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air.
    Holly shivered repeatedly as she worked over the horse, checking for injuries. Other than
     a few scrapes, she found nothing. She led the Arabian down to the partial shelter of
     boulders and chaparral. The horse followed without limping.
    A barrage of lightning made the Arabian shy violently, jerking Holly off her feet. She
     scrambled upright again, tore off her blouse, and blindfolded the animal.
    After that, the horse stood absolutely still, ignoring lightning and thunder alike. Holly
     loosened the cinch and rummaged in the saddlebags, hoping to find a hobble. There was only
     a hatchet, a large folding knife,
    and a ball of rough twine.
    Not good enough, Holly muttered. At the first yank, twine will either give way or cut the
     horses legs to the bone.
    She took a deep breath, peeled off the blindfold and quickly twisted it into something
     that resembled a hobble.
    As Holly bound the horses front legs with her blouse, the Arabian sniffed her wet hair.
    Then the animal snorted wearily and gave up all thought of fear and flight. The horse
     didnt even object when Holly threw a flapping tarp over its back. She laced the waterproof
     cloth onto the animal as best she could with twine.
    By the time Holly got back inside the tent, she was shaking with cold. Her chilled fingers
     were clumsy, making hard work of peeling off her own wet clothes.
    Finally she managed to get rid of the last cold, dripping piece of cloth. She dug out dry
     jeans and a jacket, yanked them on, and crawled over to check Linc.
    He was neither awake nor quite asleep. His skin was cold.
    Holly knew just enough about hypothermia and shock to be afraid for Linc. Yet there was
     nothing more she could do to help him. Even if she could get him to the Jeep, Antelope
     Wash would be in full flood.
    Linc, Holly whispered. What can I do?
    She looked at the dark hair curling down over his forehead, framing the strong face that
     had haunted her dreams. His eyebrows were thick, dark arches spiked with gold. His mouth,
     usually generous with laughter, was drawn with cold and pain. Drops of water gleamed in
     his mustache.
    How many times Holly had dreamed of seeing him again, touching him and feeling his touch,
     hearing his laughter and tasting him on her lips. Helplessly she wondered what had changed
     him from the gentle, passionate man of her memories.
    What did I do to Linc that I deserved being cut off from him all these years?
    Only silence answered Hollys painful question. Despite Cyns appearance with Linc
     yesterday, Holly knew that he hadnt been dating anyone six years ago. His motives for not
     keeping in touch with Holly at first were as much of a mystery to her now as they had been
     when she had wept over unanswered letters.
    Why did Linc become cruel and sarcastic, his cold eyes watching me, his words slicing me?
    No answer came to that question, either.
    Slowly Holly bent to brush her mouth over Lincs. For a long moment she kissed him, warming
     his cool lips, tasting the raindrops beaded in his mustache, trembling with memories.
    Part of Holly was ashamed of stealing back a piece of her dream while Linc slept, unable
     to protest the caress. Yet she couldnt help herself.
    Nor did she really want to. It was little enough to warm the emptiness in her.
    When Holly lifted her head, there were tears caught in her lashes. She watched Linc for
     long moments, forgetting her own chilled body. The strong heartbeat and the easy rise and
     fall of his chest beneath her hand reassured her.
    Then she began to dread the coming morning, when he would wake up, realize she was
     Shannon, and stare at her with cold-eyed contempt.
    But there was nothing Holly could do about that. Tonight she and Linc needed each other on
     the most primitive level.
    Sheer animal warmth.
    Without hesitating any longer, Holly unzipped the sleeping bag and crawled in. There was
     barely room inside to breathe, for the bag hadnt been designed to hold