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volcanic islands between southeaster Africa and Madagascar. Her face lit with
excitement as she talked.
 Isn t that the fish that they call the  living fossil ?
 That s the one. It s big too. It lives in deep water, between 650 feet and 2000
feet deep and grows to five feet in length and up to one hundred pounds. Gosh but I d
love to photograph one.
Reid frowned.  That could be a bit dangerous wouldn t it?
Gabby shrugged.  Not in a submersible. Well, there s always an element of
danger I guess, but they make dives like that all the time now. But just think about seeing
a creature that was alive four hundred million years ago. I guess the other thing that is
drawing me to Madagascar is the fact that there are animals living there that aren t found
anywhere else. I m hoping we get to see some.
73
Autumn McCullah
 I m surprised that T.J. lets you go on dangerous expeditions like that, Reid
couldn t help but comment. Now he was certain that he was doing the right thing by
going on this trip. He knew Gabby was going to be angry when she discovered his
involvement, but that was just too bad. He was going to see that nothing happened to her.
After that, well, he d just have to play it by ear and hope.
 Dad would never do that, Gabby huffed.  Oh, I know that he and mom worry
about me. But I ve tried to explain to them that I know what I m doing. And the people I
work with are professionals and experts in their fields.
The conversation became more general after that as they ate their meal. After
dinner Reid suggested a stop at the Wagon Wheel Inn to dance. All in all it was a
pleasant evening and Gabby was actually a bit sorry it was over when Reid pulled up in
front of her parent s home.
Reid put his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer. His hand cupped the
side of her face as he bent to cover her mouth with his. Gabby relaxed into him, her
mouth opening under his. When he pulled back a little, she stared into his vivid green
eyes seeing her own yearning reflected there. She licked her lips.  I need to get inside,
she said on a whisper.
 I ll call you tomorrow, Reid said. Reluctantly he got out of the car and came
around to open the door for Gabby. He held her hand as he walked her to the front door
before folding her into his arms for one last kiss.  Dream of me, piglet, he said with a
grin before turning to return to his car.
Gabby stood there watching as he pulled away.  As if I could dream of anything
else, she confided to the darkness.
74
Autumn McCullah
CHAPTER 10
Reid was actually whistling as he rounded up some stray cattle the next morning.
He had talked to Gabby earlier before leaving the bunkhouse. It had been a sweet torture
to hear her voice but not see her or be able to touch her. He smiled now as his thoughts
turned to seeing her tonight. She d agreed to have dinner with him again at the diner. He
couldn t ever remember enjoying a woman s company as much as he did his Gabby. He
loved watching her face when she talked about something she was excited about, like her
work. And she was a big science buff, something that they had in common. So much so,
that when she d talked about some of the places she d traveled to or about articles that
she d written, he had a lot of questions for her and insight on the subject at hand.
He was looking forward to this evening like a kid on his first date. He planned to
go back to the Wagon Wheel for more dancing too. He d go dancing every night of the
week if it meant that he could hold Gabby in his arms.
It was close to three in the afternoon when he rode back into the corral. He led
Dorado into the barn and gave him a good rub down. Cody had already cleaned out his
stall. Once Dorado was settled for the night, Reid left the barn heading for the bunkhouse
and a nice long shower. He was covered with hours of sweat and dust.
Just as he turned to enter the bunkhouse he heard the sound of a car coming up the
road. It was a bright red Jaguar. The damned idiot was driving so fast that the car was
throwing up a dust trail. Reid frowned. Who the hell can that be? he thought irritated by
this delay in his plans.
The car slid to a stop not far from his truck. The door opened as a pair of long legs
clad in white silk pants slid to the ground. She was wearing a matching white silk shirt
with gold chains and long dangling earrings. Reid clenched his hands at his sides. Just
what he needed! Marla smiled when she saw him looking at her. She swayed slowly
over to where he stood. The high heels she wore were totally out of place for the uneven
driveway.
75
Autumn McCullah
 Darling, I had no idea that you were living out in the wilderness. How can you
stand it? Marla cooed breathlessly as she stepped closer to him.
 What are you doing here, Marla? Reid asked tonelessly.
 I told you that I was coming. We have so much to talk about. And what we
have to say couldn t be said over the phone. She started to touch his arm but pulled
back when she saw the dust and grime. She tried to contain a grimace but not quite
succeeding.
 It s just dirt, Marla. It washes off with soap and water. And I told you that we
don t have anything to talk about. I have nothing to say to you that hasn t already been
said. And I can t think of anything you could say that could be of possible interest me.
 But darling, so much has happened in the last few months. I m a widow now,
she said trying to look sorrowful but failing miserably.
 I d heard that your husband had died. What s it been, Marla? Three months?
Guess your idea of mourning is much different from most people. Reid knew he was [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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