As if she’d read his mind, Roberta strode back toward him, a flask in her hand. “Take a swig of this. It should shut you up for a while.” She unscrewed the lid and held the metal to his lips.
He opened his mouth and allowed her to tip the bitter liquid in. The instant he swallowed, a numbing peace swept through his veins. “Thanks. I really needed that.” He couldn’t read any emotions in her freckled face, which was dimly lit by flashlights. But the alcohol knocked down some of the inhibitions. He felt compelled to touch her and reached out and grasped her hand. “Will you stay with me for a while?”
“Yeah, sure,” she said. “I don’t have anything better to do anyway.” She patted his hand like he was a little boy.
“Gee, thanks.” He frowned, regretting he’d asked her to stay. God, the woman knew how to irritate him.
“You got this under control?” David asked.
“Oh, I think so. If he starts to get out of control, I’ll just pour more of this liquor into him.”
David laughed. “Let’s carry him into his tent and then we should all try to get some shuteye.” David, Seth and Kent carried Rich into the tent. Roberta stepped in behind him.
“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to,” Rich said, after the others had left.”
Roberta leaned over him, one arm perched on the other side of his chest, her blue eyes looking luminescent in the dim light. “Sometimes it would be much better if you didn’t talk.”
Weakened by the blood loss and the alcohol, his view of her face grew foggy. He struggled to push his eyelids up. He couldn’t stop looking at the freckles that seemed to dance across her face. And how her hair looked so tantalizingly wild and out of control. “What would you prefer I did instead?”
Her lips descended toward his, greeting him, moist and eager. As their mouths and tongues mated, lusty adrenaline raced through his veins, Rich forgot his injured thigh, his intoxication, and that just seconds ago, he’d been so drop dead tired, he could barely hold his eyelids up.
Chapter Twenty
One month later
The Science Channel crew returned to film the rest of the television series. Kent and his group had finished taking the cave measurements, proving Mountain River Cave was the largest in the world. The videographer, Annie Price, had captured footage of the most spectacular underground sites, which showcased the amazing limestone formations moving water had created. She also filmed the doline where they had unearthed the unusual rocks.
Kent became instantly famous for discovering the cave. His teammates suggested at least one of the newly discovered elements in the strange stones should be called Dunbarium.
“That’s too close to the name of another element,” Kent had argued.
Once Annie finished recording the day’s segment, she lowered her camera and the crew flipped off their lights.
“Let’s head back to camp.” Kent’s voice sounded tired and dark circles ringed his eyes. “It’s time to call it a day.” He’d lost weight in recent weeks, which made his dimples sink further into his cheeks.
Rebecca leaned her head in toward his shoulder. “You look tired. You really need to get some rest.” When we go off on our little getaway, I’ll fix him lots of healthy, high-calorie meals.
He slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. “Yeah, I know. And we’ve been so busy, there hasn’t been much time for recreational activities if you know what I mean.” He turned toward her and winked, his eyes sparkling brilliant shades of blue.
Rebecca elbowed him in the ribs. “There will be no hanky panky tonight. Not until you catch up on your sleep.” Kent paused and then cleared his throat. “Uh, er, there’s something else I want to talk to you about.” His face darkened in a blush.
Rebecca reached for his cheek and ran her hand over his sexy dimple. “Is something wrong? I haven’t seen you turn beet red since the first days we met?”
“No, there’s nothing wrong. As a matter of fact, everything’s right. I just have something really important to ask you and I want to make sure I say it right.” Kent kissed her on the cheek, gazing into her eyes as he dropped down on his knees.
Rebecca’s eyes filled with tears. She clasped her hands together, her eyes fastened on the strong lines of his dimpled face and his mesmerizing eyes. The fantasy that had run through her mind ever since they’d first fallen in love was becoming a reality.
His blue eyes, illuminated by the golden sunlight that filtered through the trees, said they loved her a thousand different ways. “I love everything about you so much, Bec. You’re beautiful, you’re intelligent, and you’ve handled yourself like a champion out here during all these crazy events. And you turn me on so much, I know I’ll never get enough of making love to you. We have such a great connection—like I never imagined having with a woman before. Every day has been an adventure since I met you. And I want you to be a part of my life. Always. Will you please marry me?”
Rebecca squatted down on the wet ground in front of him, grasping his hands and pulling them in toward her, not noticing the happy tears that splashed onto his chest. “Oh, yes, Kent. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Two weeks later
Conditions couldn’t have been more fortuitous for an outdoor wedding. The monsoon rain clouds subsided, revealing azure skies and sunshine. And the cathedral the couple had chosen to exchange their vows in was an arch of limestone—part of Mountain River Cave. The dozen or so guests, dressed much more casually than the pair about to wed, gathered around the altar of rock where Kent stood waiting for his bride.
Amanda squeezed Tom’s hand and nuzzled his neck. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. Her best friend was getting married. On one hand she was thrilled—nothing made her happier than seeing Rebecca so elated and in love. But on the other hand, she knew the marriage would mark a change in their friendship.
