The Adventurer

  "Yeah, that's Savage, all right. He always liked to have a photographer or a reporter around."

  "So what should we do?"

  "Leave."

  "Leave? After finding the white rock? We can't just walk away and let Jake Savage dig up my earrings. It's not fair."

  "I've told you, he won't find them on his own. They're as safe now as they've been for the past few years."

  "You really think so?" Sarah asked doubtfully.

  Gideon watched her, his legs stretched out in front of him. "Trust me on this. I know Jake Savage."

  "I'm not so sure he's as incompetent as you say he is."

  "Those earrings are getting more important again, aren't they?" Gideon asked softly. "This afternoon you said you weren't very concerned about them at all, but now you're getting downright agitated on the subject."

  "It's the principle of the thing. This afternoon I didn't know Jake Savage was going to pop up. He has no right to get his hands on those earrings."

  "He won't"

  "You sound awfully confident," Sarah said resentfully. "But I have a funny feeling about him. I know he's going to try to claim the Flowers, Gideon." She shivered as her intuition conjured up an image of Jake Savage reaching for the earrings. "I just know it. He has no right."

  "I was his partner for a long time," Gideon said. "I know his limitations."

  "One of his limitations is that he has no scruples. A man with scruples does not steal his best friend's wife."

  "He didn't steal her. She fell in love with him. It wasn't anyone's fault."

  "The heck it wasn't. Neither one of them had any scruples if you ask me. How did you get mixed up with a couple of bozos like those two, Gideon?"

  "The same way you got mixed up with Richard Whatshisface and managed to get yourself left at the altar. These things happen."

  She sighed. "I guess."

  There was silence for a moment as the vegetables cooked on the stove. Sarah drummed her fingers on the countertop and stared at the cloud of steam that drifted up from the pot.

  "Sarah?"

  "Yes, Gideon?"

  "About what happened this afternoon… "

  She glanced over her shoulder and met Gideon's intent eyes. "What about it?"

  "I know I sort of pushed you into it."

  "You didn't push me into it."

  "Yes, I did. You'd been trying to resist for the past few days."

  She smiled. "Not very successfully."

  "Are you sure you don't have any regrets?"

  "I'm sure. What about you?"

  He looked surprised at the question. "Hell, no. Why would I have any regrets?"

  "Why, indeed?" she muttered as she dished up the vegetables.

  Three hours later Gideon won another hand of gin rummy. He had been winning steadily since they'd begun the game shortly after dinner. "You're not concentrating," he accused.

  "I know." Sarah propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her folded hands.

  "Thinking about the earrings again?"

  "No."

  "Savage?"

  "No."

  Gideon leaned back in his chair. "Then what were you thinking about?"

  "Us."

  His eyes narrowed. "What about us?"

  "I'm wondering what to do next, if you must know. Nothing has gone quite the way I thought it would since I met you."

  "I knew it," Gideon said swiftly, "you are having regrets."

  "I am not having regrets," she snapped. "I'm just feeling confused about a few things."

  "Such as?" he challenged roughly.

  "Such as what to do with this courtship."

  "The courtship's over," Gideon announced, getting to his feet.

  Sarah looked up in astonishment. "It is?"

  "That's right. We're no longer involved in a courtship. It ended this afternoon when I seduced you on that white rock. We are now involved in an affair."

  He came around the table, bent down and scooped her up out of her chair.

  "What do you think you're doing?" But her pulse was already racing with anticipation.

  "What does it look like I'm doing?" He stalked out of the kitchen, carrying her weight easily. "I'm taking you to bed."

  "Oh."

  "Is that all you can say—oh?" He carried her through the bedroom door and dropped her lightly down onto the bed.

  She smiled in the shadows. "The truth is, it's so terribly romantic, I'm left speechless."

  He grinned as he began stripping off his clothing. "You're bound and determined to think of me as a romantic hero, aren't you?"

  "It's not a fantasy, you know. You are a fascinating, romantic man and I—" She broke off abruptly as he came down beside her on the quilt. It was not yet time to tell him how passionately in love she was. He was not yet ready to let himself believe in love even though she was certain he was in love with her.

