"That depends who's doing the forgetting and who's doing the forgiving."
"I wouldn't have thought that needed an answer."
"Still the same trusting Jake," she replied and sat down, glad to hide her trembling legs. "What comments do you want to make on the report?"
He picked up a file in front of him and handed it across to her. She opened it and stared at a series of graphs. "What does this represent?"
"Our overall production since you left." He leaned across the desk and pointed to a drop in the curve. "After your departure, the canteen went back to a high carbohydrate diet. A month later production began to fall. Then I remembered that first argument we had and I got the manageress to switch back to your menus! You can can see the result for yourself. Our production's gone up to maximum again."
Laura's eyes sparkled. "That's wonderful. And you're willing to let me use this?"
"Why not? It's one more proof that you were right."
He came around the desk and stood in front of her. "Do you really like your job, lass?"
The huskily spoken question, plus the "lass" at the end of it—so tender and warm—was nearly her undoing, and it required all her strength not to stand up and throw herself into his arms.
"I like my job very much. I can use my training and I'm meeting interesting people."
"That's a weight off my mind. I honestly mean that. I hated quarreling with you. I wish we could be friends again."
"How can you be friends with a thief?"
"You're not a thief. You wanted to hurt me because I'd hurt you."
"And you think my way of hurting you was to break into your office and steal a secret document?" Bitterness was so strong inside her that it left the taste of gall in her mouth. "I'm sorry, Jake. However happy it would make you, I can't confess to something I didn't do."
The warmth died out of his face. "Have it your own way then. If false pride is keeping you silent, you're welcome to it. But you 'll not finding it keeping you warm at night."
"How I keep warm is my affair!" Putting the folder into her briefcase, she stalked out, slamming the door behind her.
Unfortunately it was not as easy to close her mind to the implication of what he had said. He still believed her capable of malicious spite, still had no idea of her basic character. So much for distance lending enchantment! All it did for Jake was make him more positive in his attitudes.
This latest example of his lack of understanding affected her far more than she could have envisaged, and for several weeks afterward even her job seemed futile. It was only a sudden awareness that something was happening to her father that forced her out of her introspection. From a weary, middle-aged man who thought only of work, he had now become the jolly extrovert he had been before her mother had died. There was only one explanation for it: Beth. So she was not surprised when her father told her they wanted to get married.
"I hope you won't mind too much," he said, digging burned-out tobacco fiercely from his pipe, the way he always did when he was embarrassed.
Laura hugged him. "I'm delighted for you. Beth's the nicest woman I know."
"I'm glad you've taken it this way. I was worried in case you were… Well, you've been in charge of my home for so long, I was afraid you wouldn't like another woman around."
"There won't be another woman around," she said firmly. "Once you're married I'm going back to London."
"I see." There was a pause. "What about Robert?"
"I can't marry him. I'd rather be single than make do with second best."
"Still Jake?"
A ring at the door saved her from answering and she hurried to open it. Beth stood on the step, her face so anxious that Laura could not help giggling.
"Welcome, Stepmamma. Dad's just told me the news. It's the best thing I could have heard."
Beth sighed happily. "You're really pleased?"
"I'm delighted. Tell me when you've set the date and I 'll leave you to your wedded bliss."
"There's no need for you to move out just because I'm moving in."
"Oh, yes there is." Together they entered the living room. "I'll be glad of the chance of returning to Lon don."
John Winters put his hand on Beth's shoulder. "Seems there's no point in us waiting, my dear. Name the day and I'll get the license. Unless you'd like a big wedding?"
"I'd hate it."
He smiled with relief. "Harold will be disappointed. I bet he was hoping for a slap-up affair."
"He'll have that when Elaine weds. And from what I can see of it, that won't be far off."
Laura went rigid. "Is she… are she and Jake getting engaged?"
"That's what she said."
Poor Jake. The thought rushed into her mind and would not be dismissed. Elaine would never make him happy. They were too different in temperament and outlook. Jake needed a woman with depth and spirit, not a spoiled child. Yet he would marry her and eventually join his father-in-law's company. Without a son to take over from him, Harold Simpson would not rest until he had achieved this. And once it happened, Jake would be tied to Elaine for as long as she wanted him.
"Let's settle on a month from now," Beth said, breaking into Laura's unhappy mood. "That will give the hospital time to find a replacement for me."
"Will you stop nursing permanently?" Laura asked.
"Yes. I'll enjoy keeping house. And if I get bored, I'll go on a few committees!"
Laura burst out laughing. "A committee lady at last. I'll buy you a hat with a feather!"
"I'll wear it, too."
Beth joined in the laughter and John Winters settled back in his chair with a look of pleasure. The two women he now cared about most were the best of friends. He sighed contentedly. Things were going right again.
