§ chapter Two §
Jacie opened the truck door and scrambled onto the truck seat, sending Sloan a quick glance of apology. "Just finishing some business," she said lightly, pulling the door closed. "Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"It’s okay. I had a few calls to make. Your parachute is in the back," he said, starting the motor.
"Thanks."
As they pulled away she waved to her brother and then turned her attention to Sloan. He looked relaxed in the driver's seat, one arm on the wheel, the other resting on the window. He was a darned attractive guy, but then she reminded herself looks sometimes went no deeper than the surface.
She stared out the window at the heavy growth of evergreens lining the road. "Everything up here seems so vibrant and lush in color. The Catskills are certainly a delight to the senses."
"I agree with you. There’s no place like it." With barely a pause, he added, "I noticed you're limping."
She knew she had to deal with this now. "I have been for about a year." When he looked straight ahead, she realized she might have been too terse. "Sorry, I'm touchy about my leg. Suffice it to say it’s an old injury and won’t hamper my performance here."
"Sorry," he said crisply, sounding anything but. "I wasn't prying. I want to make sure we all understand what’s expected here."
"My brother is very protective of our company reputation. He wouldn't have sent me on this job if I wasn't up for it," she said abruptly. "I’d never let the family business take a hit."
"James is satisfied with your credentials."
"The way you say that it’s like you have doubts."
"You come right to the point," he said. "I admit this kind of stuff isn’t my area, so let’s just leave it at that."
When the vehicle slowed for a turn, she tipped her head back to stare at the rough-hewn sign overhead. "How did you come up with the name Timber Falls?"
"Logical choice. Timber used to be big business around here."
"And the falls?" she asked.
"We’ve got them," he said shortly, taking a turn into a large parking lot. A long gray-stained cabin sat on one side of the lot with a sign that read "Office."
"This is the main office," he said, slowing the truck. "There’s a bar and restaurant with a small dance floor and there’s rooms on the second floor." He drove through the parking area. "I’ll bring you as close to your cabin as I can. We had quite a bit of rain this week and the road’s taken a pretty bad hit. I’ll have the dozer out in the next few days to smooth out the ruts."
He stopped the truck and she opened her door and cautiously stretched her legs. With a slow and easy stride, he walked around the vehicle and held her door. "Your brother put your suitcases in the back."
"Where’s my cabin?"
"Just ahead. I have to warn you it’s pretty small and rustic. Probably not what you’re used to."
"It sounds charming. I’m not hard to please you know." She offered him a small smile. "I’m comfortable in most surroundings." She didn’t get a smile in return. Jacie shrugged philosophically. It didn’t matter what he thought of her. She studied his profile and then let her glance drop to his hands as he reached for her cases. She frowned, telling herself it didn’t matter that he wore no rings on those long tanned fingers.
He caught her watching him. The impact and intensity of those blue eyes made her rush into speech. "If you point the way to my cabin, I’ll find it."
He set her cases on the ground and dug a hand into his jeans pocket and pulled out two keys on a chain. They dangled a moment and then he flipped them back in his palm. "I'd be happy to show you."
"I’m sure you’ve got a ton of work," she said firmly. "I’ve already kept you too long."
"I'm the boss. The work will wait." His unexpected grin caused a fluttering in her chest. "The best thing about being the boss is I don't have to answer to anyone."
She gathered the chute into her arms. "We all answer to someone," she said smartly.
His grin was slow. "I'm the exception."
Emotion knifed unexpectedly through her midsection. God! His air of command combined with that hint of humor was unexpected. She recalled how being close to him had felt; wonderful yet dangerous to her equilibrium.
An image of Brad came into her head and sanity reasserted itself. Don't go there, she warned herself. He might be saying all the right things, but when push comes to shove some men just let you down. She had the scars to prove it. She had loved Brad and he had dumped her like so much garbage. Jacie squared her shoulders. That little reminder was what she needed to stay focused.
"Okay, then, I'd appreciate you showing me the cabin and I’ll be off your hands." Absently, she pushed back a tangle of hair, feeling the fine layer of grit along her hairline. If she had listened to her father she would be home. Mentally, she shook her head. No way. She had had enough of being looked after.
His glance dipped to her leg and back up. "Follow me."
