Hope White - Mountain Rescue

SECRETS OF THE MOUNTAIN

It took just one look in Quinn Donovan’s eyes and Wilhelma “Billie” Bronson knew the search and rescue volunteer had saved her life. Again. But this time her fall down a mountain was no accident. It seemed her past had come back to haunt her, and trusting Quinn to protect her was the best way to stay alive. Before long, though, old feelings resurfaced, and being around him became more challenging than figuring out who wanted to hurt her. And why they’d stop at nothing to spoil any possible future with Quinn.

Echo Mountain: Saving lives and finding love in the mountains of Washington State

“I want answers,” Billie said.

“Like who is still after me,” she continued. “Who tried to run us down, and most importantly, why won’t you look at me?”

“They have a video image of the driver from the hospital and are sending it to local police departments for identification,” Quinn said. “That should help them narrow down the suspect list.”

“And you won’t look at me because…?”

“You’re imagining things.”

“Look me in the eye and say that.”

He snapped his attention to her, his blue eyes aflame with anger. “Let’s see, the fact I shouldn’t have let you leave this room for the SAR mission and I shouldn’t have left your side at the hospital because the thought of…” He shook his head.

“What?” She squeezed his upper arm.

“The thought of you being hit by a car because I wasn’t there is tearing me apart.”

“What would you have done? Would you have stopped the car with your bare hands?”

He gently gripped her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. “I could have protected you.”

HOPE WHITE

An eternal optimist, Hope White was born and raised in the Midwest. She began spinning tales of intrigue and adventure when she was in grade school, and wrote her first book when she was eleven—a thriller that ended with a mysterious phone call the reader never heard!

She and her college sweetheart have been married for thirty years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie.

When not dreaming up inspirational tales, Hope enjoys hiking, sipping tea with friends and going to the movies. She loves to hear from readers, who can contact her at hopewhiteauthor@gmail.com.

Mountain Rescue

Hope White

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Whoever does not love does not know God,

because God is love.

—1 John 4:8

To Dr. James Keen for answering my medical research questions, and SAR volunteer Doug Caley for his insight into this special world.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text SECRETS OF THE MOUNTAIN It took just one look in Quinn Donovan’s eyes and Wilhelma “Billie” Bronson knew the search and rescue volunteer had saved her life. Again. But this time her fall down a mountain was no accident. It seemed her past had come back to haunt her, and trusting Quinn to protect her was the best way to stay alive. Before long, though, old feelings resurfaced, and being around him became more challenging than figuring out who wanted to hurt her. And why they’d stop at nothing to spoil any possible future with Quinn. Echo Mountain: Saving lives and finding love in the mountains of Washington State

Introduction “I want answers,” Billie said. “Like who is still after me,” she continued. “Who tried to run us down, and most importantly, why won’t you look at me?” “They have a video image of the driver from the hospital and are sending it to local police departments for identification,” Quinn said. “That should help them narrow down the suspect list.” “And you won’t look at me because…?” “You’re imagining things.” “Look me in the eye and say that.” He snapped his attention to her, his blue eyes aflame with anger. “Let’s see, the fact I shouldn’t have let you leave this room for the SAR mission and I shouldn’t have left your side at the hospital because the thought of…” He shook his head. “What?” She squeezed his upper arm. “The thought of you being hit by a car because I wasn’t there is tearing me apart.” “What would you have done? Would you have stopped the car with your bare hands?” He gently gripped her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. “I could have protected you.”

About the Author HOPE WHITE An eternal optimist, Hope White was born and raised in the Midwest. She began spinning tales of intrigue and adventure when she was in grade school, and wrote her first book when she was eleven—a thriller that ended with a mysterious phone call the reader never heard! She and her college sweetheart have been married for thirty years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie. When not dreaming up inspirational tales, Hope enjoys hiking, sipping tea with friends and going to the movies. She loves to hear from readers, who can contact her at hopewhiteauthor@gmail.com.

Title Page Mountain Rescue Hope White www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. —1 John 4:8

Dedication To Dr. James Keen for answering my medical research questions, and SAR volunteer Doug Caley for his insight into this special world.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

DEAR READER

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

EXTRACT

Copyright

ONE

Her husband was dead.

Billie Bronson stood on the Cascade Mountain trail overlooking the steep drop down the side of the mountain. She took a deep breath and finally released the pain weighing heavy on her heart.

Pain. Anguish. Dread.

There, she’d finally admitted it. She’d been living under a cloud of dread during the last year of her marriage, nervous about Rick’s volatile moods and erratic behavior.

She tugged her fleece hat down to cover her ears. It felt as if the temperature had dropped ten degrees since she’d started out on her hike. But she had to finish this, had to visit the site where Rick had spent his last hours in her arms.

It had taken her a year to get to this place emotionally, the place where she accepted that what she needed most was closure. Closure and forgiveness.

“And I do forgive you,” she whispered, hugging herself. Forgiveness was a step toward grace, and it would help her heal.

Still, there were those occasional moments when she’d lie awake at night wondering if she could have done something to stop him from his downward spiral.

She glanced at the plateau below where Rick had shivered and groaned as she’d portioned out food to sustain them both until help had arrived.

If only they hadn’t argued; if only he hadn’t stormed off and tripped, falling over the edge and hitting his head on a rock below. But you can’t rewind the past, no matter how much you want to.