  "You what?" Gideon gathered her close, nuzzling the delicate curve of her shoulder.

  "I think you're also the sexiest man I've ever met." She leaned over him, tasting him with her tongue, tangling her legs with his.

  "I don't know about that," Gideon said as he began unfastening her jeans, "but I do know for a fact that you're the most exciting thing that's ever walked into my life." He stopped working on her jeans and framed her face between his big hands. "Sarah?"

  "Yes?"

  "Promise me you won't walk out again for a long time."

  "Never, Gideon. I swear it."

  "Don't make impossible promises," he advised. "Just swear you'll give me a little time."

  "All the time in the world." She brushed his hard mouth with her own.

  He took the silent offer of reassurance, his arms closing fiercely around her and then there was no more talk.

  SARAH WAS MIXING THE BATTER for blue corn griddle-cakes the next morning, listening to the sound of the shower so she could gauge when to start cooking when she heard the roar of the black Jeep in the drive.

  "Damn him, anyway," she said beneath her breath as she went to the window and watched Jake Savage step out of the vehicle. The man looked as rakishly handsome as ever. She wondered if he traveled with a valet. No normal man could keep such a perfect crease in his khakis or such a polish on his boots.

  As he walked to the steps, Sarah saw that Savage had something in his hand. It was a bunch of flowers. She groaned as she went to open the door.

  "Good morning. Ms. Fleetwood." Savage held up the flowers with a flourish. "I thought these might brighten up the place a bit. This cabin Gid rented isn't exactly the Ritz, is it?"

  Automatically Sarah took the flowers. "The cabin suited us perfectly." Behind her the shower was still going strong. She wished Gideon would hurry and get dressed. She did not like being alone with Jake Savage. "What can I do for you, Mr. Savage?"

  "Invite me in for breakfast? I can't remember when I last had a real home-cooked meal. Is that coffee I smell?"

  Sarah wondered if there was any civilized way to refuse him a cup. But it was difficult to think of an excuse while she was holding the flowers he had brought. "I'll get you some. Gideon should be out of the shower in a minute."

  'Thanks." Jake's smile had just the right touch of boyish masculine charm and gratitude as he followed her into the kitchen. "I guess I make you a little nervous, don't I?"

  "Yes, you do."

  "Relax. I'm not after the earrings, if that's what's worrying you," Jake said as he took Gideon's seat at the table. "But I can arrange some great publicity for you as well as myself when you find them. A little PR never hurt a writer, did it?"

  Sarah felt chilled. Very carefully she put the flowers into a pan of water. "How did you find me up here in the mountains?"

  "One of your neighbors told me you'd gone over to the coast to meet the publisher of a magazine called Cache. After that, one thing led to another. I talked to a few of Gid's neighbors, including the one who was letting you use this cabin. It finally hit me just who Gideon Trace really
was. When I showed an old picture of him to the guy who runs the motel where you stayed, I knew for certain. Hell of a coincidence, huh? Turning up Gid along with you?"

  "Amazing."

  Jake looked briefly contrite. "Hey, I didn't mean to scare you."

  "You didn't scare me." She poured a cup of coffee and put it on the table in front of Jake. "Where have you been living since you got out of that jungle?"

  "Gid told you the story, huh? Did he tell you about me getting trapped in that cave while he escaped?"

  "He told me you didn't make it out with him," Sarah said cautiously.

  Jake shrugged. "No hard feelings. I don't blame Gid for leaving me behind. That's the way it goes. Sometimes you've got to look out for number one and let your partner take his chances. Who knows? If I'd been in his place, maybe I'd have done the same." But his wry smile and clear blue eyes said he'd never abandon a partner in a million years. A man could count on a guy like Jake Savage.

  Sarah watched him with increasing fascination. She poured herself some tea and sat down. "That's very broad-minded of you, Mr. Savage."

