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Mountain Ambush
Hope White
MARKED FOR MURDERA search-and-rescue mission turns deadly when Dr. Kyle Spencer is nearly killed by an assailant in the mountains. And when EMT Maddie McBride saves the doctor just in time, they’re both targeted—but no one knows why. One thing’s clear, though—from the moment Maddie finds Echo Mountain’s most eligible bachelor left for dead, she can’t stop thinking about him. But she’s always been wary of the town’s Dr. Dreamboat. And Spence’s scarred heart’s been shuttered since a childhood tragedy. As someone stalks the injured doctor’s every move, though, Spence realizes that he needs the determined Maddie in his corner. However he can’t be sure their partnership will be enough to save them…especially against a seemingly all-knowing foe who’s got them both in his deadly sights.
MARKED FOR MURDER
A search-and-rescue mission turns deadly when Dr. Kyle Spencer is nearly killed by an assailant in the mountains. And when EMT Maddie McBride saves the doctor just in time, they’re both targeted—but no one knows why. One thing’s clear, though—from the moment Maddie finds Echo Mountain’s most eligible bachelor left for dead, she can’t stop thinking about him. But she’s always been wary of the town’s Dr. Dreamboat. And Spence’s scarred heart’s been shuttered since a childhood tragedy. As someone stalks the injured doctor’s every move, though, Spence realizes that he needs the determined Maddie in his corner. However, he can’t be sure their partnership will be enough to save them...especially against a seemingly all-knowing foe who’s got them both in his deadly sights.
“Why am I in a room?”
“They’re keeping you overnight for observation.” She tapped her forefinger to her own forehead. “Concerned about the brain trauma.”
“I’m fine.”
“So you’ve said. If the MRI comes back clean, you’ll be good to go. I think it’s scheduled for tonight.”
Kyle felt bad for keeping her from her life.
“You should go.” That didn’t come out right, and the thought of her leaving him alone twisted his gut with fear. What was wrong with him? Maddie was nothing more than a paramedic he occasionally ran into at the hospital.
“Oh, so you’re dismissing me?” she said in a strange tone.
Had he offended her? “I meant you don’t have to stay and babysit me.”
“I came with you in the helicopter, so I’m waiting for a ride.” She redirected her attention to her phone.
Good to know that she wasn’t hovering at his bedside because she cared about him, that he’d have to worry about her developing feelings for a man who had no interest in love.
Love? He was surely suffering from brain trauma.
Dear Reader (#u4ac38662-c546-58cb-b7e2-12103666bcd9)
Running away from problems can sometimes seem like the right thing to do, but it’s not necessarily the best choice. Feeling both joy and pain is part of the human experience.
Dr. Kyle “Spence” Spencer has been running most of his life, ever since he lost his brother in a tragic accident when they were kids. He shoulders the full responsibility of his brother’s death. Yet instead of processing his grief fully, he chooses to save as many lives as possible, and run when a situation gets too intense.
Maddie McBride has always cared so much for her family, and even hoped that her nurturing personality would keep her parents from splitting up and moving away, but it didn’t. No matter how much you care about people, you can’t control their choices. Maddie guards her heart, fearing a painful outcome of loving too fiercely.
Will Maddie’s love for Spence and promise of God’s forgiveness encourage Spence to stop running? And if he can’t stop running, will she be able to let go of her pain and open her heart to God’s healing?
Life isn’t always easy or simple. Relationships are complicated thanks to all the baggage we carry with us from our experiences. I hope you are able to process your experiences with love and then let them go. Holding on to guilt, shame or resentment only impedes our path to grace.
Wishing you peace on your journey,
Hope White
An eternal optimist, HOPE WHITE was born and raised in the Midwest. 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 Ambush
Hope White
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
—Psalms 56:3
This book is dedicated to ER doctor Jim Keen, Fire Chief Chris Tubbs and Deputy Fire Chief Rich Burke for their help and patience.
Contents
Cover (#u19ca51ce-0613-5a82-b67d-a686dceb11e4)
Back Cover Text (#u201d3a0e-e453-5108-91cf-685c7b40f87d)
Introduction (#u9c7205a8-1815-5912-a37a-40c72d3fdfd6)
Dear Reader (#u186cbc02-1fc1-5e5a-9b81-f14a29e45f67)
About the Author (#u6d9a21e0-61ba-54d5-9ecb-0315b2345c1f)
Title Page (#ufec417a0-0b12-5029-ba0f-b943fceac8c7)
Bible Verse (#u3628bf62-0828-58fd-ad5d-a62386dc9544)
Dedication (#ucc8ac383-7b14-5341-83cf-5e0de14558b9)
ONE (#ufed741ba-7117-5431-9780-73e0fa1559fa)
TWO (#u0c7917a9-9b9f-5a30-abcf-87a6ac6e3120)
THREE (#ucb5ecc70-b8c7-51b9-ae30-70e77e890ed5)
FOUR (#u12f0108c-d456-545d-a0bb-989a9f6aa850)
FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)
THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
ONE (#u4ac38662-c546-58cb-b7e2-12103666bcd9)
I’m going to die.
