"I'd like to talk to you," he said as he paid her. "How about having lunch with me?"
"This is my busiest time." She paused. "Or are you giving me an order?"
"A humble request."
Reddening, she signaled one of the girls to take her place and followed him to a table. He set out his lunch and picked up his knife and fork. "Why don't you get yourself something to eat at the same time?''
"I never bother with lunch."
"You should. You're getting too thin."
"Elaine's thinner than I am."
The moment she had spoken she could have kicked herself, for he grinned broadly.
"She's not the same type as you. Redheads should be curvy."
"I'm sure you didn't ask me over to discuss my figure."
"I didn't. We can do that another time." He put down his fork. "How are you settling down in Eddlestone?"
She did not hide her surprise at his question. "I'm getting used to it. Why?"
"Then it's not you that's worrying your father," he muttered, ignoring her question. "I thought it might have been."
Only then did she understand the reason for his curiosity. "What makes you think he's worrying?" "I can tell from his manner. There's summat on his mind. That's for sure."
"It was early in February that my mother was killed," Laura murmured. "He may be thinking of that."
Jake rubbed the side of his face. "No, lass. He wouldn't let that effect his work. It's several years since your mother died."
"Does that make his grief any the less?" she flared. "Or don't you ever think of your mother now she's dead?"
He lost color visibly. "You know where to hit, don't you?"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"I asked for it."
It was the nearest he had come to making an apology and her tension eased. "If you'd like me to have a word with dad….."
"No. Let's wait and see."
She pushed back her chair. "If you've finished with me…”
A dark eyebrow lifted, making his expression sardonic. "I haven't started yet, lass."
Hurriedly she returned to the counter, pushing his last words out of her mind because she did not want to try to make sense of them.
That night, over supper, she deliberately forced her father into making more conversation than usual and could not find any reason to agree with Jake's earlier comments.
But later, as she sat in an armchair sewing, she glanced up and saw a deep frown marking his forehead. It was a sure indication that something was on his mind and tentatively she asked him if he were worrying about anything.
"I've always got problems," he said abruptly. "But nothing for you to concern yourself over."
"It's good to share your problems," she said. "That's what you Ve always told me."
"Because I'm your father." He made an attempt at jocularity. "But the boot can't go on the other foot!"
"I don't see why not. I may be able to help you if—"
"No, Laura. There's nothing you can do. I'll sort it out myself."
Accepting the uselessness of probing further, she lapsed into silence. Jake was right, it seemed. Something was worrying her father and she must find out what it was. But subtly. If she pretended not to notice her father's attitude, he might relax and give something away.
"You should get out more," he said into the silence.
"I'm going caving this weekend. Beth called me today and invited me."
"She's a fine woman. Beats me why she never married."
"Perhaps she prefers being single."
John Winters looked ironic. "You'll never convince me any woman feels that!"
"Then I'll change the subject before we come to blows." Laura smiled. "How about another cup of coffee?"
The following Saturday dawned bright and crisp and, in slacks and sweater, she set out to meet Beth at the bus stop. A crowd of others ready for potholing was already there and her heart pounded as she saw Jake among them.
"As you know Jake," Beth said cheerfully, "I've suggested he be your instructor."
"I didn't know caving was one of your hobbies." She spoke more coolly than she felt, annoyed with Beth for deliberately singling Jake out to escort her.
"There are lots of things you don't know about me," came his cheerful answer.
"Jake used to be one of our regulars," Beth intervened. "But this is the first time he's come along in months."
Convinced he had done so only because he had overheard her make arrangements to join the expedition, Laura was equally convinced he was waiting to see her make a fool of herself at a sport in which he was no doubt an expert. The thought put her on her mettle and during the drive out to the moors she grew more and more tense, eager to get started and show him that even though she was inexperienced, she was not a coward.
When they finally reached the mouth of the cave, after a long walk in a wind that had unexpectedly grown sharp, she was trembling both with cold and fear, and as she waited for the safety line to be secured around her she wished with all her heart that she was safely at home. Desperately she glanced around and found Jake at her side.
"You'll be fine once you get going," he said. "It's always racking the first time."
She opened her mouth to disagree, then decided it was pointless to lie.
"It'syour turn, lass," he said, and gave her a slight tap on the shoulder.
Laura stepped forward and, grasping the rope ladder that snaked down the narrow chimney to the labyrinth below, began her descent.
From the mouth of the cave it had not looked as if the downward climb would be difficult, but as she went deeper the shaft grew narrower, and with the dimming of daylight that this caused, it was hard to avoid the projecting rock edges. Several times she bruised herself against them, but at length she reached the bottom of her first pothole and relaxed with a heartfelt sigh.
When everyone was down and the safety lines coiled, flashlights were brought out and they moved slowly along the low tunnel that connected their cavern with the vast range of caves beyond. As the small patch of blue sky grew smaller, Laura was filled with panic at being cut off from the world above and could well understand why Robert had flatly refused to join her. Indeed, had it not been for the knowledge that Jake was directly behind her, she would have given up there and then.
