Chapter 16

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

Panic raced through Maddie.

The UTV bumped down the mountain out of control. If it continued in this direction, it would plunge off the cliff within seconds—taking Maddie with it.

How could Josh have jumped out and left her? Hadn't the guide said always stay in your vehicle?

Now she was here on the passenger side. Unable to reach any of the pedals. Barely able to reach the steering wheel.

Maddie grabbed the wheel and tugged it, barely managing to veer the vehicle back onto the path.

The rest of the group—including Josh—stood at the bottom of the hill, watching with wide eyes and ready to dive out of the way—whenever they figured out which direction that would be.

Their guide yelled something, but Maddie couldn't make out his words.

She only hoped that everyone moved before she crashed into them.

Unless she rammed into a tree first.

Or went off the cliff.

None of the possibilities seemed good.

Someone began sprinting up the trail toward her.

Brody.

No . . . what if she hit him?

She gestured wildly for him to get out of the way.

But that didn't slow him down.

He reached her, let the side-by-side pass, and then jumped onto the back.

A moment later, looking like a stunt driver, he climbed through the top and lowered himself into the driver's seat.

Just as the vehicle began to edge toward the cliff again, Brody slammed on the brakes.

With a lurch, they came to a dead stop.

Red dust flew around them as Maddie's heart pounded out of control.

Was she really safe? Had Brody just saved her?

Shock consumed her until nothing made sense.

Brody peered at her, pulling the bandana from his mouth. "Are you okay?"

Was she? She wasn't sure.

Her world still spun.

She blinked as she tried to comprehend what had just happened.

Maddie really was safe, wasn't she?

Thanks to Brody.

She nodded slowly, still feeling in a stupor. "Yes . . . I think so."

The rest of the group surrounded them, questions flying.

Then Josh appeared at her door. "Madison! Why didn't you jump out when I told you to?"

Wait . . . was he blaming this on her?

Their guide had said to always stay in their vehicles. Besides, Maddie had nowhere to jump except straight for the drop-off. What had Josh expected?

She opened her mouth to respond, but she didn't even know what to say.

Before she could answer, Hilo pushed past Josh, opened her door, and helped her out.

But Maddie was trembling so bad she doubted she'd be able to stand on her own two feet. Instead, she leaned on the UTV.

It wasn't so much the physical danger she'd barely avoided that had her shaky.

It was the fact Josh had jumped out and left her. He'd abandoned her in a dangerous situation.

She could have died as a result.

What kind of fiancé did that?

After the dust had died down, Hilo squatted on the trail to examine the vehicle. "This tire has been tampered with. I don't know how that's possible. I inspected them each myself before we left."

Maddie's heart lurched into her throat at his words.

She stepped to the side of the trail for a better look. Sure enough, the tire was slashed.

Her heart beat harder in her ears.

Was this a terrible accident? Or had someone done this on purpose?

She glanced at the group around her. At her new friends. Then at Josh. Logan. Darla. Tom.

Had one of them been so desperate to get rid of either Maddie or Josh that they'd tried to take them out this way?

And what was the deal with Josh jumping out of the side-by-side and leaving her to fend for herself? How dare he blame it on her.

Maddie still fumed over that fact. He had a lot of nerve.

Hilo had already given him a stern lecture about it, but Josh had looked unconvinced that he'd done anything wrong.

Typical Josh. Leaders don't project weakness. Another one of his sayings. She personally thought that vulnerability led to relatability, which led to people actually wanting to follow those in charge.

"We're going to need to have you checked out," Hilo said as he turned toward Maddie.

"I'm fine," she insisted, waving him off.

He nodded to her arm. "You got a little scratched up. We should have it checked out, just to be on the safe side. I'll have another driver come by to take you and your fiancé back to the base camp and then to a local clinic."

She glanced at her skin and saw the cuts. With adrenaline rushing through her, she hadn't even noticed. She must have scraped by some bushes and rocks.

She wanted to argue again, to refuse the treatment. But she could see by the look in the guide's eyes that he wouldn't change his mind.

Finally, she nodded.

When she glanced at Josh to get his reaction, she saw his gaze was on Logan again.

Her throat tightened.

She understood why he might be attracted to the woman. She was captivating. But did he have to be so obvious? And did he have to do this right now of all times?

Maddie shifted her gaze to Brody. He was studying her from a distance. What was that behind his gaze?

She wasn't sure.

Concern? Or was there something more? Suspicion maybe?

He was former special forces. Maybe he was seeing something in this situation that she couldn't see herself.

Either way, she was happy to be walking away from this incident alive.

She didn't plan on going on any more UTV tours again.

Not just this week, but never.