Her Kind Of Hero. Carol Steward

disconcerting and the spicy scent of his cologne sent a shiver up her spine.

      Slightly perturbed that he did nothing to dissuade her from clinging to him, Calli concentrated on slowing her breathing before she totally collapsed into his arms, further making a fool of herself.

      “It’s okay. Take a deep breath—let it out.” She could feel the rise and fall of his chest as he imitated his instructions.

      Her breathing was ragged, and with each gasp the cold air burned her throat. How long they clung to one another, she wasn’t sure. Calli could feel his heart pounding against her own, and, with determined control, she pushed herself away from the security of the man’s embrace. Looking into his eyes, she felt as if a warm blanket had just been wrapped around her. His rough cheek brushed hers, and she fought the temptation to lean close again. Calli straightened her jacket and took another cleansing breath, the thin air only intensifying the dizziness.

      “I…I didn’t think you were going up….” she said, her words trailing off as she lost herself in his jade-green eyes. Her gaze strayed to the black stubble framing his smile, and it was suddenly a struggle to think.

      A voice bellowed from the ground below. “Everyone okay up there?”

      Her companion glanced down, then back to her. His voice held none of the irritation she’d first heard, but was strangely warm and comforting. “Are you okay?”

      She swallowed with difficulty and finally a raspy sound emerged. “Fine. But you. Your ski. And…” She raised her body off the seat again, and reached under her. “Oh, no, I bent your ski pole.”

      He yelled to the ski patrol and confirmed they were both fine. The lift started with a jerk, and both grabbed for each other.

      She watched the play of emotions on his rugged face. His eyes searched hers and they broke into laughter. His laugh was warm, deep and fully masculine.

      “You couldn’t have bent that pole if you’d jumped on it. There’s hardly enough of you to—” He abruptly stopped midsentence.

      It couldn’t be. The laughter ended and she felt her cheeks heating up, despite the cold wind on her face.

      Did he feel the same unexplainable bond as she did? It was crazy; they’d just met. Or had they? This wasn’t like her at all. Every time he spoke, it sent a ripple of awareness through her.

      “I’m very sorry, miss….” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “I lost my balance and couldn’t stop with these skis on.” A smile immediately softened his rugged features and further melted her indignation. He lifted the faded baseball cap covering his unruly short black hair, swiped his brow, then replaced the cap. “I am sorry.”

      She nodded and looked the other way.

      Calli couldn’t help but wonder if her attraction to this stubborn, arrogant and attractive man was God’s will. Heavens, she thought, He could have broken me into this new plan of His a little easier.

      Her mind must be playing tricks on her, she decided. Not only did this man sound familiar, if she really used her imagination, he almost looked like the police officer who nearly ran into her that last night she patrolled. Couldn’t be.

      She wished she could think of something clever to say. Anything. She hesitantly admired his strong square jaw and thick brows which arched over the deep-set green eyes. I am not ready for this, God. She shivered, then felt a warm sensation relax her body.

      Already she’d seen a gentle side of this man replace the severity of his earlier arrogance. He measured her with an unnerving silence.

      He extended his hand, firmly grasping hers. “I’m Luke Northrup.”

      Her heart stopped beating. She’d just convinced herself that her mind was playing tricks on her. Convinced herself that the nurse exaggerated. She was stunned—Luke was as handsome as the hero conjured up by her crazy imagination. Searching her pockets, she found what she needed and slipped behind the screen of mirrored sunglasses. “Calli,” she said simply. No need for more.

      It didn’t matter that she’d thought of him on a daily basis. Or that she’d promised God she’d give up patrolling, Teddy’s burritos…anything, if she could just resist falling in love with another police officer. What did matter was she couldn’t see him again. This isn’t fair, God. And I showed such restraint not calling him.

      Luke obviously didn’t recognize her without her bandages and she quickly decided it would be safest to play dumb. “You must see stupid things like this all the time up here.”

      “Up here?” Luke’s brows furrowed, with a glint of wonder in his eyes.

      “On the slopes,” she added, relieved that he’d not made the connection between her given name and her nickname.

      He chuckled. “You think I’m a ski bum? I’m flattered.”

      Just like a cop—arrogant. Calli straightened her back and handed his bent pole to him. “I’ll be glad to pay for the damage.”

      “Don’t think a thing of it. If this binding had been working properly, none of this would have happened. They could be more careful about training employees, too. I’m not sure that guy even knew how to stop the lift.”

      “Are you security?” The rasp in her voice was getting worse. She had to calm down. The crisis was over. Everything was fine. He wasn’t making the connection.

      “No, but I’m sure the folks who run this place will trust my credentials.”

      An uncomfortable silence was avoided as she cleared her throat and nodded. If Luke Northrup didn’t want to admit to being a law officer, she wouldn’t push.

      They bounced along in silence. Minutes later, Calli looked up at the signs telling them to prepare to unload. Reminded of his accident, she assessed the situation. “So how are you going to get down off this mountain with a broken ski?”

      “We’ll just ride the lift back down. That ought to get their attention.”

      Calli yanked her sunglasses from her face and turned to him. “We?”

      “I’ll need you to file a statement…to verify what happened.”

      “I thought you said they would trust your credentials. It took me…Well, you can’t imagine what I’ve gone through to arrange this ski trip!”

      “Better safe than sorry. And we’d better have your arm checked. You gave it a pretty good yank. I don’t think either of us will be safe on this slope today.” He smiled, then added, “And, I think I at least owe you a cup of coffee for ruining your morning.”

      Her arm was sore, but she knew it wasn’t broken. As she considered Luke’s logic, the dismount ramp approached. He wasn’t thinking of himself, but of her safety, as well as the other skiers. She, of all people, should understand his protective nature.

      He waited for her answer. “Consider it a peace offering.”

      She looked at the glint in Luke’s eyes and felt that crazy magnetism between them. Just one cup of coffee couldn’t hurt. He doesn’t even remember me. “If you insist. But I’ll warn you, I’m not the forgiving type.” A cup of coffee. What could happen over a cup of coffee?

       Chapter Four

      Luke unlocked the apartment door and hobbled inside, greeted by his son and an overwhelming garlic aroma. Jon must be toasting hoagie buns for his favorite after-school snack.

      “Sorry I’m late. How was school?”

      “Okay. We’re out of garlic salt, but I added it to the grocery list.” He walked around the corner, carrying a plate overflowing with bread. One glance at Luke and the