RAINBOW’S END: FOUR-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Valerie Comer, Annalisa Daughety, Nicole O’Dell

  “Minx.” He tugged her close with one arm, in a lopsided hug that felt so natural and right.

  Chapter 6

  The morning of the fourth dawned clear … and hot. When he pulled up the data on his phone, Colton saw it had already climbed to ninety degrees. One hunt. That’s all they’d do this morning. They’d already found the easy, close caches. This hunt would take them farther away from the condos and Osage Beach. The good news was that new possibilities showed up on the Rainbow’s End website each week. Maybe the organizers would add some closer spots soon.

  When he hit law school next month, his body would go into shock with the sudden inactivity. Campus wouldn’t compare to the months spent at Lake of the Ozarks. No way to fairly measure the two against each other.

  He laced his hiking boots and headed to the Grahams’ door. He stood, hand raised to knock, when the door opened.

  Reagan took his breath away. Today she’d added a patriotic flair to her hiking ensemble with a red, white, and blue scarf holding her hair back. Her smile reached her eyes as she took in his ridiculous hat. Guess it was official. He’d do anything for her.

  “Garrett said to go without him.”

  “Not up to the hunt?”

  She snickered. “Out too late last night with the festivities. He’s always loved fireworks, so I can’t be too surprised that he stayed out for all of them.”

  “Those ended at ten thirty.”

  “I know. Guess he found someone to spend time with after that.” She shrugged. “I know he thinks I pay too much attention to his life, but that’s what sisters are for. Anyway, he’s a big boy. If he wants to miss the hunt, that’s his choice.”

  “Ready?”

  She dangled the keys in one hand and a backpack with water bottles tucked in outside pockets in the other. “Yep. Let’s get going.”

  She handed him the keys, and he followed the mechanical instructions from the GPS as they wound along the lake to the latest destination. An hour later, they worked their way around a small clearing.

  “We’re on top of the cache.”

  Reagan plopped her hands on her hips and glared at him as she puffed a strand of hair out of her face. “If I had a dime for every time you were certain the GPS had us right next to the cache …”

  Colton glared at the device and clicked a button. Then he thrust it at her. “See? Right here.”

  “It’s wrong.” She sighed then reached for it. “Maybe there aren’t as many satellites here. Let me read the clue. Maybe it’ll make sense this time.” He handed it over and watched as she read.

  “Bird on the stand.

  Bird in the bush.

  You’ll want a hand

  To beat the rush. “

  She groaned and handed it back to him.

  “What rubbish. Whoever wrote these is not a poet.”

  “It has the right number of syllables and rhymes.” “But it doesn’t make sense!” “Poetry makes sense?”

  “Well-written poems do.” She turned slowly around, repeating the clue as her gaze traveled to the trees. “It refers to bushes,” he said.

  “Only because that rhymes with ‘rush.’ “She pointed toward a pine. “Do you see something in those branches? Two-thirds of the way up?”

  Colton stood next to her and followed her finger. “Maybe.” But how to get up there? Whoever climbed up there would break an ankle if he fell. “Maybe this is one we’ll leave behind.”

  “Nope. We’re here. We are definitely getting the credit.” Reagan tugged on a couple of branches then climbed the tree.

  All he could see were branches swaying as she scooted up. A minute later she shimmied down with another artillery box tucked under her arm.

  After they signed in, she tucked the box inside a bush. “Now the next group won’t have to risk the climb to find it.”

  “I think it’s supposed to go back in place.”

  “But now it matches the clue.” She thrust her chin out, and he held his hands up. Maybe he could return and put it back in the tree later. It would be easy to get here now. She must have read his intent. “Fine.” She grabbed the box and a few minutes later had it tucked back in the pine. When she climbed down, he pulled a few needles from her hair. She stilled then looked away. “My spot was better.”

  He plucked another pine needle, enjoying the feel of her silky hair. “Let’s go back and get ready for the fireworks.”

