“I would give it an auction appraisal of twenty five thousand dollars. For insurance purposes, thirty thousand.”
Her heart took another leap for joy. There were at least five more similar pots in the cabin.
Chi Long had given up on his reserved demeanor and grinned with glee. “Amanda,” he said excitedly. “You mentioned there are more pots and blankets in the cabin. Can we see them?”
“Yes, I’m sure we can,” she said. “But it’s too far to walk. We’ll need to wait for someone from the ranch to get back. We may be able to drive up. I’ve only been there once and that was on horseback.”
“All right,” Chi said. “Then we’ll wait.”
Chapter Seventeen
While they were waiting, Rosita served a lunch of tacos and cold beer. As usual, the lunch was delicious, but Amanda was bubbling over with excitement and could barely take a bite. In her enthusiasm, she told Chi and Underwood the story of the forged Randell painting, and how the Morgans’ cousin, Winslow, eventually destroyed it.
“What a bastard.” Chi shook his head in disbelief. “To destroy something just because you are jealous and can’t have it.”
“Indeed,” Underwood said. “Jealousy and greed are dangerous emotions.”
“How insane,” Amanda said, thinking about how the people on the Morgan ranch made relationships fun without any jealousy.
****
Jake and Justin arrived back at the lodge just after lunch.
As Justin lifted Cricket’s saddle off, he said, “Any idea who this fella is that flew down to see Amanda?’
“Not really. I haven’t asked and she hasn’t said. I think he’s a collector of some kind. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
“After I shower and get something to eat,” Justin said. “I’m filthy and famished.”
In the lodge’s main room, Jake was surprised to find Amanda with two men, one oriental and obviously the collector she had mentioned, and the other a tall scholarly looking man wearing a tweed jacket with elbow patches.
Amanda and the two men stood up when Jake and Justin entered, but Jake said, “Give us a few minutes to clean up and then we can do introductions.”
After his shower, Jake met Justin on the stairway landing and they walked down the stairs together. Jake studied Amanda’s expression to see if there was a hint of the anger she had displayed that morning, but found none. If anything, she was glowing happily.
Once introductions were made, Jake and Justin sat down at the big round wooden table with a tray of sandwiches Rosita had provided. Amanda explained that Chi and Underwood had flown down to the ranch to evaluate the Indian blanket and pot, which now sat on a side table. Jake could hardly believe a blanket and pot that had been in their great granddaddy’s cabin could be worth a plane trip from Santa Fe, but he had to give Amanda and her appraisers the benefit of the doubt.
Amanda turned to Underwood first, asking him to explain what he knew about the blanket.
Underwood began a long explanation of the art of Navajo blanket weaving. After a few minutes, she interrupted. “Maybe we should just tell them the value that you would place on this blanket.” The blanket was folded, lying on a side table. She picked it up and laid it in Jake’s lap. The last time he had been this close to the blanket, he had been making passionate love to Amanda.
“Well,” Underwood said. “This is a first phase blanket that I would appraise at between two hundred and two hundred fifty thousand dollars. At auction, of course.”
“Bullshit!” Justin looked at the blanket, then back at Underwood.
The artifacts expert blinked owlishly, startled by the reaction. “I beg your pardon?”
“Bullshit.” he repeated. “How can a blanket be worth that much?”
Jake was holding the blanket in his lap, stroking the soft wool.
“Oh, I assure you, it is worth that much. Maybe more under the right conditions,” Underwood said.
Chi Long stepped toward Jake, his gaze glued to the blanket in Jake’s lap. “That is an auction estimate of course,” he said. “And you will certainly want to put the blanket up for sale with a reputable auction house. There is an auction of Native American artifacts at Delaroche’s Taos gallery in five months. Or, if you want more immediate cash, I’ll give you two hundred twenty thousand for it now.”
“Now?” Jake looked at Justin, then back at Chi.
“Today,” Chi said. “By wire transfer to your bank, of course.”
