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rolled onto his
     side and tried to sit up. He grabbed his head and groaned again. Take it easy, Holly said
     quickly. Youve had a fall. He shuddered.
    Linc?
    As he turned toward the sound of Hollys voice, lightning burst. His eyes were dark, dazed.
    What . . . ? he asked, then said no more.
    Your horse fell, Holly answered loudly, trying to make Linc understand between bouts of
     thunder. Your. Horse. Fell.
    Linc started to nod in acknowledgment, then grimaced and held his head again. When his
     right hand dropped, it was streaked with blood.
    Holly stared anxiously into the darkness that divided violent bursts of lightning. The
     worst of the storm might be letting up, but it was far from over.
    Can you move? she shouted.
    His only answer was a stifled groan and an attempt to get up.
    Just sit up at first, Holly said.
    Painfully Linc pulled himself into a sitting position, helped by Holly.
    She touched the right side of his head with gentle fingertips. There was a small swelling
     at the base of his skull. Blood seeped slowly.
    Holly had no way of knowing whether Linc had a concussion or simply a cut.
    Do you hurt anywhere else? she asked.
    She had to repeat the question several times before Lincs head moved in a slow negative
     gesture.
    Then you must stand up, Holly said urgently. Ill help you, but I cant carry you. Please,
     Linc. Stand up!
    Using the boulder and Holly, Linc managed to lever himself to his feet. When he stood,
     dizziness nearly overwhelmed him. Anxiously she supported him.
    Then Linc started to walk with the same grim determination and strength he had used to
     save his horse.
    After a few false starts, Holly adjusted to Lincs uneven stride. Together they reeled and
     staggered down the slope toward her tent.
    A small battery-powered lamp filled the tents interior with yellow light. For the moment
     at least, everything was still dry.
    As Holly eased Linc onto the floor, she realized that he was shivering uncontrollably. She
     had to get him warm, quickly.
    She tore off what was left of his shirt. His soaked boots and jeans were harder to remove.
     As she struggled to drag the denim down his legs, she was divided between frustration at
     the stubborn cloth and
    admiration for the powerful lines of Lincs body.
    The sleeping bag Holly had rented was large, loose, and lightweight. It would not radiate
     back body heat very efficiently, but it was all she had. She unzipped the slippery nylon
     bag with three quick strokes, rolled Linc inside, and zipped the bag shut again.
    Lincs eyes opened. When he realized that he was inside a tent, he started to sit up. No,
     Holly said firmly. Dont try to get up. He ignored her. She held him down with her hands on
     his shoulders and the force of her whole body. Lie down, she commanded. You have to get
     warm.
    Horse. Lincs voice was barely a whisper. My horse.
    It was on its feet before you were.
    Lightning bleached the interior of the tent. Thunder came like a falling mountain.
    Linc sat up, sweeping aside Hollys hands with a strength that frightened her. Even dazed
     and injured, he was far stronger than she was.
    Dizziness struck Linc again, chaining him for a moment. Holly knew that he was too stunned
     to realize his own danger and not rational enough to argue with.
    Linc was a horseman through and through. He would see that his horse was cared for and to
     hell with the consequences to himself.
    Ill take care of your horse, Holly said urgently. But you must stay here. Do you
     understand? Stay here!
    With an effort, Linc nodded.
    She helped him lie down again, grabbed a pocket flashlight, and went back out into the
     storm. For the first time she really noticed the rain. The drops were almost icy, for they
     had condensed at high altitudes.
    The Arabian was standing where Holly had last seen it. The horses head was held low. It
     was still breathing rapidly. The animals body heat steamed outward, draining warmth into
     the chill