Untouched

by Jerri Drennen

  She turned back to look at him. “Okay, it’s my turn. I have a question. How did you become a guide?”

  “I found myself alone in Peru with no money and no prospects. I ran into a man who offered me a job packing supplies through the jungle. I took it. I learned a lot from him. A few years later I was a guide.”

  “How did you end up in Peru?”

  That event was the last thing he wanted to talk about. The memory of his last days under Jackson’s roof was too painful to relive. He was seventeen at the time—had finished school and was ready to go to college—finally getting away from his stepfather.

  The night he left, his stepfather had come back from a party early, without his mother. He figured they must have had a fight. He’d met Travis on the staircase and had instantly started in on him. Jackson took a swing at Travis and for the first time since his stepfather had started hitting him, he swung back. He refused to take any more abuse from the man.

  Travis couldn’t live there any longer. He was afraid he’d kill him if he did. He packed a bag and took off.

  It took his mother six months to find him. She and Jackson had split and she wanted him to come back.

  He couldn’t. He held too much resentment at her for waiting until he was forced to leave before she ended her marriage. It was too little too late.

  “It was fate.” He hated himself for allowing the memories to sink in again. It was like a pity party. That was not him. All this recollection did was stir his anger for a man who died four years after Travis’s mother divorced him.

  “Have you been to the States since?”

  He nodded. “I just got back from New Hampshire.”

  “Does your family live there?”

  “My grandfather did. He died two months ago.”

  She ran her hand up his arm again. “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head. “I hardly knew him.”

  “Still, he was your flesh and blood.”

  “That doesn’t mean much to me, Mattie.” He gripped the steering wheel when the truck hit a dip in the road. “I don’t want to talk about my past. I’m trying hard to forget it.”

  “Yeah, I know that feeling,” she said under her breath.

  Travis knew if he asked what she’d meant, she wouldn’t tell him. She was hiding something too. He hoped she’d trust him enough to tell him what before their two weeks were up and they went their separate ways.

  Suddenly the thought of never seeing her again had his heart clenching tight, but he couldn’t think of a future with her. Only pain could come from such a thing.

  *

  Mattie jumped from the cab and moved to the back of the truck bed. The second four-wheel drive pulled in next to theirs, and Galen, Dana, and Sara stepped down.

  Sara looked perturbed. Had Galen said something to her or was she upset that she didn’t get to ride with Travis all day?

  Mattie didn’t care either way. After their encounter in the tent last night, she thought it best to keep her distance for the time being.

  “Let’s get camp set up. It’ll be dark in another few hours. We need to get moving.” Travis pulled himself up into the bed and tossed their supplies to the ground.

  Mattie grabbed one of the tents and dragged it to the middle of the location picked to set them up. She removed the bands holding it together and watched it pop up. One thing about the new tents they’d chosen, they were easy to erect.

  After all the pegs were hammered into the ground, she unzipped the door and tied it open.

  Sara walked past her into the tent, her cot and bag in tow.

  Mattie wasn’t sure if she wanted to go in and set up her own cot or wait until Sara came out. Right now her patience was in check after the ride and she didn’t want to shatter it with a confrontation with her colleague.

  “Need some help?” Dana asked from behind her.

  Mattie shook her head. “I’m fine. Just catching my breath.”

  She felt like an idiot. Why was she afraid of being alone with Sara? Mattie was the one Travis wanted. Besides, she shouldn’t care what other people thought of her.

  Mattie picked her stuff up off the ground and entered the tent. She’d stay busy and steer clear of the woman.

  An hour later, they all sat at the table to eat.

  Mattie was seated beside Galen. Sara had fussed and fought to be next to Travis, which made her look like a bitch to everyone.

  “Did you have a nice time riding with Travis today?” Galen smiled at her.

  “It was nice, yes. How about you?”

  “Dana was pleasant enough. Sara must be on the rag,” he murmured in reply.

  Mattie laughed, drawing the attention of everyone at the table, causing her face to heat with embarrassment.

  She looked at Travis, who looked questioningly at her, then she looked down at her plate and picked at her food.

  “Are we traveling again tomorrow?” Galen asked.

  Mattie glanced up to see his attention on Travis. She wanted to know as well if they were going to stay put for a while or keep going.

  “I think we’ll move out by noon. Mattie, if you and the ladies want to work, you might want to get started as soon as dinner is over.”

  Mattie looked to Dana. “We could catalog for a while now. We have a half hour or so before it gets dark.”

  Dana nodded and rose from the table. “I’ll run and get our books.”

  “I’m not feeling well.” Sara pinched the bridge of her nose as if she had a headache. “I think I’ll stay here and rest.”

  Mattie could just imagine how sick the woman was. She’d bet her shirt Sara wanted to stay and flirt with Travis. Let her. If he was that easily swayed, she didn’t want him.

  She rose from the table as Dana exited the tent, the other woman’s arms filled with books and papers. “Dana and I’ll be back when we get some work done. When it starts getting dark.” Mattie took half the stack of books from Dana’s arms and they took off down the trail to another clearing in the distance. She was going to concentrate on the job and not worry what Sara, Travis, and Galen were doing.

