As she and Sara sat to drink their coffee, a screeching noise had them looking at each other. “What is that?” Sara asked her.
Mattie wasn’t sure. The sound came again. Was it the radio?
She jumped up, raced to the truck and threw open the door, grabbing the radio mic. She pressed the Talk button. “Anyone there?”
The radio crackled. “Mattie, is that you?”
“James?”
“Yes, it’s me. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. We arrived in Manu last night. Drew is doing better. He still has no idea what happened. How goes it there?”
How was Mattie going to tell him that Dana was missing?
“We think Dana’s been taken, James. We don’t know by who yet. Travis and his friend Galen are out looking for her right now.”
“Do you need me to come?”
“No. Hang tight for now. I’ll have Travis call you if he needs your help.”
“As soon as you know anything, contact me,” James said.
“I will.” Mattie re-hooked the receiver to the radio and closed the door.
Sara had run after Mattie, and now stood next to the truck.
“At least we know Drew’s doing better,” she said with a weak smile.
Mattie nodded. “Right. That’s a good thing.”
She went back to the table and sat. Yes, Drew was better, but now they had Dana to worry about. This whole thing made no sense unless it was as simple as someone coming across her alone and just deciding to take her. Mattie knew there was a primitive group of people in the area. They could have been watching them since Mattie’s group had arrived, then grabbed Dana when she stepped out of the tent. Nothing else made sense. But if Mattie were right, what would they do with her friend? Right now she wished she’d have learned more about them, and what they could possibly do to outsiders. All the movies she’d seen about tribal groups didn’t allay her fears.
Oh God. She was thinking the worst.
Mattie forced the awful thoughts away.
Dana would be all right. Travis and Galen would find her and then all would be well with the world again.
* * * *
Travis hacked at the overgrown brush, hoping they were headed in the right direction. They’d followed light footprints until they no longer could be seen, then watched for signs of broken vegetation. They’d been traveling for close to an hour. Clearly Dana’s abductors had gotten a head start on them and were great at hiding their tracks.
“Here’s a slightly broken limb, Travis.” Galen pointed to the brush in front of him. “I’d say we’re going in the right direction.”
Travis joined Galen at the thorn bush.
He glanced down and smiled as he pulled a thread of yellow cloth from a thorn. “Let’s keep moving. They can’t be too far ahead of us now.”
Galen picked up the pace in front of him. Travis kept his gaze glued to his surroundings. Their foe could change direction to throw them off the trail and they couldn’t allow that to happen. The longer Dana was gone, the more chance of her being harmed.
Galen came to an abrupt stop, put a finger to his lips, then to his ear.
Travis listened.
A light crunching sound put him on alert. He looked at Galen who nodded, then tipped his head left to where the sound came from.
Travis took the lead, ducking under a limb of a Fever tree, then worked his way toward the noise.
As he closed in on the crackling sound, Travis glimpsed a dark-skinned man wearing a grass covering, then another.
Shit. It was the Numa tribe. This was Travis’s first run-in with the illusion people. Travis looked at Galen, who was taking in what he saw. His friend leaned into him. “It’s the Numas. We may have to try bribing them to get Dana back.”
“What?” Travis hissed, angry that this was happening. The Numa usually kept to themselves. He had no idea what they’d want with Dana. “Do you have anything to trade?”
Galen shrugged. “I’m not sure what they’d think equals the worth of a healthy woman. They aren’t cannibals as far as I know. Am I wrong?”
“I don’t think so. But I really don’t want to find out the hard way.”
At that moment, the group stared their way, their eyes homing in on Travis and Galen; the Numas raised their spears in a defensive action.
Dana spotted them and screamed for help.
“Let’s drop our machetes so they’ll see we’re not here to harm them,” Travis said, dropping the long knife.
“Yeah, but will they harm us?” Galen lowered his weapon, then dropped it to the forest floor.
The natives lowered their spears and moved toward them.
“What are we going to trade?”
“I have a shiny pocketknife and a compass. Do you think they’d barter?”
“I hope so. I have a fancy lighter they might find worthwhile. I just hope it’s enough.”
As the tribesmen ate up the ground between them, Travis thought of Mattie. They had to get Dana back. If they didn’t, she’d never forgive him and he couldn’t live with that. He cared what she thought of him. A stupid thing, but one he could no longer deny. She had worked her way into his heart and no way was he leaving Dana without a fight.
A spear tip was thrust just inches from Travis’s chest.
The men spoke to them, but Travis couldn’t understand a word. It was going to be difficult to deal with them when they didn’t speak the same language.
One man’s spear dug into his shoulder.
Galen stepped up and held out his knife and compass.
Another of the men tried to grab them but Galen closed his hand.
He pointed to Dana, who was crying hysterically. Then he opened his hand again. The dark-skinned man narrowed his eyes on Galen and shook his head, then grabbed his captive and shoved her to the ground.
Travis pulled the lighter out of his pocket, opened it, and thumbed the flint, the flame coming to life.
The Numas’ eyes got big; one of the men moved closer to the silver object. The lighter intrigued them.
Travis pointed to Dana again, then relit the lighter when the flame went out.
