by Mills, Lisa
Raúl held a lamp aloft with one hand while the other flailed wildly at the air. “Get away from me!” he shrieked. “Get away!”
Isabel heard the flap of wings and the odd squawk of the Guácharos as they shifted about, obviously disturbed by Raúl’s interloping. He continued to shout and shake his fist, only aggravating them more. Isabel watched with morbid fascination as a group of birds descended on Raúl, diving and circling with malicious intent, threatened by what they viewed as an intrusion.
Raúl dropped the lamp, throwing his arms over his head in an attempt to ward off the attack. His head snapped from side to side, looking for an escape. He made a run for the chamber opening, but his attempt to escape was thwarted when his feet slipped on the slick surface of the rocky floor. With a dull thud, he sprawled in a most ungraceful fashion on the ledge then rolled to his side and curled into a fetal position. Having neutralized their enemy, the birds lost interest and flew back to the dark ceilings above.
As Raúl pushed to his feet, a string of curses poured from his lips, surprising Isabel. He’d never talked that way in front of her—yet another reminder that she’d been in love with an ideal and not with the heart and soul of the man.
Behind her, Manuel shifted, and she realized his arm had slipped around her waist, a gesture both protective and possessive. She leaned back against him and felt his chest shaking in suppressed laughter.
“What’s so funny?” she whispered.
“Look at Raúl.” His lips brushed against her earlobe as he spoke, his warm breath fanning across her neck. “He’s covered in droppings.”
She noticed the slimy gray sheen that coated Raúl’s designer shirt and pants.
He brushed at his clothes, trying to remove the offending substance, then held his hands in front of his face, his features twisting in disgust. “The slime on the cave floor smells terrible.”
Manuel, who’d shown reluctance to speak to Raúl all day, suddenly became a fount of information. “Now, Raúl, we told you about the oil birds that inhabit this cave. And where there are birds, one will generally find bird droppings.”
A look of horror spread across Raúl’s face. “Do you mean, this is—”
“Yep. You found the bird poop.” Manuel slapped Raúl on the back, managing to avoid touching the soiled sections of the shirt.
Raúl’s unmanly shriek echoed through the large chamber. He rushed to the water’s edge and frantically tried to wash away the smelly substance.
Knowing how upset Raúl was, Isabel tried desperately to suppress her laughter, but the harder she tried to hide her amusement, the more her urge to laugh grew. Manuel’s uninhibited chuckle sent her over the edge. A giggle escaped and grew into a full-blown belly laugh until tears poured down her face.
Divine justice. Raúl had tortured them all day with his surly disposition, and in one glorious moment, God had issued vengeance. And only God could have served up a retribution so fitting.
Twelve
Isabel’s stomach growled as they neared the campsite. The light meal they’d eaten at lunch hadn’t satisfied her appetite for long. Hunger had gnawed at her middle for over an hour. After Raúl’s misfortune in the cave, they’d returned to camp for a quick lunch, then spent the afternoon hiking some of the trails in the national park. Isabel and Manuel had tried to slip away, leaving Raúl at camp while they enjoyed time alone. But Raúl responded like an animal defending his territory and refused to allow them any privacy.
The jeep bumped over the last stretch of road, and Manuel steered it into the makeshift parking space. While he exited the driver’s side, Raúl jumped out of the passenger seat and moved to help Isabel down from her perch in the back of the jeep. She accepted his hand and hopped to the ground. The moment she landed on her feet, Raúl wrapped her in his arms and pulled her against him. Before she could launch a protest, his lips covered hers in a demanding kiss.
She stiffened and struggled against the hold he had on her, finally convincing him to release her. “What are you doing?” she hissed.
A devilish grin spread across his face, causing his dimples to appear full force. “If you couldn’t tell, perhaps I need to do it again.” His gaze dropped to her lips, and he moved toward her.
Pressing her palms hard against his chest, she backed away from him. “No, you don’t!” She turned toward their tents in time to see the dark look Manuel flashed her way.
