Absolute Love: A Hot, Romantic Suspense Series, Book 3 (The Carlisle Sisters) (6 page)

"But you're unsure if you can depend on your instincts," he said thoughtfully.

She nodded.
 
She was amazed at his perception.
 
It was like he was reading her mind.
 
He smiled then bent to kiss her briefly.

"It's alright, Jennifer.
 
Time will show you that I'm a good guy," he murmured.

"And you're willing to be patient with me?"
 
she questioned.

"No.
 
Consider yourself forewarned that I will continue to pursue you until I get what I want.
 
And I want you in my bed," he stated.

Jen couldn't help but laugh.
 

"But I will understand if you turn me down until you are ready," he continued.

Jennifer knew that she wanted this man.
 
She wanted all of him: mind, body and spirit.
 
She just had to be sure it was for the right reasons.
 
And, for once in her life, she felt focused enough to find out the truth before jumping into bed with him.

"Come on," she said.
 
"Let's find some suitable land to raise your livestock."

She grabbed his hand and they started back down the hill.

Chapter 3

London helped an exhausted Jennifer into the Jeep.
 
It had been a long day and Jennifer was bone tired.
 
After they left the waterfall they had traveled further through the jungle until they emerged onto a gigantic field of tall grass.
 
It seemed to go on forever in every direction and London felt it was the perfect place for the ranch.
 

He had researched the land several days prior and found that was property owned by a private plane company that was no longer in operation.
 
That made him optimistic regarding the likelihood of a fair negotiation over purchase price.
 
London had already been in talks with the Tahiti government and knew they were interested in his project.
 
He only needed to secure the land to move forward with it.
 

The agricultural commission had committed to set aside funding to bring in the first wave of cattle, goat and sheep for breeding.
 
After procurement of the land he would be good to go.
 
He was anxious to find the property's owners and discuss the situation with them.

Jennifer was resting her head against the seat, her eyes closed.
 
As tired as she was, she felt good after a day of physical exertion.
 
She wondered if she would even make it a new habit and knew she may have to if she entered into a relationship with a man like London.

"What the...."
 
London exclaimed.

Jennifer's closed eyes popped opened.
 
At first she couldn't tell why London was perturbed.
 
It was late and the sunset they'd admired on their walk back to the Jeep had faded to an inky black mass, making it difficult to see anything.

Then she saw it.
 
A shadowy figure was standing on the side of the road, waving its arms frantically.
 
London slammed on the brakes and the Jeep skidded to a stop.

The black silhouette ran toward the Jeep and stopped in the beam of the headlights.
 
Jennifer could now see that a woman stood before them.
 
She was tall and slender with long hair that was blowing wildly in the fierce wind.
 
She looked up toward the sliver of a moon and cocked her head as if listening to a voice only she could hear.
 

Jennifer watched the woman in confused bewilderment.
 
Then feeling the woman needed their help, she moved to get out of the truck.
 
London grasped her arm to stall her.

"Stay here," he said firmly.

"But she must need our help," Jen protested.

"Wait.
 
Please," he said curtly.

London was staring at the woman intensely, waiting for her next move.
 
Then she turned her head abruptly to gaze at them.

"The gods have spoken.
 
You must flee!
 
Run as if the devil nips your heels!
 
Go...now!" she shouted.

Suddenly they saw what looked like crows soaring through the night sky.
 
They swooped across the road then circled above the Jeep, squawking.
 
Jennifer looked up at them in frozen terror.
 

"Leave this place! Go before it is too late," the woman cried.
 

She slipped away into the jungle as quickly as she had come.
 
Jennifer looked up to find the birds had disappeared as well.

"What the hell was that?" Jennifer asked in horror.

"A death warning," London said quietly.

"What?!"

"There's an ancient legend that, when you are in dire danger, the Spirit Woman will come to warn you.
 
She is always accompanied by crows who will circle above your head.
 
That was her," he answered soberly.

"Is that true? I mean, it can't be, can it?"
 
she croaked.
 
"You say it like it's
real
!"

"You just witnessed it," he reasoned, his concern obvious in his voice.

"It could have been a trick.
 
An elaborate stunt to scare us," she rationalized. "That makes a lot more sense than a death spirit."

"Death
warning
," he corrected.
 
"But who would want to scare us?
 
If it was a stunt, I mean."

"I don't know," she returned.
 
"But it worked."

"Why us?"
 
he countered.

"Why
not
us?"
 
she said, groping for some sort of answer that made sense.
 
"Pranksters aren't selective when deciding who to terrorize."

"True...but it's not that simple," he muttered.

"You're not telling me that you believe the legend, are you?"
 
Jen asked incredulously.
 
"It's folklore!
 
It can't be taken seriously!
 
Should we follow the next rainbow we see in search of a pot of gold, too?"

"Don't be dismissive, Jen," he said calmly.
 
"The legend should be taken seriously."

