I still think its too dangerous, said Jared. He knew his brother, Royce, had advocated for the project after meeting a British university student whod worked in the mountainous region. But there were too many unknowns, too many frightening stories coming out of the area.
The rebel activity has been down in that area for six months now, Anthony put in. And we will use a contractor with experience in the area.
What about security? Jared countered. It wasnt the first time the Genevieve Fund had worked in an unstable part of the world, but the other projects had a multiagency, multinational presence, and security had been provided by experts.
We will hire our own security, said Anthony.
Jared wasnt going to be easily convinced. For the cost of private security, we could take on two other projects.
None that are as critical as this one, said Anthony, warming up to the debate. The two of them settled into a familiar rhythm of point counterpoint, each trying to convince Stephanie and Otto of the merits of their respective positions.
Jared acknowledged it was a worthwhile project, while Anthony acknowledged the security circumstances were less than ideal. Still, on balance, Jared felt the situation was far too dangerous, and he made that clear in no uncertain terms.
Finally Anthony threw up his hands in frustration. I am going for some air.
Fine with Jared. It would give him a few minutes alone with Stephanie and Otto to solidify his case.
Stephanie stood to stretch, while Otto dropped his pen on the report in front of him, speaking before Jared had a chance. Maybe we should go with Anthony and Royce on this one.
And if somebody gets kidnapped or killed? It was a worst-case scenario, but it was also a realistic one.
They have signed a ceasefire, Otto said.
Not worth the paper its printed on. Its Sierra Benito, for goodness sake. The political situation could turn on a dime. Jareds gaze caught Anthonys profile through the gauzy curtains.
How many kidnappings last year? asked Stephanie.
Too many, replied Jared.
Nothing since December, said Otto. I dont want to go against you on
And Im not looking for risk-free, Jared stressed. And I dont mind spending the extra money on security. But do we really want to take Royces advice on whats dangerous and whats not?
Neither Otto nor Stephanie had an answer for that.
In the sudden silence Jared caught another movement on the porch. But this time it wasnt Anthonys profile. It was.
Excuse me for a moment. He rose from his chair, ignoring their looks of surprise as he crossed to the front door.
We still have the family home in Naples, Anthony was saying to Melissa as Jared pushed open the screen door. And I visit it as often as possible. Anthony had planted his butt against the log railing of the porch, one arm bracing him on each side while Melissa stood in front of him.
Ive always wanted to see Italy. She sighed. The Colosseum, Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel.
Jared scoffed. Pretty big dreams for a woman who couldnt even make it to Seattle.
Anthony levered himself forward to standing, and Melissa didnt back off.
I would love to show you Venice, he said in a voice that promised more than a tour of the Grand Canal.
Jared wasnt sure who he should warnMelissa that Anthony was a player, or Anthony that Melissas only life skill appeared to be flirting.
I assume you moved my horse? he said, instead, causing her to turn her head. Once again she looked both guilty and surprised to see him. And once again he was stabbed in the solar plexus with a shot of unwelcome attraction.
He determinedly shook it off.
Melissa and I were discussing the treasures of Italy, Anthony offered conversationally, but the set of his shoulders and the tightness around his mouth told Jared that he didnt welcome the interruption.
Too bad.
Youre supposed to be thinking about Sierra Benito, Jared reminded him, moving through the beam of the porch light, transmitting his clear intention to join the conversation.
Business can wait, said Anthony.
Jared made a show of glancing at his watch. Its been a long meeting already.
Give me five minutes. I will be right in.
But Jared had absolutely no intention of leaving.
Melissa glanced back and forth between the two men. Her expression hadnt changed, but the interest in her eyes was obvious.
Since Melissas here Jared angled his body toward her maybe she has something to contribute. What do you think? Is Sierra Benito too dangerous for a humanitarian project?
Anthony jumped in. I am sure Melissa doesnt want to discuss
Do you mean right in Suri City? she asked. Or up in the mountains?
