Jack didn’t seem worried. He sat with his hands clasped loosely behind his head, his left ankle propped on his right knee, an expectant look on his face.
After a few minutes’ silence, Dan looked up. “Okay, here’s how I see it.” Jack and Mallory sat forward eagerly to listen. “The notations on the map seem to make some sense with the information from the journal. Either George Early or Lying Jude Bluestone himself was trying to make sure the treasure would be hard to find.”
“Whichever one it was, he succeeded,” Jack said dryly and Mallory nodded in agreement.
“This may be harder than you two expect it to be,” Dan pointed out. “You’ll have to start here, in this canyon, and work your way up the sides of the hills. Rocks have rolled down and there’ve been mud slides all over this area for a hundred years. Even if you’re in the right area, there’s no guarantee that the treasure hasn’t been washed down and reburied. I’m afraid there’s more chance of finding nothing than finding anything worthwhile at all.”
Mallory looked at the place where Dan was pomting. It sounded like a daunting task. She could feel the eyes of both men on her. Dan’s were sympathetic, but as usual, Jack’s weren’t. He probably expected her to throw her hands in the air and give up. Instead, she turned to him and said, “When do we leave?”
Respect burned in Jack’s eyes and one corner of his mouth tilted up. “The weather’s supposed to be good this weekend. Temperature during the day in the eighties and clear skies.”
“All right. Let’s do it.” She stood and he joined her in preparing to leave. Dan refolded the map and handed it to Jack as she picked up the journal. They thanked him and he wished them luck as they headed for the door.
Within a few minutes, they were standing on the sidewalk in front of Dan’s house. It was set back from U.S. 80, which bisected the town of Tombstone and was a busy thoroughfare to Bisbee in one direction and Benson in the other. Cars whipped by, reminding her of the large volume of customers her shop served on weekends.
The day was turning warm so Mallory looped her jacket over her arm and stood smoothing the satin thoughtfully beneath her fingers.
“Having second thoughts?” Jack asked.
“Not about the hunt,” she said quickly.
“About the time, then? We’ll leave on Friday after you close the shop.”
She bit her lip. “But that will leave Sammi all alone to run things on Saturday, our busiest day.”
“T.C. will come in and help her. He learns fast. He can do anything.”
Mallory thought about what Jack had said last night and about her argument with Sammi. She owed her sister an apology. T.C. was a good man. He treated Sammi like a princess.
“Yes,” she agreed, meeting Jack’s gaze. “Sammi can handle things fine with T.C.’s help.”
Jack tucked in his chin and looked at her in surprise before saying, “Do you have a sleeping bag?”
“Sleeping bag? No.”
He tilted his head. “You say that as if you don’t know what one is.”
“Of course I know what one is,” she answered huffily. “I’ve just never used one before.”
“You’ve never been camping out?”
“Of course I have. Charles owned a motor home that we often—”
“Motor home.” Jack said the two words with scornful laughter bubbling through his voice. “You’ve got to be kidding. That’s like taking your house right with you.”
“Which is the way I like it.”
He shook his head. “Well, here’s a news flash, honey. I don’t own a motor home and I have no intention of borrowing one just for your convenience.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
“We couldn’t get one close enough to where we’re going anyway. We’ll have to hike for miles just to get to the starting point.” He lifted an eyebrow at her. “You do know what hiking is, don’t you?”
“Of course,” she said, but honesty compelled her to add, “though I haven’t done it much.”
“Charles didn’t like that, either, hmm? Tell me, what did that oaf like?”
She was tempted to say his greatest joy was in belittling her, but she bit her lip.
When she didn’t answer, he went on, “I can’t believe you’ve never really been camping out.”
“Well, you don’t have to say it as if I’ve missed one of life’s greatest joys.”
“But you have.” Jack rubbed his chin with his thumb while he regarded her. “And it looks like you won’t be camping out this weekend, either.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means we’ve got to change our plans. Wait here,” he said, turning back to Dan’s house. “I’ve got to ask Dan something.”