Laura did not have the same feeling of satisfaction. What should have been a pleasurable decision—after all, returning to London had been her secret goal from the moment she had left the place—was turning out to be a very hollow victory. To be honest, and with herself she was trying to be, she would infinitely have preferred to stay where she was. The idea of living in a big city where the streets were full of strangers, where neighbors did not know you and no one cared whether you lived or died, was a daunting prospect. Hard though it was to admit, she had become used to this small town whose dour- faced people were warmhearted and caring in a way that Southerners were not. But not for the life of her would she vocalize her sentiments. To London she had said she was going and London she would depart.
Despite Beth's wish for a quiet wedding, there were at least fifty people in the church on the day they married. But no crowd could hide the sight of Elaine and Jake, and Laura wondered how long it would be before they, too, were standing where her father and Beth were standing now. The question was agony, bringing with it a picture of life with Jake: his face at the breakfast table, his head on the pillow beside her, his arms close and warm…
After the ceremony it was difficult to avoid him, for Elaine made a point of coming her way.
"I hear you're returning to London?" she said. "You won't be able to go potholing on Hampstead Heath."
"There are other compensations."
The green eyes were sharp with malice. "Jake told me about the shaft you nearly feel into when you went potholing with him. They've found a small lake there, you know, and I suggested they call it Laura's Folly!"
"I vetoed the suggestion," Jake said crisply, his eyes fixed on Laura. "As you were the one to find it, I think you should be the one to name it."
"How big is it?" she asked steadily.
"We're not sure, but we'll be exploring it tomorrow. How about joining us?"
Laura's head lifted defiantly. If Jake thought he could hurt her like this, he had better think again! "I'd love to." She found herself enjoying not only his surprise but also the anger on Elaine's face. "It will be a fitting farewell for my departure."
"Till the morning, then," Jake said. "There's only a few of us going, so we'll be using our
cars. I'll collect you at ten."
Laura spent the rest of the day metaphorically kicking herself for accepting his invitation. No matter how much she had wanted to bolster her pride, to go potholing with him would throw her into his company, and since this was something she had wished to avoid at all costs…
But it was too late to retract now, and though Sunday morning found her in a state of nerves, none of her torment was visible as she went down the front path to greet Jake.
"Willing for me to be your guide again?" he asked as she climbed into the car.
"Why not?"
Her composure flummoxed him and he fell silent for a few minutes, only speaking again when she made herself chatter about the work she was doing.
"Professor James must be sorry to see you go," he said.
"Our project is nearly over, anyway."
"Will you go back to your old job?"
"Probably," she lied, for she had not given it any thought.
"So everything will be the same for you," he said flatly.
"Except that my brother is dead and my father has remarried."
"Do you resent the last bit?"
"Of course not. I'm delighted for him. And for Beth, too."
"You're the only one to whom nothing happened."
There was no denying the sarcasm in Jake's voice, but Laura refrained from answering him and was unutterably relieved to see they were approaching the stretch of moorland where the caves began.
Still very much the novice, Laura followed Jake into the gloom of the underground world. She regretted she had not been more consistent in following this unusual hobby. Not that there would be any chance to do so once she was living in London.
"We're nearly there," Jake said behind her, and she rounded a bend to see a narrow gallery running along the cave wall. Immediately below lay a dark gleaming surface of water, black as ebony, mysterious as a veiled woman.
"It has hidden depths," Jake said, as though reading her thoughts. "But after lunch we'll see if we can find the spring that's feeding it.''
"And uncover its secrets? "
"Ifwe can. I've always disliked secrets."
He looked as though he wanted to say more but was forestalled by a group of other potholers who joined them, and together they perched around the gallery and drank hot tea and ate sandwiches.
Afterward they fanned out to explore the passages that led deep into the heart of the cavern, and Laura was poignantly reminded of her first expedition, remembering that here Jake had first kissed her. How much had happened since then, and how different her feelings were for him now.
"We'd best be turning back." Jake spoke at her ear. "We've been going for nearly two hours."
"As long as that!"
"Aye. Time flies when you're doing something you like."
"Can't we go on a bit farther? This will be the last chance I get."
She was sorry the moment she'd spoken, furious lest he think she was playing for sympathy. But he made no comment and in silence led the way back to the lakeside.
In their absence the water had risen and they edged their way carefully along the gallery balancing only a few feet above the dark glittering surface. Then came the steep climb to the top of the first chimney where they met the rest of the party.
"Anybody find the source of the lake?" one of the men asked.
There was a chorus of no's and as it died away a young man pointed to a gap set between two boulders midway toward the roof. "Perhaps it comes from there."
Jake craned his neck. "You may be right. We'll make for that next week."
"Why not now?" the young man asked and looked around him. "Are you all game?"
This time there was a chorus of assent, and with Jake leading the way they climbed the rock face and eased their way through the gap.
The water course led precipitously along a curving tunnel until, after some five hundred yards, it disappeared through another, much narrower gap in some rocks.
"We've lost it," Laura said, disappointed.
"No, we haven't." Jake pointed to another tunnel branching off to their left. "If we go through there I've a feeling we 'll meet a spring a bit farther on."