“Holy shit,” Justin whispered, staring at the blanket in his brother’s lap.
“And of course, I will cover Amanda’s firm’s normal twenty percent brokerage fee.”
Jake took a breath and looked at Amanda. She was grinning from ear to ear.
“Well,” he said looking at his brother. “The offer is very tempting. But Justin and I need to discuss it first.”
“Of course,” Chi said. “I would expect nothing less.”
Amanda seemed to be having a hard time keeping her jubilance in check. She wrapped the towel around the pot again and handed it to Justin. “Please, Dr. Underwood, tell them about the pot.”
Underwood launched into another long explanation of Hopi pottery and the artesian, Onapi, who made pots in the 1880s. After a minute or two, he stopped himself and smiled. “Let me sum up,” he said. “I think this pot is a genuine Onapi. But I need to examine it more thoroughly. If it is what I think it is, I would value it at about twenty five thousand dollars at auction. Maybe more.”
“And if it proves to be an Onapi,” Chi said, “I’ll give you twenty thousand cash for it.”
Justin now handled the pot very carefully, using the towel to keep from touching it with his fingers. Amanda quickly covered their stunned silence, “I told Mr. Long and Dr. Underwood there are more blankets and pots in the cabin. The blankets aren’t like this one, but they may still be valuable. We would like to go back up there and see them.”
“Then let’s go.” Justin handed the pot back to Amanda and stood up quickly. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”
Jake was feeling the same urgency to discover what was in the cabin, but he put out a hand, waving Justin down. “Just hold on, little brother. Unless we want to ride horses, we’ll have to wait for Manuel to get back with the Jeep. He’s fixing the fence that Maurice tore down yesterday.” He looked at Amanda and her guests. “So we can ride horses or wait.”
“Wait!” The simultaneous response from Amanda, Chi, and Underwood brought a round of laughter from everyone.
Justin began a conversation with Chi and Underwood about the Hopis and their pottery, eager to hear about the pot and why it was so valuable.
Jake took Amanda aside. “You know, you might have just pulled our chestnuts out of the fire. How did you know the blanket was worth that much?”
“I saw Chi buy one just like it at an auction in Taos three years ago. I don’t think the other blankets in the cabin are worth nearly as much, but it certainly won’t hurt to find out.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for this,” he said. “Maybe you could let me try tonight. If I’m forgiven for that mess with Justin and Luke.”
She gave him a sly smile. “I guess you’re forgiven. A night alone with you sounds perfect. Especially since I’m probably going to be leaving tomorrow.” Her smile turned into a pout.
“Then we definitely have a date.”
“I look forward to it.” She gave him a seductive glance. “Very much.”
Manuel returned with the ranch’s Jeep and they piled in; Justin driving and Chi riding shotgun, while Jake, Amanda, and Underwood squeezed into the small backseat. The ride to the cabin took longer than a trip on horseback because they had to skirt around several deep gullies and draws.
When they did arrive, Jake lit the coal oil lamp and they brought all the blankets and pots to be examined out into the daylight. Underwood took his time examining each blanket and pot carefully. Amanda photographed the blankets and pots, then snapped shots of
the cabin to give context to the surprising find. Jake and Justin waited patiently as Chi and Underwood talked quietly to each other.
Underwood was finally ready with his evaluation. They had discovered three phase three Navajo blankets that he appraised at forty to fifty thousand each. A bright red, white, and black Sioux blanket he valued at twenty thousand. Underwood believed three of the pots were made by Onapi and would go at auction for thirty to forty thousand each. Two more were of unknown origin and not considered valuable. All in all, the treasures in the cabin could possibly bring them between two hundred thirty and two hundred ninety thousand dollars. With the first phase blanket and Onapi pot, there would be enough to pay off the note at the bank.
“I know you want to discuss this between yourselves,” Chi said to Jake and Justin. “And you also have the benefit of Amanda’s advice. But if you want to sell what’s here outright, I’ll give you two hundred fifty thousand for the lot. With the blanket and pot back at the ranch house, that would make a total of four hundred ninety thousand. Plus I’ll pay PP&C’s commission. That’s if Dr. Underwood confirms the pots are, in fact, Onapi.”