Mallory gave him a puzzled look, but she leaned against the side of her car and waited for him to return.
Within a few minutes, he loped out the door and rejoined her. He dangled a key in front of her face. “It’s all arranged. Dan and Susan are going to let us borrow their cabin. It’s not very close to the area where we need to go, but it’ll be easier on you.” He grinned. “It’s even got indoor plumbing.”
Mallory was stunned into silence, but then she gathered her wits and gave him a grateful look. “I take back every unkind thing I’ve said about you, Clanton. You’re a real pal.”
He pocketed the key and headed for his truck. “Remember that when you see the cabin,” he advised.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ON FRIDAY, Mallory closed the shop, made her bank deposit, then climbed the stairs to the tiny apartment. She changed into her oldest jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, then she braided her hair so that it would be out of her face. Sitting on the side of her bed, she pulled on her brand-new hiking boots. She’d had to go all the way into Tucson to find a pair that fit her narrow feet. They’d cost a small fortune, but they were waterproof, and best of all, comfortable. She was sure she’d be able to keep up with Jack as they hiked through the mountains.
She stood and looked down at the boots with satisfaction. Jack would have nothing to complain about.
Mallory walked into the living room, where she had assembled all the things she would need. Now she looked at it dubiously, fearing she may have forgotten something.
Along with changes of clothes, her warmest pajamas, her toiletries and makeup, she had her favorite pillow and some extra blankets. Although it was June now, she knew nights in the mountains could get very cold and she didn’t have a clue about the accommodations at the Wilkerses’ cabin. She’d wondered all week about Jack’s cryptic comment that she should reserve judgment on the cabin until she’d seen it.
She couldn’t imagine that she’d forgotten anything because she had tried to think of all the things that she had needed when she’d gone camping with Charles. Jack could laugh all he wanted to, but it had been good to have all the necessities when she needed them.
As she was examining the contents of an overnight case, Sammi came into the room and perched on the only chair in the room that wasn’t covered with Mallory’s camping gear.
Mallory studied her sister carefully. The atmosphere between them had been better since she had apologized. Lately, the gentle sweetness of Sammi’s expression had taken on a special glow. Mallory was certain it wasn’t because of the satisfaction Sammi was finding in her work in the shop, but in her budding love for T.C. Mallory was prodded by a twinge of jealousy. This business of falling in love seemed to be so easy for her little sister. Sammi was rushing into it with eyes wide and arms open. Mallory, on the other hand, was stumbling and fearful.
She looked up and smiled at Sammi. “I think I’m ready to go.”
Sammi smiled her sunniest smile. “Did you say you were going to be gone for the weekend, or for the rest of your life?”
“It is a bit much, I guess, but I wasn’t sure what to take.”
“Jack could have told you.”
“No doubt,” Mallory murmured ironically, then gave her sister a hesitant glance. “Sammi, hone
y, do you think you’ll be okay here alone?”
“Sure. Nobody’s going to hurt me.”
The perfect innocence in her face and voice tore at Mallory’s heart. She came and sat down on the arm of the chair and gave Sammi a hug. After a moment, Sammi drew away and looked up at her, patiently waiting, Mallory knew, for her big sister to talk this issue to death.
She decided that, for once, she wouldn’t do it. Sammi knew all about locking doors and setting alarms. They’d been over it enough times.
“T.C. seemed to understand how to write a sales ticket and use the cash register,” she said.
“Sure. He’s smarter than me.”
Mallory’s heart gave a painful lurch. It hurt to hear Sammi say that, but her tone was so matter-of-fact, she knew the girl wasn’t feeling sorry for herself. “I don’t think it’s a matter of being smart. It’s just knowing the merchandise and what people want.”
“I learned that pretty fast,” Sammi admitted with her usual candor. “But T.C. will learn quick, Mallory. You’ll see.” She tilted her head to the side and her lips curved into a knowing smile. “Why don’t you just say what you’re thinking?”