Undeterred by her rebuff, Raúl kept a possessive hand on her back as they joined Manuel at the tents.
Manuel’s accusing stare flustered and embarrassed her, but Raúl seemed not to notice. He grabbed his bag of toiletries and a fresh shirt. “I’m going to that visitor’s center to wash in the restroom. Anyone else want to come?”
Isabel squatted by the box of food supplies. “Not me. I want to start supper before I starve.”
Manuel retrieved the miniature camping stove and set it on the ground near Isabel. One burner atop a small canister of fuel provided an efficient way for campers to cook. “I’ll help Isabel. We can clean up in the creek later.”
Raúl’s lip pulled up in disgust. “I don’t know how you can tolerate these living conditions. It’s unhygienic.” He stalked to the jeep, not waiting for a reply.
Tension drained from Isabel’s shoulders as he drove away. She hadn’t realized how much stress Raúl caused her until she had a moment away from him. She glanced up and caught Manuel staring at her. “What?”
He dropped his gaze to the matches in his hand. Taking one from the box, he struck it and lit the burner. “Hungry for something in particular?”
“I’m not picky.” She held up a can and studied the label. “I can make do with anything.”
“Yes. I’ve noticed.” He accepted the canned ham she offered him and attacked it with the can opener.
His tone and attitude confused her. He seemed to be referring to something more than dinner, but she couldn’t fathom what he was insinuating. She studied his face. “Are you angry?”
A muscle in his jaw flexed. “No.”
“You are! You’re mad.” She moved closer in order to study his face. “What’s wrong?”
He dumped the ham into a small pan and set it on the burner, refusing to look her in the eye.
Upset by his withdrawal, she reached out and touched his arm. “Manuel, please talk to me.”
He heaved a sigh. “He’s a pathetic excuse for a man, Isabel. I can’t understand your attachment to him. You seem like the type to look beyond a pretty face.”
She lowered herself to the ground and sat cross-legged, propping her elbows on her knees. Understanding dawned in her mind, and she smiled at him. “You’re jealous.”
His answer was part growl, part grumble, and fully incomprehensible. Moving like a robot, he continued to cook, refusing to give her any more clues about what he was thinking.
His reticence intrigued her, and she wanted nothing more than to question him until he’d revealed the depth of his feelings. The very idea that he might have feelings for her sent a shiver of anticipation through her. But if she questioned him, fairness would dictate that she reciprocate and share her feelings about him. In no way ready for that discussion, she dropped the issue, choosing instead to refute his earlier claim. “Do you think I’m still interested in Raúl?”
“I don’t have to think. I saw you kissing.”
“He kissed me. I didn’t kiss him. There’s a difference.”
Manuel’s “hmmph” suggested he disagreed.
Feeling suddenly defensive, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Look, Manuel, I’m in a tough position here. I’ve tried to explain to him that it’s over between us, but he refuses to accept it. I’d love to blast him when he pulls that Romeo stuff, but we need Raúl’s support to continue this search.”
“Or maybe you still care about him.”
Isabel laughed with derision. “Honestly, I can’t figure out what I saw in him in the first place. Why didn’t I notice how selfish and petulant
he is?”
The endearing smile lines at the corners of Manuel’s eyes threatened to appear. “You’d never seen him under adverse circumstances. In Caracas he controlled his environment. Now that he’s not able to dictate every detail, you see him without the advantage of familiar territory.”
“Yeah, I noticed he’s out of his element here. But I don’t know how much more I can take. He’s really starting to annoy me. Will you hate me if I clobber him and alienate our only sponsor?”
Manuel grinned. “Not if you let me watch.”
She giggled, glad to feel the camaraderie between them restored. While she could endure Raúl’s complaining and unwanted advances, she couldn’t bear Manuel’s scorn and disapproval.
Isabel handed him another can then went to find the plates and silverware. They worked side-by-side, preparing a modest meal of cachapas, heavy corn pancakes filled with ham, beans, and cheese.
The jeep returned just as they dished up plates. Sporting a fresh shave and damp hair, Raúl looked as if he’d stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine. He caught her staring and flashed her a dimpled smile.
