Into the Wild

by Beth Ciotta

  “How’s your wrist?”

  “Healing.” One word. Succinct. Good.

  “I liked the pink boots, but I like these sexy heels even more.” Four-inch purple stilettos to match her clingy purple-satin dress. Full makeup and a flirty updo. Her skin heated as his gaze moved over every primped inch of her. “What are you doing here?” she squeaked.

  “I mean, I know you’re in Indiana for Kylie and Jack’s wedding, but what are you doing here? Now? As best man, you should be with Jack. Calming his nerves.”

  “Jack doesn’t get nervous.”

  “Maybe not. Even so—”

  “Where I’m from, it’s customary for a gentleman to pick up his date.” Even though he was a globe-trotter, he’d been born and raised in Eden—Paradise in the Heartland. A small town with…old-fashioned sensibilities.

  It suddenly occurred to River that even though she was ten years younger than Spenser, they probably knew some of the same people—people aside from his sister and Jack. They’d probably shopped at the same mall and eaten at the same pizza joints. Suddenly their worlds shifted just a little closer.

  “I stopped at your house,” he said, “but your neighbor directed me here.” He looked over her shoulder.

  “So, this is Forever Photography.”

  She realized then that she’d kept him standing on the threshold, in the sun and heat. “Yes, I… Won’t you come in?” Her skin sizzled as he brushed past her and set a canvas bag on Ella’s desk. She wanted to throw herself at him, to tear off his jacket, his shirt and tie. Ever done it in a darkroom? she wanted to ask. “I’m sorry. Did you say date?”

  He raised a brow. “You forgot.”

  “I…”

  “On the páramo, you asked if I had a date for my sister’s wedding. I said, I do now.”

  “I…”

  “I shouldn’t have assumed you’d remember. You were light-headed and—”

  “You swept me off my feet.” River blushed. “I remember. Most of it.”

  “Are you going with someone else?”

  “No.”

  He smiled. “Good. Then it’s settled.”

  “We can’t just…” An unwelcome vision of him traipsing back into the mountains soured the moment.

  “We need to talk.”

  “I agree.”

  Instead of pacing, she sat on the edge of a flowery cushioned chair. She tried to organize a dozen scrambled thoughts and concerns. She tried not to obsess on his handsome face and the fantastic sex they’d shared. Her mind jumped back to Quito. The hospital. Her alone with Gordo, and Spenser alone in the wild. “I’m sorry I didn’t take your call. That was childish and rude.”

  “You were angry with me,” he said, perching on the corner of the desk. “I didn’t realize how angry until I didn’t hear back from you. I thought maybe you’d call me to give me hell or…to make sure I was all right.” He rubbed a hand over his recently cropped hair. “Christ. That sounded pitiful.” The mushy, vulnerable side of the tough and confident adventurer. Her heart swelled. “I wondered and worried, a lot, if that makes you feel better. Gordo and your sister assured me you were fine.” He smiled a little at that, focused on his polished oxfords—so unlike his dusty hiking boots. “I was surprised when Gordo told me you got on a plane bound for the States instead of Peru.”

  “You thought I’d try to patch things up with David?”

  “I thought you wanted closure.”

  “I found closure on the páramo, at least as far as David was concerned. The moment I realized I didn’t love him. When I realized…” I love you. River fidgeted in her seat.

  Spenser regarded her with a small smile, his green eyes shining with relief and a dash of amusement.

  He knows, she thought. He’s always known.

  “David got back last week,” she rushed on. “We had a talk. He apologized for the way he ran out and I apologized for trying to control every move we made as a couple. I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but…we’re okay.” She hadn’t been able to confess she’d never loved him, not deeply and madly. It seemed too cruel.

  Uncomfortable with the subject, she switched the focus to Spenser. “What about you? Did you make peace with Jo?”

  He met her gaze, the smile gone. “No. I couldn’t see the good in telling her Andy had been alive all these years and that he’d purposely kept that secret to punish her. I also saw no good in telling her what a demented man he’d turned into and that he died a violent death. Again.”

  “That’s kind of you, Spenser, except she’ll still blame you for his first death.”

  “I’m okay with Jo not forgiving me. I’ve forgiven myself. I’ve moved on.” Their worlds inched a little closer.

  “So is Andy really dead? Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “I saw him. Don’t ask details.”

  River swallowed. “Okay.”

  “That’s just one of the reasons I had to go back, River. I had to know for sure that Andy was no longer a threat to you or anyone else. Another reason…Cy. I couldn’t leave him up there like that. He deserved a decent burial, a few kind words.”

  River blinked back tears. “Did you find him?”

  Spenser nodded.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Cy died doing what he loved best—treasure hunting. And doing what came naturally—protecting a woman. I guarantee his soul is restful.”

  She fell silent, processing everything, trying to get a handle on her emotions.

  Spenser angled his head. “Why don’t you ask me what you’re dying to know?”

  “Did you see Henry?”