  "Call me Jake. Or Jim. Doesn't matter. Hey, this coffee's terrific. Trust old Gid to find himself a woman who could cook this time around. He never makes the same mistake twice. You and Gid been together long?"

  "We've known each other for over four months," Sarah said.

  Jake nodded. "When did you tell him about the Fleetwood Flowers?"

  "Why?"

  "Just curious. Wondered if Gid was still doing business in the usual way. Did he ask for up-front money and a cut of the action? That was the usual policy."

  Sarah stirred her tea, thinking of Gideon's demand for one pair of earrings—his choice. "I haven't paid him a dime."

  Jake grinned, showing an expanse of sparkling white teeth. "Fair warning, little lady, Gid never works for free. If he didn't take any up-front money from you, then that means he really does believe in the treasure and it means he's got his eye on a chunk of it. You sure you don't have a contract guaranteeing him a slice of the pie?"

  "We have a verbal understanding," Sarah said stiffly.

  "Hell. That's too bad." Jake gave her a pitying look. "Then my advice is to be very careful, Sarah. Very, very careful. Gid and I had a verbal understanding before we went into that jungle five years ago. I not only didn't get my cut, I nearly died in that damned cave."

  Sarah heard the shower stop but her entire attention was on Jake Savage. "You're trying to frighten me, aren't you? Trying to make me distrust Gideon."

  "All I'm saying is, watch your back. And your treasure. If you don't know how to do either, hire me. I'll do it for you. I've had experience in both departments."

  "Hire you?"

  "Why not? Call me a consultant. I'll handle the media and Gideon for you. Gideon's useful but you've got to keep your eye on him."

  "And in return all you'll take is a nominal fee and full credit for finding the Flowers?"

  "I think you'll realize that I'm worth every penny, Sarah. Just ask any of my old clients." Jake reached across the table and covered her hand with his own. His blue eyes were serious and full of understanding. "All you want is the Flowers. All I want is the publicity so I can attract some really big investors. This downed-airplane-full-of-gold thing is going to be a major score. You and me, we can work together, even without Gideon. Like I said, we don't actually have to find the treasure."

  "What about Gideon?" Sarah removed her hand from under Jake's.

  "Yeah," said Gideon from the doorway. "What about me?"

  Sarah jumped and turned her head to see him buttoning his shirt as he walked into the room. She saw the cold expression in his eyes and knew he'd seen her hand under Jake's. She wanted to go to him and reassure him that everything was all right, but he was already helping himself to the coffee.

  "If you join us you'll get your cut, as usual," Jake said easily. "I'm just trying to convince Sarah here to let me handle the press for her."

  "We don't need any attention from the media," Sarah said, her eyes on Gideon.

  "Right," said Gideon. "The last thing we need is an orchestrated media blitz. It's time for you to leave, Jake."

  "We can do each other a lot of favors, Gid. We were big once. We can be again."

  "No."

  "Think about it, Gid. And don't tell me you don't miss the old days. Or the money."

  "Get lost, Jake."

  "Come on, Gid, this is me, your old buddy talking."

  "Get out of here," Gideon said very softly. "Now."

  Sarah froze at the steel in Gideon's voice. She looked at Jake and saw frustrated rage flash for an instant in his blue eyes.

  But the anger was gone almost immediately as the self-assured gleam came back into Jake's gaze. He got to his feet. "Okay, okay. Take it easy. Hey, I'm gone already, right? So much for old times. You've changed, Gid." He turned to Sarah. "Listen, if you change your mind, Sarah, let me know. You can leave a message at this number any time of the day or night."

  Jake scrawled a phone number on the back of a business card and reached across the table to press it into Sarah's hand. He folded her fingers around it with an intimate gesture and then he got to his feet and sauntered out of the room. A moment later the Jeep roared off down the drive.

  Sarah looked down at the card in her hand. Slaughter & Co. James Slaughter, President. There was no address, just a box number in Anaheim, California. That made a certain sense. Anaheim was the home of Disneyland. She looked up and saw Gideon watching her over the rim of his cup.

