Night Visions (Night Series) (6 page)

Hopefully before she left with Ian.

“Hey Jace, I really need you to call me back. So
mething strange is going on and,” she paused, knowing that this message would have Jason on the next flight home.

“Well, um, guess who came back home? Ian. He wants me to travel with him to Montana. Says it's because you needed me. I hope I'm not making a mistake going with him. Please call me.”

Sam ended the call, knowing her mind was already made up. Ginger would be with her for protection, but who was going to guard her heart?

With one final look around her house, Sam prepared herself for the unknown. And hoped she wasn't feeding herself to the wolves.

CHAPTER 5

Sam locked the door behind her, pocketing the key. The final click of the deadbolt quickened her pulse. Not one to give in to impulsive behavior, the thought of doing the unknown sent a tingle through her body. She couldn't shake the feeling that nothing would ever be the same again. A feeling that consumed her since the moment she saw Ian.

Spinning around, her heart skipped a beat when she spied him at the bottom of the steps. He could still take her breath away with just a smile. How she loved the sideways tilt to his mouth. He'd fi
lled out since she last saw him; his shoulders broader, the ripple of his abs visible against his snug navy t-shirt. She trailed her eyes further down, admiring how he filled out the well worn jeans he wore. A smidge of heat filled her cheeks as she forced her eyes to his black boots.

Stay focused. He ripped your heart out. Remember that. Nothing else.

One deep breath later, her eyes rose to his face. Bypassing his eyes, she noted hair shorter than he used to wear it, but long enough to curl on his forehead. Once she could meet them, hazel eyes stared back at her, with what could only be described as desire. She gave herself a mental shake. This man left her without so much as a goodbye. He couldn't possibly still care for her. He was here to fulfill an obligation, nothing more.

In a flash Ian stood next to her, relieving her of her duffle and computer bag. His fingers grazed her shoulder, causing a jolt of electricity to surge through her body. How was she going to survive this trip with her heart intact?

"Ready?” Ian asked.

“As ready as I'll ever be,” she replied, forcing a smile to her lips.

She took one last look at her house before following Ian. She kept her distance, afraid to make contact with his body again. Afraid of the heat that coursed through her with just one touch.

"Remind me again why it's so important I meet Jason now?"

"He's going to have to tell you himself. It's not my place."

The answer sent a shot of fear through her body. Instinct had her reaching out
, grabbing his arm to stop him from going any further. "Is he okay? Has something happened to Jason? Is he sick?"

"He's not sick. I promise." He held her gaze for what seemed like an eternity before adding, "That's all I can say. Please, Sam, don't push this."

His attention shifted to the tree line behind her as they continued walking. His rigid posture betrayed his casual attitude. Could he possibly know what happened to her earlier today? Did he still keep in touch with Bryan? With everyone but her?

They approached Ian's car, a black Range Rover with matching tinted windows, silver trim and rims reflecting the sunlight. Holding the passenger door open, Ian patiently waited for her to get in. Sliding onto the cool gray leather seat, Sam caught the faint scent of a coconut air freshener mixed with Ian's cologne. She missed that smell. Could drown in it. One of the reasons she loved snuggling into his over sized sweatshirts. Like the one tucked in the b
ack of her closet. His cologne was a faint memory now.

Ian slid into the seat next to her. Ginger finally settled on the backseat, her head resting on her paws. Sam couldn't help but wonder how different their life would have been if they hadn't stopped at just one kiss. This trip almost seemed normal. Almost.

Ian glanced at her, a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth, as he put the key in the ignition, the Rover revving to life. Rock music blasted out of the speakers. Sam flinched in her seat, eyes wide, hands clutching the armrest as the bass rattled the windows.

“Sorry,” he said
, a sheepish grin curling his lips, as he turned down the volume. “I'm used to listening to it cranked.”

Sam released her breath, relaxing. “It's okay. I'm guilty of blaring it too. Jason hated to get in the car after me.”

“You can put on something else if you want.”

“
No. I love this song. I listen to this album when I run.” But after today, she would probably never run to music again. Afraid of not hearing something approach.

Glancing down
, she saw two empty Red Bull cans in the cup holder. A Power Bar wrapper peeked out of the dangling garbage bag. Why would anyone need so much energy?

Heat stung her face. Had he driven all night? What was so important that Jason would send Ian? He could have come himself or called. He knew all he had to do was ask something of her and she'd do it. So why would he want someone else to bring her? Why had he left Germany? Whatever he needed, it must be important for him to cut that trip short.

“So where exactly are we going?” she asked as she fiddled with the tie on her hoodie.

“First we're going to my friend Trent's ranch. Then my cabin, which isn't far from there.” he replied, maneuvering the Rover down the winding road.

"I thought we were going to see Jason."

Ian hesitated, his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"We'll meet up with him later."

Warning bells
were going off in Sam's head. But she ignored them. Now that she was on this journey, she'd see it through. Short of breaking her heart again, he'd never physically hurt her.

“So how did you end up in Montana?”
So far away from me.

“When we left, my parents took us to our house in Montana. They l
ived there before I was born.” He glanced at her, as if worried about how the conversation would affect her. “Trent and I went to college together. I spent most of my vacations with his family, helping to run their ranch."

So he went to college. At least she was able to glean that little bit of information from him. But he still didn't explain why he left. And she wasn't about to bring that topic up again.

Not in the mood to talk, Sam leaned her seat back. Her eyes slipped shut. Between the headache and Ian dropping into her life again, her body felt hollow.

