Gage, Ronna - Paradise Mine (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Ronna Gage

  “Landy!” She wrapped her legs around his waist and hung in his arms. No snake would dare to climb this mountain of ice, would it?

  “Rae Anne, what in the name of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are you doing out here alone?” Landy set her back on the ground and roamed his hands over her. “Are you hurt?”

  His touch set her skin on fire. An ignition of something familiar befell her, triggering a gleeful jump of joy in her soul. “No, I’m not hurt.”

  He planted his hands on his hips. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Looking for more suitable lodging and another food source,” she answered as she roughly straightened her oversized shirt. Seeing the snake had given her a firm reason to be happy she brought her boots. Why hadn’t she thought about those damned creatures before? She hated snakes. Isn’t there a place I can get away from them, ever?

  “What were you running from?” Landy looked around the beaten path and looked back at her.

  She hated to tell him, but he’d only badger her until she told him. “A snake,” she said matter-of-factly, not wanting to cause him alarm or to cause an uproar.

  “A snake?”

  His monotonous inquiry set her to grinding her teeth again. “Yes, I’m pretty sure it was a boa constrictor. At first I thought a viper, but now, I’d say a constrictor.”

  Landy looked down at her. “Rae Anne, I don’t know whether to slap the hell out of you for leaving camp or just be grateful the snake didn’t try to squeeze the life from you and eat you later.”

  “Landy, don’t be so chivalrous. I am an educated biologist.”

  “A marine biologist. You know the sea creatures, not land.”

  “Stop worrying about me. I am capable of taking care of myself.”

  Landy cupped her cheek softly, bent down to her lips, and whispered, “Don’t go on any adventures unless you have me as an escort.” He ended his sentence with a gentle kiss.

  Stunned, Rae Anne stood and watched him retreat. She didn’t move or call him.

  “Aren’t you coming?” he asked, a few steps ahead of her.

  Rae Anne looked around. She was alone. The snake. “I’m right behind you.” She trotted the distance to catch up with him, but kept her focus on the beaten path around her.

  “I know how you feel about snakes now,” Landy commented with a chuckle.

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It seems that Gina doesn’t like them either. Kip says it wouldn’t be in the snake’s interest to get near her.”

  “What do you think I would do?”

  “Run, like any other smart woman would.”

  “I know how to run. Believe me, I don’t take lightly of some matters beyond my control.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “I do wish I had my stick though.”

  Landy stopped walking. “What stick?”

  “I beat down the path with the stick.”

  Landy smiled, and reset the pace.

  “I dropped it somewhere. I can only imagine what the snake is doing to it for his entertainment.”

  Like what?”

  “He’s probably wrapping himself around it now.” Her skin crawled with the thought. “Ewwww!” She shivered.

  “What else did you find out on your adventure?”

  “I think I found a water source.” Rae Anne’s excitement bubbled. She had a good find on her walk. “I hope it’s fresh water. Our water supply is growing low.” Rae Anne walked beside Landy, comfortably keeping stride for stride with him.

  “That is a pretty good path you made. It led me right to you.”

  Rae Anne stopped walking and looked up at him in all seriousness. “Good, that was the intention.”

  Landy bent over, picked up a large stick, and then leaned on it. He looked back at her with the same intent seriousness. “To be found?”

  Rae Anne took a second before she answered his question. She cocked her head slightly to the right, took a step toward him, and held his gaze for what seemed like an eternity. “No, to find my way back.” Rae Anne used the index finger of her right hand and traced his jaw line to his chin. She put her finger over his lips. “I learned a long time ago the path home needs to be wide and well worn.”

  Rae Anne walked past him and took the lead. She hoped Landy would figure out the underlying message in her remark, or at the very least, he may find the answers to all the questions that plagued their past.

