Babe in the Woods

Babe in the Woods

Caroline Burnes

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CAROLINE BURNES

continues her life as doorman and can opener for her six cats and three dogs. E. A. Poe, the prototype cat for her Fear Familiar series, rules as king of the ranch, followed by his lieutenants, Miss Vesta, Gumbo, Chester, Maggie the Cat and Ash. The dogs, though a more lowly life form, are tolerated as foot soldiers by the cats. They are Sweetie Pie, Maybelline and Corky.

To the staff of TLC, who treat their human patients with as much tenderness as their four-legged ones. And to Corky—irreplaceable.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER ONE

REBECCA BARRETT leaned into the whipping black mane of the stallion and gave him more rein. His pace increased, his huge hooves pounding as he raced through the dense green of an unfamiliar stretch of forest. She glanced behind her, her blood racing and her imagination running as wild as the horse. She couldn’t see them, but she could hear the hooves pounding after her. The men rode spectacular horses, but none were a match for hers. Yet they were gaining on her—the forces of evil. She alone could deliver the single message that would save the world, and her only route to safety was to ride so fast they couldn’t catch her.

A small tree had fallen over the middle of the woodland road. Rebecca suspected an ambush. Lifting out of the saddle only an inch, she felt the powerful muscles bunch beneath her, and then the horse curve under her as he sailed over the tree.

The exhilaration was almost more than she could stand. Diable was the finest horse she’d ever ridden, and she’d had more than her share of top-dollar rides. As a teenager in Tennessee, she’d been on the A Circuit. But this wasn’t a horse for the show ring. This was a horse for adventure. This was Lightning, Fury, Trigger, Silver and the Black Stallion all rolled into one.

It was still spring in Mississippi, but the temperature was in the eighties and after a few more miles, she let Diable settle into a ground-covering trot. The exciting ride had been a terrific fantasy, but the only thing chasing her was new job duties. She had a million things to do, but one of the things she’d promised Aurelia and Marcus McNeese was that she’d exercise Diable, Cogar and Mariah. Who could ever imagine she’d find the job of her dreams that also included three wonderful horses? Fate had certainly smiled down on her when she’d applied to Blackthorn to oversee the renovation of the estate and the work on excavating an old Indian burial mound that looked as though it might become the richest source of information yet discovered into the lives of the Mound Builders.

As she and the horse drew closer to the burial mound, she slowed her pace. By the time she walked Diable from the mound to his barn, he’d be thoroughly cooled. She grinned at the thought of the barn—a magnificent structure, with an apartment for Joey Reynolds. The barn had been the first thing Marcus and Aurelia McNeese had built in their dream of making Blackthorn their home. The caretaker’s cottage was where Rebecca called home while she worked at the estate. The newlyweds had big plans, and they’d hired Rebecca to make sure their plans were properly implemented while they took a long honeymoon in Europe. Rebecca had been left in charge of building, excavation and all other aspects of Blackthorn, including keeping an eye on Joey.

Rebecca reflected that the apartment for Joey was one of the biggest acts of kindness she’d ever heard of. And she’d never seen anyone love a place more than Joey loved Blackthorn. She could see him right now, weeding what had once been a formal garden. His back was soaked with sweat and the smile on his face seemed permanent. By the end of the summer, he’d have the garden back, blooming with lush beauty. Joey had a green thumb and infinite patience. He’d also put in a small vegetable patch that seemed to grow four inches every night. Rebecca teased him that he’d gotten the seeds from a magician and soon a beanstalk would be up in the clouds.

As enjoyable as Joey was, other aspects of the job were drawbacks, and the primary one was walking right toward her. “Get down off the horse. I want to talk to you.”

Rebecca had long grown accustomed to Brett Gibson’s imperious manner. She’d intended to dismount, so she did.

“I hope you’ve explained to that simpleton that he can’t just start digging up the ground and planting things wherever he’d like,” Brett said, using a glove to wipe the sweat from his eyes. “He’s started a compost heap. He’s wheeling barrows full of horse manure from the barn. I want him stopped right now.”