There would be no more dropping by unannounced or late night telephone calls. She hoped they wouldn’t grow apart—they’d been inseparable since grade school. Their friendship had been such a big part of her life for so long—she couldn’t imagine what her life would be like if Rebecca got too busy to ever see her. More tears streamed down her face.
Tom looked at her, raising a brow. “Why are you crying? The ceremony hasn’t even started yet.”
“Oh, I know,” Amanda sniffed, “but weddings always make me cry. And my best friend is about to commit herself to that man for life.” As Rebecca walked into the room, Amanda reached out and traced her fingers along Tom’s arm. “Look how beautiful she looks in that pale blue silk. Her skin just glows in that color. She looks so happy.” She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose. Her voice quaked when she spoke. “The last time I saw her dressed up was at our high school prom.”
Tom gave her a knowing smile. “Now that I can believe. I don’t imagine you own too many dresses yourself.”
Amanda smiled as she imagined herself as a bride. “Yeah, you’re right about that. But I’ll spend hours picking the right one if I ever get married.”
Tom waved his hand in front of her eyes. “Come back, your eyes have drifted off to la la land.”
“Oh, yes, I was just thinking, that’s all.”
Tom pressed his lips together, looking impatient. “About what? The fact that you might never marry? Why do women always talk like life could end without them making it to the altar? You’re still young–what’s the rush?”
Amanda felt bruised by his insensitivity. She wished Tom could act more sentimental on a special day like this. She crossed her legs, angling her body away from Tom. In her mind, she’d already committed herself to him. She’d met the man she wanted to spend her life with and she wished more than anything he felt the same. “Never mind—you wouldn’t understand.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and urged her back toward him. “Oh, come on. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that I didn’t think marriage was important.”
“I’m just feeling a l
ittle emotional today that’s all.” As the emotions of the moment crashed down on her, Amanda burst into tears and covered her face with her hands. The uncertainty of her romantic relationship combined with the change about to happen with her closest friendship was more than she could handle. More than anything, she feared being all alone. Bec would fly off on her honeymoon and she’d be on a plane back to Tucson. Maybe Tom would drive down from Phoenix once in awhile to see her. Or maybe he’d forget her and they’d never see each other again.
Tom placed his hands on her back and rubbed soothingly. “It’s okay, I understand how you’re feeling more than you think. It’s hard when a friendship goes through a transition. I’ve been thinking a lot about how things between Kent and me will change after today. And if you’re worried about our relationship, don’t—I’m not going anywhere.”
Amanda uncovered her face and looked at him, wanting him to reaffirm what he’d just said. “Really?”
“I’ve told you what we have is too special to let go and I meant that. I love you. We already live in the same state—maybe one of us can relocate so we can live in the same town, or even better, the same apartment. And as for weddings, just be patient and let it happen. It’ll be better for both of us that way.”
Amanda wrapped her arms around Tom’s neck and kissed him. “Oh, Tom, I love you so much. Just knowing you want to stay together matters more than you know.”
Tom kissed her on the cheek and pulled back. “I better stop before Kent hollers out that we should get a room. He’s motioning for us to get in our places.”
* * * *
Rich sat beside Roberta, not sure what to say to her.
“Can you believe those two?” Roberta nudged Rich. “She’s crying and hanging all over him and the wedding hasn’t even started. The manipulative wench just wants him to propose.”
Rich rubbed his sweaty palms together and cleared his throat. “Yeah, maybe she does. But I think some women act stoic and ridicule other peoples’ emotions because they’re jealous and wish they were the ones standing at the altar.”
Roberta let out a long breath and hunched into her chair. “What a bunch of hogwash.”
Rich fidgeted in his chair, unsure of what to say next. Sarcastic banter might break the ice. “Ha, the lady protests a bit too loudly, I’d say.” He leaned in and elbowed her in the ribs before whispering in her ear. “It’s so obvious you’re aching to hook up with me.”
She slugged him in the arm and pushed his face back until her freckles were in focus to him again. “Ha, you must be joking. You’re the last man on earth I’d go for.”
He rubbed his sore arm and frowned. A woman who could give him a colorful bruise excited him. “Yeah, I could tell last night when you ripped my clothes to shreds rather than going for the buttons and zippers.” Feeling he had the situation under control, he reached into his pocket.
“Meeting basic needs is different than feeling emotional about someone. And no woman could possibly deal with your personality. You’ve spent too many days in the jungle. The female snakes might go for you, though.”
Female snakes? He hadn’t been prepared for a line like that. He laid the box he’d pulled from his pocket on his lap. He pressed his lips together, realizing for the first time his plan might backfire. And for some reason, the disappointment tied his insides up in nasty knots. “Apparently, I misinterpreted sex for something more significant. As the young people around here would say, my bad.” He stuffed the box back into his pocket.
Roberta craned her neck toward his hidden hand. Surprise registered in her silvery blue eyes. “What was in that box you had there?”
“I was going to give you something, but I don’t think you’d be interested in it anyway.”
Her hand sprung out and landed on his knee. Her pitch intensified. “You were going to give me what?” Heads turned in their direction.
Rich bit back a smile. The ball seemed to be bouncing back into his side of the court. “It’s just that it seemed like . . . never mind.”