Mallory held out her hands, palms up. “I’m thinking it’s easy for me to say you’re ready to be on your own, but it’s hard for me to actually let you do it.”
“You sound just like Mom and Dad.”
Sighing, Mallory dropped her hands. “And I swore I wouldn’t.”
“You think I’m a baby.”
“No. No, I don’t,” Mallory rushed to reassure her, but Sammi broke in.
“I know I’m not smart, but I know some things,” Sammi said, her mouth taking on an unaccustomed sullen look. “I know you think I’m going to be stupid over T.C. the way you were over Charles.”
Mallory’s mouth opened and then closed. How could she deny it? It’s exactly what she’d been thinking for weeks. “It’s true that I don’t want to see you get hurt. Are you two going to get married?”
Sammi lifted her hands casually as if she was being asked about going out for an ice-cream cone. “Not yet. We want to be in love for a while first.”
Mallory burst out laughing. “You think love will disappear once you’re married?”
“It did for you.”
“T.C. isn’t like Charles.”
“Exactly.”
With a laugh, Mallory stood and kissed her sister’s cheek. “I was wrong and I admit it. Go ahead, be in love, get married, be happy.”
Sammi gave her a satisfied nod. “We plan to. I know we’ll be good at the marriage thing.”
“You’re right about that,” Mallory said. “T.C. is a fine young man from a good family. He’s smart and hardworking, and I know he’ll take good care of you.”
Sammi gave Mallory an exuberant hug. “Thanks, Sis. You’ll see, everything’s going to be all right. T.C. will help me and take care of me and Jack will take care of you.”
Mallory drew back. “Oh, honey, it’s not like that between Jack and me…”
“Well,” Sammi said in her guileless way, “it should be.”
Mallory was thinking up another denial when she heard Jack’s truck roar into the alley below their living-room window. He blew the horn to get her attention, then turned off the engine. She heard the truck door slam as he jumped from the vehicle and started for the back stairs.
She didn’t have to look at Sammi to know she had a smug smile on her face as she hurried to the door in response to Jack’s knock.
He entered with a wink and a wave for Sammi, who grinned back. “T.C.’s downstairs, Sammi,” he said. “He drove over in the Jeep.”
Sammi blushed and hurried for the door. “He said he’d take me to a movie,” she announced with a quick glance at Mallory, who smiled back. “I’ll see you Sunday, Mallory. Good luck.”
In a rush, Sammi grabbed her purse and disappeared down the stairs. Jack walked over to Mallory and she forgot about her sister as she met his eyes. They were very bright and full of mischief as they swept over her, paused on her shiny new hiking boots, then lifted to her face. His generous mouth twisted into a grin that made her heart do a belly flop.
“I see you’re dressed for action, Miss Earp.”
Mallory felt pleasure settle inside her. Really, she didn’t know why she felt this ridiculous surge of delight at seeing him. They’d probably end up fighting all weekend.
“I’m all ready,” she agreed breathlessly, looking around for her purse. “If you’ll take those bags, I’ll get these, and…What’s the matter?”
Jack stepped back and glanced around, obviously noticing the accumulation in the room for the first time. With an expression of utter amazement, he stood staring at the mound of bags she had prepared.
“Are you expecting to be snowed in up there?” he asked.
“Of course not.” Her hands flew out. “These are all things I need. I wouldn’t be taking them if I didn’t need them.”
Jack removed his hat, ran his hand through his hair, and resettled the hat on his head, looking at her sternly from beneath the brim. “We’re going to be staying in a cabin that has all the necessities, then we’re going to be hunting for lost treasure. We’re not going to have time to attend a fashion show.”
“Yes, Jack, I know that,” she answered patiently, though her teeth were gritted. “But I’ll need clean clothes.” She broke off and stared at him. “Don’t tell me you’re not taking any?”
“Well, not my whole damned wardrobe. Two changes should be enough.”