Her breath caught in her chest. No wonder she’d fallen for him. He was the very image of the Latin lover. What woman could resist such beauty when taken at face value?
Raúl sat beside Isabel, and she couldn’t help but enjoy the enticing scent of his cologne. His faults aside, she could give him credit for immaculate hygiene and impeccable taste in clothes. Isabel handed him a plate and a fork. He promptly cut a bite and lifted it to his mouth.
Manuel winked at Isabel and bowed his head. “Padre Santo, we thank you for this meal we are about to eat, and for your hand of blessing on our lives. Amen.”
“Amen.” From the corner of her eye, Isabel saw Raúl shake his head and stuff the bite into his mouth. Obviously, he saw no need to delay the meal to say a trivial prayer.
Isabel and Manuel settled into their canvas chairs and began eating. With the sun setting in the west, the forest creatures began their evening song. Isabel marveled at the peace and beauty around them, but the moment was short-lived.
“What is in this sorry excuse for a meal?” Raúl stared at his plate with disgust.
Isabel felt slightly offended by his insensitive comment. “It’s cachapas. You don’t like it?”
An insect biting at his arm interrupted his answer. He dropped the fork to his plate and smacked at the offending creature. A curse escaped his lips. “We haven’t had a decent meal in days.”
“I’ve enjoyed all our meals,” Isabel disagreed. “Maybe you’re being too picky.”
Raúl waved his hand in the air around his head. “Where are all these insects coming from?”
Isabel looked up and noticed the unusual number of bugs hovering in the air around him.
Manuel cleared his throat. “I told you several times already that the insects are attracted to fragrances. If you’d forego the cologne and hair products, you wouldn’t have a problem.”
Raúl glared at Manuel. “And then I would look like you, Manuel, barely more civilized than the animals that live here.”
Just then, a large fly landed on Raúl’s neck and bit him, eliciting a pain-filled yelp. He slapped at the offensive pest, but the bug had already inflicted its damage.
Manuel shrugged. “At least I won’t be covered with bug bites. You’re going to look beautiful with welts all over your body.”
Raúl jumped to his feet, sending his plate tumbling to the ground. “I will not stay in this godforsaken place a minute longer! How do you expect me to endure these conditions? I’ve not had a real shower in days; the bugs and mosquitoes are eating me alive; and that cot you expect me to sleep on could be classified as a torture device!”
Manuel shook his head as if he’d known all along that Raúl wouldn’t be able to endure more than a few days of rough living. “What did you expect, Raúl? You knew we wouldn’t be staying at five-star hotels.”
Isabel stifled a giggled, but couldn’t hide her amusement. Raúl had maintained a bad attitude since the moment of their arrival, and Isabel wondered if God had added to his difficulties because of it.
Manuel had the bravery to say what Isabel had thought all along. “Roughing it is part of the job. If it’s too much for you, you could always go back home.”
“I’ve heard enough of your smart remarks!” Raúl ducked into the main tent and came out holding a set of keys and his suitcase. “Come on, Isabel. We’re leaving.”
Surprise rippled through her at the unexpected order. “Me? I’m not going anywhere, Raúl. If you want to leave, that’s fine. I want to stay here and continue working on the project.”
Manuel set his plate aside and stood. “Just let me get a few supplies out of the jeep, and you can be on your way, Raúl.”
Glaring from one to the other, Raúl must have realized he wasn’t going to gain any sympathy. He stomped to one of the jeeps and slung his suitcase in the back. No sooner had Manuel lifted the spare box of food supplies from the vehicle than Raúl gunned the engine, spinning the tires and kicking up a cloud of dirt in his hasty retreat.
Manuel coughed and waved the dust away.