  "The two of you got involved in a nice, cozy little chat while I was in the shower, didn't you?"

  "Don't get defensive. It's not my fault he showed up this morning."

  "Is that right?"

  "It certainly is. Now stop trying to bully me."

  "Let's eat breakfast and get packed, Sarah."

  "Packed?" Sarah frowned. "Gideon, I did a lot of thinking last night and I still feel we shouldn't leave the Flowers behind. Not now that Jake Savage is hanging around. Something tells me he's going to try to find the Flowers, that he'll come close, maybe even get his grubby hands on them. I've got this feeling…"

  "I've told you he won't find them. Damn it, Sarah, don't argue with me. We don't have the time. The Flowers are safe enough for now. We're getting out of here."

  "Not without the Flowers, Gideon."

  "Forget the Flowers. We'll come back for them. Eventually."

  "But, Gideon…"

  "I want to be out of here by eight o'clock."

  Sarah shot to her feet, exasperated. She planted both palms on the table and glared at him. "I'm in charge of this little expedition, remember? I say we stay and dig up the earrings so Jake Savage won't get his hands on them."

  "No." Gideon sipped his coffee. "You're not in charge. We're partners."

  "Oh, yes, that's right. You're in this for a cut of the action, aren't you? I almost forgot."

  "I'm sure Savage reminded you."

  "He did say something about the fact that you never work for free," Sarah retorted. "But I was beginning to think our partnership was a little more than a mere business arrangement."

  "Did you think I'd give up my claim to one of the Flowers just because we're having an affair? Is that why you're sleeping with me? You figure you can persuade me not to take my cut when this is all over?"

  He might just as well have slapped her across the face. Sarah gasped with shock. She took a step back from the table, her eyes widening in hurt and anger.

  "You're right," she whispered, aware that she was trembling from head to foot. "The sooner we get away from here, the better. I'll go and pack."

  8

  « ^ »

  SARAH STARED at the mountain scenery through the car window. "You can drop me off in Seattle." They were the first words she had spoken since they had left the cabin.

  "I'm taking you back to the coast with me." Gideon's refusal was quiet but resolute.

  Sarah shot him a
seething, sidelong glance. "What are you going to do? Kidnap me until you can figure out a way to get your hands on all of the Fleetwood Flowers?"

  "I'm not kidnapping you. I'm giving you a lift back to where you left your car. It's still at my place, remember?"

  "I remember." She sank down low in her seat, her arms folded tightly beneath her breasts. He had a point. "You're right. I'll need my car." She looked at her watch. "We'll be at your place shortly after noon. I'll drive back to Seattle this afternoon. I'll be home in plenty of time."

  "Plenty of time for what?"

  "For whatever I want to do."

  "Planning on going after the Flowers by yourself?"

  "It's none of your business what I do about the Flowers. Our partnership is hereby dissolved. Finished. Terminated. Liquidated."

  "I'm not ready yet to be fired."

  "Oh, yes, you are. You and Jake Savage had both better stay out of my life from now on. If I catch either one of you anywhere near my property, I'll have you both arrested for trespassing."

  "Sarah, you're not being rational about this. How are you going to catch Savage or anyone else hanging around your property when you're in Seattle?"

  "I'm heading back up here just as soon as I can," Sarah vowed. "This time I'll bring my own shovel and a shotgun."

  "Have you got a shotgun?" Gideon asked.

  "No, but I expect I can get one. Guns are readily available these days."

  "You don't need a shotgun or anything else to protect your damned Flowers," Gideon said wearily. "I've told you a hundred times, Savage won't find them."

  "Is that right? Well, what about you?"

  "If you want to make certain I don't dig them up on my own, all you have to do is stick around and keep an eye on me."

  "I'm a busy woman, Trace. I've got more important things to do than try to keep tabs on you. No, the fastest solution to this problem is for me to dig up my earrings before either you or your old buddy gets to them."

  "I don't think that would be a good idea."

  "I don't care what you think any more," Sarah said. "I've told you, you're fired as a treasure-hunting consultant and as my partner."