Jack picked up a duffel bag, unzipped it, and began dumping the contents on the sofa. Lacy underthings spilled out haphazardly along with thick socks, jeans and flannel shirts.
With a gasp of dismay, Mallory made a grab as a pair of panties went flying, but Jack was quicker. He snagged them in midair and let them dangle from one finger as he admired their pink silkiness. “Nice,” he commented. “Very nice. Did old Charlie the jackass ever see these? If he did and he still let you go, he was an even bigger fool than I thought.”
With a swipe of her hand, Mallory snatched them from him. She stuffed them down behind a sofa cushion. “Leave Charles out of this. In fact, leave my lingerie out of this altogether.”
Jack’s eyes lit up and he gave her a goofy smile. “Did I hear you right? Did you say for me to leave you out of your lingerie? Honey, isn’t this a little sudden? I don’t usually get offers like that until the third date.”
“Oh, will you please stop?” she cried, trying to fight down the burning in her face as well as the need to laugh. “Can’t you be serious?”
“That’s what you don’t understand about me, Mallory,” he said with an unrepentant grin. “I’m always serious.” He grabbed the bag he’d just emptied and folded two pairs of jeans, two shirts and some changes of underwear into it. “You can sleep in your clean change of clothes,” he said, ignoring her gasp when he tossed out her warm flannel pajamas.
“I’d rather sleep in these,” she insisted, stuffing them back into the duffel.
“Have it your way. I’m only trying to help.” Then he rifled her toiletries next, tucking only the basics into her bag. “You won’t need makeup,” he pointed out. “No one will see you except me, and I don’t care what you look like.”
That statement stung, and because she didn’t want to explore the reasons why, Mallory treated him to a venomous look.
In no time, Jack had what he considered to be her necessities packed into one small bag. He even refused to let her take the pillow and extra blankets she’d selected, saying they’d just weigh her down.
Finished with repacking her gear, he nodded in satisfaction, picked up the duffel, and handed it to her.
Mallory snatched it from him. “Now I fully understand why your ancestors in this town all came to violent ends. If they were anything like you, the Clantons must have irritated the daylights out of everyone they met, enough so that people wanted to do away with them.”
Jack opened the door and w
aved her out. “Mallory, your compliments are just plain embarrassing. You’re going to turn my head.”
With an irritated huff of breath, Mallory swept past, locked the door, then hurried down the stairs. At the bottom, she was met with a sight she hadn’t expected. A horse trailer was attached to the truck.
She turned and stared at him. “What’s that?”
Jack made a big production of peering around her shoulder and giving the horse trailer a careful look. “Those are horses. I believe you’ve already met Garnet. I brought Turq for you.”
“Turq?”
“Short for Turquoise. She’s gentle as a lamb. You’ll love her.”
Mallory gave him a look that said she seriously doubted that. “You didn’t tell me we were going on horseback.”
“You didn’t ask.” Jack took the duffel and slung it into the back with the rest of their gear. “You do know how to ride, don’t you?”
“Well, yes, but it’s been a long time.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll come back to you,” he said as she climbed in.
“You said we were going to hike.” She held up her foot. “That’s why I bought these new boots.”
He gave them an admiring look. “And lovely they are, too. Don’t worry, you’ll get your money’s worth out of those, but we’ll be riding some, too.” He rounded the truck and was about to climb behind the wheel when he stopped. “Relax, you’ll have the time of your life.”
Mallory wrinkled her nose at him. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Jack started to laugh, but the sound was abruptly broken off when he looked over her shoulder at something near the mouth of the alley. Mallory glanced over her shoulder, then whipped around to stare.
“Charles? What are you doing here?”
“I came to visit you, darling, since you don’t seem to have time to talk to me on the phone.” He walked toward her, looking as out of place in his open-throated silk designer shirt and pleated slacks as a peacock in a henhouse. He stopped in front of her and examined her jeans and boots. “You look wonderful, if a bit rustic.”
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