Maybe he had seen the grimace of pain on her face and guessed she was hurting. She needed privacy to deal with her pain. It wasn’t open to public scrutiny. Her leg only bothered her when she was really tired. She had been up before dawn this morning thinking of what she had committed herself to. Was she insane taking on this job, ground and skydiving lessons? Before the accident, such a job wouldn't have daunted her, now she lived with a fear of failure. She had convinced Con she could do it, that she needed to do it. He was right on one score. She just had to prove it to herself.
Sloan was now waiting for her. With an unconcerned smile, she quickened her pace. "I’m right behind you and I won't land in a heap at your feet."
"I promise to pick you up if you do," he drawled.
She fluffed her hair back. "It's a deal." She entertained the notion of falling and letting herself be picked up by Sloan. Tempting.
They walked along a rutted path through dense evergreens. Someone had gone to the trouble of placing large wooden tubs with a profusion of bright colors along the narrow road.
She drew in a deep breath. "Mmm, I smell balsam. It’s unexpectedly refreshing. I’ve been admiring the mountains rising all around me since I arrived. I already love the wild beauty of the Catskills."
"You’re beautiful so you'll fit right in," he said.
"Well, thank you," she murmured, taken back, sidetracked by the unguarded expression on his face. It spoke of attraction. She gulped back a breath. Attraction. God! He felt it, too, then. She had been aware of it the first moment they had come body-to-body. She pressed her parachute more tightly against her chest as if the flimsy material could provide a barrier.
He grimaced. "That was pretty dumb blurting that out. No doubt I’ve made you uncomfortable."
Jacie laughed out loud. "Yup, that’s my first thought when a good looking guy tells me I’m beautiful. Uncomfortable as hell. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’m the most laid-back person I know. Not much bothers me. Except lately, I find myself asking for help more than usual. It annoys me."
"Well, around here we're big on helping out. So if you need help, make sure you ask."
"We’ll see." Her mother called it strong, but maybe there were times when you needed to lean on someone else. "With four brothers you grow up taking care of yourself," she said dryly. "Otherwise they take over your live."
"Well, just to remind you the whole idea of Timber Falls is relaxation. There's riding, swimming, hiking, whatever strikes your fancy when you're not giving skydiving lessons."
"I'll probably just hang out." She gave him a humorous grin. "You know, kind of balance things out." This place might offer her a chance to withdraw for a while, perhaps mend a little inner torment. "Who knows, maybe you’ll be asking me for skydiving lessons."
He gave her a narrow-eyed glance. "Watch your footing, this next area is pretty rough."
He rattled her, quite simply. She placed her feet carefully, walking beside the ruts in the road.
"There’s an activity schedule in your cabin. If any problems crop up let me know." She found his slight drawl attractive.
"Thanks." She steeled herself against that devastating smile. Surely she wouldn't keep reacting physically to everything he said, each gesture he made! Sloan reminded her of Con in a way. She loved her brother dearly, but he was the type of man who looked out for the women in his life. She did not need Sloan getting the idea in his head that she couldn't take care of herself.
Finally, the cabins were in sight. "Which cabin is mine?" she asked. The deep reddish brown cabins were small and arranged in a wide circle.
"The one on the end."
"I love it." The structure was set a bit apart from the others, almost hidden from view, but the setting was pleasing. With the cabin partially shaded by huge maple and oak trees and a row of red flowering bushes on one side, there was an aura of privacy.
"This place is everything your brochure promised. Everything I hoped it would be. I'm glad Bonnie talked me into taking this job."
"Bonnie is a friend, I take it?"
"Yes."
She had almost decided against the job. Since the accident she had been in a crippling apathy. Although she and Bonnie hadn’t been friends that long, she’d proven to be a lifeline during her recuperation. She’d needed the buffer between her and her family.
"Have you been skydiving long?" Sloan asked.
"Eleven years or so."
He stared at her incredulously. "You must have started when you were a kid."
"Almost." She lifted her face to the sun. She couldn't talk about her job right now, not without getting into some maudlin history. "This is like its own little paradise―the isolation and raw wildness of the mountains," she murmured.
He looked at her and lifted a dark brow in amusement. "We’re not really isolated. The closest town is only twenty miles away."
She smiled at him. "Having lived in a city most of my life, this is isolation. It'll suit me."
There was a skeptical curve to his mouth. She wondered if he thought she was trying to impress him. As he moved ahead she eyed his straight, broad back, the lean-hipped jeans, the curl of dark hair visible along his collar beneath the hat. She bit back a curse when the toe of her boot caught on a root. Catching herself, she gave him a quick look that dared him to say a word.