Isabel observed the hasty departure, relief spreading through her at being given a break from his tantrums. She recognized that eventually she would have to confront the issues between her and Raúl, but for now she intended to enjoy the reprieve.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Manuel watched Isabel fight her drooping eyelids and decided it was time to send her to bed. They’d sat by the campfire talking and laughing for hours after Raúl left, relaxed and carefree for the first time since the beginning of the journey. Despite her yawns and heavy eyelids, she seemed reluctant to say good night. He’d been afraid to suggest it, not wanting to end the magical evening. Years had passed since he’d spent hours talking with a woman for the sheer pleasure of it, and even then, he didn’t remember enjoying anyone’s company like he did Isabel’s.
When her eyelids closed and her head started to nod, he knew he couldn’t prolong the evening any further. He knelt beside her chair, laying a hand gently on her arm. “Time for bed, Isabel.”
Her eyelids fluttered, and she fixed sleepy eyes on him.
“You’re not holding up your end of the conversation anymore,” he teased.
Full lips curved into a lazy smile that wrapped around his heart and squeezed it like a vise. He closed his eyes against the onslaught of emotion. “Go to bed, Isabel.”
She nodded and let him pull her to her feet. He felt her hand squeeze his bicep. “Tonight was fun, Manuel. More fun than I’ve had in a long time.”
Summoning all his restraint, he suppressed the desire to hold her in his arms and kiss her soundly. There would be time to show her his feelings later. Turning her toward her tent, he gave her a gentle push. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Sweet dreams,” she answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
He knelt and tossed dirt over the coals of the campfire, aware of her every movement as she zipped the flap of her tent closed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Isabel focused the beam of the electric lantern toward the small pool, trying to see into its depths. The light reflected off the surface, decorating the crude cave walls with nebulous, swirling patterns in pale shades of blue.
“Are we really going in there, Manuel?”
“You nervous?”
“A little. I’ve never tried anything like this.”
“I’ll go first and make sure it’s safe.” Manuel dropped to one knee and pulled at the strings of his sturdy hiking boots. “I’m going to tie that rope around my waist. If I’m not back in two minutes, you pull me out. Okay?”
“Um, why don’t you just make sure you come back.”
He laughed. “I almost get the feeling you like having me around. Am I growing on you?”
She knelt down and covered his work-roughened hand with hers. “Please, don’t take any chances.”
The look in his eye caused her breath to quicken. He leaned toward her and brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I promise.”
As he lowered himself into the pool, he sucked a breath sharply through his teeth. “Cold,” he gasped, sinking until only his head and shoulders remained exposed. “I’m touching bottom. Hand me a lamp.”
Their fingertips met when she passed him one of the lights. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Turning, he dunked the lamp under water, and Isabel was glad to see it lived up to its reputation of being waterproof. He walked along the edge of the pool, holding the lamp close to the sides and feeling around the rocks with his free hand. “I found it,” he announced after a few minutes.
He shot a smile her way before ducking under water. Isabel leaned over the edge, trying to monitor his progress. His activity disturbed the water’s surface, distorting her view.
A few moments later he emerged, his hair plastered to his head and water running down his face in rivulets. He ran a hand over his face and smiled. “This is the passageway, all right. I can’t see the other side from here, so I’ll have to swim in and investigate. Feed the rope in a few feet at a time. I’ll give it a tug when I’m through.”
She nodded and took the rope in her hands. A trail of bubbles rose to the surface as he submerged and fit himself into the underwater passage. Eerie silence enveloped her as the seconds ticked past, the rasp of the rope sliding across the rocky ledge the only sound in the isolated cave. Isabel realized she was holding her breath and exhaled with a loud huff. She didn’t know which made her more nervous, waiting on him or thinking about making the trip herself.
The rope jerked and she startled. He was through, safe and sound on the other side. She forced her tense shoulders to relax as she secured the loose end of the rope to the canoe. Knowing he’d soon be back for her, she slipped off her shoes and the cotton shirt she wore over a tank top. She sat on the edge of the pool, and shuddered when her warm feet dipped below the surface.
Bubbles floated up and tickled her legs just before Manuel emerged. He grinned and splashed water her way. “Ready for a swim?”
She moved her lamp to the edge where she could reach it then slid into the pool.