Her answer surprised him. Most people had never heard of Sierra Benito, never mind its capital city.
A little village called Tappee, he told her.
Her head shook almost imperceptibly, but the small motion emphasized the bounce to her silky blond hair. Horrible conditions up there. The villagers live in abject poverty.
Anthony chuckled and swung an arm around her shoulders. I welcome you to the debate, Senorita Melissa.
Jared steeled himself against the urge to rip her out of Anthonys arms. It was a ridiculous reaction. The half hug was a friendly gesture, nothing more.
Do you have any idea what the gold miners do to the villagers? Melissa asked. She didnt react to Anthonys hugdidnt lean in, didnt shrug him off, either.
Do you have any idea what the rebels do to the gold miners? Jared asked around the clamor of emotion inside his head.
What the hell was the matter with him?
What did he care if Anthony hugged Melissa?
She shook her head in disgust. I cant believe youre going to exploit them.
Jared jerked back at the accusation. Exploit who?
The villagers.
Im not going to exploit the villagers. Jareds gaze caught on Anthonys hand and held.
Melissa was wearing a white cotton shirt. It was thin fabric, hardly a barrier between Anthonys fingertips and her shoulder. Why didnt she shrug him off?
She scoffed. Right. Youll subcontract the exploitation to Madre Gold to Tomesko Mining.
Thats a leap in logic, he pointed out.
Theres no other reason to go to Tappee.
We are building a medical clinic, Anthony put in.
Not necessarily, Jared countered with a warning glare.
Melissa glanced from one to the other with surprise and more than a little curiosity.
How do you know anything about Tappee? he couldnt help but probe, watching her closely for signs of he wasnt even sure what.
I read the Chicago Daily, she answered with a blink, and her green eyes went back to neutral. There was a story last year about a mining engineer who was kidnapped by rebels.
The company paid a million dollars. Jared took the story to its conclusion. And they killed the guy, anyway.
That was more than a year ago, said Anthony. And we are not going there to mine.
You think they care? asked Jared. Do you honestly believe they wont take any Westerner hostage?
That was more than a year ago, said Anthony. And we are not going there to mine.
You think they care? asked Jared. Do you honestly believe they wont take any Westerner hostage?
I believe they do care, said Melissa.
Yeah? Jared challenged. Is that conclusion based on your vast travel experience with the American national bus system?
Do not be rude, Anthony cut in, anger clear in his tone.
Well, Jared was angry, too. Hed had about enough of the argument, and hed had about enough of watching Anthony maul Melissa. He grabbed his Stetson hat from a peg on the wall and crammed it on his head.
Im going to walk Melissa back to her cottage, he announced, linking her arm and moving her firmly out of Anthonys grasp.
What in the hell. Anthony began.
You need to get back to the meeting, Jared ordered over his shoulder, propelling Melissa toward the stairs. It took her a second to get her feet sorted out under her, but he made sure she didnt stumble.
He could feel Anthony watching them as they crossed the darkened yard toward the driveway lights. Jared knew he was going to get an earful back in the house, but he didnt care. He could give just as good as he got.
He marched her forward at a brisk pace. He didnt know which cottage Melissa had been assigned, but single women were usually on the river side of the arena, so he took a chance and turned right.
Why do I get the feeling this isnt about walking me back to my cabin? asked Melissa.
Jared gritted his teeth, struggling to bring his emotions back under control. Why do I get the feeling youre not here to earn money for a bus ticket?
Three
Melissa ordered herself not to panic. There was no reason to assume he knew the truth. But even as she mentally reassured herself, the roots of her hair prickled in dread.
His pace was brisk, his large hand still wrapped around her upper arm. It felt strong and uncompromising as steel. She wondered if he intended to march her all the way to his property line.
First the chauffeur. Jareds angry voice cut through the night air. Then Anthony. He sucked in a tight breath. And I can guess what went on with the damn horse.