  Reagan took a step back before he could find anything else in her hair. Didn’t he feel the fireworks when they were together?

  Maybe it was because of the holiday, but she had a strong suspicion the sensation would remain after Independence Day disappeared for another year.

  They’d watched the fireworks from the park last night. Would tonight be any different? If it were just the two of them, it would. In ways that scared and excited her. “Okay.”

  Her answer must not have met his expectations, because he frowned at her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I won’t force you to come.”

  She forced a smile past her nerves. “I’m looking forward to tonight, Colton. Truly.”

  He frowned then nodded. “All right then.”

  The walk back to the car passed in silence, a silence that was mirrored on the drive. By the time she walked into the condo, all Reagan wanted was a bottle of aspirin, a nap, and to forget she’d agreed to spend the evening with Mr. Silent. Instead, she spent the time giving her toes a pedicure so they wouldn’t scare anyone who spied them through her sandals. No hiking boots tonight.

  Throughout the afternoon, she didn’t see Garrett. Wherever he’d disappeared, he hadn’t bothered to leave a note. She’d bet anything a young lady associated with the hunt had captured his attention.

  Maybe he was ready to consider a future match. Nah, this was her baby brother.

  She left a note on the island for Garrett and sat in the rocking chair on the porch, waiting for Colton to collect her. She bit back a whistle as he approached. He wore khakis and a navy polo. Boat shoes completed the relaxed yet sharp summer image. He looked like he’d stepped off the cover of a Ralph Lauren flier, a good look for him. His skin had the healthy glow of someone who’d spent the summer outside but avoided the overdone red hue it had carried earlier. The hat had been a great idea.

  “What’s got you grinning?”

  “You’re missing one thing.”

  “A beautiful woman on my arm?” He raised a rakish brow.

  Color flooded her cheeks, color she hoped her tan concealed. “No. The hat.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I like my answer better.”

  She stood, and he offered his arm as he escorted her to his compact car. A wonderful aroma filled the vehicle’s interior. “What do you have in here?”

  “Supper. A little birdie told me you like fried chicken.”

  “That must have been Garrett.”

  “Yep.”

  “Too bad he’s not observant enough to notice I really don’t enjoy chicken.” Reagan felt a teeny bit bad as Colton squirmed. “But if there’s a breast in there, I’ll take it.”

  “I think there are a couple.”

  “Perfect. Where are we eating this feast?”

  “The lake shore. Figure we’ll find a spot to enjoy ourselves until the show.”

  There was an odd glint in his eyes as he glanced her way.

  “Okay. Did you send Garrett to hold it for us? That would explain why he disappeared.”

  “Didn’t think of that.” As they neared the lake, she wondered if they’d get within a mile of the beach. Then Colton turned toward the pier. She bit her lip to keep from asking what he was up to. She’d already ruined one of his surprises. If it killed her, she’d keep her mouth shut on any more.

  They found a small open square, big enough for the picnic blanket Colton had brought, and soon he had the basket unpacked. He handed her a plate loaded with a perfectly fried chicken breast, potato salad, a biscuit, and warm berry cobbler. She almos
t asked if she could bypass the rest and eat the cobbler. Instead, she picked at the chicken until she took a bite and decided it was delicious.

  After the cobbler, Colton surprised her by packing everything up.

  “Aren’t we staying here?”

  “Nope. I’ve got a better vantage point for the fireworks.”

  Reagan glanced around. Sure, they could be closer to the beach, but it wasn’t a bad location. And the area between them and the water overflowed with other people parked to watch the fireworks.

  “Let me take the basket and blanket back to the car.” He laid a jacket on the ground where the blanket had been a minute before. “You wait here, and I’ll be right back.”

  She nodded and sank on the jacket.

  After awhile he returned with a big grin. “Follow me, mademoiselle.” “Yes sir.”

  He walked her toward the Grand Glaize Bridge and to a pier. “Colton?”

  “I decided the best place to watch the fireworks was the lake. So I got us tickets on the Queen of the Ozarks, that yacht down there.” He pointed at the yacht with such pride, she almost believed he owned the vessel.