  Rae Anne and Landy returned to the base camp in a matter of minutes. Gina, busy as usual, made sandwiches for lunch when they arrived. Rae Anne had to distract herself. Landy’s touch had awakened feelings she thought dormant. No one had ever made her feel like he did—all hot and dizzy—just with a touch. She felt her nipples pucker and the embers in her womb turn to fire under his gaze. This man wasn’t the childhood sweetheart she remembered. This man is skilled. He could hurt her and not give it a second thought.

  Rae Anne set the table for lunch and adjusted the umbrella to block the burning sun and provide more shade. “I wish I could bring the shade from the forest canopy. It was so cool and peaceful.”

  Her mind roamed to his heated touch on her earlier. The coolness of the forest could give her relief of this uncontrolled blaze within her. She felt Landy’s hard gaze on her. She looked to confirm her suspicions and blushed shamefully at the knowledge of what his stare had done to her from across the camp. It wasn’t fair that she would react to him so completely and that he showed no real significant signs to her. She plopped down in the chair and waited for the others to join her.

  Gina served the plates of sandwiches and chips with four cool sodas to drink. “I thought we could save the water supply we have and drink sodas with our meals.”

  “Great idea,” Kip said. He took a huge bite of the chicken salad sandwich. “What did you find on your adventure, Landy?”

  “You just can’t resist, can you?”

  Rae Anne looked from one to the other. “What?”

  “You should have seen his face when he found out you’d left camp.” Kip snorted.

  She looked back at Landy, who only shrugged at the revelation.

  “It drove him crazy to think of you wandering the forest alone.”

  “Why?” she asked softly, in suspense.

  Kip answered before Landy had a chance to give explanation or denial. “The idea that you would be lost or hurt bothered him more than he wanted to admit.”

  “I found Rae Anne, or should I say she ran into me.” Landy rubbed a spot on his chest.

  “I was running from a snake.” Rae Anne hoped that it sounded more like a nonchalant admission than a retort to some form of guilt.

  “What kind of snake?” Gina asked, her face paling.

  “I think it was a boa constrictor,” Rae Anne answered.

  “No, not good enough to eat. Meat is a little tough,” Kip said and then took a bite of his sandwich.

  Rae Anne’s stomach flopped. “It’s a good thing I like chicken salad.”

  “I’m glad we had this food,” Gina said. “I must say atta girl for ordering this before we sailed.”

  “Yes, someone was planning ahead,” Landy said with a smile.

  “I don’t like the idea of eating or drinking food from Mexico.” Rae Anne confessed. “I’ve heard all the horrible rumors.” She turned her attention back to Kip. “And I don’t like the idea of snake meat either.”

  “The food in Mexico isn’t that bad,” Kip said. “Now, the water, be careful. If you aren’t used to the water, it will kick your a—uh…butt.”

  Rae Anne smiled at the attempt to clean up his language. She looked at Landy and then back at Kip and Gina. “I’m glad we got the supplies from the yacht before the tide comes in and possibly takes it out to sea. That would suck.”

  “What?” Landy asked, interrupting the conversation.

  “What?” Kip and Gina asked in unison.

  “What did you say?”

  Landy’s question broke the conversation.
The quiet around the table was deafening. The wind blowing in the trees was the only noise heard. The couple gave Rae Anne a quick look of empathy.

  “What did you say about the yacht and the tide?”

  “I said that I’m glad we got the stuff off the boat. I’m not stupid, Landy. The action to loot the yacht made perfect sense. If the tide comes in and takes the yacht, our supplies would be at sea and we would possibly starve.” Rae Anne calmly took a sip of her soda while, angry, she kept her eyes on Landy’s eyes.

  Will Landy admit that I know what I’m doing after all? She waited anxiously for the acknowledgement, but it never came. Instead, he gave her a nod and a smile and then took his empty plate to Gina.

  There’s just no winning with him.

  * * * *

  Landy and Kip set up the tent and small air conditioner. “It isn’t much, but the nights will be cooler.”

  “And these will come in handy too.” Rae Anne help up a candle she made out of a recycled food can.

  Kip took one out of Gina’s hands. “This is cool. How did you come up with this?”

