by Debra Holt
“You’re not supposed to be here until tomorrow.” Angie breathed when she found her voice.
Her feet still had not touched the ground but neither of them noticed. Her face was level with his. His silver gaze slid slowly over her eyes and nose and mouth… lingered a bit longer there before he met her gaze again.
“That’s part of the surprise. A guy can change his mind, too. But if you prefer, I can leave and wait until tomorrow…”
Her hold on his neck tightened. “Don’t even think about it. I want the surprise now.”
“I want something, also.” His gaze went to her mouth again.
Angie wanted the same thing at that very moment. She wanted his kiss and so much more. The realization made her heart somersault into triple flips!
“Excuse us.” The voices came from behind them. Carrie and Zoe were standing there with embarrassed amusement written on their faces. “Remember us? We’re still here.”
Jace looked over at them, a slight frown creasing his mouth. “Don’t let us stop you. I’m sure you have someplace else to be right now?” That was a broad hint.
It was enough of an interruption to bring Angie back to sanity. She released her arms from around his neck and pushed back a step. Jace released her with reluctance. She was on solid ground again. She could feel the flush in her cheeks still.
“I’ll just finish what I was doing in my office and then be home…” She did not get to finish.
“Ladies, did you complete your mission?” His gaze was on the two women as he spoke. What was he up to?
“Yes, sir, Marshal Blackhawke, sir,” Zoe piped up. “Just as you instructed.”
“Luggage is in the closet behind you. Here is your purse.” Carrie brought Angie’s bag from behind her back and held it out to her. Angie reached out, still in a confused daze.
“Does this mean we can have honorary marshal badges?” Zoe smiled brightly. “You did swear us in… or at least to secrecy and all.”
Angie turned and looked up at the man beside her. It was clear from his expression that this was to be kept part of the “secret”.
She arched a fine brow and gave him a long look. “You swore my assistants to secrecy? You had them conspire against me?”
He flashed a grin that he obviously hoped would soften her. “I didn’t think you wanted me packing your clothing for you. If I had, it would have been a small bag.”
A flush blossomed along her neck. His eyes held a gleam growing in their depths that only made it worse. She had to relent.
“We’ll talk when I get back.” Angie tossed toward the two women.
Jace opened the closet and picked up the cases. A few minutes later, Angie was seated beside him in a red jeep and they were headed northwest from the city. She was glad she had chosen the black jeans and red blouse to wear to the office. The ladies would have covered her even if she had worn a business suit today. It was clear they had been easily swept over by Jace’s charm if he could enlist their aid so easily and keep them quiet about it all.
“So when do I find out what this surprise is?” Angie ventured as she caught her hair back from her face with a hand, trying to secure the strands that the wind kept blowing askew in the open-sided jeep.
“You’ll just have to be patient a little while longer. All good things come to those who wait, didn’t you know that?” Jace shot her a grin. He didn’t sound tired now. In fact, he looked very relaxed and pleased with himself.
“I take it that your case went well?”
He raised a brow in silent query as he looked at her.
She elaborated. “You look like you’re in a good mood. I take it to mean that things went well in Utah.”
“Yes, they did go well for the most part. We tied up a case that had been troubling us for a while. But that’s not what I’m in a good mood about.” Was he trying to be mysterious?
“Okay, I’ll ask. Why the good mood then?”
“Two reasons,” he replied, his eyes leaving the road for just a second, their warm glow passing over her. “One reason is that I’m heading to a place that is very special to me. The other reason is that you agreed to come with me. Life is pretty good right now.”
Jace Blackhawke could certainly surprise her. He might not be a poet, but he didn’t need to be. His words left her speechless and the feelings he could invoke within her with the slightest of glances or the merest of words was hard to explain. She swept her gaze to the scenery ahead of them. It was a lot safer than looking at him. The words and how he said them replayed in her mind over and over during the next few minutes.
They drove into the foothills and then through tall forests. The road became two lanes before it filtered into nothing more than a barely used trail. Angie enjoyed watching the scenery and breathing the clean, fresh smell of pine and pinon. They continued a steady climb. They left all signs of civilization behind them. Fifteen minutes more and the jeep finally crested a rise, coming to a halt.
Angie was certainly glad it did. There was nothing ahead of them but sky. It took a moment to register. They were on top of a cliff… a very high mountain cliff. There was not another soul to be seen, only endless miles of land below them which stretched as far as you could see… right to the edge of the horizon where the sun would soon set.
Jace stepped out of the jeep, coming around to help her out. She took his offered hand and immediately felt the warmth circulate up her arm and spread throughout her body. He didn’t release it as he led her forward for a better view, and she was glad, noting how high they were. Angie stood beside him in silence for several moments. When she did look up at her companion, she was mesmerized by the play of the fading sunlight on the contours of his face.
He fit so completely with this landscape. He was part of it. There was something so good and noble in the strong line of jaw and high cheekbones… the way his eyes silently scanned over the land before them with a fierce pride in their depths. What must it feel like to have such a connection? It wasn’t the first time she envied him. Her eyes went back to the earthly view.
