He was tall and very ruggedly built, with virile chiseled features that radiated an almost frightening inner strength. His thick, sunstreaked, tawny hair reminded her of a lion's mane; in fact there was a certain grace about him that made her think of a jungle cat. Their eyes held as a chill of apprehension, and some other emotion she couldn't define, flooded through her with a force that left her feeling weak. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could be concealed from those eyes.
Leslie caught her breath as he smiled slowly at her, his eyes suddenly warm. The odd paralysis that had suspended time disappeared, and she smiled back at him.
"Girl, I'd like you to meet Steve McRory of Ramco Exploration. I've known Steve and his family for a good many years."
Leslie took the hand that was offered to her, unable to suppress a peculiar feeling of awe. It was almost as though a strange spell was being cast on her.
Steve McRory continued to hold her hand as he seated her at the table, then sat back down himself. His smile deepened provocatively. "I know who I am, Ted, but who is the bewitching lady?"
Ted grinned, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "She's the granddaughter of a very old friend of mine."
Leslie felt as though she had no will of her own as she sat there, mesmerized by his eyes. Intuitively she knew that Steve McRory was as dangerous as he was attractive.
"And I presume she has a name?"
Leslie couldn't help but laugh. Steve sounded like someone who was very patiently trying to pry information out of an exasperating child.
She glanced at Ted, then smiled at Steve. "I think Ted has either forgotten my name, or he's stalling for time."
Steve tipped his head back and laughed, a deep musical laugh that was a genuine delight to hear.
Ted didn't laugh. In fact, he looked guilty. He refused to meet Leslie's eyes as he cleared his throat and toyed with the silverware beside his plate. He was stalling. Leslie braced herself as his uneasiness created a foreboding lull. She turned to face Steve McRory and found him studying Ted's reaction with a tight set look that was most definitely suspicious.
Leslie removed her hand from Steve's, her face sober. "I'm Leslie Kairns, Mr. McRory. I'm the geologist who was with Denver Oil—I think perhaps Ted has mentioned me."
The relaxed warmth evaporated abruptly and was replaced with strained silence. "I see." The friendly blue eyes became shafts of steel as McRory leaned back in his chair and surveyed Ted with cool reserve. "Why did you deliberately let me assume your geologist was a man, Ted? You know what my policy is concerning women in the field."
Ted set his jaw stubbornly and stared at Steve, his own eyes flashing metal. Steel against steel, Leslie thought.
"The reason I led you down the garden path was because I did know your policy. That research for the deep basin was all done by Les, and I think she's onto something big. I hoped you would at least have the decency to hear what she has to say."
Steve leaned forward and rested his arms on the table in a gesture of finality. "No doubt her work is brilliant; I won't deny that. However, I will not employ women in field operations, especially not Miss Kairns. My God, man, she wouldn't have the stamina of a butterfly!''
Leslie's head jerked up as her temper flared. Of all the nerve! Who did he think he was, making idiotic comparisons like that—and acting as if she wasn't even there? Her voice was quiet, but clipped with ice as she stuck out her chin with determination. "I think the analogy of a butterfly is an apt one, Mr. McRory. A monarch butterfly appears to be frail, but it migrates thousands of miles in its lifetime." Her fixed smile was pure saccharine. "Didn't your mother ever tell you not to judge a package by its size?"
His face was calm and controlled as she stared at him. If he thought for one moment that he could intimidate her by his high-handed arrogance, he was sadly mistaken. The absolute insolence of the man!
Steve McRory returned her stare, his face as hard as granite though a muscle twitched menacingly in his jaw. Ted unobtrusively relaxed in his chair and made a conscious effort to keep his face expressionless. He had predicted sparks, and they were flying. He hadn't realized until this whole mess developed that Leslie had such a strong streak of the old man in her. Mac Kairns had been a scrapper, and Ted was beginning to realize that so was she, in her own quiet way. What she lacked in size she most certainly made up in determination. Yes, this was going to be interesting, if nothing else.
