Anna Jane took a step toward her and lowered her voice. “Sometimes, when I go up the stairs alone, I worry about monsters waiting to snap at my heels.” She paused, obviously waiting to be told she was imagining things.
Ariel crouched down so they were at eye level. “This is a big house,” she said. “I would guess there are lots of places for monsters to hide. If I see them, I’ll point them out to your uncle and he’ll get rid of them. In the meantime, if I’m around, I’m happy to come up the stairs with you.”
Anna Jane gave her a wide smile. “Thank you. I knew you’d understand.”
Ariel wondered how the girl could be so certain. Nothing felt real. Maybe that’s what was going on. Maybe she was just dreaming about everything. That would explain her knowledge of child psychology. Of course, one would think that if this was her dream, she would remember her own name.
The girl’s smile faded. “Are you mad at me?”
“What?” Ariel asked, baffled.
“For sending the note in the bottle. That’s what brought you here.” Anna Jane clasped her hands together and twisted her fingers. “I said that I wanted a friend. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.”
Ariel touched her shoulder. “Honey, that’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault. Dr. Reed told me about the note, and explained about the high tide in the cove. There’s no way you could have known I would come that way. It’s fine. Really.”
“Promise?” Anna Jane asked.
“Swear.” Ariel made a cross over her left breast. “I wasn’t really hurt. Just a few scratches. They’ll heal. I’m sure I had a bag or purse that got washed away, but that kind of stuff is replaceable. Don’t worry.”
“But you don’t remember your name.”
She did have a point. “I will. In time.” At least, that’s what the good doctor promised. Please, God, let him be right.
“Do you like the one I picked for you?”
“Ariel is a pretty name. Thank you.” In fact, it was surprisingly easy to claim it as her own. Probably because she had nothing to compare it to. It wasn’t as if she were having to remember new lines and forget old ones. Parts of her memory were so blank, she was grateful to fill them with anything.
“I wonder if I’ll forget everything that’s happening while I can’t remember,” she said more to herself.
“Huh?” Anna Jane frowned, drawing her delicate eyebrows together.
“When I get my memory back, will I remember what I’m doing now? While I can’t remember who I am?”
“Oh. I don’t know.”
“Me, either.”
“We’ll have to ask Dr. Reed when next he visits.” The male voice came from nowhere.
Ariel spun toward the sound and found Jarrett standing halfway down the stairs. She hadn’t noticed him at all. He’d appeared as if by magic. Just as he had earlier in her bedroom.
“You move very quietly,” she said, trying to shake off the feeling of being caught doing something she shouldn’t.
“You were engrossed in your conversation. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Oh, sure. She believed that. Despite the instinctive urge to flee or hide behind Anna Jane, Ariel forced herself to stand her ground and hold his gaze.
He was, she admitted grudgingly, the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Of course, the only men she could remember were Frank, the middle-aged gardener, and John Reed, the physician. But that didn’t matter. Ariel knew in her gut that she could stare at a thousand men and none of them would come close to Jarrett Wilkenson.
He stood a couple of inches over six feet, with dark hair that had grown past conservative to flirt with the collar of his open-neck shirt. Dark eyes seemed to steal the light from the room without reflecting any in return. No doubt the man had the physical ability to smile, but he had yet to use it in her presence and she wasn’t holding her breath until he did. Broad shoulders tapered into a trim waist, while his khaki trousers hinted at the strength of his thighs below.
He was a dangerous man. She didn’t need memories to figure that out.
“Shall we go in to dinner?” he asked as he continued down the stairs. “I can smell Leona’s cooking from here.”
She waited politely until he’d reached the foyer, then allowed him to motion her toward the dining room.
Anna Jane chatted on as if the undercurrents between the adults didn’t affect her. When they reached the set table, Ariel was surprised when Jarrett took the time to hold out a chair for her. She half expected him to pull it back and let her fall. Instead, he made sure she was comfortable before going to his own seat at the head.