Apparently undaunted, he said quietly, "Are you okay? Maybe I could―"
"Would you like to rub my leg?" she asked deliberately, tilting one brow, a devil prodding her on.
His eyes darkened and she bit back the rest of the words, determined to curb her mischievous streak. "Sorry, my tongue gets ahead of me. It comes from growing up with only brothers."
"Should you be jumping out of planes?" he asked bluntly. "I keep coming back to that."
"The leg only bothers me when I'm tired," she said lightly, pushing sweaty wisps of hair from her eyes. "The brace is for added support."
She envied him his apparent ease with his surroundings. His stance was natural, effortless, while she knew she was almost at the end of her energy reserve. For a moment, she felt overcome by sheer hopelessness, not a feeling she welcomed. He fit here, with the mountains and the wide-open spaces. She used to belong in the family business but now she felt odd-man out. Since the accident it was as if she didn’t belong anywhere, and she couldn’t blame it all on Brad. The accident had been partly her fault, but it was too late to fix what was already done. She just wished she could figure out where she fit in.
She stared at the cabin as they drew closer. "It's beautiful," she said.
Ω
Sloan couldn’t drag his gaze away from Jacie. He wasn’t happy about the creep of sexual awareness that moved along his neck. He wasn’t looking for a complication, at least that's what he told himself as he watched the smile transform her face. When she wasn't trying to be flippant, he sensed vulnerability. He reminded himself he didn’t need to know anything about her, except that she could do the job she’d been hired to do.
"I'm glad you like the cabin." He wondered what else might please her.
He had annoyed her with his offer of help but it wasn't in him to be idle if there was a problem. He could see she was hurting, even though she acted offhand about it.
Despite the dust, the tendrils of hair curling around her forehead and the faint shadows beneath her eyes, she was a knockout. He had always considered guests off limits and he ruthlessly suppressed the urge to change that rule now. His knee-jerk reaction to her bothered him. He had the strangest desire to stay and find out all about her. He reminded himself there were chores to do. God and everybody knew they wouldn't get done until he saw to them. The ranch might be a resort for guests, but it was a working environment for him.
He knew this attraction could be a dangerous thing.
"Have you always lived here, Sloan?"
"Most of my life. I decided being in the mountains was my calling. Having lived a time in the city I wasn’t impressed."
"I love the city. There’s always something new."
He smiled. "I know, lots of thrills and excitement. I can’t imagine you settling for a place like this."
"But I love it," she protested.
His fiancé Ilene had thought she could live here, but in the end the city had drawn her back.
Looking at her flashy scarlet jumpsuit, he’d give her two weeks tops before she was bored. He pushed the front door open and stepped back to allow her access to the cabin.
"What a perfect romantic getaway," she breathed. "Pure country, yet modern."
As her expression softened, his mouth went dry and his gut tightened. "I’m kind of curious why you picked August to come here," he said abruptly.
She gave him a quizzical look. "Why not?"
"Are you aware August is honeymooner’s month?"
The surprise on her face gave him the answer he sought. "I guess you didn’t know."
She put her hands on her hips and caught her lower lip between her teeth. "I can see you’re dead serious." She gave a small, tired laugh. "How ironic, honeymooner’s month."
"Why ironic?"
She waved her hand. "It’s a long story."
Obviously, one she wasn’t going to share. She spun on her heel. "Did I mention that a friend may come for a few days?"
"That's no problem." He wondered if it was a male friend, then dismissed the thought. It was none of his business who she invited. Someone with her looks would have more than one guy hanging around.
He watched her run her fingertips over a wooden end table as if she enjoyed the feel of the smooth wood. He shifted his feet uncomfortably. "The kitchenette’s in there." He indicated the small galley behind her as she placed her suitcases beside the sofa. "You'll find silverware and plates and anything else you might need, but meals are provided at the lodge."
She moved through the cabin, admiring as she went. "Don’t mind me. I like discovering everything around me through touch." She stood on her tiptoes to look at the native bluestone mantle over the fireplace. "What beautiful stone work." She spun around. "I love those big windows along the wall. I bet this place is bright with sun early in the day."
"Those windows face west, so you do get the late sun."