“Rich, please,” she pleaded, latching onto his arm.
Struggling to keep his emotions under control, he reached back into his pocket, drawing the box out slowly before turning toward her. He popped open the lid and reached for her hand. “You’re the most bizarre woman I’ve ever met in my life, but I can’t imagine living without you. Will you marry me?” He watched as her silvery eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Her tan faded instantly from her freckled face.
“Well . . . well . . . um,” she stammered.
“So it really was all about the sex for you then,” he said. As he started to pop the lid closed, she reached toward the box. “Did you want to look at it?”
She pinched her lips together and wiped away a tear that leaked from the corner of one eye. “No, I mean yes. I mean my answer is yes.”
“Well in that case, may I have your hand?”
She extended her hand out and he slid the ring on her finger and leaned over to kiss her.
“Don’t think just because I’m marrying you that you can order me around all the time.”
“Can’t you stop talking long enough for me to kiss you?” He leaned in and claimed her mouth.
* * * *
Tom and Amanda stood on either side of their best friends about to marry. Amanda brushed her fingers over Rebecca’s arm and sniffled. “Are you all right?” Rebecca asked. Amanda hadn’t stopped crying since they’d gathered in the cave.
Amanda offered her a strained smile. “I’m fine. Just happy for you, that’s all.”
Rebecca hadn’t expected her friend to get so emotional. She hoped Amanda wasn’t worried about the future of their friendship. As committed as Rebecca was to her relationship with Kent, she’d never allow her longtime friendship with Amanda to drift away. She’d make every effort to keep the friendship strong no matter what came along. If Amanda and Tom stayed together, the four of them would be traveling together often. Rebecca smiled, looking back on the memories they’d made in the past weeks. They’d make many more, she felt sure. Rebecca squeezed Amanda’s hand. “This trip was quite an adventure. Think of all the others we have in front of us.”
Amanda’s color returned to her face and she grinned. “Yeah, it will be exciting to see where we end up next.”
David walked up to the altar, positioning himself behind Rebecca and Kent. Having obtained a minister’s license in the States, he was authorized to conduct the ceremony.
Wind loosened strands of Rebecca’s hair, neatly plaited into a French braid. It was the ideal outdoor moment. She inhaled the sweet scent of orchids she held in one hand, listened to the crystal birdcalls from the forest, and watched the play of sunlight on the trees outside the cave. The cave felt soothingly cool, a refreshing break from the heavy humid outside air. Her heart felt jittery with excitement. She stood holding hands with Kent, her body angled toward his, realizing that within minutes, he’d be her husband. She studied his towering, muscular frame, his angular face, his sexy cheek dimples, and his brilliant blue eyes.
My husband.
She loved the sound of that. This man she’d been on the adventure of her life with, who had become her intimate lover, her dearest friend. It felt like a dream, marrying someone she loved so deeply and knowing they’d spend their life together outdoors. She’d never be shut inside a department store ever again—every day would be a new adventure.
She couldn’t imagine having their wedding anyplace other than Mountain River Cave. It was this trip, this adventure, that had brought them together and that would bind them together for life. They’d gone into town to buy her dress, handmade from pale blue silk. She’d wanted the dress to be the color of the mysterious rocks. She wondered if they’d ever meet the aliens who brought the rocks here, if they’d ever learn about their lost planet. It will all be part of the adventure. Our adventure.
“We are gathered today at Mountain River Cave to celebrate the marriage of Rebecca Devereaux and Kent Dunbar,” sa
id David.
Kent’s gaze interlocked with Rebecca’s—never letting her go. She gazed into the blue depth of his eyes, completely captivated. His loving smile, that plumped up his lips and deepened the dimples in his cheeks, warmed her insides.
“When two people meet and know they’re right for each other, it’s a life-changing experience. Finding the right partner is something most people only dream of. As all of you know, Kent and Rebecca met here in Vietnam. We all saw how their relationship began right here inside this cave. Both of them have had some challenges in the past, weren’t sure they would be able to move forward to commit to love. But they realized in the end that the gift they found in each other was too precious to let slip away and so they decided to move forward with their lives together. Today, Kent and Rebecca asked you to witness this commitment they’re making to each other. Kent, would you like to read your vows?”
Rebecca could barely breathe as she watched the man she loved so much lock his gaze with hers and declare his commitment to her.
“I, Kent, take you, Rebecca, to be my wife. I vow to love you and protect you for as long as I live. I promise to walk beside you during the best and worst of times, in sickness and in health, to comfort you whenever you need a shoulder to cry on, to support your dreams and most importantly, to be your best friend and number one supporter for as long as we both shall live.”
“Rebecca, you may go ahead now,” said David.
Rebecca wiped tears from her eyes. She’d never forget watching Kent’s full lips speak the vows, the depth of feeling she read in his brilliant blue eyes, which glittered with tears. His love for her felt so palpable, warm waves of euphoria rushed through her body. Her voice shook with emotion. “I, Rebecca, take you, Kent, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will trust you and respect you, laugh and cry with you, love you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we face together. I give you my love and commitment today and every day as long as I live.”
The Unseen Page 20