“We need to think about it,” Jake said. “But we will let you know soon.”
“Of course,” Chi said. “Of course.”
Chapter Eighteen
There wasn’t room in the Jeep to haul the blankets and pots back to the ranch, so Jake said he would send Manuel back that evening to secure the cabin
For the moment, they stacked the blankets on one of the bunk beds and put the pots on the table where, just the day before, Jake had made Amanda squeal in unrestrained passion.
When they got back to the lodge, Jake and Justin spent some time talking to Chi and Underwood, promising they would let Chi know soon what they wanted to do about the pots and blankets. Justin took the two men back to their plane at the Circle W, while Amanda went to her room. She was just getting ready to call Richard when there was a knock on her door. She opened it, surprised to find Jake in the hallway, smiling brightly, obviously pleased by today’s events. She was delighted to see the sparkle return to his eyes.
“Amanda, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for us, for Morgan Ranch.” He stepped forward and put his arms around her.
She was enjoying the feeling of his strong arms, of her breasts against his chest. “You’re welcome. But our date is for tonight.”
“It’s getting really late. I think it might be dark out.”
Amanda giggled. “You wish. It’s not even seven o’clock.”
“I always try to get a jump on important projects.” Jake’s hands slid down to cup her bottom, forcing her pelvis against his erection. His eyes held hers, deep pools she could drown in.
“We haven’t had supper yet.” Amanda giggled at his determination.
“I’m not hungry. Except for you.”
She felt her resolve to wait slipping away. Blinking, she tilted her chin up and kissed Jake quickly on the lips. Her lip still hurt but it was much better. Breaking the kiss, she placed her palms against Jake’s chest and pushed, grinning mischievously. “Good things come to he who waits, Jake. So if you want good things from me, you’ll have to wait. I’m hungry, and I’ve got to call my boss. He has no idea what has happened in the past two days. Plus, I’ve got six text messages and a dozen voice mails.”
“Okay.” He slowly released his grip on Amanda’s ass. “When can I come back and pick up where I was?”
She thought for a moment. “Make it ten thirty and I’ll be ready.”
“Your room or mine?”
“Here, Jake. Be here at ten thirty.”
“On the dot.”
As he turned to leave, she said, “Bring condoms.”
“How many will I need?” he said with a wolfish grin.
She felt herself blush. “Maybe a few.”
When he smiled and turned to leave, she was sure she would be very happy before the night was over.
Closing her door, she picked up her cell to call Richard. She hadn’t spoken to him since he had sent her the text confirming her suspicions about the Randell. She dreaded calling him now, doubting she could temper the bad news about the painting with the fact that they had discovered a treasure trove of Native American blankets and pots. Wonderful though they were, a half million dollars in Indian artifacts hardly made up for a ten million dollar Charles Randell painting.
As she expected, Richard was shocked to hear how Winslow had burned the painting. She thought he would go apoplectic.
“You’ve got to be kidding, Mandy. How could anyone in his right mind destroy a work of art? Steal, maybe. But destroy?”
“That’s the problem, Richard. The man isn’t in his right mind. He’s barking-at-the-moon loony. He didn’t even know it was a fake. He could have easily taken it, but he didn’t. He just didn’t want his cousins to have it.”
“How are the Morgans dealing with the situation? Upset, I’m sure.”
“Jake Morgan has been pretty stoic about the painting. I think there’s some kind of unwritten code that cowboys can’t let their feelings show. I’m sure neither brother is happy that the painting was a fake, or that it was destroyed. Finding the pots and blankets is some consolation. Based on Chi and Underwood’s appraisals, the Morgan’s will make enough on the sale to cover their note at the bank. At least they won’t lose the ranch.”
“Do we have a contract to broker the sale?”