Steve was watching Leslie through narrowed eyes. "There really isn't much point in discussing this, Miss Kairns. Our company had one experience with a woman engineer that was a disaster. Never again will I leave Ramco vulnerable to that kind of unprofessionalism."
The anger in his voice was like a razor. One didn't have to be particularly bright to realize that Steve McRory had suffered through a very bad experience that had tainted him for life. The anger was one thing, but there was also an underlying impression that the episode had left other deeper, more painful scars. For some strange reason, Leslie was oddly unsettled by the feeling of intense regret that gripped her.
Steve shifted his gaze to Ted. There was no doubt about the sincerity in his voice. "I would very much like to take you on staff, Ted. Frankly, I desperately need someone of your calibre—someone who's dependable, knowledgeable, experienced. But I can't buy the package you're selling. I'm sorry."
Leslie shrugged off the despondency that had settled on her and studied both men intently. Something was going on that she couldn't quite fathom. She chewed her lip, her face puzzled. Ted was watching Steve closely, assessing the situation, assessing the man. What exactly had he said to this man? A disturbing possibility developed in Leslie's mind. Ted wouldn't have done that, would he?
Leslie looked at Steve, the anger gone from her voice. "Mr. McRory, you referred to a 'package' that you wouldn't 'buy.' What exactly is Ted merchandising? It wouldn't happen ro be me, would it?"
Ted opened his mouth to speak, but Leslie silenced him with a challenging glance. There was just a glimmer of amusement in Steve's eyes when he answered. "As a matter of fact, it was. Ted has given me a brief outline about your findings. He also told me what happened at Denver Oil because of it."
He looked at Ted, a droll grin on his face, his voice tinged with reluctant admiration. "What he didn't tell me was where the basin is located. Of course, I'm particularly interested in that piece of information. Ted has been very specific concerning the terms though." His gaze leveled on Leslie again. "In a nutshell, it's you and Ted—or no one."
It took a brief moment before the words registered and Leslie was able to digest their meaning. Once again, Ted was jeopardizing his chances because of her. That changed everything. She could not let him throw a golden opportunity out the window.
She took a deep breath as she looked at Steve. "I'm sorry, I hadn't realized that Ted had made such astipulation."
"Leslie—"
"Ted, don't—please." She laid her hand on his arm in a gesture that implored him not to be stubborn, to listen to reason. Her expressive wide eyes spoke silently, but more eloquently than any words. She shifted her gaze to meet the steady appraisal of Steve McRory. "I think perhaps I owe you an apology, and an explanation. Yes, I would like to have an opportunity to be involved in this project. However, I'm not prepared to be part of a negotiation, under any circumstances." Leslie swallowed her disappointment, her eyes downcast.
"Leslie, damn it, we agreed last night that we'd stick together on this thing. It was your detective work that uncovered all this—"
"Ted, don't try and stampede me into anything! I don't want to be rammed down someone's throat. The deep basin is the number-one priority for me, you know that."
Ted sighed heavily and stroked his chin as he considered what she had said. Steve McRory was watching the byplay with an intensity Leslie could feel, and she also sensed that he didn't like it very much when she made the comment about being rammed down his throat. She fervently wished that he was not so disturbing, so overwhelming.
She squ
eezed Ted's arm, her eyes pleading as she grinned lopsidedly up at him. "I may have found it on paper, but you, Ted McAllister, are going to have the responsibility of finding it in the ground."
Ted looked at her for a long time, then his leathery face creased into a smile. He patted her hand with clumsy affection. "All right, girl, if that's what you want." He opened the briefcase beside him, pulled out the familiar blue manual and handed it to Steve. "It's all here, Steve. Have a look and see if you're still interested."
Leslie had a queer sensation in the pit of her stomach as Steve McRory took the report. He wasn't looking at the manual, but instead was looking directly and deliberately at her. "I'm very interested."
