Taking off my helmet, I squinted at the view. Far below, Guanabara Bay stretched out, with Sugarloaf Mountain reaching up to the heavens. The morning light was perfect, and for a moment I forgot how to breathe.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured.
Embarrassed to be talking to myself, I looked around. No one was in sight, though. I was all alone.
My stomach twisted.
It was fine, right? I’d chosen to go on another solo vacation. I was here of my own volition.
Exactly. I didn’t need to have a boyfriend or a husband. I was only thirty-three. I had some time left to still get married. To have kids.
Do you?
“Shut up,” I told the evil voice in my head.
You know it’s considered a geriatric pregnancy starting at thirty-five. That’s two years away for you.
Letting out a huff, I jammed my helmet back on. In my pocket, my phone buzzed with a message.
How is the trip?Maddie asked.
Glad that the app I used to text while traveling was working, I quickly wrote back.Fun! I’m on an ATV now.
Hopefully not while texting,she responded.
I chuckled.Nope. I’m taking a break.
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named dropped off a box of your things at the office today. I’ll keep them in my car until you’re back.
My stomach dropped like a brick. Talk about a mood killer.
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was what Maddie and I called Mike, the last guy I’d dated. If I never saw him again, I would count myself lucky.
Instead of responding to Maddie’s message, I put my phone away. I could think about my pathetic dating life later.
Turning on the ATV, I turned and headed back for the trail. Suddenly, movement crossed my path. A dark gray lizard, at least two feet long, scurried in front of the ATV.
On instinct, I jerked the bike to the right. As soon as I felt the left wheels leave the ground, I knew I’d made a mistake.
There was no time to react. No time to correct. My right shoulder and head hit the ground, the air leaving my lungs in a whoosh. The ATV landed on top of me, and pain skyrocketed through my leg.
Letting out a cry, I tried to get up, but my leg was pinned. The ATV was still running, the engine an ominous whir.
My heart hammered, and I felt a surge of adrenaline course through my veins.
“Okay,” I gasped. “Stay calm. Stay calm.”
So I was stuck under an ATV, all alone on a mountain. Someone would be along soon enough.
Maybe.
I tried to push the ATV off my leg, but it didn’t budge an inch. Holding back a curse, I dropped my head to the ground. At least I’d been wearing my helmet. If not, the damage could have been so much worse.
“Help!” I cried out.
Only the birds answered.
My heart rate ratcheted up. The ATV wasn’t due back at the rental place for several more hours. How long till the employees came looking for it—and me?