  When she and Dana had settled into working, Dana asked, “What’s going on with you and Sara?”

  “Nothing. Did she say something?”

  Dana’s blue eyes narrowed. “I’m not stupid, Mattie. I can see the tension between you two. Does it have anything to do with our guide?”

  Mattie knew if she lied she wouldn’t believe her. “I guess in a way.”

  “He’s into you. You know that, right?”

  Mattie blushed. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean I see the way he looks at you when you’re not watching. He has it bad.”

  Did he really care about her? She couldn’t tell. He’d wanted to spend the day with her but did that mean they’d be spending the night together? Mattie wished she knew. If so, it would certainly give her something to look forward to. She could almost feel his arms around her, his fingers caressing her skin. Her belly quivered at the thought.

  She forced herself to open her tablet, then adjusted her glasses and studied the plants around her. One in particular caught her attention. She’d never even seen it in any of the books.

  “Dana? Have you ever seen this type of leaf before?”

  Dana walked to Mattie’s side and squatted down to look at the plant Mattie pointed to. As Dana studied the plant, Mattie grabbed her flora book and flipped through to see if she’d maybe missed it somehow.

  Dana’s face lit up. “No, I’ve never seen it. Do you think we’re actually going to be able to catalog a new species here?”

  Mattie’s heart beat faster. “I think we might. But we’d better make sure. Let’s go through all the books first. If it proves to be a new species, then we’ll need to take a cutting and preserve it.”

  “Do you realize if it’s a new species, we’ll be written up in botany journals?”

  Mattie hadn’t thought of that. This was exciting for the whole team. They’d be known
throughout the community for the find. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Mattie took a deep breath. “Like I said, let’s check and double-check our catalog books first. If it’s not there, then we can get excited.”

  By the time the sun had started to set, Mattie and Dana were smiling at each other. “We have a new species of plant,” Mattie whispered, afraid if she said it too loudly, the thing would somehow disappear.

  “This is so exciting, Mattie. Do you remember what the protocol is for this?”

  “If I remember correctly, we’re supposed to catalog the plants around it and take pictures, then make some cuttings and place them in one our special airtight containers.”

  “I’ll run and get the things we’ll need before we lose the light.”

  Dana rose and sprinted toward camp. Mattie could see she was as excited by the find as Mattie. A true botanist.

  Mattie went to work cataloging the flora around the strange plant.

  This was what she’d come to Manu for. To see things perhaps no one else had. And here it was. Right in front of her. You just didn’t know what the significance of the find could be. For all she knew, this plant might even help the scientific community find a cure for cancer. There was no way of knowing until they’d gotten a chance to study the plant’s properties.

  Dana came rushing back with a digital camera and the supplies to store the cutting.

  “I have the plants cataloged.”

  Mattie took the camera from her colleague. She took a dozen close-up shots of the plant then, with extreme care, snipped a few pieces from the species and tucked it in the airtight bag and placed it in the container used to keep samples cold.

  Once they’d gotten it and the pictures placed together in a large baggie, they loaded their books and headed for camp.

  This was the most exciting thing that could have happened and this was only their second day of cataloging. Who knew what tomorrow would bring?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Travis pulled the map from his boot and looked it over. Tomorrow would be spent searching for landmarks until noon, when they’d move on. In his bones, he could sense they were getting closer. The whole thing had his nerves on edge, along with Mattie’s excitement about what she’d discovered. He was sure she felt like he would when he found Templar treasure. He was elated for her and he’d never felt this way for anyone before, pride in her and Dana’s accomplishment. He couldn’t be more proud if it were his own. Hell, he was sure there were hundreds of plants and animals that hadn’t before been seen by people. The Amazon was just that big.

  He sighed as he looked at the map, hoping he’d be as lucky as Mattie.

  With that, Travis tucked the map back into his boot. He stepped inside his tent and grasped his knapsack.

  On the way out, he glanced at Galen, who was snoring.

  Good. He’d be out of his hair for the evening. He didn’t want a second round of lecturing from his friend about Mattie. Galen was against getting involved with women. Travis usually felt the same way, but right now he enjoyed the time he spent with Mattie. What was wrong with that?

  Travis plopped down on the ground next to the tent and opened his pack. He grabbed a slice of jerky and a bottle of water, then spied his grandfather’s journal. God, now he wished he’d never thought about eating. Every time he opened the damn thing, past emotions came flooding back.

  He stuck the jerky in his mouth and ripped off a large chunk, then opened the journal and turned it to the third page.

  Travis,

  I wanted to tell you about the Templars of today and in the past. Yes, they are honorable men, but not like their ancestors. The first Templars were monks, lived a life of celibacy. Men with little but faith to keep them going. Poor but for the love of God. They didn’t need much. I never could understand how they were able to stay strong even through their persecution. That’s faith. I wished for that strength as I hope that you will find it someday. I know you’ve had a hard life, but I feel if anyone can find that strength, it’s you. It took a lot to deal with what you did at such a young age. I have faith you will do the right thing—that you will make your descendants proud.

