“I originally intended to use this period to oversee the initial phase of construction on my project and, as you know, that has been...postponed. So now I have free time to check on you and your progress. I see you sitting back rolling up a ball of string and I get curious. Shouldn’t you be grabbing your little rake and brushing at dirt?”
Tallie’s nostrils flared in anger. She wasn’t a violent person, but in her mind’s eye she could see her hand popping him on the back of his head for all of his lamebrained failed attempts to make her leave. “All in good time. It sounds like you’re preoccupied with shutting me down.” She looked at him and forced a smile. “I wouldn’t go to too much trouble. I’m pretty stubborn as well as resilient.”
He muttered something she couldn’t understand before turning and walking toward his truck. And Tallie patted herself on the back for winning another round with the stubborn billionaire.
The days stretched into weeks and Tallie still hadn’t found any proof of an ancient tribe. She was frustrated and tired of being sick. Every day. The morning sickness visited her in the afternoon now.
One morning during her fifth week on site, Tallie stretched and yawned as the sun rose over the distant hills. The past month had reminded her of both the positive and negative aspects of being on a dig. She felt soreness in her entire body. Concern for the baby made her slow down and take short breaks more often. Even if she ran out of time and found nothing, her ipokini would have understood.
Grabbing a stick leaning against the base of the old wood-burning stove, she clanged it against the metal and yawned again. By the fourth ding, the two skunks waddled out from under the bed and headed for the front door.
“You guys need to find a day job.”
Normally she wouldn’t allow houseguests but she’d been so tired the past few days, she just came inside after her bath in the river and dropped. If they didn’t bother her or bite her toes, she would pay them the same courtesy. Her food was locked up in the Ford so there was nothing in the cabin to entice them. She figured they rummaged all night in places unknown and joined her in the shack just before daylight. Where they went now was anyone’s guess.
She had just finished her morning tea when the sound of an engine—or engines—shredded the air. Stepping out onto the porch, she was shocked to see about a dozen four-wheelers top the rise near the cabin and continue on, making a large loop that took in the hills and valleys...and her current dig site. They didn’t ride over the string that clearly defined the current grid but came close to it. A man in a pickup rode behind them, stopping on occasion to post a numbered sign.
What had Masters done now? With her mouth drawn into a straight line, she set her teacup down on the porch and angrily walked in that direction.
“Excuse me,” she said, dodging two more riders as they topped the hill. “What is this?”
“Good morning, ma’am,” the man replied, tipping his hat. “This is the day we have our Wheels for Wishing charity event. There are various skill levels and, by the end of the day, the rider with the fastest time will win the trophy and the grand prize. Of course, all the money including the grand prize will go to the charity. This year it’s for the orphanage in Calico Springs. The owners of the Circle M Ranch always let us hold it on their land. Different locations each year, so no one has an advantage over the new contestants.”
“And this year it’s here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded. “But don’t you worry. Cole told us you were working in the area and cautioned us to be sure to stay clear of your archeology site.”
“Oh, he did?”
“We drew out the course together, just to be sure.”
A calm seemed to come over her. She had to give Masters kudos for his determination. This time, however, she wasn’t going to lose her temper. She was not going to ask him what he thought he was doing. He knew full well what he was doing. And she had no intention of leaving. No, this time she was going to give him a taste of his own medicine.
“Where is Mr. Masters?”
“He had business in Dallas, but he’ll be back late this afternoon.”
That should be just about right.
The people at the copy store in town were more than willing to lend assistance, helping her to put on paper an eye-catching announcement. Buzzy and his friends who, excited at getting five dollars for their efforts, began to spread the several hundred flyers all around the small town.
The ground below was carpeted in every size, make and model of vehicle produced in the past twenty years. It was a virtual smorgasbord of metal roofs and hood tops in every color under the sun. It would be an amazing sight to behold if it hadn’t been on the grounds surrounding his house. Cole flew in close, making a small circle above the cars and trucks, curious what in the hell these people were doing.
It looked like they were making toasts: people were coming and going in and out of the house holding glasses up toward him. Those who swarmed the swimming pool clapped. And he could hear what sounded like rock-and-roll music above the sound of the helicopter’s engine. In the far distance there were more parked cars surrounding the circular route chosen for the four-wheeler competition.
Cole quickly landed the chopper and stormed toward the house. His cell in his hand, he tried to contact his security team. The phone was finally answered with, “Hey, Mr. M. You’re just in time. The second round of pizzas was just delivered.”
“Is this Marco? Meet me in my office in two minutes.” He ended the call.
As Cole made it through the back lawn and pool area, he was greeted with shouts of “Thank you” and a drink was pushed into his hand—perfect timing. The crowd parted, opening a path to his back door. Before he ever got to his office he’d ascertained what was happening and knew without any doubt whatsoever a certain archeologist was to thank for all her trouble.
After meeting with his security detail, he strolled outside, letting his eyes search the crowds around the pool. He spotted several ranch hands and more than half the residents of the town and, in the middle of it all, there she was. Miss Let’s-Throw-a-Party, kicked back in a lounger wearing the tiniest hot-pink string bikini he’d ever seen in his life. How did one approach such a sight and keep his anger in the foreground?
“Dr. Finley,” he said, his hands on his hips. “Great party you’re hosting.”
She looked up over the sunglasses perched on her nose. “Oh, it isn’t my party. It was a work day until the four-wheeler festivities began.” She laid back and pushed her glasses farther up her nose. “What’s the old saying...if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em?”
About then someone did a belly flop into the pool, sending a wave of water directly toward Cole’s backside.
“Hey, see if you can find a chair and enjoy the perfect weather.”
His jaw muscles worked convulsively. If you can’t beat ’em... He looked around and spotted an empty lounger. Within a few seconds he had dragged the chair next to Tallie and sprawled out beside her. If his action surprised her she hid it well.
“You’re gonna get too hot in those clothes.”
“How nice of you to notice. Maybe you would like to help me take them off?”
“So glad you could make it for the celebration,” she said, ignoring his question.
“Actually the party is over. The security detail will be making the rounds shortly. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share a couple of moments with a gorgeous woman.”
She tensed. “Why do men see only the outside?”
“Because we’re men.” He looked over at her. “That’s just what we do. But...give us the chance to get to know a woman and it’s amazing how fast the old heart can start tripping all over itself.”
“You talk as if you know that from experience.”
He nodded. “Maybe I do. Have dinner with me tonight, Tallie. You’ve lost the entire day, might as well waste the evening, too.”
She turned and stared at him. “You want me to have dinner with you?”
“Absolutely.” He sat up from the recliner. “Unlike some among us, I don’t hold grudges.”
“Can’t say I know what you’re talking about, but I have to work tonight. Catch up the discovery log. And I don’t really want to get into another...discussion of why I can’t just leave now.”
“But here’s something you might keep in mind. I can make a large contribution to the museum if certain needs are met.”
“And what would those needs be?”
“Postpone your dig.”
“Not happening.”
“You’re sure about dinner?”
“I’m sure, and here’s why. You are a spoiled egomaniac who thinks he’s a hotshot. But you want to kick back, lose the bad boy, hottest-man-of-the-year reputation and be a real guy for a change. And my weakness is falling for guys like you. My strength is saying no to them. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Cole reflected on the irony of what she’d just said. Tallie had fallen for him, in a big way, in New Orleans. It was a small miracle that she still didn’t recognize him—or was that just an act? He needed to figure out what she was up to.