  He quirked a tender smile. “Let’s cut to the chase, angel. You assumed I took Gordo’s minicam back up Cerro Hermoso to get footage of the lost tribe and maybe even the lost treasure itself.” He held up a hand, cutting off her words. “You had good reason to suspect that and I admit the temptation was strong, but as you said, some tales are best untold.”

  “Did you see the village?” River whispered, gripping the edge of her seat in anticipation.

  Spenser rubbed his brow, blew out a breath. “It was everything Henry described and more, River.”

  “Did you meet the woman he…the one…”

  He nodded. “I don’t speak the language but…she was very kind and she adores your dad.”

  “That’s good. That’s…I’m glad.” Surprisingly, she meant it. “I think Mom would approve.”

  “He’s happy, River.”

  She smiled at that, her heart blossoming more by the second. “So…did you catch them on film? Did you see the treasure?” Part of her hoped so. Part of her burned to see with her own eyes what had eluded explorers for centuries.

  “No and no.” Spenser scraped a hand over his clean-shaven jaw. “Here’s the sad truth and the motivation for Henry keeping the existence of the tribe secret. They’d be in mortal danger if they were inundated with civilized people. The entire population could easily be wiped out by the common cold.

  Do you know how Andy planned to threaten the tribe into revealing the treasure?” She shook her head.

  “He had a vial in his pack. A vaccination.”

  “For what?”

  “Swine flu.”

  River frowned. “He was going to expose them to swine flu? That’s despicable!”

  “Andy isn’t the only one who’d go to villainous lengths for eight billion dol ars. That’s why I convinced Henry to keep his journal. It’s why I deleted the picture of his map from your camera and my phone.” River gawked. “You buried a once-in-a-lifetime story.”

  He shrugged as if it was no big deal, although she knew it had cost him mightily.

  “Old-fashioned sensibilities?” she croaked past the lump in her throat.

  “Something like that.” He shoved off the desk and closed the space between them. “Henry’s not coming back, hon.”

  “I know.”

  “Ever.”

  She licked her lips, nodded. “I know. It’s okay. I’ve thought a
bout it, a lot. I’m okay with how things ended between us. I told him I was sorry and…he saved my life. In his own way, he loves me. I’ve moved on, too. You were right. I have the memory of him choosing me over his precious treasure.”

  “I wanted you to have more.” He reached into his inner jacket pocket and handed her a DVD.

  Her heart hammered. “What is it?”

  “I filmed your dad…. I asked him to share some of his favorite memories of you.” She blinked. This was so unexpected. So…unreal. “Did he have any?” He stroked her cheek. “Several.”

  She could scarcely breathe. “Were they good?”

  “Yes. He also included a personal message for you.”

  “Is it good?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “Is it going to make me cry?”

  “Definitely.”

  She blew out an anxious breath and stood, marveling that her shaky legs withstood her weight. “Then maybe I should wait to watch it until later. In private.”

  “Whatever you want.”

  She wanted to savor the anticipation, even though she was dying of curiosity. Something good from Henry. Something nice about her! Heart full, she wrapped her arms around Spenser and hugged.

  “Thank you.”

  He kissed the top of her head, smoothed a palm down her back. “I love you, River. I know you don’t trust this, us. But we’ll figure it out. We’ll make it work. I can amend my lifestyle. I’ve already started.” She eased back and stared up at him in awe. “What have you done?”

  “Taken a hiatus from Into the Wild. I own stock in the Explorer Channel, so it’s not like I’m throwing away my future. I’m exploring—”

  “Infinite possibilities?”

  He smiled.

  “Me, too.”

  “How so?”

  “I researched and found out that the Explorer Channel owns a travel magazine. I want to apply as a staff photographer, only my portfolio is all wrong. If only I hadn’t lost my camera in the mountains. I must’ve taken four or five hundred pictures while in Ecuador. I’m not saying they’re all good—”

  “Mostly they’re very good. Your camera’s in that bag on the desk. All photos intact, except for the map.”

  Her brow rose. “What about the nude shots of you?”

  He grinned, a sexy grin that heated her naughty regions. “Anxious to revisit those photos?” She quirked a shy, teasing smile. “Maybe.”

  He laughed. “God, I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too, Spenser. Terribly. And now…it’s like we’ve never been apart. Like we’ve known each other forever. It’s weird and wonderful and I…I think I fell for you the moment I saw you at the airport in Quito. We haven’t known each other very long, but I know without a doubt I…I… Dammit.”

  “It’s okay, hon. You don’t have to say it. I see it in your eyes.”

  “I want to say it. I feel it. It’s just that…I think I’m intimidated by it.”

  “Then it must be damned impressive.” He brushed a kiss over her lips. “We need to head out or we’ll be late for the wedding, but after…I’m going to kiss you for an hour or four.” Her heart danced. “I think I can handle that.” River moved out of his arms and into her office. She put her dad’s DVD in a safe place, lingered for a sentimental second, then rushed back to her date.

