Her gaze returned to the big granite boulders ahead. “Imagine how this place would have looked back then.”
“Yeah,” he said, but he was having trouble taking his eyes off Abby. Instead of being frightened and repelled by the harsh desert terrain, she was enthralled by its magnificence. They were feelings Gage understood, the reason he traveled all over the world. It didn’t matter where you went—there was always something new to see and learn.
Dragging his gaze away from her, he glanced around, saw Kyle, Mateo, and Smiley all waiting for them.
“We’d better go,” he said a little gruffly, gripped Abby’s waist and swung her up on the horse. She hissed out a breath when her bottom connected with the saddle; then she grinned.
Gage felt that grin all the way from his heart to his groin. He was in serious trouble with this woman, he thought as he shoved a boot into the stirrup and swung up on the bay.
And though this wasn’t the time or place, sooner or later he was going to have her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THEY MADE CAMP EIGHT MILES IN, THE LOCATION OFKING’S FIRSTGPS coordinates, a spot marked on the map. Kyle chose an open, level area on the high side of the trail, not far from where water collected in a shallow rock depression, enough to take care of the horses and mules.
Abby had heard Kyle tell Gage that tomorrow by late afternoon, they should reach the point where the old wagon road cut their trail, and they would change course. About three miles down the wagon road was as far as they could travel on horseback.
Smiley would head back to the ranch with the horses, packing their trash out with him, while the rest of them continued on foot, Gage, Mateo, or Kyle leading the mules.
Abby wasn’t sure if walking was good news or bad. She winced as an ache traveled up her thighs into her lower back. She still wasn’t used to riding. But she was in good shape, and she had prepared herself for the trip. Maybe walking would be easier.
She thought of the spiny cactus she had so far avoided and scoffed. Nothing out here was easy.
As soon as they dismounted, the men went to work setting up camp. In the middle of the open space, Kyle built a fire, while Smiley watered the horses and mules. Mateo collected a bucket of water, which he put on to boil for cooking. Later they would boil more to fill their water bottles.
Meanwhile, Gage spread a tarp off to one side of the camp and motioned for Abby to bring her sleeping bag over and join him.
“Don’t unzip it yet,” he said. “You don’t want any unwelcome visitors moving in. Same goes in the morning, roll up your bag as soon as you get up. And check your boots before you put them on.”
She fought a shiver at the implications. She didn’t want one of those scorpions she had seen joining her in bed or curling up in the toe of her hiking boot. She was grateful for all the things King had taught her, though camping in the pine forests of Colorado was far more hospitable than this hostile environment.
She wished she’d had a chance to join her grandfather on one of his adventures, but something always got in the way. College, her mother’s illness, then losing her to cancer. Abby hadn’t dated much over the years, had only been in one serious relationship, with a college professor named Benjamin Gallagher.
She’d given up her one chance to join King in his search for the Devil’s Gold to be with Benjamin, who’d turned out to be everything she didn’t want in a man. A liar and a cheat, not worth spit. He had broken her heart, though it could have been much worse. She was older now and wiser.
Abby smiled to think that at last she was actually here, part of an expedition in search of her grandfather’s treasure. She only wished he could be with her.
Ignoring a sweep of sadness, Abby glanced across the clearing to where Kyle and Smiley worked to get supper ready. They had brought freeze-dried packaged meals, a choice of chicken and dumplings, biscuits and gravy, beef stroganoff, or chili mac.
“Not exactly a gourmet dinner,” Gage drawled as they sat around the campfire and dug into what out here passed for food. “But it’ll keep us going.” He smiled. “We’ll all be looking forward to Mae’s cooking by the time we get back.”
That’s for sure, Abby thought as she took another bite and tried not to grimace at the taste. Kyle did after-supper cleanup while she and Gage walked up a game trail to the top of the hill.
This time of year, the sun set at about six-thirty, painting the sky in pink, turquoise, and red, a lovely backdrop for the giant saguaro that stood like sentinels guarding the mountains.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she said.
Gage’s eyes followed hers to the colors saturating the distant peaks. “Every place in the world is different. If you look, you’ll find each has its own special beauty.” He glanced down at her. “I’m glad you’re able to see it here.”
Her gaze held his. “How could I not?”
Gage reached out and ran a finger down her cheek. “Some people don’t. They refuse to leave their comfort zones, look at things from a different perspective.”
Abby fell silent, her gaze still locked with his. She couldn’t look away from the intensity in his blue eyes. He moved a fraction closer. She thought he was going to kiss her, and anticipation sizzled through her. Instead, he turned away.
“It’s been a long day,” he said. “We’d better get back.”
Abby managed to nod. “All right.” They headed down the gentle slope and returned to camp. Exhausted, she opened her bedroll, took off her boots, then slid into the lightweight bag.
