The Nurse's Wedding Rescue (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 2)

She watched in horror as Oliver dragged the slumped figure as far away from the edge as possible, his face damp from the spray of the water.

She closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself to face the inevitable. It was perfectly obvious that he needed help and the only help available was her. Which meant going down the rock to him.

Could she do that?

She stared down at the glistening surface and decided that there seemed to be quite a few handholds.

Without allowing time for her fright to grow any further, she took a deep breath and turned around, lowering herself gingerly over the rock. At least it was misty so she couldn’t see the extent of the drop.

Trying to ignore the biting cold, she moved slowly, lowering herself carefully, only moving a hand when she was sure that both feet were firmly placed on something solid. Once she slipped and her insides dropped with fear until she felt her feet once more rest safely on the rock.

Her heart still pounding ridiculously fast, she risked a hesitant glance downwards and for a brief moment the mist cleared, showing her the steep, vertiginous drop to the bottom.

Oh, dear God…

Her vision blurred and she closed her eyes immediately, clinging to the rock as panic swamped her usually rational brain.

‘It’s all right, angel, I’ve got you.’ Oliver’s voice, firm and masculine, came from right underneath her. The next moment he was next to her, one strong arm fastened firmly around her waist, securing her to the rock. ‘I’ve got you, sweetheart. You’re not going to fall. Take a few deep breaths and don’t look down.’

He felt solid and safe and Helen felt herself relax slightly.

Then she remembered what was below her.

‘I know I’m being pathetic, but I don’t think I can move, Oliver,’ she said shakily, hating herself for being so useless but horribly aware of the vicious drop that lay below them.

‘I don’t want you to move until I tell you to.’

She felt

his hand at her waist. Felt him clip a rope onto her harness. But mostly she felt him, warm and amazingly reassuring right behind her. He was like a safety blanket between her and terror.

‘Good girl. You’ve been very brave,’ he murmured in her ear. ‘And I’m glad you did it because I need your help. This man needs your help. You’re almost down, Helen. Just a few more steps and you’re there.’

Her eyes were still tightly shut. ‘I can’t do it—I’m going to fall.’

‘You’re not going to fall. You’re attached to me and I have no intention of going anywhere.’ He gave her shoulder a final squeeze and then moved his arm. ‘I’m going to go first, and then I’m going to tell you where to put your hands and feet. Just do exactly what I say.’

He did just that and she climbed down the rest of the way like a robot, following his instructions, taking his hand whenever he offered it.

And finally she was safe.

If standing on an exposed rock, facing a furious waterfall could be described as safe.

Trying not to think about it, Helen gradually released her grip on Oliver’s hand.

‘OK—brilliant. Now, don’t go near the edge because it’s slippery.’

Helen managed a smile. ‘Oliver, you don’t need to tell me not to go near the edge,’ she said and he grinned in return.

‘Maybe I don’t. In that case, let’s see what we can do to help this chap. I’ve told the team where we are. Some of them should be here pretty shortly. He’s conscious but only just. I haven’t had a chance to have a proper look at him yet.’

The man was slumped against the rock, his eyes glazed. He tried to say something but his words slurred together. He gave a groan and his eyes drifted shut.

‘Apparently his name is Brian Andrews. Can you hear me, Mr Andrews?’ Oliver tried to rouse the man who opened his eyes with what seemed to be a supreme effort. ‘Brian? I’m a doctor. Can you talk to me? Are you in pain?’

The man mumbled something incomprehensible and knocked Oliver’s hand away when he tried to take his pulse.

‘Whoa. Calm down—we’re here to help you.’ Oliver backed off slightly and Helen dropped to her knees beside him, anxious to help.