  Spenser caught her up and held her close. “One kiss to get me through the day.” River gave over as he stole away her thoughts and breath with a passionate, achingly beautiful kiss.

  “On second thought,” she rasped as he broke away, “I’m not sure I’ll survive an hour or four of that.”

  “Me neither.”

  “I love you, Spenser.”

  “Looks like I finally discovered a precious treasure.” He gazed into her eyes like like a man besotted.

  “Eureka.”

  EPILOGUE

  Eighteen months later… Quito, Ecuador, South America Altitude 9,214 feet

  “I’M GLAD WE FLEW in early,” Kylie said. “I felt like crap yesterday. Today I’m just slightly off. Morning sickness stinks.”

  “You weren’t sick at home, tiger.” Jack poured his wife another glass of water from the chilled bottle their server had left behind. He sounded calm, but River could see the concern in his eyes. “I’m thinking it’s jet lag,” he said. “Long flight. Time change.”

  “It’s the altitude,” River said. “Some bear it better than others.” Spenser had said the same thing to her when they’d first met. Here in Quito. Over a year and a half ago. She got al weepy just thinking about it. Then again, these days she cried at the drop of a hat. Wacky hormones and all that. Like her soon-to-be sister-in-law, River was pregnant. Only she was twice as far along.

  “I’d suggest coca tea,” Lana said to Kylie. “But since you’re carrying…” River winked at Kylie, who was four months along and barely showing. “Unless you want to zip-line over a jungle, forgo the coca tea.”

  Kylie laughed. “I’ll never tire of that story.”

  “My wife gets into enough trouble on her own,” Jack said, giving Kylie’s hand an affectionate squeeze.

  “She’ll pass on the coca.”

  Duke smiled. “Good call.”

  River looked at the people sitting around the dining table and beamed. She loved this restaurant—a favorite of hers and Spenser’s—and she loved these people. Kylie and Jack had flown in from Indiana.

  Lana and Duke had driven over from the Jungle Lodge. They were all here to witness River’s marriage to Spenser. She’d put him off for over a year. She’d taken marriage too lightly before and refused to do so with Spenser. He was her world.

  They’d spent several months traveling to exotic locals, places he’d been before, looking for treasures that continued to elude him. Two major projects had been in the works. A non-fiction book and an Explorer Channel spotlight miniseries. River had been the photographer, Gordo the videographer and Spenser the writer. The three of them had worked side-by-side by day, exploring, creating. The nights had belonged to River and Spenser.

  Those months had been the most exciting times of her life and, even after they’d settled for a spel , setting up house just outside of Quito, she knew she’d travel again. Photographing wild regions and exotic people was in her blood—like Spenser. She loved him fiercely, even though he gave her crap for dodging his multiple marriage proposals.

  Although she’d conquered most of her fears and quirky, obsessive habits, somewhere along the way River had become a tad superstitious and was afraid to rock the boat where their relationship was concerned. They were deliriously happy as they were—just being together, traveling and living together. They were a couple in every sense of the word. Why did they need to make it “official”?

  Worried a ceremony would somehow curse their relationship, she kept hedging—even after she’d become pregnant. Maybe it was her insecurities. Maybe it was because of her background. She didn’t want Spenser, of all people, to feel trapped.

  Eight months pregnant, she’d finally caved. All of a sudden it was supremely important to her that she was Mrs. McGraw when their baby was born. Eager to make it so, Spenser had rushed things along, pulled a lot of strings. The ceremony was tomorrow—exactly four days after she’d said yes.

  Tonight they were having dinner with the few people they’d invited to share in the moment. The only ones missing were Spenser and Gordo, who’d be along any minute, and Spenser’s mom and grandma.

  “Did you check in with your mom today?” River asked Kylie. “How’s your grandma feeling?” Kylie snorted. “Cantankerous. She’s driving Mom crazy.”

  “Not that that’s unusual,” Jack said, thanking the waiter when he served their appetizers.

  “Kylie’s grandma broke her ankle a few days ago,” River told Lana and Duke.

  “Square-dancing in stilettos,” Kylie said. “What was she thinking?”

  “She wanted to impress her boyfriend,” Jack told the gang with an amused grin.

&
nbsp; “She’s crazy,” Kyle said. “If you’ve ever wondered where Spenser got his wild streak…”

  “Speaking of Spenser,” Lana said, glancing at the plentiful appetizers. “It feels weird to eat before the guest of honor arrives.”

  “He texted me a couple of minutes ago,” River said. “Said we should start without him. Still tied up in traffic.” She dug into a dish of tapas so that their guests would follow suit. “He was all the way on the other side of town, greasing palms or something. Some sort of legal snafu. Since we’re not citizens—” She glanced over at Jack. “You probably didn’t want to hear that, Chief Reynolds.” Jack’s lip quirked. “Spenser ever tell you about the time he arranged Kylie’s and my first wedding ceremony?”