Rebecca glanced over to the area Brett had indicated and saw that Joey, was, indeed, making a compost heap and not all that far from the burial mound. In her opinion, it was located far enough from where Brett was excavating the mound that it wouldn’t bother him. It shouldn’t, but it did. But what really troubled Brett was the fact that she and Joey were on Blackthorn soil at all.

“Joey talked over all his plans with Marcus and Aurelia before they left for Spain. I’m sure he wouldn’t do anything they hadn’t given approval for.” She saw the anger flare in Brett’s eyes. He hated the fact that she was his superior on this job. At times, it seemed he hated her. “And please don’t call Joey a simpleton or any other names. He’s a kind and gentle man and something like that would really hurt him.”

“I didn’t come here to baby-sit ‘kind and gentle’ people. I came here to do what may prove to be the most important excavation in this region.”

“I understand the importance of your work, Brett. I’m trained in your field, though I chose the business side of it. But Joey’s work is just as important to him as yours is to you.”

“A garden isn’t of any significance to anyone.”

She could see the deep anger in Brett’s gray eyes. He was red in the face and a vein was pulsing at his temple. A bit more of that in the hot sun and he’d have a stroke.

“Why don’t you get a glass of water and take a break in the shade?”

“Don’t patronize me,” Brett said. His fingers closed on her arm as she started to turn away, but when he saw the look in her blue eyes, he released his grip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to grab you.”

“I don’t want anything untoward to happen while the McNeeses are away,” Rebecca said. “We both know they left me in charge of everything that goes on at Blackthorn—including the new construction and the archaeological dig. I know you don’t like it, but there it is. And I’m telling you to get a glass of water and find some shade.”

She didn’t wait for an argument. She led Diable away from Brett and the mound and toward the narrow trail that looped back to the stables. Her blue eyes were flashing with anger, but her breathing was calm and regular. Brett really aggravated her. He was a jackass. If Marcus and Aurelia had any idea of how he behaved toward Joey, they’d fire him.

Rebecca knew she could track them down in Spain, but she had no intention of disturbing their long-postponed honeymoon with squabbles between employees. She was in charge, and she’d handle it.

She swung back into the saddle and continued to the barn. She had to cut through a stretch of woods, and she welcomed the cool shade. Dang, it was so hot already. Only May and the promise of true summer made her doubt her toughness. She’d grown up in Memphis, but she’d spent the last ten years away. First on a scholarship at UCLA and then later in San Francisco where she quickly rose to the top of a real estate management firm and became the resident expert on historical architecture. That interest had driven her to study more design. That, coupled with her business background, made her perfect for the job at Blackthorn.

A flit of movement caught her attention. Someone was in the woods with her. She felt a pinprick of concern. There’d been a murder in Blackthorn woods only a few months before. A woman had been killed. Aurelia had told her all about it—and about how Aurelia had been tried and found innocent of the murder.

Rebecca had been told to call the sheriff if there was any sign of meddling on the property. The intruder was hurrying along, unaware that she’d entered this part of the woods and had seen him.

“Hey!” she called out.

The man began to run.

“Hey! Come back here!” Rebecca gave chase. Diable was certainly faster than the man, but the woods were so thick the horse couldn’t get into them.

She saw the bushes quake and quiver, the new green leaves marking the passage of the intruder as he headed toward the highway.

“This is private property. No trespassing allowed,” she yelled after him.

It was probably some teenager, curious about what was going on at Blackthorn. Aurelia and Marcus had found the treasure that had been a source of hunts for decades. But some folks would only take that as encouragement that there was more treasure buried. Aurelia shook her head. Treasure hunts and casinos were two places it had never crossed her mind to believe she might get money.

She dismounted at the stables, unsaddled Diable, gave him a good rubdown and promised Cogar that he was next on the agenda for a ride.

When she got back to Blackthorn she went to the caretaker’s cottage where she was bunking. She dialed the sheriff’s office and dutifully reported the intruder. Rebecca was always good for her word.

SHERIFF DRU COLSON noted the overturned leaves. Someone had been in the woods at Blackthorn. Most likely just a curiosity seeker as Rebecca thought. Far more interesting than the disturbed leaves was the woman who’d reported them. He’d never seen eyes bluer than hers.