* * *

Setting the Rover on cruise, Ian stole a glance at Sam. Thank God she had fallen asleep. The darkened circles under her eyes indicated she hadn't been doing much of that lately. The revelation worried him. He should have come for her sooner. But he had to be sure first. That his hunch about her was right. Maybe one day, he'd quit second guessing his instincts where she was concerned.

Checking on the road once more, he fought to keep himself focused. The last thing he needed was to end up in a wreck. But he couldn't fight the urge to look her way again.

Her serene expression spoke of peace. Lips slightly parted. Breath slow and steady. Body curled to the side facing him. To know her peace was about to end made his gut knot. Everything she knew and loved would shift underneath her. He prayed she would let him help her.

Taking one hand off the wheel, Ian tucked a curl behind her ear. His knuckles grazed her smooth skin. Taking advantage of the moment
, he let his hand linger until Sam mumbled softly. Shifting in her seat, she turned toward the window.

Gripping the wheel with both hands, he cursed himself again. He screwed up. More than he allowed himself to believe. He knew his departure hurt her, but not on this level. If she didn't forgive him, he'd lose so much. Would she forgive him if she knew how many different scenarios had run through his mind over the years? If he had stayed and let their relationship evolve would she still be alive?

He couldn't have risked it. She was too important. So he did the only thing he could to keep her safe. Hopefully she would forgive him, he was willing to give her a lifetime to heal, if that's how long it took. He had way too much to load on her at once. She'd be able to handle it if his hunches were right. But if he was wrong…

Damn. Only one way to find out.

* * *

Sam slowly opened her eyes, focusing on Ian's profile. A shadow of stubble graced his face. The muscles in his jaw twitched. He no longer resem
bled the boy she once knew. Now, he appeared to be a man who looked as if he bore the weight of the world. She longed to reach out and smooth his frown away.

Ian stole a glance at Sam, catching her staring. The worry quickly erased from his face.

The corner of his mouth lifted. "Did you sleep well?"

"Mmhmm," Sam replied, stretching her arms in front of her. She must have napped for a while. She scanned the passing scenery. Nothing looked familiar. "How long was I asleep?"

"About four hours."

"Four hours?" Sam ran her fingers through her hair, sifting through the tangles. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"Because you looked like you needed the sleep. And judging by how loud you snored, you definitely did.”

“I don't snore!” she cried. A slow burn crept
up her cheeks. Could it get any worse? Swiping the back of her hand across her mouth, relief settled in when it came back dry.

Ian stifled a laugh, doing his best to play it off as clearing his throat, yet failing in his attempt. His eyes met with hers before he continued. “I like that you snore, but I love the way you mumble in your sleep
, too.”

It just got worse.

“I don't snore, and I don't mumble,” she replied, lowering her window to cool her flaming cheeks. Why did he insist on teasing her?

“You were saying something about…”

“Don't you have anything better to do than listen to someone's private dreams?” she ground out. Not that it fazed him.

“Sculpted abs and soft lips...”

Oh my God is he still talking
?

Mortified
, Sam clamped her lips shut, focusing on the radio trying to draw the attention away from her sleeping habits.

Scanning through the stations
, she stopped at a song in the middle of a drum solo. The dial twisted between her fingers, increasing the sound with each beat. She hoped to drown out Ian's play by play of her obviously steamy dream. A dream she didn't remember for a change. She should be worried about what was going through his mind right now, but instead wondered if her dream was about him or Scott.

The pounding drumbeat faded, as Ian turned the volume knob.

"Sam, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you." The gentle touch of his hand warmed her arm. "I was just teasing."

Feeling foolish for overreacting, Sam turned, but her apology died on her lips. A trickle of crimson flowed from Ian's hairline, down his temple, splashing onto his shoulder.

"Ian, you're bleeding!"

Ian's fingertips reached up as more blood gushed.

What's happening?

Opening the glove box, Sam tore through the contents looking for something to staunch the flow. Her heartbeat competing with the buzzing in her ears. She grabbed a fistful of napkins, pressing them against Ian's wound.

Tires screeched against the pavement, as Ian swerved onto the shoulder. The white napkins stained scarlet.

Ian's lips moved, but the sound did not filter through the static in Sam's head.

"I can't stop the bleeding! We need to get you to a hospital!" This can't be happening. Not now. Not when he just came back into her life. Her nightmares of him being torn away turned reality.

Waves of blood coursed through her fingers, dripped down her arms. So much blood. Holding her dripping hands in front of her face, she tried to suck oxygen into her lungs. Screams tore through the car, sending tiny shards of glass raining into her lap.

Ian's hands gripped Sam's shoulders shaking her. Silent words spilled from his mouth. Why couldn't she hear him? Why did he look so concerned for her? He was the one losing so much blood. Sam closed her eyes, unable to stomach the sight any longer. Feeling the contents of her stomach creep up her throat.

"Sam…Sam…" Her name sounded so far away. She tried to pull herself closer to his voice.

"Look at me Sam!"

This
had to be a dream. Like the others. Any minute now she would wake up with Ginger by her side. Ian would be long gone. Because none of this was real.

Wake up…wake up…

"Sam!"

Her eyes snapped open, taking in Ian's worried gaze. How could he be acting so calm when he
—.

Her hands drifted over the prickly stubble on his cheeks as they made their way to the top of his head. Why wasn't there any blood?

Ginger had wedged herself between the seats, her head resting on the console. Now that Sam was awake she crawled back onto her seat.