HES HER ONLY HOPE
Park ranger Hope Bannings 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 Rutherfordthe 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 yearnonstop, 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 Jeeps 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 wasnt an early riser or a nature lover, so she didnt share Hopes enthusiasm.
You cant bring those sunglasses on the raft, Hope said.
Faith removed them with an exaggerated sigh. Her eyes were brown, like Hopes. When they were younger, strangers used to ask if they were twins. Theyd shared the same heart-shaped face and chocolate-colored curls. Although Hope kept her hair natural, Faiths 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 sisters 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. Shed balked at the idea of donning one of Hopes 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. Theres 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 Faiths 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 arent any cute guys in our group, Im jumping overboard.
Hope smirked at the threat. Faith had broken up with her boyfriend several months ago, and shed seemed melancholy ever since. Her sister tended to treat men like passing fashions, easily discarded. But shed been different with Tom, more committed. More upset when things didnt work out.
Ive met our guide, and hes gorgeous, she said. He was also gay, but that didnt 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.
Faiths eyes narrowed. Class Five?
Dont 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. Youll get a tan and look great in your bikini.
I dont like jocks.
You liked Tom.
College guys are immature.
Not always. They could be...grad students.
Faith wrinkled her nose.
Youre not usually this choosy.
Whats that supposed to mean?
Nothing.
Are you calling me a slut?
No! Youre just...free-spirited. If anything, Hope was jealous of Faiths 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 theyd always been close, but their personalities were nothing alike. Faith didnt 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, shed gone to the local watering hole and bolstered her courage with white wine. Shed engaged in her first one-night standwhat a disaster.
Im 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?
Lets toilet-paper his house.
With a low laugh, Hope pulled into the Kaweah Campsite on the east side of the park. That wouldnt be environmentally responsible.
Youre such a buzz kill.
We could use biodegradable toilet paper, she said.
How about flowers?
Hope laughed again, turning off the engine. Their parents owned an organic plant nursery, and one of their mothers favorite sayings was give your enemy a flower. The sisters had rebelled against her peacenik philosophies in different ways. Faith, by valuing material things. Hope, by becoming a gun-toting park ranger. She wished she could carry a bouquet of daisies to fight crime, but some situations required brute force.
Hope couldnt wait for the three-day rafting trip to start. She hadnt enjoyed a full weekend off in months. Even as they waited in the shade for the whitewater guide, her work radio trilled with an emergency message.
All rangers please respond for SAR.
Hope had been a ranger at Sierra National Park for five years. Her job was part law enforcement, part nature guide, and she loved it. Although she was supposed to be on vacation for the next week, she couldnt ignore a call for a search-and-rescue operation. In an area with huge cliffs, swift-moving rivers and sprawling forests, accidents happened. Rock climbers fell. Hikers got lost in the woods. Children became drowning victims.
Dont you dare answer that, Faith warned.
I have to, she said. As a district ranger, she was required to stay in radio contact and respond to emergencies. She picked up the receiver to speak with the dispatch office. This is Ranger Banning.
Hope, we have word of a single-engine plane down at Angel Wings.
Her stomach clenched with unease. Any survivors?
Theres been no radio communication from the craft. A climber saw the crash a few hours ago and came into the station to report it.
Which station?
Mineral King.
Hope swore under her breath. Mineral King was her station, and she was more familiar with Angel Wings than the other rangers. She also had experience with high-angle rescue, which this operation might require. Ill be right there.
You cant be serious, Faith said.
She wavered, torn between loyalties. Both her sister and her job were extremely important to her.
Why cant someone else go?
I dont know if anyone else is available. The guy covering my station isnt qualified to organize a search-and-rescue.
The busy season didnt officially start until July, and it was the first week of June. They only had twelve year-round staff members with law enforcement badges. During an emergency situation, all rangers in the area were ordered to check in. Hope had to step up to this responsibility or take the heat for it.
Im sorry, she said.
I told you not to answer the call, Faith wailed. Five minutes later and wed have been on the water.
Hope hurried out of the Jeep Liberty and grabbed Faiths backpack before approaching the passenger side. Best-case scenario, another ranger will handle it and Ill be back by launch time. I can also rent a kayak to catch up with the group.
Are you high? Im not going without you.
Come on, Faith. They might have to cancel the whole trip if we both dont show. They need a certain number of people in the raft.
She crossed her arms over her chest. So?
Its bad for park business.
Park business, Faith muttered, climbing out of the vehicle. Thats all you care about.
Hopes heart twisted in her chest. She knew she worked too much. During last summers vacation, shed returned to the park two days early to fill in for an injured employee. Faith and Hope had argued about her dedication to her job before. No, its not.
Next year were going to Las Vegas for an indoor vacation. Well buy cocktails instead of trail mix. Faiths mouth thinned as she pointed a slender finger at her. And Ill make you wear my clothes.
Done.
If I drown, Ill never forgive you.
You wont drown, Hope said, hugging her tight. I love you.
I love you, too.
She let go of her sister with regret and climbed behind the wheel once again, waving as she drove away. Faith looked disappointed, even forlorn, and Hope felt awful. If she missed the entire trip, their vacation would be ruined.
Hands tightening around the steering wheel, she turned down the winding forest service road toward Mineral King.
Although she tried to stay upbeat, it wasnt easy. She worked a lot of solitary hours as a park ranger. During her time off, she enjoyed quiet individual pursuits like hiking and photographing wildlife. Shed been anticipating her sisters visit for months. Faith was rightshe needed to interact with people more.
The Mineral King Station was in a remote section of the park, popular with backpackers and rock climbers. Families with small children often just drove through, and day hikers flocked to more accessible places like Giant Forest and Crescent Meadow. Because of its distance from the main tourist attractions, Mineral King had the hushed, pristine quality of true wilderness. Bear sightings were common.