"Then you
do
believe it," she exclaimed.

"I've seen things in the past that have given me great pause.
 
And a trusted friend has given me insight into this particular legend.
 
Believe it or not, it is real," he said.

"I'm sorry to disagree but it can't be," she denied.

He turned to her abruptly.

"It is
real
and we need to get out of here.
 
Now.
 
And I'm taking you to my place.
 
You're staying with me until we get some answers," he said implacably.

"Answers to what exactly?"
 
she said haltingly.

"We'll start with finding out who wants us dead and why," he responded shortly.

He slammed his foot onto the gas pedal of the Jeep and drove as if the devil really was at his heels.
 
Jennifer held onto the bar in front of her and prayed.
 
She wasn't one to call upon the Lord for help but, at that moment, she would welcome any assistance they could get.

*****

Tracy knocked on Bethany's cabin door sharply.
 
After a few seconds the door swung open.

"Hey, Tracy.
 
Come in," Grey greeted her.
 
"Are you here to see Beth?"

Tracy walked into the living area and faced Grey.

"Hi, Grey.
 
I did come to see Beth.
 
Is she around?"
 
Tracy asked gravely.

Grey could tell from the look on Tracy's face that something was wrong.
 
He wanted to question her but he didn't want to pry.
 
Perhaps it was a sister thing and he shouldn't get involved.

"Yeah.
 
She's out back.
 
I'll go get her," Grey said.

Grey went through the kitchen and out the back door.
 
Tracy could hear low voices but not the words spoken.
 
Within seconds Beth was walking into the room.

"Hi Trace!
 
What's up?"
 
Beth asked as she sat on the sofa.

"I'm worried about Jen.
 
Have you heard from her?"
 
Tracy asked.

"Of course not.
 
She wouldn't call me.
 
And I know she doesn't want to hear from me," Beth said.

Tracy began pacing.

"I just have a bad feeling," Tracy said.
 
"I know it's crazy but I feel like Jen needs us."

"Why?"
 
Beth asked.
 
"What makes you feel that way?"

"I don't know." Tracy replied.
 
"I just feel deep inside like there is something wrong.
 
Like she needs help.
 
And I can't shake it.
 
I've call her a hundred times and when I couldn't reach her I called the resort where she's staying.
 
They said all of her belongings are in her bungalow but that they haven't seen her."

"For how long?"
 
Beth asked, suddenly worried herself.

"They don't know," Tracy answered.
 
"They're not keeping tabs on her.
 
But they've checked everywhere she could be at the resort and she's nowhere to be found.
 
I'm too worried to wait any longer."

"OK," Beth said, trying to remain calm.
 
"Well, I hope your feeling is wrong and that she's just off shopping or something but, I agree, we have to make sure.
 
Have you told Blaze yet?"

Tracy stopped pacing and slowly shook her head.

"No," Tracy responded.
 
"I didn't want to sound crazy.
 
And I haven't spoken to him since calling the resort and finding out that I might actually be..."

"OK, OK," Beth said, getting up and putting an arm around Tracy.
 
"I'm sure she's fine, Trace.
 
Who the heck would mess with Jen, anyway?
 
She can be downright scary when she wants to be!"

Tracy laughed through her tears.

"I don't know what I'll do if something has really happened to her, Beth," Tracy said.
 
"We had such a bad fight the last time I saw her.
 
I couldn't live with myself."

"Don't worry," Beth consoled.
 
"We will go and make sure that she is fine.
 
She'll probably throw us out for showing up unannounced but at least that will tell us that there's nothing wrong!
 
Let's go tell Grey and Blaze we have to go."

"Have to go where?"
 
Grey asked, walking back into the room.

"Would it sound crazy if I were to say 'Tahiti'?"
 
Beth asked.

*****

Jennifer was woken by the gleaming sun streaming in through the bedroom window.
 
She shielded her eyes and wondered how London could sleep in such bright light.
 
But when she turned her head to look at him she realized that she was alone.
 
In all likelihood London was probably up with the chickens every morning and, as such, never had a problem with the intrusive sunlight.

Jen stretched lazily and thought about the night before.
 
Afraid for her safety, London had brought her to his house so he could keep an eye on her.
 
She'd been upset and confused by their terrifying experience and agreed to his request though, truth be told, he hadn't given her much of a choice in the matter.
 
He certainly had a protective nature.

They had arrived late so she hadn't been shown much of the house but, from what she had seen, it was immense and quite stylish.
 
London said he had designed it himself several years earlier when he first fell in love with the island and decided that he wanted to spend his life there.
 
It was obvious that he was not one of the typical broke hippies you'd find hugging trees in a jungle somewhere.
 
He clearly had money.

Upon their arrival the night before, London had ushered her into the bedroom and given her one of his pajama shirts to sleep in.
 
He'd also given her toiletry essentials to use which she thought was very thoughtful of him.
 
Not many men she'd met kept extra toothbrushes around.