"You're wrong," the young man said and nodded toward yet another tunnel. "I think that's the one to follow." He plunged forward and the rest of the party went with him, leaving only Laura and Jake.
"We might as well see who's right," he said and, bending almost double, set off down the tunnel of his choice, Laura following close on his heels.
After a few yards they emerged into a small cavern. At one end there was a sheer drop and they inched forward and peered down to see an expanse of water.
"So I was right." Jake sounded pleased. "There's the source of your lake."
"But it can't be. It looks so different. Anyway, it's not on the same level."
"It's higher," he agreed.
"You mean it's much lower."
"It will be considerably higher before long. Just wait till the water stops rising. It probably comes up to where we're standing now and then pours down to form the lake."
Watching the water as he spoke, Laura was forced to concede he was right. As always!
"It's rising pretty rapidly," she agreed.
"It must be raining outside. That usually affects the level. Come on, we don't want to be caught in a flood."
If the climb toward the source had been difficult, the return was even worse, and her back ached as she kept it bent double and inched her way through the tunnel.
"How much farther is it?" she gasped.
"Only a couple of yards. It's always worse when…" The rest of his words were drowned by what Laura thought was a heavy rumble of thunder and instinctively she looked up.
"Jake! "she screamed. "Look!"
Tilting his head, he did so, and at the same time caught Laura by the waist and pulled her back against the wall. Simultaneously the roof above them seemed to stave in and a shower of rocks richocheted about them, the noise reverberating loudly in the enclosed space.
"What is it?" she shouted.
"A landslide. It sometimes happens."
"Particularly when I go potholing!"
He shrugged, and the movement of his body brought his chest hard against her breasts, making her realize he had used himself as a shield to protect her. It was a heartbreaking thought and she wondered if the protective gesture had been instinctive. But the result of it was proximity, and she was intensely conscious of his body against hers and his arms forming a barricade. Held in this way, her fear died, and she was aware only of the pounding of his heart and the tremble of his body that she felt certain came from a deep, though suppressed, desire.
Gradually the rubble and dust settled and Jake turned and led the way back. They stumbled along the passage, turned toward the gap and stopped in horror. A massive boulder was blocking their way.
His expletive was softly spoken but blue enough to give indication of his dismay.
"How bad is it?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Before he could answer, a faint voice reached them and they strained their ears to hear it.
"Are you all right in there? Can you hear us? Are you all right?"
"Yes," Jake shouted. "How's the rest of the party?"
"Shaken but not hurt. We've no hope of shifting this boulder ourselves. We 'll have to go for help.''
"Be quick about it. You know why." Jake turned to Laura. "Let's go back to the little cavern and wait. There's no point standing here."
They stumbled back down the gully and reached the cavern. Laura peered over the edge to look at the lake again. What had once been a placid stretch of water was now a heaving pool rising swiftly up the side of the rocky walls.
"I hope we're rescued soon." Her voice was thin with fear and he caught her hand.
"Don't worry, lass. I've been in trickier situations than this."
He held his lamp higher, its glow dispelling the gloom. "Let's sit by the wall. We
'll be more comfortable."
They sat on the floor and Jake turned the lamp off. "Ill put it on again later," he said in the darkness. "I don't want to use up all the fuel."
The blackness intensified the sound of rushing water below and she shivered, feeling the dampness clinging to her face like a wet veil.
Jake pui his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "We'll conserve more heat this way," he said.
She knew his reasoning was valid but wished it were not the case. If only he was holding her close because he wanted to, not because necessity demanded it.
She closed her eyes but opened them again immediately. Even though it was dark and she could not see, the mere lowering of her lids gave her a sensation of blindness, and she sat up in a panic. Was it her imagination or was the sound of water louder?
"Put the lamp on and see if the water's rising."
"There's no need."
"Please do it, Jake."
With a grunt he obeyed. A comforting glow dispelled the blackness and he moved and looked down at the lake. "It's a bit higher but not much."
His tone was calm but she did not believe him, and before he could stop her, she stretched out and peered over the edge into the depths.
But there was no depth. Only a foot away the black water swirled evilly, as though bubbling from a witches' cauldron.
Roughly he pulled her back. "What the hell did you have to look for? "
"I wanted to know the truth. If that boulder isn't moved soon, we'll drown!"
"They'll move the boulder," he assured her. "You've nothing to worry about. The main thing is to keep warm."
She yawned and put her hand to her head, noticing the strange languor that was enveloping her. Fighting down her fear, she thought carefully about the situation they were in. The boulder blocking the entrance must also have sealed off the air and if the rising water didn't drown them first, they would die of suffocation.
Next to her Jake stirred. His breathing was shallow and she knew he was trying to conserve the air. But it was hopeless to do that. All it would save them would be a few moments of life. But those few would be spent together…
"The oxygen's going," she whispered.
Rachel Lindsay - Rough Diamond Lover Page 16