“The Morgans have agreed to let PP&C handle the sale whether they sell outright to Chi Long or wait for the Santa Fe auction. Either way, we’ll get our commission. We are going back up to the cabin tomorrow to inventory everything and bring it back to the lodge. Our commission should be around one hundred thousand.”
“We have you to thank for that, Mandy. What were you doing at the cabin anyway?”
“Another long story. I’ll tell you when I get back.” I may not tell you everything, she thought.
Amanda’s phone call lasted through supper so Rosita brought a tray to her room. She ate quickly since it was almost nine. She picked up her supper tray and took it downstairs to the kitchen. At the bottom of the stairs, she saw Justin and Luke in the big cowhide club chairs that filled one corner of the room. As she walked in, both men stood, obviously glad to see her.
“Well, here’s the little lady we were just talking about.” Luke said.
“Should my ears be burning?” Amanda chuckled softly.
“That’s not exactly the area of your anatomy we wanted to heat up.” Justin gave her a big grin. “But we could start there and work our way down.”
She was still holding the tray from her supper as both men stepped toward her.
“We need to apologize for our lack of proper communication, Miss Sloane,” Justin said, moving close.
Amanda made an effort to temper the amusement in her voice. “You mean propositioning me.”
“Something like that,” Justin said.
“Exactly like that,” Luke corrected. He stepped forward and took the tray out of her hands and set it on a side table.
Justin had moved to stand at Amanda’s side. “Right. Exactly like that.”
Luke moved to Amanda’s other side and both men stepped closer, surrounding her with heat. Despite herself, a tingle spread out and upward from between her legs.
“Sorry boys. I already have a date for tonight.” A hand cupped her breast and the tingle in her crotch intensified. When she looked down at Luke’s hand on her breast, Justin lifted her hair and kissed the back of her neck. Suddenly the memories of how erotic and exciting the sex had been with these two men were spreading through her consciousness, turning her on more and more. It was all she could do to resist. But tonight she wanted Jake. Only Jake.
“Sorry boys. But tonight is important. And I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“All the more reason for you to be with us tonight.” Justin inched closer. “Why ride single when you can ride double?” The two men rubbed up against her now,
Luke pressed up against her back and Justin against her front. Justin caressed her breast with one hand and slid the other down over her tummy to her crotch.
“Oh Jesus,” she muttered, feeling her knees go weak.
Behind her, Luke pressed his erection against her ass.
Amanda thought about Jake and what she had planned for him later. She sucked in her breath and backed away. “No. I really can’t.” She picked up the tray and hurried to the kitchen. When she came back through the room on her way upstairs, Justin and Luke were still standing as she’d left them.
****
Jake knocked on Amanda’s door at exactly ten thirty.
“It’s open,” she said. “Come on in.”
Jake entered a room lit by a dozen votive candles scattered on various surfaces, casting everything in a soft golden glow.
“Candles are pretty,” he said.
“I found them in the liquor cabinet. They’re romantic, don’t you think?” She queried softly.
An upholstered side chair had been pulled over to the end of the large bed. Next to the chair sat a side table with a full snifter of brandy. Amanda lay in the center of the bed, propped up by several pillows. As his eyes adjusted to the flickering candlelight, he saw that she was wearing a matching bra and panty set in black lace. It was some of the sexiest lingerie he had ever seen.
“Sit in the chair.” Amanda’s voice was seductive, commanding. “I’m going to entertain you.”
Jake smiled as he reluctantly sat down. “I wanted this to be about you tonight.”
“You’ll get your turn. But first, I want to thank you for helping me shed some inhibitions. A lot of inhibitions. So sit down and enjoy.”
Jake grinned and sat down. He looked more closely at her bra and panties.
The black bra was trimmed with tiny black beads that sparkled in the candlelight. The cups fit her breasts perfectly, but left bead-trimmed openings in the tips large enough for her nipples and areola to poke through. Not the typical underthings Jake had seen on the cowgirls he had been intimate with, and his cock certainly approved.
One Hard Ride Page 17