Treacherous Slopes. Terri Reed

      THREE

      Julie’s jawed dropped. She snapped it shut as his words reverberated through her brain. Someone was trying to kill Nick?

      Her mind reeled. First his talk of dating if she’d drop the feature on him and now this? Nick’s story was bigger than she’d ever imagined. Her mind popped with questions. “Why would someone want to kill you? Who wants to kill you? What’s happened that would lead you to believe that?”

      “Whoa.” Nick held up a hand. “Slow down. Shouldn’t you be waiting for me to answer one question before you throw me another?”

      Her face flamed. “Of course. Yes. Sorry. You’re right. Of course, you’re right.”

      He touched her arm. “It’s okay. Take a deep breath.”

      She took in a shuddering breath to calm her racing heart.

      “Better?”

      “Yes.” She poised her pencil over the pad of paper. “Okay. This is huge, Nick. Where’s Bob and his camera?” She tapped the pencil against the pad. “I’d like to get a shot of you here in the hospital, if you’d be comfortable with that.” From the appalled look on his face, she guessed he wasn’t. “Okay, scratch that idea.”

      “Please do. In fact, let’s call the whole interview off.”

      She searched his face, trying to decide if he was serious. His jaw was set. His eyes flinty. Yep, he was serious. “But we can’t. Surely you understand that.”

      He shook his head. “I’m not thrilled about being the subject of your interview.”

      “But you will go through with the interview, right?” She hated how desperate she sounded.

      His dark blue eyes narrowed. “Why is this so important to you?”

      Should she tell him what was at stake? She didn’t want to sound whiny or pathetic, but if he understood that her shot at becoming an on-air reporter hinged on how well she delivered this story for Northwest Edition, then maybe he’d cooperate. She didn’t have anything to lose except her pride.

      “This is my first big break. I went out on a limb and pitched this idea for a feature on you to my boss in hopes of securing a permanent on-camera spot. I can’t afford to keep working there if I don’t get this promotion.”

      “So what is your actual job now?”

      “I’m a production assistant.”

      “Ah, okay.” Nick repressed the chuckle that bubbled up. No wonder she’d been nervous and overly enthusiastic with her questions. And why she needed the promotion. He doubted being an assistant paid that well. “I’d like to help you, but...”

      She sat forward. “Mr. Davenport at Thunderbird was excited about the idea. He said he wanted to make new skin designs for your skis and to unveil them live during the segment.” Her voice rose slightly. Her teeth tugged on her bottom lip.

      His gaze landed on her mouth. She’d always had perfectly shaped lips. Soft and supple. Kissable. He remembered thinking that in high school. Of course back then her lips had been devoid of lipstick. She’d never been one to wear all that stuff on her face the way most of the teen girls did.

      Her lips parted slightly, making him aware he’d been staring.

      He could tell this meant a lot to her. But the anger he’d felt over the media raking Cody through the mud grated something fierce.

      She reached to touch his hand. Sympathy tinged her gaze. “I was sorry to hear about Cody’s accident. I sent flowers.”

      Nick’s breath hitched. Grief stabbed him. He fought the burning behind his eyes. The place where her fingers rested lightly on his hand created a hot spot, distracting him from the pain stirred up by her words. He hadn’t known she’d sent flowers. Of course, he hadn’t really been aware of much at the time. “That was thoughtful of you.”

      A commotion outside the door drew his attention away from the pretty lady sitting beside him.

      Ted blocked the doorway.

      “But I want to see him!” said a female blocked from Nick’s view.

      He didn’t have to see the woman to recognize Kitty’s voice. She was making a scene and disturbing the peace of the hospital. Nick winced. He’d thought Gordon was going to deal with her. Obviously he hadn’t been successful.

      “That other woman was allowed in,” Kitty shrieked. “Nick! Nick, tell this man to let me in.”

      “Who’s she?” Julie asked in a whisper.

      “A fan,” Nick said. He sighed. Thinking of the other patients, he called out, “Ted, it’s okay. I’ll see her if it will make her stop fussing.”

      Ted glanced over his shoulder. “You’re sure?”

      “Why not? Let’s just add to my humiliation.”

      Julie gave him a chiding look as Kitty barged into the room, carrying a small, wrapped present. She was an attractive woman with dark hair curling around her impish face, wide dark eyes, red lips and a Marilyn Monroe–type mole at the corner of her mouth. He wasn’t sure if the detail was real or for effect. She had on well-worn jeans and a red sweater that emphasized her assets. But to Nick, Kitty was a dark shadow compared to the shimmering lightness of Julie. The two couldn’t have been more opposite in looks or personality.

      “Hello, Kitty,” Nick said, trying hard to keep his irritation from showing. “What are you doing here?”

      She laughed lightly and shot Julie a curious glance. “You know I come to every one of your competitions that I can. I’m so excited to see your hometown. You gave me quite a scare today. I thought for sure you were going die when that ski flew off.” She moved to wedge herself in front of Julie and put one hand on his shoulder. “Are you all right?”

      “As you can see, alive and well.”

      “Then why are you in the hospital?”

      “Observation. I’ll be leaving soon.”

      She thrust the gift at him. “I brought you something.”

      He didn’t take it. “That’s thoughtful, but you shouldn’t have. Really, you shouldn’t have.”

      A steely glint flashed in her eyes. “It’s for you.”

      Apparently she wasn’t going to let him refuse. He took the present and quickly unwrapped it to reveal a money clip engraved with his initials and a note telling him where she was staying. As if he’d ever take her up on her propositions. He tucked the money clip back in the box. “Thank you, Kitty.”

      Julie cleared her throat.

      Nick gave Julie an apologetic grimace. “Julie, this is Kitty Rogers. A fan.”

      Kitty’s fingers dug into the top of his shoulder. “His number-one fan.”

      Julie’s speculative gaze bounced from Kitty to Nick to the hand on his shoulder and back to Kitty. “I can see that.” She stood and held out her hand, forcing Kitty to relinquish her hold on his shoulder. Nick gave Julie a grateful smile.

      “Nice to meet you,” Julie said.

      “What are you doing here?” Kitty asked with barely veiled jealousy.

      Julie opened her mouth to respond, but Nick jumped in. “She’s with me.” He reached past Kitty to take Julie’s hand.

      Two sets of eyes blinked at him.

      “I am?”

      “She is?”

      He squeezed Julie’s hand, hoping she’d go along with the ruse. He needed Kitty to