Ariel glanced around at the room. The table could easily seat eight, and judging from the chairs pressed up against the wall, there were several extensions to handle a large dinner party. Wide windows allowed her to see out to the garden and the private beach beyond. On the wall to her left stood a huge china cabinet. To her right was a wooden buffet that looked antique.
“I heard you and Anna Jane discussing the note she wrote,” Jarrett said, pulling white wine from a waiting ice bucket and removing the cork. “Do you remember it?”
Ariel thought for a second. “Not a word.”
“Perhaps seeing it would help.” He set the cork on the table in front of Anna Jane. The young girl picked it up and sniffed. She nodded regally.
“A nice year, a little fruity,” she intoned. “I think it will do for the likes of you, but I prefer something more dairy.” She picked up her glass of milk and took a swallow.
“Thank you, madam,” Jarrett said, and gave the girl a wink.
Ariel clutched the side of the table to keep from sliding off her chair in shock. Was that a sense of humor she’d just seen? From Jarrett Wilkenson? Maybe he wasn’t as stiff as she’d first thought.
Then he turned his frosty gaze on her and she knew all bets were off. She hadn’t imagined it. He didn’t like her. Because she’d invaded his home, or maybe for reasons she would never know. It didn’t matter. She only had to get through the dinner. In the morning she would go to the hotel and start figuring out a way to reconnect with her life.
“I have the note with me,” he said when he finished pouring them each a glass of wine. He removed the paper from his pants pocket and placed it on the table in front of her. “You do remember how to read, don’t you?”
“Of course,” she said without thinking as she picked up the note. She made the mistake of glancing at him and saw something hard and cold flash in his eyes. Satisfaction and what else? Why did he care if she could read or not? Unless he didn’t believe her.
She didn’t want to consider that, so she turned her attention to the piece of paper in her hand. She read the message three times, then turned it over and studied the map.
“I’ve never seen this before,” she told Jarrett as she returned the sheet to him.
“As you know, you had it in your shorts pocket when you washed ashore.”
She didn’t know how that could be. How could she have just lost pieces of her life? Frustration filled her. Frustration and a touch of fear. “This is crazy,” she said. “Is there someone I can talk to? Maybe the local police have a missing persons report or something.”
“There are no police. St. Alicia is a private island and mostly uninhabited. Except for the resort guests and staff, there are no other residents. When necessary, I am the law here.”
Great. He probably made one interesting dictator. She would have to remember not to commit a crime while under his jurisdiction.
“Don’t worry, Ariel. I’ve spoken to my hotel manager. He’s having the staff check reservations and talk with the guests. I’m sure by the time we’ve finished Leona’s dinner, your family will have been found. Perhaps when you’re with them, your memory will return.”
Before she could comment, Leona began serving the meal. As promised, the food was excellent. Jarrett was the perfect host, keeping conversation flowing and topics innocuous. But every now and then Ariel caught a gl
impse of something in his eyes. Or she heard a thread of rage in his voice. He was furious with her, and she still didn’t have a clue as to what she’d done wrong. One thing was certain—she had to get out of here, and fast.
Let there be a family, she prayed quietly as dessert was brought to the table. Maybe a couple of burly brothers to threaten Jarrett.
“Where were you born?” Anna Jane asked, then covered her mouth with her hand. “Oops. I forgot.”
“No, don’t apologize,” Ariel said. “I think it’s probably good to ask me questions. I can’t figure out what I know and don’t know until we talk about it.” She glanced at Jarrett. “That is, if you don’t mind.”
“Please,” he said too graciously. “Discuss what you would like.”
Sure. Let’s talk about why you don’t like me, she thought. “I don’t know where I was born,” she said instead. “But I think I’m American. Do I have an accent?”
“Not a regional one,” Jarrett told her. “Not Southern or Eastern. I don’t think you’re from the Midwest. Maybe somewhere west?”