  “Rae Anne actually thought of it. I think it looks medieval.” Gina giggled.

  “It’s easy really. We cut large holes in the sides of each can to use as lamps. I wished I had glass jars, they would make great candleholders for a light fixture in here.”

  “What did you use for wicks?” Landy asked of the aluminum light fixture.

  “Rae Anne remembered seeing some vines and leaves on the forest floor. She ran to the break in the forest wall and brought back a bundle of the dying vines, and then stripped them to tiny hair-like wicks.”

  “I dried them in the sun. While they baked—more or less—I took some of the used aluminum foil and lined the inside of a hollowed-out stump, and then soaked the new wicks in the kerosene Kip found on the yacht.”

  “What did you make with that?”

  “We made some tiki torches and a torchier lamp.”

  Gina set the torches around the campsite. “Let’s hope this works.” She lit the new lamps and stepped back. “Perfect.” The light set the area aglow with little problem.

  Rae Anne lit the torchier and then carried it into the tent. The light cast intimate shadows in the room, but it wasn’t like a dark cave. “Tada!”

  “Great job, Rae Anne,” Kip said.

  “I am very impressed, Rae,” Gina added. “Good idea, and to have in your head what resources to use to make a good wick is most impressive of all.”

  Everyone looked to Landy, who had said nothing up to this point. He smiled, gave a slight nod, and walked toward the water.

  Disappointment tensed the atmosphere. Rae Anne shook. I can’t win for losing. She looked at Gina and Kip. Their faces showed a mix of pity and concern.

  “Sorry, honey,” Gina whispered.

  “Keep the chin up,” Kip demanded softly.

  Rae Anne shrugged her shoulders and braved a happy face, although what she felt inside was anything but happy. “No worries here. I don’t give in to tantrums that easily.”

  Landy’s silent indifference crushed her and she’d be damned if she admitted it.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “Tonight we have a real treat planned,” Gina announced setting their plates on the table.

  “Steak and potatoes!” Kip shouted when he uncovered the feast.

  “This is great!” Landy’s stomach rumbled at the sight and aroma of the good, quality steak on his plate. “Gina, I love a good steak and always have room for a potato.”

  “Thank you, Captain.”

  “I found a bottle of wine if you are interested.” Rae Anne pulled the bottle from the freezer. “I think it’s about chilled to perfection now.”

  Landy’s mouth watered.

  “How long has it been in there?” Kip asked, standing beside her.

  “An hour.”

  “Sounds good to me. Let’s break her seal and pop the cork.”

  Everyone laughed at the comment and cheered when the cork popped.

  “Here’s to the end of a relatively uneventful day,” Gina toasted.

  Landy and Rae Anne stared at one another. If not for the incident in the woods, this would definitely have been a day with no confusions.

  The four ate in relative harmony with civil conversation about the starry night, the full moon, and their tentative plans for the next day.

  Every once in a while, Landy peeked in Rae Anne’s direction. The allure of the old Rae Anne peered out now and again, but he fought the pull of having her physically. In his heart, he knew if he gave in to it, there would be consequences he may not be able to pay. His heart had opinions of its own, however. It didn’t want to fight the feeling anymore. Why did I have to be stuck on an island with her?

  Landy took his last bite of steak, dabbed at his chin with the cloth napkin, and rested his elbows on the table. “Gina, you’ve outdone yourself tonight. This is a fabulous steak,” Landy said freely.

  “I didn’t cook the meal, Captain,” Gina confessed.

  Landy looked to Kip, who shrugged his shoulders. “Me either.”

  He then gazed at Rae Anne. She averted and focused on the plate in front of her. “You?”

  “Yes, she did,” Gina said instead.

  Landy noted the erect position of Rae Anne’s shoulders, much like this afternoon when he refused to give her praise for her lantern idea. She does deserve some kudos. He lifted his glass. “My compliments to the chef.”

  Her smile came slow, and then he saw the visible changes of her relief: her shoulders slacked in comfort, the sparkle in her eye returned, the soft high pitch of her laughter filled the island air, and the blush of her cheeks restored her color.