  “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “Even in St. Louis?”

  She shook her head. The romance of the moment as they walked onto the boat almost swept her breath away. If she didn’t know better, she’d let herself believe Colton Ryan, the man who fascinated her, wanted to woo her. But he’d been honest from the beginning that he didn’t have time for a relationship, not with the new direction his life would take in August.

  Until that moment, she’d been content with friendship.

  Goodness, she hadn’t wanted to trust anyone but Garrett when they’d left St. Louis. Somehow in the intervening weeks, Colton had slid beneath her protective barriers. She needed to rebuild them quickly. Before he stole her heart with no intention of keeping it. If he kept planning amazing nights like this, she might not be able to keep her mind from agreeing with her heart that Colton Ryan was her Prince Charming.

  Chapter 7

  The engines of the yacht powered the boat away from the pier. People crowded the boat, each eager to watch the fireworks from the unique perspective of the lake. Reagan tried to find the same excitement. Instead, her stomach churned, whether from too much chicken or the thought of spending several hours on the boat with this man, she wasn’t sure.

  She wanted to relax and enjoy the moment. Garrett must not have told Colton what happened the one and only time she’d been on a boat ride. The thought of how sick she’d been made her shudder.

  It would be okay this time.

  It had to be, since she refused to leave that kind of impression with Colton.

  Maybe if she didn’t watch the water rush by. Or if she had a glass of ginger ale in her hand. Something had to distract her enough to keep her stomach in its place.

  “You okay?” Concern laced Colton’s words.

  “Absolutely.” She glanced toward the cabin. “Looks like there’s food in there.”

  “Why not wait? We just ate, after all.”

  She bit her lower lip and pressed a hand into her stomach. “A glass of Sprite would be wonderful.”

  Understanding crossed his face. “Gee, I’m sorry, Reagan. I never thought to ask if you handled boats well. I bet the staff has Dramamine. Let me get some for you and some Sprite. I’ll be right back.”

  Reagan nodded and sank onto a bench. The soft spray coated her face, and she focused on how good the water felt. Water wasn’t all bad since it could cool her feverish skin.

  She lost track of time as she watched the others and waited for Colton. A country band played in a corner of the Queen. The affected twang of the songs made her smile. Then the group launched into a string of patriotic songs that made her want to stand up with her hand over her heart.

  “Here you go.” Colton handed her two small pills and a glass filled with sparkling soda as he sat down next to her.

  “Thanks.” She swallowed the pills gratefully. “How long does it take for these to kick in?”

  “I’ve never needed them.”

  “I’ll try not to hate you for that.”

  He shrugged. “Not much I can do about my iron stomach.” He thumped the offending organ then turned serious. “Sure you’ll be okay?”

  She nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve got my friends the sparkling bubbles here. Combined with the wonder drug, I’ll be in great shape.”

  “Then how about we take a quick stroll around the boat, see what we can spy from here?”

  “I don’t think there’s a cache onboard,” she said. “There isn’t.”

  She cocked an eyebrow, and he grinned mischievously. “I checked.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me, Mr. Competitive?”

  “Hey, you say that like it’s a bad thing.” He offered her his hand and helped her to her feet. She focused on him as he led her around the boat.

  “Tell me this … would you turn in the bonus chip if you collected it?”

  He opened his mouth then closed it.

  “Exactly.” She grinned at him. “You’re in to win.”

  “Nothing wrong with that.”

  “Right. Don’t forget to enjoy your vacation, too.”

  She leaned against the railing. Wow, this drug was effective. Her stomach didn’t dare rebel with Dramamine winging through her. Then it flipped as Colton eased toward her.

  “Oh, I’m enjoying myself.”

  She waited to see if he’d distance himself, retract the words, give any indication he didn’t mean them. That they’d been uttered as a mistake. Instead, he leaned closer, almost as if he wanted to seal them with a kiss.

