Paradise (15 page)

“I can respect that. I understand you have your goals.” Her gaze traveled back up to his, but not before her lips formed a full-fledged smile. “Um, this isn’t going to make the rest of the week awkward and uncomfortable, is it? I mean, I was almost starting to maybe…kind of…somewhat…think this whole trip wasn’t a total disaster. We still have three days together. Can we go back to being boring tour guide and unenthusiastic tourist?”

She made no reference to fitting in with his master plan. It wouldn’t occur to her to think of him in her future. Well, that settled that.

“Boring, is it?” He returned her smile and sat up, pulling out the spear of disappointment that plunged into his chest. “We’d better get going. I only have three days to convince you that you really do love the Okefenokee.”

* * * * *

Robbie glanced over her shoulder. Eddie again reminded her of a warrior chief, powerful, commanding, determined. And for once, he wasn’t talking. She hoped her “boring tour guide” crack hadn’t hurt him. At her movement, his attention shifted from the vast prairie of water grass to her. His amber eyes bored a hole straight through her. The intensity of that look sent shivers of excitement all the way to her toes.

She turned and dipped her paddle into the water. So George of the Jungle wanted a long-term investment. A picket fence and a wife. Then why was his expression so open, so hungry? No. Eddie wanted her. He wanted an affair with her. He just wouldn’t admit it. Goodness knows she wanted him, but she had no trouble admitting it.

It wouldn’t kill him to be her Rebound Man until they returned to civilization. Then, he could go wife hunting when she headed to
New York
.

A thought skidded across her mind. Should she make an emotional investment in him? Eddie was a fascinating man, a complicated man. It would take a lifetime to figure him out. He was intelligent, kind, a ten in the looks department with a body that left her knees weak. He made her laugh and was an engaging flirt.

What more did she want in a man? Ambition. No, that wasn’t fair. He had ambitions. They were just foreign to her. Living in
Tiny
Town
and rowing around in a swamp. She could probably even handle the swamp thing. It was the
Tiny
Town
part she couldn’t handle. Growing up, she’d lived in too many Tiny Towns. Too many places where everybody knew her business and looked down on her because of what her mother was.

No, she was done with people whispering behind their hands. Like mother like daughter, they’d said. Well, she’d proven them wrong so far. She had money in the bank, an expensive car, a good job that would soon be better, and she had done it all on her own. If Eddie’s idea of a long term investment included living in Yokel-ville with a bunch of small minded yahoos, he may as well live on another planet.

* * * * *

She let out a long breath and scanned the water. Alligators everywhere. Yesterday, they’d seen a few, but today the waters teemed with them. No wonder they weren’t an endangered species anymore. When the trip started, she had to search carefully to find them, but once Eddie showed her what to look for, she could easily spot them masquerading as logs. Some of those bad boys lay close to the waterline or even on the shore sunning themselves.

Many times, only two small bumps in the water signaled their presence. Those were the most frightening. The ones sizing her up for lunch. If this was the daylight population, she wasn’t setting a foot outside that tent after sundown.

She turned and called to Eddie. “Are you serious about paddling out in this tiny boat at night when those monsters are roaming around?”

“The correct word is canoe and sure, it’s pretty exciting, better than a roller coaster. During hunting season, we usually take a large flat bottom boat out on the river. It holds more people and has better balance. Most of the hunters want a big guy, ten feet or longer. Nick got a twelve footer two seasons ago. The old fellow put up quite a fight.”

She shuddered. “How do you catch them? A fishing pole?”

Eddie laughed. “No, darlin’, I’m afraid a fishing pole wouldn’t quite do the trick. We use ropes, harpoons and handguns.”

A shiver ran down her spine at the endearment. How could two days make such a difference? When he called her darlin’ on Monday, it was worse than fingernails on a blackboard. Now, even knowing it meant nothing, it turned her insides mushy.

“That doesn’t seem quite sporting, does it?” she asked, recovering her ability to speak.

“Well, maybe not, but I figure since I don’t weigh six hundred pounds and have three-inch teeth, it all evens out.”

She shivered again. Three days and two nights to go.

“Where are we going today? The Marriott?”

“Eventually, but first we’re going to make a stop at the spa.”

“There’s a spa out here?”

He chuckled at her eagerness. “It may not be what you’re used to, but trust me, you’ll like it.”

An hour later, she spied a rustic cabin and a small concrete structure. Her heart leaped to her throat. “Is that was I think it is? This isn’t some cruel joke, is it?” Excitement took her voice into the high C range.

“Just for you, darlin’. Indoor plumbing.”

On reaching the ranger station, only the thought of hot water persuaded her to disembark the canoe. As usual, her legs had turned to rubber after a few hours, and she more fell then stepped out.

Startled by a hearty laugh, she caught sight of a distinguished man in uniform approaching.

“Brace yourself,” warned Eddie under his breath. “
Harrison
,” he called, “I’m glad we caught you.”

Ranger
Harrison
, a cross between Morgan Freeman and Bill Cosby, greeted her with a hearty handshake and Eddie with a slap on the back.

“Are you sure it’s safe to be out here?” she asked, hovering next to Eddie.

