Other things bothered him, too, not the least of which was involving an innocent child in their deception. But what else could he do except come clean with August, a risk he wasn’t prepared or willing to take? As he’d told Jessi, their lie was a harmless one necessitated by August’s apparent midlife crisis and, perhaps, his autocratic ways. The flamboyant archeologist and author had been in the limelight for twenty-five years, so he was used to people hopping when he snapped “Frog!” Only in the past twelve months had his popularity begun to slide, the reason, Gabe believed, for this desperate, top-secret, possibly ridiculous expedition.
A splash of bright blue paint on the side of a tree in a valley below alerted Gabe that he’d almost reached the turnoff leading to the location of their three o’clock rendezvous with Taylor. He caught a glimpse of the two camper trailers he’d rented, along with the boxes filled full of everything else that could possibly be needed for an expedition of this type.
August had been camped at the site since the day before. He and Gabe had been in constant contact via the man’s cellular phone, just one of the modern-day miracles that made it possible to conduct business from anywhere. There were other conveniences, too, including bathrooms, all-terrain vehicles that would save them miles of walking, a stove so they could cook indoors in the wildest of woods and even a battery-powered television. They also had a propane-fueled refrigerator.
So much for roughing it, Gabe thought, glancing beyond the valley to the colorful cliffs of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Was there treasure in them thar hills? In his heart of hearts, he didn’t think so. But if, by some strange chance, there were, he’d find it. He was a damn good explorer who’d made a name for himself in this state years ago, the reason Elaina was told about him when she contacted the California Game and Fish Agency for a top-notch guide to lead this treasure hunt. Gabe didn’t know how she’d found Jessi, but her choice of chief cook and bottle washer suited him.
Yeah...suited him just fine.
The ground dipped sharply and so did the truck, nearly jerking the steering wheel out of Gabe’s hand. Then the vehicle lurched to the right, badly jarring its occupants.
“You okay?” Gabe asked Anna Kate.
She nodded, looking for all the world as if bumpy truck rides and treasure hunts were everyday occurrences for her. Bemused, Gabe stole a glance at Anna Kate’s mother, who peered out her window and into the woods.
Jessi didn’t look nearly so at ease, a sure sign she still had doubts about her well-paid position of cook and glorified baby-sitter for August Taylor’s pampered wife. On top of that, Gabe guessed this whole great outdoors thing must be somewhat stressful for her. She was, by vocation, a woman used to the more genteel things in life—catered luncheons, afternoon teas, formal banquets. She appeared uncomfortable in the sweater, jeans and tennis shoes she wore. But even dressed in such, there was no doubt of her good breeding.
He hadn’t lied Saturday night when predicting he’d probably wish again for a consummation of their wedding vows. The woman had fascinated him from the moment they met. Just the thought of kissing her, touching her set him on fire, the reason he’d opted for a handshake at the wedding. A kiss at that point or any other would be disaster—a shock to his libido—that would surely have resulted in a shift of his attention from one kind of treasure to another, namely Jessi.
Thank God, she’d rejected that foolish, impromptu Plan A. Gabe knew without a doubt that if Jessi had welcomed him into her bed Saturday night, they’d still be there today. She was that kind of woman. And a man with as many plans as Gabe just didn’t have time for the distraction.
“Who’s that?” Anna Kate asked, a question that brought Gabe back to the here and now.
Slowing the truck, waving to the man in question, Gabe nodded. “That’s Mr. Taylor, our boss. Looks like a big ol’ bear, doesn’t he?”
Anna Kate giggled. Jessi groaned, no doubt wanting to throttle Gabe for encouraging his stepdaughter’s imagination. But to Gabe’s way of thinking, August did have some physical characteristics a child might connect with a forest-dwelling creature.
Tall—a good half foot over six feet—with a shock of raven hair and a full, gray-streaked beard, the man was unforgettable to say the least. Dressed as he was today in camouflage from his Aussie-styled hat to custom-made hiking boots, August blended in beautifully with the woods. Next to him was his wife, Shari. A former model, she stood tall enough to be a perfect physical mate for August.
The truck lurched to a halt at the edge of the clearing where the man and woman worked. August immediately strode over to them, waiting until Gabe killed the engine and stepped out of the vehicle, then thrust out his right hand.
“How was your trip?”
“Great,” Gabe said, trying not to groan with pain from August’s bone-crushing handshake. He ducked to look back in the car.
“Out, ladies. I want you to meet the boss.”
Anna Kate tossed off her safety belt, scrambled across the leather seat and stood on the driver’s side, arms outstretched to Gabe. He assisted her to the ground via an overhead swing that made her squeal and laugh. By the time he set Anna Kate on her feet, all smiles and blush, Jessi had joined them.
Introductions were quick and casual. Since Jessi didn’t wince when August shook her hand, Gabe could only assume the man had a gentler touch where the fairer sex was concerned.
And Jessi, with her peachy skin and auburn hair, was certainly that.
At that moment, Shari joined them. Although tagged as a witch with a capital W by the tabloids and scoop television, she smiled with delight at Anna Kate, who smiled right back and struck up a conversation about her ash blond hair.
Watching how easily Shari related to Anna Kate and then to Jessi, Gabe guessed the woman had gotten a burnap from the media as had so many other celebrities in the past. No doubt jealousy was the motive. She was a beauty—statuesque, shapely, striking.
Most men’s fantasy.
Not his, however. Statuesque equated to too tall; shapely, to too thin; and striking, to too perfect. He preferred women who were shorter and fuller, like Jessi, who was nonetheless petite. As for Shari’s beauty...while he couldn’t deny her classic good looks, he found himself thinking that a light sprinkling of freckles across her nose would do wonders for her face.
Just look what they did for Jessi’s.
“We need to talk privately before you brief us on travel plans and daily routine,” August said.
“Sure.” Gabe followed his boss to his camper trailer. Larger of necessity than the RV Gabe and Jessi would inhabit, it boasted office space furnished to August’s specific needs. There was also a small darkroom for developing any photographs they might take. August, of course, intended to man the camera himself, and when he wanted to be in the shot, Gabe would. Since no one else was going on the search except the two women and Anna Kate, Gabe suspected each of them soon would discover hidden talents of their own.
When they stepped into the trailer, August motioned for Gabe to sit. Gabe chose the tiny couch and settled in, waiting to hear whatever August had to say. He wasn’t worried. So far, he and his boss seemed to be on the same wavelength, and he’d done everything required of him and more when planning this expedition.
“Shari thinks I owe you an apology.”
Gabe arched an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”
August nodded and looked away. “She wasn’t very happy with me when she found out I insisted that you and Jessi get married. She told me I should mind my own business.”
“I see.”
“I guess I’m