“This place is beautiful beyond words.” She spoke in a murmur and saw the smile it brought to Jace’s face.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ve never shared it with anyone else. I always come here alone.”
She felt an instant thrill at his words. “Then I’m truly honored.”
“This is where I come for inspiration to paint. Or for introspection on life when the job or things get too intrusive. It’s the Apache way of getting in touch with the ‘inner child,’ I think it’s called in your big city world.” He wasn’t making a joke… just explaining it without becoming too serious.
“It’s part of the Father Sky, Mother Earth beliefs that I’ve read about?” Angie asked, her eyes lifting to his.
“I have to remember what an insatiable seeker of facts you are,” he replied. “But, yes… one shares one’s secrets and hopes with Father Sky. One shares their dreams with the moon. Dreams made under an Apache moon come true… especially those cast by lovers with true hearts who are meant to be together.” His eyes had darkened as they met hers. “Tonight, there will be an Apache moon in the sky. Perhaps you should share your dreams.”
The breeze lifted a few strands of her hair and she brushed them back to break the charged moment.
Angie turned her eyes from his view and worked to keep her voice even. “Wishes and dreams under full moons are for romantics. That lets me out. I’m a reality kinda gal.” She strived to finish on a witty note. Angie was surprised when he didn’t respond right away.
When he finally did, his words were softer. “Then I’ll just have to make a wish for you.” Jace turned and walked back to the jeep. Angie composed herself before turning to see what he was doing, and her eyes opened wide in surprise. She moved to stand a few feet away from the vehicle. Jace was busy removing bags and equipment from the rear of it. Angie watched as he carried the first box toward the flat expanse of grass a few yards from the jeep and set it
down. He headed back for another load. Her eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest, suspicion lurking in her mind.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like? Are you that much of a city girl that you don’t know what making camp looks like?” He gathered up another box and headed back toward the same spot, depositing the second box next to the first one. Angie was a few steps behind.
“Camp? You mean as in we are staying out here… all night?”
Jace rose from setting the last box down and turned to her with a grin on his face and a hint of challenge in his eyes.
“Not just tonight. All weekend… that’s the general idea. Quite a surprise, huh?” He headed back to the jeep.
“This is the surprise you had for me?”
“It’s something, isn’t it?” He was clearly amusing himself at that point and at her expense.
Angie’s exasperation rose. She stood with her hands on her hips as he placed the last of the equipment in front of her.
“There are no words for it,” she managed. Sleeping outside, on the ground, in the middle of nowhere… this would teach her to look forward to surprises, especially from him. “Just where will I be sleeping?” She ventured, almost dreading the answer.
He was unpacking something that looked like it might be a shelter of some sort. Jace glanced up at her. “In this tent,” he replied.
So she had at least been correct in what it was. Jace was intent on making some headway and it wasn’t long before the shelter was in place. Another thought came to her at that point.
“Just where will your tent be?”
“Right here.” Jace nodded to the same small shelter. His face was averted from her view so she couldn’t see if there was any joke intended or not.
“Very amusing. But seriously, where are you sleeping?”
Jace looked up at her. His eyes held no joke. The only sign of amusement was the slight lift at one corner of his mouth. “I’m very serious. We’ll be sharing this tent. Don’t worry, with two sleeping bags, it’ll still be plenty of room… for sleep.” He just had to get in a jab, she noted. “I know it’s not exactly the usual five stars you’re used to… being from the big city and all… but it has a view like none other. Your chef can guarantee that you won’t starve. Room service is asking a bit much, but it might be arranged… with the proper tipping, of course.”
He was laughing at her. City girl… why did he keep calling her that? Because that is what you are to him. Well, she was a lot tougher than he gave her credit for. He just thought he had her figured out. She could handle a night in the woods. How hard could it be? She’d show him.
A smile replaced the frown on her face. “What can I do to help?”
The look on his face was priceless. She had stunned him in to silence. Imagine that. His gaze was a silent assessment.
He turned and opened another box. “You can put these bags inside the tent. Then find some stones for a fire ring… just over there.” He pointed to a spot not far from where they stood. “Think you can handle that?”
Chapter Eleven
Angie did not reply but set about to show him exactly what she could handle. She unrolled the bags and shook them out. She made sure hers was as far to the side of the tent as possible. Let him think what he would about that. Then she backed out of the tent and went to find large stones for the ring. Not once did she glance down at her manicure. She could feel his eyes on her as she worked. Angie would not give him any reason to remind himself that she was a city girl.
She finished the last stone of the ring as he approached with an armload of firewood. He bent down on one knee and began to stack it. Angie took a seat a couple feet away on a tree stump. She had to admire how easily the work came to him. His movements were effortless and, in no time at all, the wood was stacked and sparks soon flickered from the flint he had used to start the flames. No matches had been used. She guessed this was the “Big Chief” in him going native.