The text shot adrenaline through Dr. Kyle Spencer’s body. In less than a minute he’d packed his gear and was heading into the mountains.
Can’t make it down on my own.
Spence sprinted up the trail, his muscles burning from the strain of carrying the pack across his shoulders. He couldn’t think about that now, couldn’t be concerned about his own discomfort when Gwen Taylor was stranded in the mountains, cold, immobile and most likely terrified.
He had to get to her.
He’d read desperation in the teenager’s eyes when she’d been brought in with a drug overdose a few weeks ago. No matter how hard she’d tried to push people away, Spence’s gut told him she wanted help, she didn’t like using drugs and alcohol to manage her depression, and the overconsumption had been an accident.
Her last text message had confirmed his suspicions: I don’t want to die.
He’d given her his cell number in case she had any questions after she’d been released from the hospital. That wasn’t his usual practice, but he occasionally felt it necessary. Now he was glad he’d given it to Gwen.
Spence called to speak with her, calm her down, but she didn’t answer. Had she taken drugs with her into the mountains, planning to end her life, but changed her mind and had injured herself?
Wiping sweat from his forehead, he inhaled the crisp scent of mountain air and hoped the search-and-rescue team was close behind. He’d left a voice mail for his friend Police Chief Nate Walsh, alerting him to Gwen’s situation. He wasn’t sure how long it would take Search and Rescue to assemble, but Spence couldn’t wait for his team. Gwen could be seriously injured.
An image of his little brother sparked across his mind. His boots slipped on the wet ground and he skidded toward the edge of the trail. Arms flailing, he caught hold of a nearby tree branch and stopped his momentum. He paused and took a calming breath before continuing up the trail.
The memory of his brother’s injuries had disrupted Spence’s concentration. It had happened twenty years ago, yet felt like yesterday. He resented the distraction. He couldn’t let his personal failure affect his ability to save Gwen.
Helping people, saving lives, lessened the guilt about Bobby’s death. Maybe if he helped enough patients he’d be able to release the torturous thoughts that kept him up at night. And maybe, God willing, he’d find peace.
God willing? It was simply an expression. Spence didn’t believe in a God who could let his brother die at only eight years old.
A gust of wind shoved him against the mountainside but he held his ground, slowing down a bit to ease the resistance. Spence was no good to the team if he ended up needing to be rescued himself.
The sound of a woman’s scream echoed across the mountain range. He hesitated.
Listened.
The wind howled back at him.
Had he imagined it?
A second ear-piercing scream sent him into action, running uphill against the blustery wind. Hyper-focused, Spence controlled his breathing for maximum efficiency and sidestepped every rock and tree root popping up on the trail.
He rounded a corner and spotted Gwen flat on her back, motionless. Rushing to her side, he felt for a pulse. It was weak. Blood oozed from her scalp and her skin was cool and pale.
The first sixty minutes after a patient suffered a trauma were critical to her survival. That was why ER doctors called it the golden hour.
I don’t want to die.
Spence automatically did his ABCs: airway, breathing and circulation. Her breathing seemed labored, which meant an occluded airway and that intubation would be necessary.
He pulled out his phone to call for help. They’d need a helicopter rescue, no question.
Something smashed against the side of his head and he flew backward, hitting the ground. Spence struggled to make sense of what was happening. Firm hands grabbed his jacket collar and dragged him toward the edge of the trail.
And the steep drop down the mountainside.
Through the haze of a possible concussion, Spence wondered if his attacker was a drug dealer, one of Gwen’s troubled friends? Had he sold Gwen drugs she may have overused, and the criminal didn’t want to get caught and go to jail?
“I don’t care what you’ve done,” Spence said. “Just let me take care of Gwen.”
The guy pressed what felt like the barrel of a gun against the back of Spence’s head.
“You’re done taking care of people,” the man threatened, and continued dragging him across the hard ground.
Anger seared its way up Spence’s chest. This couldn’t be his last day on earth. He hadn’t saved enough lives, wasn’t anywhere close to earning redemption.
Spence fought off his attacker, reaching for the guy’s arm.
The man pistol-whipped him. Pain seared through Spence’s brain.
The ledge loomed closer...
“Listen to the sound of His glory,” a woman’s voice echoed.
Momentarily distracted, the assailant loosened his grip.
Spence grabbed his wrist and yanked hard. The attacker lost his balance, stumbled and fell to the ground.
The gun sprang from his hand.
Spence dived on top of him and pulled his arms behind his back, wishing he had something to bind his wrists.
A gasping sound drew his attention to Gwen. Her airway was closing up. Not good. He had to get to her before she stopped breathing altogether.
The attacker swung his fist backward and nailed Spence in the jaw. The guy scrambled out from under him, jumped to his feet and began kicking Spence in the ribs.