  Travis closed the journal. Clearly Cedric hadn’t known him at all. How could he? Travis wasn’t a man of honor, never had been. Why would Cedric think a few choice words would change that?

  Angry, he stuffed the book into his bag and closed the clasps. Like he’d first thought, his grandfather was a lunatic and nothing was going to make Travis think otherwise.

  A brush on his shoulder made him jerk.

  “Are you okay?”

  He glanced up to find Mattie standing over him, her forehead furrowed. The woman took his breath away.

  He smiled at her. “I’m fine. You should be sleeping.”

  “I couldn’t. I’m too excited about the find today. Why aren’t you in bed?”

  Travis shrugged. “I’m thinking about tomorrow.”

  “What about it?”

  “Where I plan to have us camp.”

  She slid down next to him. “Do you always think ahead? Can’t you just play it by ear?”

  “I have the safety of the crew to think about. I like to know the territory we settle into for the night.”

  She smiled. “It has to make you feel a little better having your friend here.”

  Travis nodded. “It does; that, and we no longer have as many to keep an eye on since Drew’s illness.”

  “Speaking of Drew, do you think it’s a bad sign we haven’t heard from James?” The line in her forehead that had eased somewhat returned.

  Travis wished he knew. They’d tried to contact the team on their way back to Manu but received no answer. He didn’t know what was going on. He’d try again early in the morning.

  “I’m not sure. We might not be within radio range right now. We may not hear anything until we start back.”

  “But that could be a week from now.”

  “Do you want to head back?” Travis prayed she’d say no. He needed this cover to search for the relics. “If Drew’s alive or dead, there is nothing you can do being there. He’d want you to continue with the expedition.”

  “I know you’re right,” she said, nodding. “I just feel helpless not knowing what’s going on.”

  He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I know.”

  She smiled and leaned in and brushed her lips to his. Travis pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss, molding his mouth over hers. Her groan lit a flame in his belly. But he stamped his passion down and broke their exchange. With Galen just inches away, no way was he going to make love to her.

  When he looked at her, he knew she understood. “I’d better try and get some rest. You’d better too,” she said, then rose. “Good night, Travis.”

  “Night, Mattie.”

  He watched as she closed herself inside the tent; then he stood. He’d get some sleep, hoping tomorrow would be as exciting for him as today had been for her.

  * * * *

  Mattie opened her eyes and looked around. Sara was still in her cot but Dana was gone. From the light shining through the tent, it had to be early morning.

  She rose and padded to the flap and pulled it open, glancing around outside. No one was at the table or anywhere that she could see.

  She ran back to pull on her slacks and hiking boots, then slipped out of the tent.

  Concerned, she walked to the edge of the perimeter, thinking Dana had gone to relieve herself. Mattie called her name and waited.

  No response. She called again, then jumped when a hand cupped her shoulder.

  “What’s going on?” Galen asked from behind her.

  “Dana’s not in our tent. Have you seen her?”

  “No. Would she have gone for a walk?”

  Mattie shook her head. “Travis told us not to go off by ourselves. She knows that.”

  He frowned. “Maybe she forgot.”

  “No. Dana wouldn’t do that.”

  Galen glanced around
, pointing to one of the torches that lay on its side. “Go get Travis. I think we have trouble.”

  Mattie raced to the second tent and ducked her head inside. “Travis.”

  Immediately he woke. “What’s wrong?”

  “Dana’s missing.”

  “What?” He jumped up and grabbed his shirt and headed toward her.

  They met Galen out front. “There’s two pair of footprints by one of the torches that's lying on the ground. It looks like there was a struggle.”

  Mattie sucked in a breath. Who would take Dana out here, and why?

  Travis stalked to the torch, then glanced back at her. “You stay with Sara. Galen and I will follow the tracks. Don’t budge until we get back.”

  “Why can’t I go with?”

  “Because I want you to stay in camp. We’re wasting time arguing. I have no idea when this person took her. We have to hurry or we’ll never catch them.”

  “Go,” Mattie said, feeling helpless.

  “Try to stay calm. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

  She smiled weakly, then watched them head through the brush, her stomach clenching tight.

  This didn’t make any sense. Then again, Drew’s illness hadn’t either. Could the two events be related in some way?

  As she walked back to the table to make some coffee, Sara exited the tent. “What’s wrong?”

  “Dana’s missing. We think someone might have taken her.”

  Sara’s eyes grew huge. “What? Who would do that?” Judging by her astonishment, it was clear she had nothing to do with Dana’s disappearance.

  Mattie was beginning to wonder who she could trust.

  Was there any way Galen could have done something to Dana, then come back?

  That was stupid. Much too far-fetched. Besides, he had been as surprised as she. He couldn’t be that good of an actor.

  “What are we going to do?” Sara’s question brought Mattie’s attention back to her.

  “Travis and Galen are following the prints they found. Travis told me to stay put until they get back. I’m going to make some coffee. If anyone can find her, they can.”

  Sara followed Mattie to the table and helped her brew a pot.

  Mattie tried not to think horrible thoughts. That wouldn’t help Dana come back alive.