“I suppose this would be where you go off into the woods and kill a bear for dinner?”
He tossed her a look of amusement. “Bears are protected. Sorry to disappoint you. You’ll just have to make do with the steaks I brought along in that chest over there. I don’t suppose you know how to peel a potato?”
“Are they like bananas?” She retorted with an air of exaggerated innocence. Her voice switched back to normal. “Just give me a knife. You seem to think I’m a helpless female. Perhaps like your little Lisa Hawkins?” He had made her mad, but she wished she could take back that last bit about that woman. She didn’t want to sound like a jealous shrew.
“Lisa wouldn’t survive two seconds out here. And I certainly have never thought about bringing any female here before now. You’re the only one.” His words were matter of fact and his eyes were intent on seasoning the meat and placing it in the skillet over the flames.
Angie felt another burst of happiness over that information. It was something else to tuck away and hold close to her heart.
“Besides, you aren’t a helpless female. No one would ever think that about you. I just meant that you don’t seem to be much attuned to things culinary. How’s that?” Jace’s eyes now held the familiar look he used when trying to make her smile.
“It was my job to cook, to have the meals ready and on the table when everyone came home. Being on a budget meant that we had a lot of potatoes to peel.” Why did I just say all that to him? Thankfully, she had used the term “budget” instead of the one that was more apt… poor. Jace’s expression remained even and nonjudgmental. That was encouraging. “I can also wash dishes… by hand. We didn’t have a dishwasher. Or I guess we did… me,” she amended with a rueful smile.
Jace kept quiet and took in her words. He was surprised when she had spoken more about her past. He did what he did best in his line of work. He listened. Perhaps more pieces of her past would be forthcoming. Angie gave her attention to the spuds and remained quiet. Jace kept his attention on the meat, but his mind was busy.
Other memories were working their way through Angie’s mind as she worked, but she kept them to herself. She hadn’t explained she had been the oldest in the household, therefore, she had done the bulk of the heavier chores… cooking, cleaning, laundry. The younger ones had it a lot easier. They were cuter and people liked them. She hadn’t minded. The chores were something she could do alone. While the food cooked, she could sit at the table and draw. As long as she had her pad and pencils, she had never been bored… or alone.
Her daydreams had kept her company during the long hours of the day and her dreams at night kept her in a safe place. They took her to places she had read about in the books with fervor whenever she had been allowed to stay for any length of time in school. She hadn’t known how, but she had been sure even then that one day, she would find a way to go to those places. She just had to or she would curl up and die. There had to be a better life for her somewhere. That was the dream that had spurred her onward when no one else believed in her. She had fought to hang on to it and make it happen. And she had made it.
That which doesn’t break us, makes us stronger. She had read those words once when she was a teenager, and they resonated within her many times over the ensuing years. If that was indeed the case, then she should be one of the strongest people alive. When things got really bad, she used them as a mantra to get through the darkness.
“Penny for those thoughts making you so determined to whittle that poor potato into a nub.” Jace’s words brought her thoughts back to the present.
Angie shook off the cobwebs of the past and concentrated on the here and now. “Sorry, but my thoughts are worth far more than mere pennies,” she replied with a lighthearted tone. “How about stepping it up with those steaks? This country air of yours is making me hungry.”
They settled into an easy camaraderie for the rest of the meal prep. Angie had to admit there was something to be said for food cooked over an open fire. She wasn’t usually
a big fan of steak, but she had to admit it was quite tasty when the meal was completed and they dined by the flickering firelight.
Jace took care of cleanup while she stored the rest of the food in coolers inside the jeep. The firelight cast a glow that formed a circle around them in the growing darkness. Outside that circle, the night closed in. The temperature dropped. Angie dug out the jacket the women had packed for her. She returned to sit on the log which Jace found earlier and moved next to their fire ring. He took something else from the box beside them.
“Now for our dessert.” In his hand were a knife and two sticks. She watched as he whittled down the stick ends into thin, sharp points. Then he reached back into the box and out came a bag of marshmallows.
Angie’s eyes grew round with surprise. “How fun! I’ve always wanted to try this.”
Jace looked at her with an expression of mock sacrilege on his face. “You mean to say that you have never roasted marshmallows over a fire?”
“Afraid not. They tend to frown upon that sort of thing in Central Park. This will be my first time.”
“Then I am honored to be your first.” He amended that when he saw the look on her face. “Your first co-roaster of marshmallows that is.”
Angie burst into laughter. A moment later, Jace joined in. She couldn’t help but think how incredible the moment was. Here she was, seated beside this man, in the middle of a vast wilderness, and she felt so alive… and so content. Not a bright neon sign or marquee with red carpet to be had. Who would have thought?
As for Jace, the look on her face along with the instant excitement in her voice at this simplest of activities gave him immense satisfaction. It also made something in the region of his heart constrict even tighter. It was simply Angie Lord staking an even greater hold on that territory. He wasn’t about to object.
