PaintedPassion by Tamara Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

scenery.
    “Pull over here.”
    Miguel eased to a stop at a lookout. Trella climbed from the
car with her digital camera and clicked off several photos of the valley below.
    Satisfied, she returned to the car. Miguel continued up the
winding road.
    Minutes later, she instructed him to pull over again. She
snapped a couple more photos, angling the high-powered lens to obtain the shot.
The heat invigorated her, making her feel one with nature. Catching sight of a
large grouping of Saguaro Cacti, she immortalized it, taking several rapid
photos.
    She returned to the car. “Take us higher.”
    “Don’t you have enough?”
    At the high tone of Miguel’s voice, she stared at him. Sweat
trickled down his face. He wiped it with a tissue.
    “You okay?”
    He opened the window. “I have a slight fear of heights,” he
squeaked out in a breathy, shaking voice.
    “How slight?”
    He squeezed his eyes shut then opened them before answering.
“About several hundred feet back.”
    “Why didn’t you say something?”
    Trella jumped out. She ran around the car and yanked open
the driver’s door, motioning for Miguel to exit. He nodded his acquiescence but
his hands remained glued to the steering wheel. After several tries, she was
able to loosen his grip.
    She helped him from the car. They made their way slowly to
the passenger’s side. She buckled him into the seat. Returning to the driver’s
side, she secured herself.
    Driving down the narrow, winding road, Trella rambled about
the upcoming art show to keep his mind off the fact they traveled on the outer
edge of the road. A black SUV appeared behind them in the rearview mirror. They
hugged a corner. The vehicle remained tight on their tail.
    Sweat trickled between her breasts. Miguel trembled as he
clutched the door handle. At the next lookout point, Trella eased the car off
the road. The large vehicle filled with teenagers roared by. She exhaled
loudly.
    Miguel’s shirt was drenched. “I…I’ll be fine. I think.”
    Seeing no other traffic, Trella returned the car to the
road. In moments, they exited the park. Despite what he’d said, she didn’t
think he felt fine at all. Trella weaved through traffic toward the nearest
hospital. She screeched to a halt in front of the emergency entrance. She was
out of the car as soon as she’d put the gear in park.
    “I think he’s having a heart attack!”
    Two attendants rushed Miguel inside, as Trella quickly
dialed Carlos. Reaching his voicemail, she left a message before proceeding to
the admissions desk.
    After completing the forms, she paced the floor. Miguel had
to pull through. If he didn’t, it was her fault.
    An hour later, a middle-aged, gray-haired doctor,
accompanied by a perky blond nurse, approached her with Miguel between them.
    “It wasn’t a heart attack. Big man here had a panic attack.”
    A rush of relief ran through her, and she sank onto a
plastic chair in the waiting area. “Thank God.”
    “He’ll be fine, but he needs rest. His blood pressure’s
elevated. I want him to see his regular doctor as soon as possible.” The physician
handed Trella a slip of paper. “I’ve prescribed a temporary supply of pills to
lower his pressure. Make sure he takes one a day. But until he sees his doctor
and receives a clean bill of health, I don’t want him working.”
    Miguel said nothing, but a look of disappointment crossed
his face.
    She slipped her hand around his arm. “I’ll make sure he
schedules an appointment.”
    After securing Miguel’s release, Trella led him outside to
the parking lot. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Not your fault.” He settled onto the backseat.
    Whatever medication he’d been given made him sleepy. His
lids closed before she exited the lot. After filling his prescription at a
nearby drugstore, Trella drove straight home, not surprised to discover Miguel
still asleep when she pulled into the garage. He woke to make it into the casita .
She helped him get comfortable before trying