“Yes, Miss,” he drawled in a tone smooth as peach brandy. “You may find a stray gator or two now and again, but most times, there’s too much activity here for ‘em. They prefer to sun themselves out in the swamp away from all our noise and ruckus. All the facilities here are gator -- and vermin -- free. I personally see to it.” She ignored Eddie’s I-told-you-so smirk.

Ranger
Harrison
regaled her with a few short stories as they ambled to the ranger station. If it were possible, he knew more about the swamp than Eddie. It was easy to fall under the spell of his melting Southern accent and genteel manners.

Up close, the station was a modern building disguised as a rural cabin. Inside, it was small and efficient. A battleship gray, metal desk, its legs tinged with rust, dominated the room. A matching four drawer file cabinet stood in the corner. An industrial first aid kit hung on the wall near a battered refrigerator that hummed a bit too loudly. Maps of the Okefenokee covered the walls and a two way radio squawked in the background.

“Are you enjoying your trip? I heard about the contest. Must be something getting a whole week package for free.”

“Yeah, quite a treat.” She agreed warily.

“Is Eddie showing you all the sights? There’s a beautiful view of the sunset up by the Chesser Prairie that you don’t want to miss. But then,” he reflected, “with these afternoon rains coming in, you may just have to come back later in the season for that. Is Eddie giving you enough information and background on what you’re seeing?”

“I can assure you, Harrison, Ms. Miller is getting the deluxe tour, even if she prefers not to venture out in the swamp at night. She will be delivered back to the main station on Friday afternoon bringing with her a greater appreciation of the picturesque Okefenokee.” Eddie bowed with a flourish but not before flashing her one of his charming bad boy grins.

The ranger shot him a sour look. “Don’t you go sassing me, boy. I can still whip your ass if I need to.” He smiled at Robbie. “If he starts up, you just let me know. No need to put up with his smart mouth. You need to charge that cell phone, Miss?

Robbie looked at her hands, unaware she’d been passing it back and forth.

“We have a generator here. Eddie always makes himself at home when he drops by.”

She busied herself searching for the adapter in her backpack but glanced up when
Harrison
turned and quietly asked, “Eddie, you behaving yourself?”

Eddie rolled his eyes.

“Don’t give me that, son,” he hissed. “I ran into Nick yesterday over at the main gate, and he told me about Fran’s leg and the boyfriend not showing up. You just keep your nose clean. This one is off limits.”

“I’m not stupid. I’ll return her as pristine and unblemished as she was on Monday morning.”

The ranger smiled and patted Eddie on the shoulder. “I knew you’d grow up one day. I just didn’t think I’d live long enough to see it. I’ll be sure to let Nick know when I see him.”

What was that about? Obviously, she wasn’t supposed to hear it and turned her attention before they noticed. Did the whole town know she was looking for a Rebound Man?

“Thanks for letting me re-charge.” She smiled gaily, addressing the older gentleman and ignoring Eddie. “I’ve tried but haven’t been able to use it much. I wouldn’t survive here without some contact with the outside world.”

“You’d be surprised how quickly you can forget about the outside world when you’re out in this beautiful country. You may have to try a bit at first,” he replied. “Well, folks, you just caught me leaving for a few minutes. I had a call some tourists are stranded about ten minutes south of here. Seems they ran out of gas for there outboard.”

“You mean I can make phone calls from here?”
Oh, lucky day!

“Sorry, Miss, we use walkie-talkies out here. Not cell phones.”

“Oh, of course.”
Excuse me while I cough my foot out of my mouth.

Ranger
Harrison
picked up a gas can and headed for the door. “There aren’t any other visitors here now, but I expect some will wander in soon. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Thanks,
Harrison
. We’re just going to use the facilities and head out for our next platform. Appreciate the hospitality.”

“There’s ice in the freezer if you need it. Help yourself,” Ranger Harrison added, grabbing a set of keys from a wooden rack shaped like a gator by the door. “Nice meeting you, Miss Miller.” She caught the look he sent Eddie. Was that a warning? “Enjoy your tour of the Okefenokee.”

“I’ve a big treat in store for you. Grab your backpack and follow me.” Eddie was out the door before she knew he was gone.

She hustled after him, praying nothing jumped out of the piles of leaves crunching under her feet. Too bad Ranger Harrison had left. Two men protecting her from the wild were much better odds.

When she turned the corner of the building, she bounced off a rock solid chest. “Whoa, there.” A backpack thudded to the ground as two strong arms reached out to stop her fall. “Slow down, darlin’. Nothing’s chasing you.”

He held her arms until she regained her footing. His grasp was sure and confident. She inched closer, wanting to caress that muscled chest, slide her hands up and wrap them around his neck, and pull his head down to kiss her.

Abruptly, he released her and stepped back. “Didn’t I promise you indoor plumbing? You must want a shower something bad. Here you go.” Waving his hand toward the entrance, he gave a courtly bow and turned to leave.

She sighed and warily eyed the building. The shower facilities were housed in a concrete structure behind the ranger station. Not exactly five star but after two days, if she could shower and wash her hair, she was willing to overlook a few inconveniences. It looked safe enough and the ranger had assured her it was inspected daily, but you never knew.

“Wait! You go in and check it first. Make sure it’s safe. Some wildebeest could be hiding in there!”