“Did you get a look at the intruder?” Dru asked as he rose to his feet. Rebecca Barrett was about five-six with honey-colored hair and a figure that did justice to the riding breeches and boots she wore.

“He was tall, a little on the thin side, sandy-colored hair. He was wearing some kind of plaid shirt, predominantly blue, and jeans.”

Dru raised his eyebrows. She was also pretty cool in a situation. Few people noticed so many details.

“Did he say anything?”

She shook her head. “As soon as I called out to him, he took off running.”

“I’m not happy with the fact that someone was out here. Most of the locals know the treasure is gone and after Lottie Levert’s death, Blackthorn is off-limits.”

“It was probably a kid.” Rebecca nodded at that assessment. “He ran off like a sprinter.”

“I’ll call the principal at the high school and get him to make an announcement to the students, reminding them that trespassing is a criminal offense. Kids don’t understand that any kind of trouble with the law has unforeseen repercussions.”

“Thanks,” Rebecca said. Her smile was warm, like sunshine.

“I knew the McNeeses had hired a crew up here, but I haven’t seen the changes. Would you mind giving me a tour?”

“I’d love to. Shall we start with the barn? They’ve framed in the house, but it’s a long way from show time.”

Together they walked through the filtered sunlight of the woods. Dru felt the tension leaving his shoulders. He was reminded of being a boy, those golden days of total freedom and innocence when he’d played with his school friends. They’d had endless adventures playing Robin Hood or war or Tarzan, some of them in the woods of Blackthorn.

“It is beautiful here,” Rebecca said, pointing to a cluster of wild orchids that were nestled in some pine needles.

“Blackthorn is one of the prettiest places on earth. I’m glad the McNeeses found the money so they can preserve the estate. How is work going on the main house?”

“Without a hitch,” Rebecca said. “It’s going to be a magnificent house. The plans are phenomenal.”

“Batson and Batson are the architect and contractor, right?”

“Yes. Regina Batson is here on the job.” She gave a crooked smile. “She came here to work with her parents, but I’m afraid her heart’s been captured by the thrill of archaeology.”

“Ah, the allure of the past. Still, it can’t hurt to have the boss’s daughter on-site. Batson and Batson stand behind their work. You shouldn’t have any problems.”

“That makes me feel better.”

Dru grinned. He liked the idea that he made her feel better. She certainly made him feel alive. He caught a glimpse of the new barn through the trees and let out a low whistle. “Marcus loves those horses.”

“Aurelia seems fond of them, too,” Rebecca pointed out. “Especially Mariah. She loves that mare. Who wouldn’t?”

“I’ve had a lot of training in the field of observation. You’re a horsewoman, too, aren’t you?”

Rebecca’s laughter was full and free. “Very good, officer. You caught me with my boots on.”

He felt a foolish grin touch his face and he didn’t care. He was acting like a high-school boy when the prettiest girl in school had time to talk to him. It was fun.

“Never underestimate the value of good training.”

She laughed again, and her hand brushed his arm. “I didn’t realize you were a comedian. Aurelia never mentioned a word about it.”

“I’m afraid Aurelia had a lot on her mind when we met. I never believed she was guilty of murdering Lottie Levert, but I had to charge her. All the evidence pointed to her.”

“She told me, and she never bore any grudge against you.”

“She’s a terrific woman. I’m telling you, when she came into Natchez as the heiress of Blackthorn, the whole town nearly dropped its collective teeth.”

“She and Marcus seem made for each other.”

“I couldn’t agree more. I was sorry to hear that her mother died. That was a blow to Aurelia, especially with the trial and then finding the treasure. I think they said they were going to Spain on their honeymoon?”

“Spain,” Rebecca agreed. “They’re traveling without an itinerary. They said they’d check in, but that I was to handle whatever came up.”

“May I make another trained observer comment?” Dru asked.

“Sure.” Her face showed slight concern.

“You look up to the task.”

She laughed again. “A comedian and a flatterer. I like them both.”