Jacie walked over the mellowed oak floors covered by braided throw rugs. "The indigo blue rugs with a touch of pink are great, and the furniture goes so well with the rustic setting," she remarked. "Someone decorated this with a lot of thought."
"My sister-in-law Dotty. She used to be an interior designer. Glad you like it." He cranked open a casement window in the kitchen. "Maybe you'll want some air in here. It's kind of warm." She seemed oblivious to his presence as she stood by the picture window that overlooked the ravine below.
He wondered what she thought of the view. It was nearing sunset and the sky had lost its light, giving the mountains an eerie orange glow. He had seen the same light countless times but he never tired of looking at it. "This is the only cabin this close to the ravine," he told her.
She peered downward. "How strange," she said slowly. "It looks almost like a smoky mist creeping up the cliff. What are those strangely twisted trees clinging to the ledges?"
"Some scrubby pine. They’re twisted because the wind blows through here like a fiend in the winter. Do you think the drop of the ravine will bother you?"
"No," she said quickly. "It'll be fine."
He wondered about the nervous blinking of her lids. "We figured since you skydive, it wouldn't bother you."
"Logical conclusion," she murmured. "I find it mesmerizing. It’s like you look out into the fog and expect to see something take shape."
"If you decide being this close to the ravine bothers you, we have another cabin set further back." He watched her continued preoccupation with the view.
"I imagine some people like it . . . the height, the sense of danger."
"There's no danger if you use common sense. I've seen these mountains most of my life, but it can be frightening for some." He shrugged.
"I imagine the first settlers found them a challenge." She directed a bright-eyed glance his way. "I love a challenge."
He detected a trace of defiance. "I knew someone else who thrived on challenge," he murmured. "She died." He regretted the words the second he said them.
"I’m sorry."
"It was a long time ago."
"What type of challenges?" she asked with a gleam of interest.
He stifled a curse. When had he developed a loose tongue? "Everything and anything," he said abruptly. "I guess I’d better show you the rest and get back to work." Sloan strode quickly through the remainder of the rooms. "There's a bathroom through here and a bedroom."
Jacie stared at Sloan in surprise. He had seemed to be getting friendly and then the wall slammed down like a shutter over his face. Right after he talked about his friend dying. "This cabin is wonderful. I’ll be fine."
He removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair. She noted the sun-bleached strands that fell carelessly from a middle part before he dropped the hat back in place.
Nervously, her fingers clenched the high back of the sofa. She had the idea he was trying to figure her out. He'd never guess how messed up she was. If he did, he’d be smart to run like crazy.
"There's a Jacuzzi on the deck." He nodded toward the atrium door on the back wall of the cabin. She acknowledged his words with a jerky nod.
"Thanks." She held her hand out for the keys.
He stepped forward, dwarfing her as he dropped the keys in her palm. Reflexively, her fingers closed over the metal warmed by his fingers.
"There's a listing of numbers by the phone. Dinner is over in the lodge. James has arranged for you to meet the guests tomorrow, although you might run into some of them tonight." He flicked back his cuff. "That's about twenty minutes. The lodge is the building I showed you earlier."
"I remember."
"See you at dinner, Jacie." His voice was low, impersonal. Glancing over her shoulder, she nervously swept back her hair and nodded. Finally, the door closed and she was alone. She had to wonder why Sloan disturbed her so but at the moment there were no ready answers.
She bent over to pick up her suitcase but suddenly realized she heard the murmur of voices so she crossed the room to look out a front window. With surprise, she saw her friend Bonnie must have just arrived and was standing outside talking with Sloan.
She opened the door. Bonnie, tall at six feet, was looking up into Sloan’s face as they spoke. Bonnie’s half smile made her wonder what they were talking about. Her light blond hair appeared a startling contrast to Sloan’s darkness in the failing light.
"Bonnie!" she said. "This is a surprise."
They both turned to her.
Bonnie smiled with delight. "Jacie, hello. I know it’s a surprise." Bonnie touched Sloan’s shirtsleeve, her blood rail nails against the blue fabric. "Thank you so much for your help."
"No problem." He tipped his hat, stepped off the porch and left without a backward glance.
Bonnie walked up the steps, her black skirt and blouse looking a bit rumpled. "Jacie, good to see you." She gave her a hug and then pulled back. Bonnie's favorite fragrance enveloped Jacie. "I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I had a rental to deliver in this area so I decided to stop and see how you were doing."
Jacie looked out toward the road. "Where did you park your car?"