Her eyes dropped in discomfiture. This man rattled her. He made her feel like she was in the middle of a lake in a leaky canoe. She stared at her hands, her head bent. She didn't want anyone to be able to see her face. Steve flustered her—and that would show. She was also feeling disappointed—and that would show as well. She had so much wanted to be a part of the exploration team that tackled Redwillow. She would have to leave before Ted detected that disappointment, or he would refuse to change his terms.
With all the poise she could muster, she rose from her chair. Ted looked at her, his bushy eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "You're not going now, are you? At least stay and have some lunch."
She patted his arm. "No, I don't think so. It would be best if you and Mr. McRory discussed this privately." With a great deal of difficulty, she forced herself to meet Steve McRory's gaze. She wished he hadn't stood up; he was more overpowering than ever when he did so. "I'm really sorry I caused you concern, Mr. McRory, and I do sincerely wish you the best of luck in this venture."
"I appreciate your perception, Leslie." The low husky tone of his voice feathered down her spine and left her breathless. Leslie desperately did not want to take the hand he offered her, but she knew she must, if only for appearance sake. Her nerves tingled with a warning as her small hand disappeared in his. A quiver of trepidation shot through her as he stared down at her with those eyes that could see everything.
"Won't you change your mind and stay for lunch? We can leave the business discussion until later." His voice was warm and engaging.
Leslie shook her head mutely. She could feel herself slipping under the magic of his disarming manner. She eased her hand out of his. She had to get out of there—his closeness was doing strange things to her.
She picked up her purse and smiled mischieviously at Ted. "Since you're now among the employed, I suppose I had better start pounding on doors before the rent is due."
The twinkle in his eyes belied his solemn expression. "You'd better hustle, girl, before the landlord tosses you out."
Leslie pulled an impudent face, then turned to leave. She glanced up at Steve. His jaw was set in a hard angry line, and she had the feeling that he would dearly love to shake her. She felt really confused. Why was he so angry with her? She had made it possible for him to hire Ted without any conditions, and that was what he wanted. Wasn't it? She didn't understand.
With a small uncertain gesture of farewell, she turned abruptly and fled from the hypnotizing riddle of Steve McRory.
CHAPTER THREE
LESLIE PACED BACK AND FORTH in the living room, her forehead creased with a frown. Her insides churned with such a muddle of emotions that she had given up trying to sort them out.
What was taking Ted so long? What was happening? Would Ramco be interested enough in the report to speculate on it, or would Steve McRory view it with skepticism? Would Ted follow through? The suspense was driving her crazy!
She tried to concentrate on other things, but Steve McRory's smile kept intruding on her thoughts with unrelenting persistence She chewed nervously on her bottom lip; she didn't want to think about him or by he affected her the way he did.
"Leslie!"
She nearly jumped out of her skin when Ted's voice boomed out right behind her.
"Well, girl, I suppose you've nearly worn a hole in Maggie's new carpet."
"Good grief, Ted—you nearly gave me a stroke!"
Ted laughed, tossed his suit jacket on the sofa and sat down. Only Ted never really sat down—he more or less dropped his body into whatever was there to accommodate his massive frame. The sofa groaned in protest as he settled himself in and patted the space beside him.
"Give your legs a rest from all that pacing and I'll tell you what's happened."
Leslie stepped over the coffee table and sat cross-legged on the chesterfield, her elbows propped on her knees, her face cradled in her hands. She had changed into faded blue jeans and a bright pink sweater. Wisps of her fine hair had escaped from the severe bun to curl alluringly around her face. She looked about seventeen years old, and very removed from the crisp professional woman she had portrayed earlier that afternoon.
"Be merciful and tell me what happened. The suspense has been killing me."
Ted lit a cigarette and tossed the package on the coffee table as he inhaled deeply. "Well, I have a job—I signed on this afternoon as a matter of fact. And—" he took another deep deliberate drag and exhaled slowly "—if your research can stand the test of Steve's scrutiny, we're going into Redwillow."
