant woman without hint of illness. He also noticed the lack of stress. When they were together, chatting about nothing, Nikki was dynamic and captivating. Only stress seemed to provoke her illness. Now he knew why she wanted to move to a place like Shadow Mountain. He knew a haven on this mountain and realized Nikki had discovered one too.

“Workaholic eh?” he asked, grinning devilishly.
He wrapped one arm around her waist and lifted her from her feet, hoisting her against him like a rag doll. He strode easily into the house. Dear God, the woman didn’t weigh more than a feather.

She squeaked in surprise
, then laughed. “Ok, Tarzan, enough macho crap.”

He chuckled and set her down.
“Actually, the original Tarzan was something of an educated man - self-educated that is.”

Nikki blinked up at him.

He shrugged at her confused expression. “This backwater half-breed may not watch a lot of TV, but he does read.”

Nikki’s eyes ignited with a fury that made him take a step back.
“You are not,” she said between clenched teeth. “A backwater half-breed. And if you refer to yourself as such again I’ll smack you upside the head.”