“Well enough to have dinner with me tonight?” Dru was shocked at the words. Since he’d broken up with his girlfriend of five years, he hadn’t even thought of dating. He knew too well the toll his job took on personal relationships, and he never wanted to go through the hardship of such a breakup again. Celeste was a great person. The fault had been in him and his total dedication to the law.

He could see that Rebecca was taken aback by his offer, and he wished he’d kept his mouth shut. Her blue eyes held his.

“Dinner would be nice,” she said. “I guess I just assumed you were involved with someone.”

“Is that a compliment?”

She laughed. “Perhaps. I’m not as free with them as you are.”

“A challenge. I like that.” He was feeling better about his offer now. Rebecca Barrett was quick-witted and beautiful. It was an evening he was looking forward to.

“Let me show you Joey’s apartment.”

She took him through the barn, her slim form preceding his as they examined the stalls and climbed to the loft. Still chatting easily, they walked back to Blackthorn and to the site where the framework of the new house stood in stark relief against the sky.

Dru looked to the west where he could see the broad band of the Mississippi River sweeping by. Just slightly south, downriver, was the town of Natchez. He loved this land, this area.

“You look like you’ve just found home,” Rebecca said.

“Home in the sense of this whole county,” Dru said, sweeping his hand to include the entire vista. “I’ve never aspired to owning Blackthorn, but I’m glad to be friends with the owners. I hope to be invited to dinner often.”

Rebecca showed him the house plans. He spoke of the verandas and the plants, enthusiastic about the landscaping of the yard.

“You sound like you’d make a fair landscape architect if you ever decided to give up the law,” Rebecca said.

“I was trained in that field. That was my career ambition, but my dad was sheriff, and when his health failed, I sort of inherited the office. Then I got elected,” he said, shrugging, feeling the heat creep into his cheeks.

“And they just keep electing you,” Rebecca said, grinning with a bit of an imp in her eyes.

“Something like that.”

“You must do a good job.”

“Now that’s a matter of opinion, but I do love my work. Most of the time. There are always those hard cases when you have to prosecute someone you know and like. Thank goodness those don’t happen often.”

There was the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel behind them and Marcus turned to see a man with angry gray eyes headed for them.

“I told you to keep that simpleton away from me. He’s spilled a wheelbarrow of manure right in the middle of an excavation that took me three days.”

Rebecca lifted an eyebrow. “Brett Gibson, this is Sheriff Dru Colson. Sheriff, Brett is working on the excavation of the Indian mound with some help from John Ittawasa.”

Dru felt an instant dislike for Brett. Part of it was the man’s arrogant demeanor, but the other part was the tiniest edge of contempt he leveled at Rebecca.

“Mr. Ittawasa isn’t helping me,” Brett snapped. “He’s here to make sure no one steals any of the artifacts. Including me and my team.”

“John is a good man,” Dru said carefully. “He loves the history of his people far more than anyone else. I’m sure he’s very excited to see what you find.”

“Right,” Brett said. “So what are you going to do about that—”

“Stop it, Brett. Don’t say that word!”

Dru felt Rebecca tense beside him, and he was aware of her hands clenching. She wanted to slug the arrogant fool, and Dru thought he might help her.

“I’ve told you not to refer to Joey in those terms,” she said evenly. “If he’s made a mistake, I’ll correct it.”

“You’d better put a leash on that boy and keep him out of my way.”

“Or what?” Dru asked conversationally, but with enough ice that it stopped Brett in his tracks. Dru saw his true colors. He’d rage and try to intimidate Rebecca, but he wouldn’t stand up to Dru or what stood behind him—the law.

“Or nothing. I’ll quit,” Brett said.

“None of my business, but I have to point out that might not be such a bad idea,” Dru said. Suddenly, he’d developed a case of loose tongue. Twice in the past half hour he’d said exactly what he was thinking.

Brett glared at the sheriff and walked away.

Rebecca turned to Dru with a rueful grin on her face. “He’s good at his job, just a little prickly.”

“Yes, something like that. He needs a few Southern manners.”

“He’s got a good crew, let me introduce you.”

