Jill Sorenson: Freefall

HE’S HER ONLY HOPE…

Park ranger Hope Banning’s plans for a little R & R are put on hold when a plane crashes at the top of a remote mountain. Hope will have to climb the summit and assess the situation. And the only climbing partner available is Sam Rutherford—the enigmatic man she spent a night with six months ago.

FOR STAYING ALIVE…

Ever since Sam lost his girlfriend in a falling accident, he insists on climbing solo. But Hope and any potential survivors need his help. As Sam and Hope set out on an emergency search-and-rescue mission, he realizes the sparks still sizzle between them. And when they learn a killer is among the survivors, they must place their trust in each other for a chance at happiness.

Praise for

“Sorenson fuels this fast-paced romantic thriller with nonstop adrenaline.… This twisty rollercoaster ride keeps the pages turning.”

—Publishers Weekly on Aftershock (Starred Review)

“Sorenson makes her characters realistic, flawed, and appealing. Deftly handled violent action and red herrings rush this thriller to a believable ending.”

—Publishers Weekly on The Edge of Night

“Taut with emotion, suspense and danger. Sorenson expertly weaves the two stories into a heart-wrenching conclusion.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Edge of Night

“One of the best books of the year…nonstop, heart-pounding excitement.”

—RT Book Reviews on Stranded with Her Ex, Top Pick! 4.5 stars

“It was definitely hot. Sooo hot. Jill Sorenson is my new favorite romantic-suspense author!”

—USA TODAY bestselling author Victoria Dahl on Crash into Me

Freefall

Jill Sorenson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For Ruthie

Contents

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

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER ONE

HOPE SMILED AT her sister in the passenger seat as she started the Jeep’s engine. “This is going to be so much fun.”

Faith groaned, glancing out the window. The sparkly insignia on her D&G sunglasses glinted in the morning light. She wasn’t an early riser or a nature lover, so she didn’t share Hope’s enthusiasm.

“You can’t bring those sunglasses on the raft,” Hope said.

Faith removed them with an exaggerated sigh. Her eyes were brown, like Hope’s. When they were younger, strangers used to ask if they were twins. They’d shared the same heart-shaped face and chocolate-colored curls. Although Hope kept her hair natural, Faith’s was straight and blond, courtesy of the upscale salon where she worked.

Faith checked her appearance in the mirror. “I look hideous in your clothes.”

“You look adorable.”

Hope had let Faith borrow the shorts, tank top and hiking boots. None of her sister’s chic L.A. outfits were appropriate for a whitewater adventure. Faith had spruced up the ensemble with pigtail braids, and she wore her own skimpy bikini underneath. She’d balked at the idea of donning one of Hope’s demure swimsuits.

Faith flipped up the visor and stashed her sunglasses in the glove compartment. “Remind me why I agreed to this.”

“Because you planned our vacation last year.”

“And it was fabulous. There’s nothing wrong with relaxing on the beach.”

Hope drove down the bumpy dirt road toward the Kaweah River, humming along with the song on the radio. She spent a week with her sister every summer, and she always looked forward to it. Whether they were lounging in the sun or hiking through the Sierras, Hope enjoyed Faith’s company.

“This weather is perfect for rafting,” Hope said. The heat wave that had struck several days ago showed no signs of letting up.

“If there aren’t any cute guys in our group, I’m jumping overboard.”

Hope smirked at the threat. Faith had broken up with her boyfriend several months ago, and she’d seemed melancholy ever since. Her sister tended to treat men like passing fashions, easily discarded. But she’d been different with Tom, more committed. More upset when things didn’t work out.

“I’ve met our guide, and he’s gorgeous,” she said. He was also gay, but that didn’t matter. Faith would flirt with him anyway. “Three of the rafters are college guys, probably jocks. You have to be strong to handle a Class Five run.”

Faith’s eyes narrowed. “Class Five?”

“Don’t worry. The rest of us are experienced paddlers.”

“Hope! You know I hate exercise.”

“You hate sweat.”

“Exactly.”

“Not much chance of that, with water splashing you all day.”

Faith made a noise of protest. “This reminds me of the time you made me hike up that huge mountain. I almost died.”

“You did not,” Hope said. “Physical activity is better for you than dieting. You’ll get a tan and look great in your bikini.”

“I don’t like jocks.”

“You liked Tom.”

“College guys are immature.”

“Not always. They could be...grad students.”

Faith wrinkled her nose.

“You’re not usually this choosy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you calling me a slut?”

“No! You’re just...free-spirited.” If anything, Hope was jealous of Faith’s casual attitude about sex. Her flashy self-confidence attracted men in droves. “I admire that.”

“You should go out more.”

“I know,” she said, sighing. Hope was only eighteen months older than Faith, and they’d always been close, but their personalities were nothing alike. Faith didn’t have a shy bone in her body. Hope was quiet and reserved. Although she wanted to meet someone special, she worked around the clock and rarely socialized.

This winter, Faith had begged her to join an online dating service. Instead, she’d gone to the local watering hole and bolstered her courage with white wine. She’d engaged in her first one-night stand—what a disaster.

“I’m still recovering from my last attempt.”

“That guy was a jerk,” Faith said.

“Yes.”

“Where does he live?”

“In Long Pine,” Hope said, naming the closest town. “Why?”

“Let’s toilet-paper his house.”

With a low laugh, Hope pulled into the Kaweah Campsite on the east side of the park. “That wouldn’t be environmentally responsible.”

“You’re such a buzz kill.”

“We could use biodegradable toilet paper,” she said.