“Put out your compass and knife again,” Travis said under his breath.
The men looked at one another, then pulled Dana from the grass and thrust her toward them.
Travis handed them the lighter, the flame going out.
They seemed agitated. Travis took the time to show them how to relight the flame, then they tried the flint and smiled. The lead man grabbed the knife and compass from Galen and moved back, clearly the most leery of the group.
Dana ran into Galen’s arms and cried. He held her as they watched the tribesmen back away and leave.
Travis released a ragged breath. They were damned lucky the men accepted what they’d offered. He didn’t know how important women were to the tribe but obviously fire was more of a need.
“Let’s get out of here before they change their mind.” Travis turned and retreated back toward camp. This was not something he’d ever want to repeat. If this sort of thing had happened often, he’d have given up guiding people for good.
Galen and Dana caught up to him. “I hope that lighter is full of butane because if they run out and the tribesmen feel like they’d been robbed, they’ll be back and probably bring a few friends.”
“That’s why we’re leaving as soon as we can clear camp. Best to move on and get some distance between us and them. That way we won’t be watching our backs as closely.”
Chapter Fourteen
In record time, they broke camp and were on the rugged trail again.
Before leaving, Travis had sneaked a peek at the Templar map, sure he was a half day’s drive from the first landmark. Once he found it, they’d camp for the night, giving him a chance to figure out his next move.
Mattie squeezed his arm.
He glanced at her, his stomach aching as he took in her smiling face. He’d never seen anyone so relieved when they’d gotten back
with Dana in tow. Then she’d worked like crazy to get the supplies rounded up and loaded for them to leave.
“What do you think they’d planned to do with her?” she asked, her eyes darkening a hue. She was thinking the worst, as they all had.
Travis didn’t know much about the tribe, only what he’d heard while he was a guide. Mostly snippets of why most people never saw them. The Numa were contently hiding from the civilized world. For them to grab Dana made no sense. “I’m not sure, Mattie. Let’s try not to think about it. She’s safe with Galen. I’m sure he’ll keep an eagle eye on her from now on.”
She nodded, then looked out the side window.
Travis fought the urge to touch her. She stirred feelings in him he’d never had before, a protectiveness that disturbed him. Made him uncomfortable. He didn’t like caring about anyone. At a young age he’d found out caring made you vulnerable, got you hurt.
He remembered a time when he’d loved Lucinda, despite her shortcomings. She was his mother after all. But years of abuse at the hand of a man she’d brought into his life had made him realize that she’d never loved him. Once he’d iced his heart to her there was no way of thawing it.
Ahead, the trail thinned out and Travis forced his full attention to the path. “I think we’re moving into territory less traveled. The ride is going to get bumpier. Hang on.” No sooner had he spoken than the truck tires hit a dip and jumped, both of them lumbering toward the dash of the cab.
Travis gripped the wheel and eyed the road, the trail almost disappearing into the brush. Travel would be slow going. If he didn’t take it easy they could get stuck, and then they’d have to travel by foot, not something he’d want to do with three women in tow. This area was uninhabited by people, and most likely harbored snakes. Mattie clearly had an aversion to them, and frankly he was in no mood to have to carry her through the rain forest.
After two hours into the overgrown region, Travis’s arms and neck started to ache. The truck rounded the bend into the narrowed path and he was elated to find a slight clearing. “I think we’ll camp here for the night.”
He pulled the truck off to the side and cut the engine. The second truck pulled alongside his.
Travis leapt from the cab and met Galen in the back. “Let’s get the tents and torches up. After that drive, I could use a stiff drink.”
Galen nodded in agreement. “I’m glad I thought to bring a bottle or two just in case.”
Travis had also tucked a bottle of whiskey into his knapsack, though rarely did he drink on the job. But after the day’s events, he needed a few to release the tension inside him.
By the time the tents were erected and torches were lit, the sun had set. Everyone sat quietly at the table. Dana clung to Mattie.
Travis wished he was sitting next to Mattie. But no one knew they had something going on. He raised the cup of Black Label to his lips and drank, the heat of the whiskey burning on the way down. Alcohol had never tasted so good.
“Can I have some of that?” Mattie held out her coffee cup and smiled.
How could he say no to a woman so beautiful?
He untwisted the lid to the bottle and poured a generous amount into her coffee. Travis lifted the bottle in the air. “Anyone else?”
“I’ll take some,” Sara said in a sweet voice, her eyes burning a lustful hole through him.
He gulped. All he needed was for her to be drinking. She already threw herself at him every chance she got.
Hesitantly he poured a small amount into her cup, then screwed the top on and tucked the bottle back into his bag.
With Sara giving him that look, he was going to have to stay sober to fend her off, or hope to never be alone with her.
“How about a game of cards?” Galen held up a deck.
“What’d you have in mind?”
“I was thinking a nice game of strip poker would be fun.”
In unison the women shouted, “No!”
“Okay, okay. I thought it might keep our minds occupied. I guess you’re not interested in that.”
Travis shook his head. Galen was lucky if he didn’t end up getting slapped before they went to bed. Nothing new. The man had a lot of gall, always had.