Dru followed Rebecca to the mound where three men were gently brushing dirt away from what looked like a series of clay vessels.

“Tony Wells, Rich Tanner, and Carlos Liotta,” Rebecca said, introducing Dru. A woman carrying bottled water came trudging up the slope. “And this is—”

“Regina Batson,” Dru said, smiling. “I saw your dad last week and he told me how proud he is that you’re working with him. He said you were taking a break from school for a while but that you should have your degree soon.”

“I helped with the design of the estate,” Regina said, “and then I became interested in the dig. You know, everyone’s heard about Blackthorn. Brett and Rebecca said I could help out with the excavation. Who knows, we might find more treasure.” Her eyes crinkled with laughter.

“Yeah, we heard about that treasure. And we heard about the trouble out here before we came,” Rich said, standing up. He was tall, lanky, and the sweat had soaked his hair so that it stuck to his face. “Do you suppose there’s more treasure?”

Dru laughed. “Sorry boys, you’re about three months too late.”

Rich nodded. “Story of my life. Day late and a dollar short.” He glanced around. “Still, no harm in looking, I suppose.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not true,” Rebecca said instantly. “Brett is excavating the burial mound and that small area at the base of it. Digging elsewhere is prohibited.”

Rich glanced at his two friends. “Whatever you say, boss lady.” He grinned, and there was no malice in his tone.

“Thanks,” Rebecca said. “I’m only following the directives given to me by the owners.”

Dru took his farewells of the men and headed back to his patrol car. He’d been eager to get out of the sheriff’s office when he’d taken the call to Blackthorn. It had been his best decision in weeks.

“Regina Batson is certainly an interesting addition to the team,” Rebecca said lightly. “When she’s around, Brett makes an effort not to be a total bear.”

“Thank goodness someone has a positive effect on him.” Dru shrugged one shoulder. “May I pick you up at seven?” he asked.

“Perfect. Casual?”

There was such hope in her voice that he laughed. “Casual it is. Seafood.”

She smiled. “I’ll be ready.”

CHAPTER TWO

REBECCA WAS GLAD she’d chosen the yellow sundress. Sitting on the dock of the restaurant with a gentle breeze from the Mississippi, she felt sexy and feminine. It was impossible not to, the way Dru Colson was looking at her.

“Why aren’t you married?” Dru asked.

Rebecca laughingly held out her wrists. “Are you going to arrest me before you interrogate me?”

Dru laughed too, but a little self-consciously. “Sorry. I guess that did come out a little on the gruff side.”

“Not gruff, just direct,” Rebecca said. She bit her lip as she decided how much to tell him. “I was engaged. Last year. The wedding was planned, everything.” She hesitated, but she could see in his eyes that he would ask. He wasn’t a man who held back on the questions. “I cancelled the wedding, but Mike didn’t object too strenuously. I think we’d both begun to see that we weren’t meant for each other. We just wanted different things.”

“Like children?” Dru asked.

“Yes.”

“I know exactly how that goes,” he said ruefully. “Celeste, the woman I was involved with for five years, finally gave me the ultimatum—marriage and kids or she was leaving.”

She could see that he still struggled with the loss. “Mike was the same way. He just couldn’t believe that I didn’t want to settle down and start a family.”

Dru’s eyebrows lifted. “You didn’t want the children?”

“Yes, that’s right.” She couldn’t help a wry grin as she realized how shocked he was. It was true. Most women wanted to start families when they were in their late twenties and early thirties. “It isn’t that I don’t like children, it’s just that…” She broke it off. It was impossible to explain. Mike’s mother had said she was unnatural. Mrs. Cuevas had been very angry with Rebecca, and she’d let everyone know it.

“Hey,” Dru said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I understand. I love my nieces and nephews, but I’m just not ready to take on that responsibility. I don’t know that I’ll ever be, and I won’t be railroaded into something that important to please someone else.”

“Exactly!” Rebecca said, and she felt as if Dru did understand. She’d been the eldest of seven children, and all of her life had been spent taking care of others. Once she got out of college, she’d vowed to live her own life for at least fifteen years before she began living for someone else.