“There’s lots of states out west,” Anna Jane said. “Arizona, Nevada, Washington, California and Oregon. Oh, Utah and Idaho, too.”
Ariel shook her head and forced herself to smile. “At least we know you’ve learned your geography.”
“I like that subject,” the nine-year-old said. “I like looking at maps and stuff.” Her chin dropped slightly. “I hope they study that at my new school.”
“New school?” Ariel repeated.
Anna Jane nodded. “I haven’t gone since I’ve been here, but I have to start after Christmas, right, Uncle Jarrett?”
“We’ll figure something out,” he told her.
He must have seen Ariel’s confusion. “My sister passed away a few weeks ago,” he added. “Anna Jane has been with me since then.”
Ariel’s heart ached for the little girl. The loss of a parent was horrible. She might not know why she understood the pain, but she did. Impulsively, she reached across the table and took the child’s hand in hers.
“I’m sorry,” she said, and squeezed her fingers.
Anna Jane smiled gratefully. “I’m glad you’re here, Ariel. I’m glad I sent that note and you were the one to find it.”
Ariel nodded as if she, too, were glad. But she wasn’t. If she hadn’t found the note and nearly drowned in the cove, she wouldn’t have lost her memory. Right now she would be back in her own life. Whatever and wherever that was.
* * *
Jarrett listened a couple more minutes, then thanked his hotel manager for the information. “I’ll talk to you in the morning,” he promised, and hung up.
From where he was sitting, he could see his guest pacing in the hallway outside his office. She moved with an easy grace that brought to mind unwelcome images of long, slender legs and gold-blond hair tumbling free. He pushed the thoughts away, just as he pushed away the ridiculous notion that he was reluctant to tell her what he’d found out because he didn’t want to disappoint her.
As if sensing his attention, Ariel turned toward him, her expression questioning. He motioned her forward. As her hips swayed sensuously and the movement tempted him, he reminded himself he wasn’t sure what her game was. Had she come to the island with a purpose and had finding the note been a lucky break, or had finding the note made her act impulsively? He told himself it didn’t matter. Either way, she was out for what she could get. No way in hell would he let her take advantage of him…or Anna Jane.
But as she paused in front of his desk and shifted her weight nervously, he had to admit she was good. About the best he’d ever seen. From the confusion darkening her eyes to the color of jade, right down to the faint tremor in her hands, she was convincing in her performance. She belonged on the stage.
“I’ve spoken with the hotel manager,” he said, motioning to the chair in front of her.
She sank into it and stared at him. The corners of her mouth quivered. “I assume the news isn’t good.”
“There isn’t any news. So far no one has reported a missing guest. Nor is there a single reservation. My staff has checked back as far as two weeks. This time of year we generally get couples and families. Most of the employees with direct guest contact have been questioned, but no one remembers a woman of your description.”
Ariel looked as shocked as if he’d hit her. The color drained from her face and she clutched the chair arms. “No one is looking for me?” she asked quietly. “No one at all?”
The pang of emotion was so unfamiliar, it took him a moment to identify it. Compassion. For her? He didn’t like that.
“It’s possible there hasn’t been enough time. You only disappeared this morning. Perhaps they haven’t noticed.”
She glanced at the beautiful antique grandfather clock in the corner of his office. “It’s nearly nine. Someone somewhere has to know I’m missing. I have to have family.”
“Why?”
“I—” She clamped her lips together. Her expression tightened as she obviously fought back tears. She stiffened, then leaned against the back of the chair. “There has to be someone in my life. I refuse to believe I’m completely alone.”
“Many people are alone. Until you regain your memory…” He paused. Keeping the sarcasm out of his voice took a little effort. “Until that time, it’s pointless to assume anything about yourself.”
“I would hate to think no one would miss me,” she said, more to herself than him.
