Anne Duquette - Her Own Ranger

He nodded, and the four of them went through the tedious practice common to all airports. Alisha walked beside Carson. Behind them, Josh was complaining to Adoette about Customs, muttering that he hated how long the routine took in Florida. Adoette, still wearing his brown jacket, talked politely to Josh. Carson enjoyed having Alisha to himself.

“I hope you had a pleasant flight,” he said as they walked along.

“A long one, anyway.”

“You must be tired.”

“Just a little. I slept on the plane,” she said with a smile.

“You’ll feel better once you get to the hotel. It’s not a long drive.”

A surge of people from the same flight arrived at the luggage carousel from the Customs area, which precluded further talking. That didn’t stop him from trying.

“What do your bags look like? I’ll grab them if you point them out.”

“Thanks. They’re black, with silver name tags.”

They waited in front of the empty carousel.

“I hope you haven’t arranged for a guide,” Adoette said, finally managing to make her way to Alisha’s side. “I’m available. I’m familiar with the area, and I’m also a fully qualified airboat operator.” She spoke quickly, frowning a little in her seriousness.

“I’d love your help—if it’s okay with the ranger here.” Alisha glanced at Carson, who merely shrugged.

“I guess that means yes.” Alisha laughed, a deep, delighted laugh that spoke of hidden passion—bed- room passion, if his hormones could be trusted. “Well, good. My résumé leaves much to be desired in that department.”

She found her first piece of checked luggage and pulled it off the carousel instead of pointing it out. Before Carson could react, Alisha started to reach for a second bag, one that obviously held camera equipment.

“No one carries Al’s cameras but her,” Josh informed him.

“That’s not true, Josh. No one carries my film but me. Or my tape. The cameras I check.”

As Alisha passed Carson a second camera bag, she said, “I have a question for you.”

His senses were immediately on alert.

“Why did you and your tribal council change your position regarding my earlier request?” she asked. A direct hit. Carson hadn’t expected this so soon—if at all.

He saw the intelligence in her eyes—and it made him uneasy. Adoette’s right. This woman might discover my plan, after all. What if she won’t play along? What if she wants to join the hunt, instead? I refuse to be known as the man who put Alisha Jamison at the mercy of poachers... again. Suddenly he changed his demeanor from friendly to strictly business.

“No time for questions right now,” he said. “Adoette will take you to the pickup area. Please wait there with her.” His voice left no room for refusal. “I’ll get the car.”

ALISHA FLOPPED BACKWARD onto her bed, hair wet from the shower. She wore the fluffy terry-cloth robe provided by the Lucky Lady Hotel and Casino.

“Oh, Lord, that feels so-o-o-o good,” she groaned.

She heard a knock on the connecting door. “Are you decent, Al?”

“Yes, come on in.”

Josh appeared. “Comfy?”

Alisha reached for a pillow and shaped it more comfortably under her head. “I’m getting there. Nothing like a good ol’ American mattress.”

“Yeah, well; before you nod off...” Josh shook a bottle of pills. “I just got your prescription refilled.”

“I still have some left.”

“I know, but there aren’t any pharmacies in the middle of the Everglades, you know. I didn’t want you to run out. Did you take today’s dose? You didn’t—I can tell by your face. Take them now. Here.” He held out the pill bottle and an open can of soda.

Alisha groaned again as she sat up and took the pills and the drink. She’d been on a low dose of antibiotics ever since the poachers’ attack; it was the only way to keep in check the numerous bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia that had plagued her since.

“You’re almost as bossy as our host was at the airport,” Alisha said.

Carson Ward. An interesting man. On the drive here, she’d observed him with the same intensity she brought to her work. He doesn’t give much away. He certainly clammed up when I asked him about the fax. And then he played nonstop tour guide during the drive—so I didn’t have a chance to bring it up again.

“The ranger wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Did you notice?”

I noticed She didn’t guard her expression carefully enough.

Josh pounced. “Yep, you did.”

“Bastard.” It came out too affectionately to sting.

Josh laughed and pulled the covers over Alisha and gently tucked her in. He smoothed her wet hair back from her face. “You should’ve dried your hair. It can’t be good for your lungs. Cold in here, too.” Josh kicked the air conditioner regulator up a few notches. “There.”

“If you’re done fussing, tell me what’s on for tonight.”

Josh was all business again. “I’ve ordered lunch from room service—it’s on the way up. And, hey, there’s a copy of the local rag, today’s, with a story about you. Don’t bother reading it—nothing there but standard P.R. stuff. Just eat your lunch. Then get some beauty sleep. You look like tapir dung.”

“Gee, thanks, Mom.”

Josh didn’t even blink. “After that, a wake-up call at 6:00 p.m. Plenty of time to dress and meet Carson Ward, his delightful friend Adoette, and Ward’s cousin, Ray, for dinner.”

“Ray’s your old poker buddy’s son?”

“Yes. By the way, Ray Weaver manages a shift here at the casino and got us the rooms. So be nice to him.”

“Of course.”

“I’ve ordered a dress from the gift shop. It’s being pressed now.”

“My size?”

“No, mine. Of course your size! Long-sleeved, high back.”

Josh didn’t add what they both knew—that she wore dresses like this to hide her scars.

“Oh, and some new underwear, as well. Last time I did the laundry, your bras all looked like linguini. I got you some tans and whites, plus one black strapless, no underwires in the bunch.”

Alisha hated underwires. “Josh, I have to say, you’re a partner among partners.”

“Yeah, well, not for long. Dammit, Al, what’ll I do without you if you can’t work after the operation? No, don’t answer that,” Josh said impatiently. “Anyway, it’s drinks at seven and dinner at seven-thirty. Watch your p’s and q’s. This guy Ward isn’t just some park ranger.”

“I remember, you told me his aunt—”

“Yeah, Ray’s mother. She’s a big muckety-muck on the tribal council. Don’t step on any toes. I won’t be there, by the way.”

“Where will you be?”

“At my brother’s, but first I’ll be getting your supplies for the trip.”

“Don’t forget toothpaste!”

He made a rude gesture, and she laughed. “I’d tell you to skip the supplies shopping, but I know you wouldn’t listen. Besides, I don’t think dinner in a nice hotel with a good-looking man is going to be any hardship.” Josh raised one eyebrow at the “good-looking” part. Alisha pointedly ignored him. “Even if it was, you always say suffering builds character. Look at me.”

Josh’s smile faded. “Yeah. Look at you.” His expression became thoughtful. “Eat your lunch, take your nap, have a great time. Fill me in tomorrow.”

ALISHA STARED INTO the bathroom mirror. A stranger stared back at her. With her hair up, carefully applied makeup and the classic dress, she hardly recognized herself. As usual, the clothes, from the long black skirt and jacket top to the new underwear beneath it, were a perfect fit.

“Thanks, Josh,” she murmured, but she wasn’t really thinking about her partner. Their relationship wasn’t only business; they shared the affection and companionship of good friends. But not lovers.