"Do people do this for fun?" she gasped as they bent double in order to inch their way along a tunnel.
"Depends if they're masochists or sadists!" Jake chuckled. "But believe me, you're in luck today. I've known this place half-full of water."
"That'sall I need!"
"Suspend judgment for the moment. It's the end result that counts. Look!"
As Jake spoke, someone threw on a light switch and arc lamps suspended from a high, vaulted ceiling lit up a sight of breathtaking beauty.
Straightening, Laura saw she was at the entrance of a cavern as vast as an opera house, with innumerable grottos leading from it at various levels. No human hand could have wrought columns as intricate in design as the stalactites and stalagmites created by Nature thousands of years ago, and the splendor robbed her of fear.
"It's fantastic! Like a palace."
"I always expect to see Oberon and Titania," Jake replied. "A much better setting for them than a forest."
It was an unusual but intriguing thought and she was forced to admit it. "A pity it has to be spoiled by electric lights, though."
"Safer than torches! But don't worry, this is the only cave that's been tamed. From here on we fan out among the side channels and we have to rely on batteries." He grinned at her. "For the rest of the day you'll be in my power."
"I'd prefer Eveready!"
"Still sharp with the answers, aren't you?"
Ignoring the comment, she followed him as he led the way down a gloomy cavern. He kept up a steady but fairly fast pace that required all her concentration. She lost all sense of time and, as she scrambled through a twisting world of tunnels, she lost all se
nse of direction, too. Only one urge predominated: to go on, to see what was around the corner.
"It's time we were getting back," Jake said at last.
Laura turned to obey him and, as she did so, noticed an opening in the rock above her shoulder. "I wonder where that leads?"
He grinned, his teeth white in the gloom. "I can see you've caught the pothole virus!" Crouching low, he motioned her to use his back as a ladder. Forgetting all embarrassment she did so, scrambling through the opening and waiting until he swung himself up after her.
They crawled forward for a few yards but soon the channel widened sufficiently for them to walk upright. In the distance came the sound of a subterranean waterfall and she quickened her pace, stopping with a gasp of irritation as she found her way blocked by a large boulder.
"Looks as if we've come to the end of the road," Jake said.
"I'd love to see the waterfall. I'll try to squeeze past."
Carefully she edged through the narrow gap and had just rounded the side of the big rock when the ground moved beneath her feet. With a scream she clutched at the boulder, her arms taking the weight of her body as the earth gave way even more.
"Hold on and don't move!" Jake shouted and tried to squeeze after her. But the gap was too small, and though he strained every muscle, the boulder was too firmly lodged to move even a fraction.
Gingerly Laura moved one foot. The ground beneath her shook and she heard the sound of stones falling, the noise continuing for what seemed an interminable length of time before they finally ceased their journey far below.
" I must be hanging over another cavern,'' she gasped.
"I know. Keep as still as you can. I'll try to get through."
"You'll never make it."
He did not answer and she heard the rustle of clothing. Too frightened to speak, she waited. The strain of supporting her weight on her arms was beginning to tell on her and the dull ache in her shoulders was fast becoming an agony that threatened to destroy rational thought
"I can't hold on much longer,"she whispered.
"You must!"
Suddenly his breathing was nearer, and though petrified to turn her head, she saw from the corner of her eyes one shoulder inching between the rocky wall and the boulder. Every muscle in her body throbbed with the effort of holding her weight and she knew that unless Jake could reach her soon she would have to let go. How far did the ground stretch below her? Was it a few feet or a hundred yards? Sweat stung her eyes and snaked down the back of her neck.
"I can't hold on," she repeated. "My arms… I can't manage it."
"You've got to! It won't be long now." Inch by inch he squeezed closer until they were separated only by a few feet. "I can't get any nearer." His breathing was labored, signifying the effort he had made. "You'll have to let go of the rock with one hand and stretch it up for me to grab you."
"I can't let go."
"It's your only chance."
"Suppose you miss it?"
"I won't—not if you hold your arm out straight. Now do as I say."
Petrified, she could not bear to let go of the boulder, even though the pain of holding on to it was intensifying with every second. "I can't, Jake… No!"
"Do it," he ordered. "Do it, you stupid fool!"
Stung into anger by his gibe, she let go of the rock with one hand and swung it toward him. The movement dislodged more earth beneath her feet and the ledge on which she was balancing gave way completely. She felt herself sliding down and screamed out sharply, her voice jerking into a yelp of pain as Jake gripped her hand and arm and took the full weight of her body.
"Don't move, Laura." His voice was strained and thin, as though pulled taut by the same pressure that was pulling his muscles and hers. "I can't squeeze forward any farther and I can't bend to lift you. All I can do is to inch back and pull you with me. If your feet can find something to step on—a stone or a small hole to give you a toehold—it will ease your weight… for me and for yourself."
"I'll try," she gasped, and gingerly explored with one foot and then with the other, all the time aware of the strain she must be for him and of the screaming pain of the muscles in her shoulder.
"Found anything?" he panted.