Leslie let out a shout of jubilation and hugged him, her eyes sparking with elation. Ted barely had time to hug her back before she bounced off the sofa and did a crazy little reel in the middle of the room. "That's marvelous! I can't believe it!"
"Hang on to your shirt, girl. We aren't moving a rig in tomorrow, you know."
Leslie grinned as she flopped into the armchair. "Oh, I know. It's just that everything seemed so horrible and bleak this time yesterday, and now there's a light at the end of the tunnel." She sighed contentedly and curled up in the chair. "What happens now?"
"Well, Steve would like to pull all the information together and map it, then he would like to do some aerial reconnaissance to see if he can locate an outcrop, or some surface evidence of an old ocean bed."
"That makes sense. I think you really should have that kind of supporting evidence before you make a final decision.''
"If we can find it, we'll map out our strategies and start buying up Denver leases as soon as they hit the market. Steve stressed the need for tight security now. Ramco should be able to purchase those holdings at a good price, as no other company seems to be remotely interested in that area. He was really dumbfounded when I told him the location."
Leslie's face was radiant. Maybe dreams really did come true...sometimes.
"Leslie?"
"Yes, Ted?"
Ted's voice was serious as he leaned forward and reached for the ashtray. "I think I had better fill you in on some information I just found out about. I had heard a few rumors years ago, but I put it all down to oil-patch backbiting, and didn't give it much thought."
Leslie settled herself deeper into the chair and studied him, her eyes questioning. "Okay."
"About ten years ago, Luther pulled off a couple of unscrupulous deals that very nearly ruined Ramco."
A sickening sensation flattened the elation instantly. "What did he do?"
"Basically, it all boiled down to a case of underhanded industrial theft. He bought off an engineer who was in charge of a classified exploration project Ramco was pulling together. By obtaining, in advance, the technical information Ramco had assembled, Denver got the jump. That's how Luther made such a killing in the South American project. Denver was able to make the big strike based on an exploration plan that was actually developed by Ramco.''
Leslie felt as though the bottom of her world had dropped out from under her as the grim reality of what Ted was telling her penetrated. The conversation at the restaurant echoed ominously in her head, and suddenly everything became crystal clear. "It was the woman engineer, wasn't it?"
Ted roughly butted his cigarette in the ashtray. "Yeah, it was, Les."
She shivered with a sudden coldness. No wonder Steve was so vehement about women in the oil
patch. Leslie knew that Denver Oil had made a fortune in South America. In fact, it was the discovery of that field that had put Denver Oil on its feet financially. She really did feel sick. Luther Denver had done it at another company's expense.
Another cold horrible thought struck her. "Ted, what we're doing is the same thing that Luther did, isn't it?"
Ted shook his head, stood up and started pacing. Maggie's poor carpet was undergoing a trial today. "No, it isn't. Actually, Steve and I spent most of the morning with a top-notch corporate lawyer hashing that out. McRory didn't want any part of anything remotely unethical, and neither did I."
He continued pacing, his head bent in thought. "This thing with professional ownership is really under scrutiny now. If we sold the information to Ramco while we were still in Denver's employment— yes, it would be the same thing. However, the subject was discussed before the board of directors and Luther dumped it as so much nonsense. He discounted the research openly and publicly, and we both quit over it. Everyone in that room would testify to the fact. We left that company with the information in our heads."
"But the report?"
"The only thing in that folder now is the paper you put together, the geological report on Redwillow. I burned the rest." Ted leaned against the mantel on the fireplace and stroked his chin. Then he chuckled. "Before I stomped out in a temper yesterday, I made a very loud declaration that I would find natural gas at Redwillow even if I had to dig the damned well with my bare hands. Luther shot back that he would lend me the shovel, but that's all the help I'd get from him. The lawyer said that was certainly a statement of intent on my behalf, and a declaration of discharge on Luther's." He pushed himself away from the fireplace and ambled over to Leslie, patting her on the shoulder. "So don't worry, girl. We're well within the law."
Hold Back The Dawn Page 4