He thought about asking why. Being alone was hardly a curse. He’d spent much of his life that way. These days it was by choice. When alive, his sister had pressured him to visit, but more often than not, he’d refused. Being on his own was always easier than being with other people. He supposed that if something had happened to him, his sister would have missed him. But not overly much. Compared to how she’d mourned the loss of her beloved husband, he doubted missing a brother would have set her back much. While he often thought of his sister, her loss hardly affected his day-to-day life. Except for the arrival of his niece. Perhaps it wasn’t the way the rest of the world chose to live, but he was very content.
Ariel shrugged. “I suppose there’s nothing I can do tonight. In the morning, well, I’ll figure out something.”
At that moment she looked as lost and alone as Anna Jane had when she’d first arrived. Despite his cynicism, Jarrett found himself wanting to offer words of comfort. He had to hold back an invitation that she stay in the house until she recovered her memory.
She hadn’t lost her memory in the first place, he reminded himself. Perhaps it was time for both of them to admit that truth.
He leaned back in his chair and met her gaze. “It’s not going to work,” he began conversationally.
“What are you talking about?”
“This act of yours. It’s very good. I’ve nearly been taken in, which is impressive, because I don’t impress easily.”
She blinked twice. “What are you talking about?”
“Women have shown up in my boardroom, my bedroom and even my shower. I’ve received proposals and propositions by letter, E-mail and fax. While the amnesia routine is unique, and you get points for risking your life in the cove, it’s still not going to work. You’re not going to get your hands on me or my fortune. Don’t bother even thinking about using my niece to get to me, either.”
The rest of the color drained from Ariel’s face. Her lips parted, but she couldn’t seem to speak. Jarrett, who considered himself a quick study and a great judge of character, allowed himself a moment of doubt.
“Is that what you think this is about?” she asked, her voice shaking with emotion. “You think I’m faking this so I can be with you?” She emphasized the last word using a tone usually reserved to describe cockroaches and roadkill.
“To be honest,” he said, “yes.”
“I see. What an interesting world you live in, Jarrett Wilkenson. Until this moment I had envied you your beautiful house and your bea
utiful island, but you’ve cured me of that. If fear and distrust are the price you pay, I’m not the least bit interested. As for wanting you—” she rosé to her feet and placed her hands flat on the desk as she bent toward him “—you’re good-looking, but not that good-looking. I might not remember who I am or where I’m from, but I’m willing to bet I’m not nearly desperate enough to risk anything to be with a man like you.” She turned and started for the door.
He respected backbone. “If you mean what you say, then you won’t object to being driven back to the hotel in the morning.”
She spun toward him. “I’d prefer to be driven back tonight.”
“Dr. Reed insisted that you stay put for tonight. He’s concerned about your head injury.”
Wounded pride radiated from her like heat from a fire. He could practically see it. “I suppose you want to blame me for that, too.”
“No. John made the recommendation without any help from anyone. But it is convenient…for you.”
“Are you always this much of a bastard?”
“When I have to be. My driver will be ready at nine tomorrow morning. See that you are, too. I’m sure by then whomever you’re traveling with will have claimed you. If not, a single room will be found. You will, of course, be a guest of the hotel until your identity can be restored.”
“I don’t want your free room. Someone will be waiting for me.”
She said the words with conviction, but they both knew she might be wrong. Jarrett had expected a traveling companion of either gender to be kicking up a fuss at the mystery woman’s absence. He didn’t like the fact that no one had. If she wasn’t with people and the hotel had no single reservations, then who was she?
She continued to stare at him, as if she wanted to say more. Then her shoulders slumped slightly. For a moment, silhouetted by the door frame, she again looked lost and alone.
Deliberately, refusing to acknowledge her or speak to her again, he turned his attention to some papers on his desk. He read the balance sheet three times before it made sense, then wrote a couple of notes in the margin. When he finally looked up, she was gone.
The Mysterious Stranger (Triple Trouble) Page 4