  Someone bumped against Colton, knocking him into Reagan. His lips brushed her cheek, and he pulled back with a frown.

  He growled and looked around. It was impossible to tell who had hit him. He turned back to Reagan. “That’s not quite what I had in mind.”

  As he stroked her cheek, Reagan leaned into the touch. At the moment, the rest of the world disappeared, even whoever’d bumped Colton. They were the only two on the boat, the placid water of the Lake of the Ozarks like glass beneath them. She should pull back, put distance between them, but all she wanted was to sink into the moment, wrap it around her like a blanket.

  “Look!” The excited squeal broke the moment.

  Reagan didn’t know whether to cry or thank the tween who pointed at the sky where the first fireworks broke through. It hadn’t completed its transformation to black velvet, yet the pinpricks of swirling light in red and cream drew oohhs and aahhs from those on the boat.

  Colton drew her against him. As he wrapped his arms around her, she relaxed for a moment. It wouldn’t hurt to enjoy knowing someone cared for a few minutes. He tensed, and Reagan pulled away. She turned to see his face.

  “What?” A shiver of fear crept up her spine, destroying the relaxation she’d just felt.

  “That guy over there.” He nudged his chin to the left. “He’s been staring at you for a while.” Colton focused on the mystery man, jaw tight, gaze focused.

  Maybe he should keep his mouth shut. Why ruin the evening? One that had gone so well, better than he’d hoped when they started out. Yet, if his instinct was right, he needed to make sure she was aware. He took a breath. “Don’t you think it’s strange, he’s focused on you when everyone else is watching the fireworks?”

  The color leeched from Reagan’s tanned face, and lines tightened around her eyes. He hated causing her distress. She swallowed hard then turned toward the cabin. “I need to get away.” She stumbled toward the doors.

  Colton waited a moment, tempted to confront the man. But if he did that would the man disappear before Colton could know his intentions? Would the man follow Reagan? Colton kept his gaze slightly off him as he memorized what the man looked like. Average height and build with sandy, mussed hair, a little long. He had the pale complexion tinged with pink of someone who worked inside and wasn’t used
to time outside. He wore khaki cargo shorts and a T-shirt, with battered high-tops.

  Could this be Reagan’s stalker?

  If so, how had the man found them?

  Reagan hadn’t told anyone where she planned to spend the summer. He was almost certain. That would defeat the purpose of disappearing.

  When Reagan didn’t return and the man took a step in her direction, Colton hurried inside.

  A blast of cold air smacked him as he entered the cabin. Reagan huddled in a corner, arms wrapped tightly around her middle. “You okay?”

  “Trying to tell myself he’s a random guy.” She gulped.

  “How’s that working?”

  “Not well.” Reagan turned from him, her profile reflected in the window against a dark sky punctuated with fireworks. “He couldn’t have followed me, could he?”

  Colton shrugged, wishing he could tell her something different. “I don’t know. Don’t the police have a suspect in custody?”

  “I thought so. Guess I’ll call the detective tomorrow. The problem is I never got a good look at the man outside my apartment, so I don’t know if that’s him out there. What now?”

  “Enjoy the fireworks. If it’s the guy, he won’t try anything here. We’ll slip away once we’re on shore. Hopefully, he doesn’t know my car, so we should be okay.”

  “But how did he find me here?” Reagan’s voice tremored. “He had to follow us from somewhere, and the most logical place is the condo. There’s no way he just happened to luck out.”

  She rubbed her forehead, a strained look staining her features.

  Colton tugged her to him. He couldn’t discount her words, but they couldn’t stay on the boat forever either. If only he could ditch the guy. Didn’t want to give the man a calling card for his car on the off chance he hadn’t followed them from the condo. He had to keep the creep from knowing where Reagan lived. At least until they could figure out if their imaginations had run crazy. “We’ll leave with the rush, try to get to the front of the crowd. Then we’ll drive around awhile. Maybe get you some custard.” The words sounded empty, but he didn’t know what else to do.