The last took Melissa by surprise.
The horse? Why would she interview his horse?
Ride it yourself? Jared taunted.
Melissa struggled to make sense out of the accusation. She hadnt ridden the horse herself, but how could that possibly be relevant?
Or did you get a little help? he finished on a meaningful lilt.
He obviously already knew she had. There was no point in lying about that. I got one of the cowboys to help me. Rich or Rand or Rafe something
Ill just bet you did. The contempt in Jareds voice was crystal clear.
So what? Her confusion was starting to turn to annoyance. Rafe had, in fact, offered to help her. The whole operation hadnt taken more than fifteen minutes of his time.
So what? Jared jerked her to a stop and rounded on her, glaring from beneath his battered tan Stetson.
Melissa caught her breath while she searched his hard expression in the shadowed light. Why was the horse such a salient detail? Shouldnt he be more upset about the way shed pumped Anthony for information?
Unless
It suddenly hit her that shed jumped to the wrong conclusion. She wasnt caught. Jared was angry about her interaction with his cowboys.
Is there a company ban on cowboys helping stable hands? she asked.
No, but Im thinking about banning fraternization.
His obvious euphemism was more than a little offensive. You think I had time to fraternize with Rafe before dinner?
Something flickered in his eyes. It might have been regret. I think flirting is your only life skill.
Its not. For starters, she had a university degree. She owned real estate. And she had a good job, soon to be a great job if she could pull off this interview.
Do tell, he challenged.
Im intelligent, articulate and organized.
You couldnt even organize a bus ticket to Seattle.
Buying the bus ticket ahead of time wasnt the point.
What was the point?
Im experiencing America.
By batting your eyes and swaying your hips?
She held up her blistered palms. By shoveling your stable for eight hours.
He reached for her wrist, moving her hands under the beam of a yard light, and his expression tightened. You put something on this?
Work gloves. And she wished shed thought to do it sooner.
Im serious.
She pulled her hand from his grasp. Im fine.
He took in her body from head to toe. I dont think youre cut out for manual labor.
She subconsciously shifted her injured hands behind her back. I told you I was fine.
You know how to operate a computer? Type? File?
Oh, no. She wasnt giving up her ranch job. Ive never worked in an office, she lied. Besides, I only need bus fare. Ill be out of your hair in a week. At least that part was true.
You might not last a week.
I lasted a day.
Maybe. He paused. But you know those guys youre flirting with are going to eventually expect you to put out.
No, they wont. She wasnt flirting anywhere near that seriously.
Jared grunted his disbelief.
The man was an alarmist. But he didnt have the worst idea in the world.
Instead of arguing with him, she sidled forward, tucking her hair behind her ears and lowering her voice to a sultry level. So how far do you think Ill have to go?
He brows quirked up. Youre flirting with me?
She leaned in. Is it working?
He shifted, letting his crooked hip and cocked head transmit his indolence. All depends on what youre after.
What she wanted was the story of his life. And she was definitely prepared to bat her eyes a little to get it. An exemption from riding your horse, she said, instead. Hes scary. Whered you get him?
Hes a direct descendent of Renegade.
Melissa tilted her head and widened her eyes, letting the silence go on for a moment.
My great-great-grandfathers stallion, said Jared. The pair of them settled this valley back in 1883.
I thought your grandparents built the original house. Shed seen the impressive structure when she first arrived this morning.
The house, yes. He nodded downriver. The original cabins been abandoned for decades.
So youre the fifth Ryder generation to live here? Her article wasnt going to focus on the family history, but Melissa found herself fascinated by the thought of such deep roots.
Im the fifth, said Jared. Tangos somewhere in the twenties.
Youve kept records?
Of course weve kept records. His tone told her she should have known that.
To cover the blunder, she turned and started walking down the rutted driveway, continuing her way toward the Windy River and the little white cottage shed been assigned this morning. How many horses do you have now?