“Let’s just play regular poker,” Travis suggested, ripping the cards from his friend’s hand. “I’ll deal. I think we both know you cheat.”
All the ladies’ eyes grew large, clearly thinking about the game he’d suggested.
Galen snorted. “He’s lying. You seriously can’t believe a word he says.”
Mattie glanced at Travis, her blue-green eyes questioning.
Travis wished he could reassure her that anything he’d told her was true, but had it been? He doubted that he’d always been honest with her.
Travis winked at her then dealt them all a hand. He may have told her lies in the past three days, but from now on, he planned to be completely honest, except about the map. That wasn’t any of her business.
*
Mattie picked up her hand of cards and studied them. She had a lot on her mind. For one, was Galen telling the truth? Was Travis a liar? She hated to think that the man she was falling in love with was less than honest, though that could be said of most men.
Look at her father. He’d lied to her mother every day he’d left for work, promising to come straight home.
There wasn’t a day in their marriage that he hadn’t stopped to make a bet or put money into a stock at an investment firm. All bad decisions that he never seemed to get tired of.
Mattie hated him for that. She was lucky she’d worked hard enough in school to get a scholarship for college. Otherwise she’d be working at a fast-food place flipping hamburgers instead of sitting here.
Mattie shook off the thought and looked around the table. She was content at the moment. Travis and Galen had rescued Dana and they were safe and miles from the tribe that had kidnapped her. Why worry if Travis was honest? Being alive was so much more important.
Besides, they had no commitment. She shouldn’t expect him to tell her everything. Would she really want him to? She had secrets of her own she didn’t want to tell him. Everyone should. God only knew how many secrets her father had kept from her mother.
“Do you need any cards?” Travis’s question brought her attention back to him.
She glanced at her hand and put down some cards. “I’ll take three.”
Mattie took the cards she was given and looked at them, tickled to see she’d gotten a pair of aces.
An hour later, Mattie’s eyelids started to droop. “I’m going to bed,” she said, then smiled at Travis. He returned the gesture, a grin that caused butterflies in her stomach. Even tired, he stirred her body. “I think we should all try and get some rest. We have a long day ahead tomorrow.”
Travis rose from the table. “I don’t want anyone leaving the tents alone. If you have to, use the buddy system.”
Mattie stood and headed for her tent. How she wished she were sharing one with Travis. She’d feel so much more secure.
Once inside, Mattie stripped off her clothes and climbed into the cot, fatigue taking hold of her.
She closed her eyes and inhaled.
Sara and Dana ambled into the tent. “Are we going to work tomorrow?”
Mattie opened her eyes and looked at Dana. “If Travis lets us.”
“You don’t think we’ll be headed out right away, do you?” Sara asked, not really wanting an answer when she turned her back to Mattie.
Thank God Dana was there to buffer the tension between them. Otherwise Mattie would be losing her cool and doing something totally unprofessional. She didn't want to do that.
“Mattie?”
Mattie turned at Dana’s query. “Yes?”
“What do you think of Galen? He seems like a nice enough man, but I get this sense that he’s not into anything serious.”
Mattie had gotten that same impression. She knew men like that, not unlike Travis. “He’s handsome enough.”
“He sure is,” Dana agreed. “Those emerald eyes of his are amazing.”
“I don’t know if getting involved with him would be wise. I don’t see him going beyond a physical relationship.”
“I know, but it’s hard not to be drawn to him. After all, he and Travis were my knights in shining armor.”
Sara snorted, then plopped down onto her cot. “You’ve lived such a sheltered life, Dana. That man wouldn’t look at you twice.”
“You don't know that, Sara.”
“I think I do because, if you hadn’t noticed, he hasn’t looked at her twice.”
“I suppose he’s looked at you?” Mattie couldn’t believe the gall of the woman.
Sara smiled. “As a matter of fact, he has. So has Travis.”
Mattie’s temper simmered just under the surface. The woman was driving her crazy. Oh how she wished Sara had been the woman who’d gone back to civilization. Talk about catty behavior. Mattie had a hard time dealing with that.
“You’re crazy if you think Travis is interested in you,” Dana said. “The man has been trying to avoid you like the plague since you became the clinging vine of ivy.”
Sara scowled at Dana.
“Look.” Mattie sat up in her cot. “This is getting us nowhere. Let’s try and get some rest. I think the heat and the tension of the day are getting the better of us all right now.”
Dana glanced at Sara, then back to Mattie. “All right.”
Mattie stared at Sara, waiting for her to respond.
“I guess,” she snapped, then turned on her side, facing away from them.
Mattie held her anger in check at her reaction. The woman was impossible, but she couldn’t do anything about it. They were stuck with her for another week and a half so they might as well get used to the situation.
She shook her head at Dana.
Dana smiled, then started to undress.
Mattie lay back on the cot and closed her eyes. She hoped that tomorrow would bring better moods for everyone, especially the redhead who’d attached herself to the man who clearly had no interest in her.
* * * *
“Can I see it?” Galen pointed to the map in Travis’s hand.
Travis handed him the paper, then sat back in his chair and looked up at the sky. Stars filled the night, so bright they were almost blinding.
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