  Rae Anne Jamison is one beautiful woman. His heart leaped and his cock hardened with the acknowledgment.

  “Captain, Rae, I think Kip and I will go for a walk.”

  “We will?” Kip looked from the other couple to his fiancé. Her glare made his decision for him on the spot. “Oh, yes, I think that is a good idea.” He stood up and wrapped his arm around Gina’s shoulder. “Let’s see what the beach is like after dinner…in the dark.”

  Landy sat with Rae Anne at the table. He sipped on the remaining portion of wine and looked at the stars, the shoreline, anywhere but at her. Braving a look, he saw her fingering the rim of her glass until it whistled.

  “Good crystal,” Landy stated, making an effort of conversation to her.

  “Yeah.” She stopped playing with the goblet. “Well, I guess I should clear the dishes.” She stood up, grabbed the plates, and headed toward the washing table.

  Landy didn’t move. He watched her methodically store the leftover food into different food containers. She poured water into the coffee pot and set it on the burner, and then she cleaned the dinner plates and silverware in a pail of soapy suds. Domestic duties never looked so sexy, or more enticing. He shifted in his chair, ignoring the growing discomfort of his attraction to her. Before he realized it, she’d poured herself a cup of coffee. She turned to him.

  “Do you want one?” she asked.

  “Yes, please.” Landy guzzled down the last sip of wine. The tepid liquid burned down his throat, and he almost gagged.

  Rae Anne set the pot on the burner. She loaded a large plate with two cups of coffee and creamer. She brought it to the table where he sat, placed it between them, and with the grace of a lady, she sat. Mesmerized by her carefulness, Landy watched her mix a small amount of creamer into her cup and stir it to her satisfaction. His heart raced—for no apparent reason, other than having her next to him.

  “It’s not much, but it is a luxury I insist on taking.”

  Landy took his cup. “I agree.” He sipped. “This reminds me of Grandpa Joe’s campfire coffee.”

  Rae Anne smiled but said nothing of his Grandpa Joe. She looked back at the makeshift stove.

  Watching her, his heart gripped with pain, almost cutting off the circulation to his head. Her gaze didn’t falt
er from the pile of rocks by the washing table. “A penny for your thoughts.”

  The comment brought her back suddenly.

  “I’m sorry. Did you ask for my thoughts?”

  Her mocking expression was a further sign of her fighting spirit. He liked that about her. Landy swallowed a silent chuckle. In a way, he deserved that comment. He hadn’t asked for her opinion too much of late, and if he had to guess, it bothered her. “If you want to share.”

  “I thought how great of a job Gina did with the cooking area.”

  Landy looked at the rock pile and smiled. Stacked rocks made up a three tiered camp stove. “It reminds me of a homemade barbecue grill.”

  “Exactly the idea I have too.”

  Examining the crude making of the stove, “I assume the bottom layer is the firebox.”

  Rae Anne nodded.

  “The second tier is for…”

  “A sort of oven.”

  Landy’s eyes narrowed, questioning the idea how a neatly pile of rocks should work as an oven.

  “She lined the inside with heavy-duty aluminum foil.”

  “Ah. What is she using for a door?”

  “She wrapped a large piece of bark with foil too. It’s not a modern appliance, but it does keep heat in for the most part.”

  “And the top tier, I assume, is the stovetop.”

  “Yep. She made a small firebox for burner cooking only. She used all the salvaged parts from the yacht.”

  Surprised by his cook’s efforts, he commented, “I’m impressed.”

  Rae Anne looked at him. Her eyes a torrent display of emotions that Landy worked so hard to ignore brewing inside him. “At what?”

  “How Gina and…you can use the smallest of things and transform them to comfort all of us. It’s a good use of materials and resources.”

  Rae Anne nodded. She gave him a sidelong glance. “Women can do that, you know.”

  Sensing her irritation, Landy braced for an argument. “Do what?” he asked, cautious of her forthcoming comment.