"No. I'll try again."
Slowly she inched her foot along the rocky wall. It felt smooth with no foothold anywhere. Suddenly her toe scraped against something and she carefully rested part of her weight on it. It did not give way and she rested her foot on it completely.
"Good girl," Jake said, instantly feeling the relief. "Now I can move a bit faster. But try to press your whole body against the rock. That will stop you from swinging."
Laura could never afterward remember the next few moments, compounded as they were of panic, relief and then panic again as her foot lost its hold and her entire weight was once again taken by her throbbing muscles. But inch by inch Jake levered her up until at last her body was on a level with his. One foot reached safety and then the other, and shaking with tension, she was able to squeeze through the gap and reach the haven of firm ground.
Only then did she see Jake clearly. In order to get as far past the boulder as he could, he had stripped to the waist, and his chest was bleeding profusely where the skin was scraped against the rock.
"You're hurt!" she cried.
"It's nowt to worry about." All at once he pulled her close. "The… the main thing is you're safe," he said jerkily. "For a moment I thought you weren't going to make it."
His cheek rested against hers and she felt the sweat on his skin. Then with a convulsive movement he turned his face and sought her lips.
As the hard pressure of his mouth came down on hers, Laura was filled with a deep sense of gratitude. If it weren't for Jake, she might be lying lifeless in some deep well of darkness. Her arms crept around his neck and she drew him close. His own arms tightened their hold on her and the pressure of his mouth increased, forcing her lips apart. Yet forcing was the wrong word, for her lips opened willingly, eagerly, as her body yielded to his and the gratitude she felt changed to an urgent, more primitive need.
"Laura," he groaned. "I want you… darling…"
"Jake!" she whispered. Buoyed by ecstasy, she did not know if she had spoken his name aloud or if she had imagined it, for the word was suddenly echoing down the tunnel.
"Jake… Jake! Where are you?"
It was Beth, her voice distorted by distance yet serving to bring them back to reality.
Jake's arms dropped away from Laura's body and she leaned against the wall for support.
"We're all right, Beth," he called. "We're coming!"
In the gloom he bent his head to Laura, and she found it difficult to read his expression, yet sensed it held concern.
"I'm fine,"sheassured him.
"Good." He caught her arm. "There's no need to mention what happened. I 'll have a quiet word with Beth and see that this section is roped off."
"But you saved my life. If it hadn't been for you, I'd be-"
"There's no cause to make a fuss over what I did," he interrupted. "Anyone else would have done the same. These sort of things often happen."
"You mean people nearly plunge to their death every time they go potholing? Honestly, Jake, give me credit for a bit of sense. What you did was marvelous."
"I still don't want you to say anything. Promise?"
Reluctantly she nodded and he led the way back, pausing before they reached the lighted cavern to wipe some of the blood from his chest and put on his shirt.
Laura watched his every move as though she was in a dream. She could think of nothing except the way he had kissed her and the emotions that this had aroused in her. How wise the poets were to speak of love being akin to hate. If she had not been blinded by her dislike of Eddlestone, she would have realized far sooner why she had feared Jake's strength and ability; why she had always hated him for being right in everything he did.
"I love him," she whispered to herself. "I love him!" The admis
sion was so new that she could hardly absorb its implications. Pondering on all it meant, she scrambled up the last few yards of tunnel and regained the mouth of the cave.
Never had the sky seemed so blue nor the air so fresh. Deeply she breathed it, savoring the joy of being alive and knowing that but for Jake she might be dead. Her heart full of happiness, she turned toward him, waiting for him to speak.
But Beth bore down on them and Jake moved over to talk to another couple. Following Laura's eyes, Beth smiled.
"Was he a good teacher?"
"Excellent."
Laura marveled that her voice could be so lacking in expression, but obviously her face must have given her away, for Beth took a step forward, her body blocking the view of Jake.
"What happened down there, Laura? You look shattered."
"I almost…"Laura stopped, remembering her promise to Jake. "I found it rather overpowering… frightening almost."
"Will this be your last outing with us, then?"
"Certainly not!"
The words were so emphatic that Beth laughed. "Good. Having you along means we can expect Jake as well."
"What makes you so sure?''
"He loves teaching people. Especially if he feels they're enthusiastic. I'm surprised Elaine didn't come along." The somewhat plain face widened into a smile, giving the woman unexpected charm. "Not that she'll stay away once she learns you'll be coming regularly. If she___ " Beth broke off as the sound of a car was heard, and turning her head, she gave a snort of amusement. "What did I tell you? Here comes my devoted niece now! I knew she wouldn't leave Jake alone for long."
In silence Laura watched as the Alfa Romeo drew abreast of them, its engine purring like a tiger, almost as if Elaine herself were stating her pleasure in having found them.
"Jake darling!" she called, waving her hand. "Am I on time?"
"To the second." He sauntered over to the car and leaned against the door. Only then did he turn to look at Laura. "We'll give you a lift back. You must be all in after your first climb.''
Rachel Lindsay - Rough Diamond Lover Page 11
