Desert Rain by Elizabeth Lowell Page B

disagree.
    Together they attacked the twine knots holding the tarp on the horse. After a night of
     being soaked by rain and pulled tight by the horses restless movements, the knots were as
     hard and stubborn as wood.
    Are you getting anywhere? she asked after a few minutes.
    Nope.
    Automatically Holly reached into her pocket for the jackknife she always carried when she
     was in the desert. Belatedly she remembered that her knife was in her wet jeans.
    Then she thought of the saddlebags tied on behind Sand Dancers saddle.
    Holly reached underneath the tarp, groped for a saddlebagand found Lincs hand. Startled,
     she looked over the horses back.
    Linc was watching her, smiling. His fingernails curled across her sensitive palm as his
     hand withdrew from both saddlebag and tarp.
    With a deft motion he opened the knife he had taken from the saddlebag. The long blade
     glittered as he went to work on the stubborn twine.
    Suddenly Linc stopped, frowning.
    I dont remember fixing up this tarp for Sand Dancer, he said, puzzled.
    You didnt.
    Holly pulled twine out of the tarps metal-ringed eyelets and waited for Linc to get back
     to cutting knots.
    You tied the tarp on Sand Dancer? he asked.
    She laughed.
    Cant you tell? she asked. No matter how many times you scolded me, I still tie granny
     knots in a pinch.
    In a pinch, getting the job done is all that counts.
    He cut away the last of the twine and peeled off the tarp. Sand Dancers bridle was neatly
     tied to the saddle horn. The cinch had been loosened enough for the horses comfort but not
     enough to let the saddle slide or turn.
    Linc glanced around. With approving eyes he measured the shelter provided by the tall
     boulders and chaparral.
    Then the muddy hobble caught Lincs eye. He knelt and fingered the cloth. Like the cinch,
     the hobble was neither too tight nor too loose.
    Sand Dancer is all right, isnt he? Holly asked anxiously. Sand Dancer is better than he
     deserves after his performance last night. She let out a sigh of relief. He was calling so
     frantically that I was afraid he was hurt somehow, she admitted. Hes spoiled. He was just
     yelling because he was alone. Linc stood up with casual grace. He looked at Holly
     intently. What happened last night? he asked. I dont remember much after Sand Dancer went
     down.
    I saw you up on the ridge. Your horse was crazy with fear.
    Linc smiled wryly. I remember that much.
    You should have jumped, Holly said tightly. I screamed and screamed for you to jump, but
     you didnt hearme.Thenitbegantopour....
    Her voice frayed into silence as she remembered her terrible fear for Linc.
    Sand Dancer went down, she said finally. You threw yourself clear. You rolled twice and
     then the boulder . . . oh, Linc, I was so afraid!
    Gently Hollys fingers touched Lincs mouth as though to feel his breath and reassure
     herself that he was alive.
    He kissed her fingertips and whispered her name.
    When I finally got to you, Holly said raggedly, your face was turned up to that awful rain
     and you werent moving. I thought you were dead.
    She tried to smile.
    Lincs expression told her that it wasnt a success.
    I was glad to hear you groan, she admitted. After a while we got you on your feet and
     staggered to the tent.
    This time her smile succeeded.
    I wish I had a movie of that, Holly said, thunder and lightning and rain like the end of
     the world, and the two of us slip-sliding down the ridge. I felt like a tugboat with a
     runaway ocean liner.
    Linc didnt smile in return. He was remembering the shattering violence of the lightning
     that had sent Sand Dancer into a frenzy.
    Were lucky we didnt get cooked by lightning, he said.
    Amen, Holly said. After we got to the tent, I took off your wet clothes and stuffed you
     into the sleeping bag.
    Linc smiled crookedly. Made you blush, Ill bet.
    I was too busy, she retorted. Suddenly you decided that you had to go and take care of
     Sand Dancer.
    Glad to hear I hadnt lost