Bonnie waved her manicured hand vaguely. "A parking lot back there. I had to walk in. Sloan just told me the road would be fixed next time I came. He seems very nice," she added. "Is he single?"
Jacie looked at the gleam of interest in her friend’s eyes. "I guess so. Are you interested? What happened to Jim?"
"That was last week. You know how I like variety―and I like the look of Sloan. Why? Isn’t he nice to you?"
"He’s my employer. He took one look at my leg brace and I could see the questions in his eyes."
Bonnie gave her a direct look. "I’m sure you set him straight on your capabilities."
Jacie shrugged. "It’s a matter of he’ll see I can handle the job once I begin. Anyway, I’m glad to see you. Come inside."
They stepped into the cabin and she closed the door, anxious to get Bonnie’s reaction. "Well, what do you think?"
Bonnie sat on the couch and reached down to rub one of her ankles. She gave her a rueful glance. "My heels didn’t do too well walking up that road." She looked around. "This looks comfortable, if a little rustic."
Jacie laughed. "I know it’s not your style, but I like it."
"As long as you like it." She surveyed the living area. "You have a kitchen, living room, bedroom and a bath, I presume. There’s no outside outhouse?" she drawled.
"Very funny. Are you driving back tonight? It’ll be dark soon."
"Yes, I have appointments in the morning."
"Who rode with you?"
"My new secretary is with me. Her name is Emily. She took one look at all the woods and opted to stay in the car."
"This must have been more than a little out of your way. I didn’t know you brought rentals this far north."
Bonnie smiled, her red tinted lips curving just the slightest. "For the right money, Jacie, I’d drive to Alaska. Anyway, when I come to pick you up I’ll know exactly where to go. How did the jump go?"
"I did it, let me put it that way."
"Nerves?" Bonnie asked sympathetically.
"Yes, but I didn’t let Con know."
Bonnie looked at her thoughtfully as she swept the luxurious fall of hair away from her forehead. "I’m surprised your brother let you take on the job."
"He knows I was going stir crazy." She looked toward the kitchen area. "I think there’s coffee in there. Would you like a cup?"
"Not unless it’s Espresso." Bonnie frowned and stared at her long red nails. Then she gave a big sigh and said, "There’s another reason I wanted to see you. Brad called me!" she blurted.
Jacie was pulled into the past, seeing Brad’s wide smile, the dimple in his cheek. She gripped the back of the sofa. "You didn’t tell him anything, did you? I don’t need him waltzing back in my life when I’m finally getting things on track." She needed to put thoughts of him behind her. She had to, damn him.
"Of course not."
Jacie relaxed. "Good."
"Maybe if you talked to him, you could get this resolved," Bonnie said carefully.
Jacie looked at her incredulously, her nerve endings jumping. "You know he abandoned me in South America when I got hurt. I don’t want anything to do with him."
Bonnie glanced at her expensive gold watch. "I understand exactly how you feel, but I just had to let you know what’s going on." She came to her feet and brushed her black pencil skirt carefully over her slim legs. "I had better leave, it’s getting late."
"You can stay the night."
Bonnie gave her a brief hug. "Thanks, but I always sleep better in my own bed. I’ll call in a few days to check in."
"Let me walk you back to the car," she offered.
"I can find it. You look bushed. Get some rest." Bonnie wriggled her fingers, her gold rings glinting.
When the door closed whatever sheer force of will had sustained Jacie suddenly left. She walked to the couch and sat down quickly. She didn't rise even to reach for the pain pills in her suitcase.
She waited for the ache in her thigh and knee to ease. She tried to block the memories, but talking about Brad, however briefly, had brought the memories to the forefront. Scenes rolled through her mind like a video. Each detail of the accident had been burned into her brain. How had she missed the faulty shroud lines on her parachute that day? She had been so focused on Brad and her career that she had taken a stupid risk. It was a bitter truth.
Brad. She had been so optimistic about a future with him. It still hurt that he had thrown away her away so easily. In the end at the bottom of a cliff, all her dreams had come to nothing. She just needed to forget him.
Jacie saw again her helpless body, the bright splash of blood. The waiting had been endless as she dangled above the ground. Only her parachute lines tangled in the tree limbs had kept her from plunging to certain death.
She still found it savagely ironic that the faulty chute lines that had caused her parachuting accident, had ultimately saved her life.