Bride of the Tiger by Heather Graham

Author:Heather Graham [Graham, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488026249
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 1987-06-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Tuesday morning brought them to Martinique.

There were clear skies, a brilliant sun and a soft sea breeze. Rafe and Tara took off alone in a rented car, since he knew the island well. They climbed mountain trails in the little Toyota, stopped by roadside merchants, watched the sea and the harbor from the heights, and stopped at the small museum to see the relics of a time when the volcano had spilled out its wrath. They visited an old cathedral, walked along wet tropical paths and came back into town, where they wandered through the shops. The company had a jewelry store here, too, on a fashionable street. The manager and his assistant, aware that Rafe was coming, had planned a meal complete with French wine and a few of the island specialties. Tara admired a number of the pieces, but when Rafe told her softly that she was welcome to anything she liked, she shook her head with a rueful smile.

“Ashley’s morals seem to have remained undamaged by her necklace,” he reminded her. “I believe you told her it was all right, or else she wouldn’t have taken it.”

“It was all right for Ashley.”

“Ah. Because she and I aren’t involved.”

“Exactly.”

“Women.”

“It makes perfect sense,” Tara assured him. He didn’t press her. Outside the store, Tara found herself smiling, wondering if she hadn’t won the battle a little too easily.

“You didn’t insist,” she said teasingly.

“Was I supposed to? Would you have changed your mind?”

“No.”

He smiled and walked ahead. She caught up with him, laughing. It was amazing what the night had done—amazing how much of any situation was nothing more than a state of mind. Today, with the sun above them, with the wonderful, colorful people all around them, everything seemed right with the world. She knew him. She knew the emotion in his eyes, the timbre of his voice, and she felt that she must have been half mad to want anything other than to be with him.

Rafe took her arm. “Actually, Miss Hill, I did not insist because I have a very particular gem in mind for you.”

“Do you really?”

“Emeralds for a redhead, a diamond for a blonde.”

Tara had paused to smell a bunch of fresh flowers that were still a bit damp from the morning showers, radiantly fresh. She felt a little tremor sweep through her.

The shopkeeper said something in French; Rafe laughed and paid for the flowers.

“What did he say?” Tara asked.

“That nature seldom created anything more uniquely exquisite than a flower, but you put the most glorious rose to shame.”

“Oh.” Tara blushed and turned to the man. “Merci,” she said softly.

He bowed deeply, offering her a wide smile.

Rafe glanced at his watch. “We’ve still got time to stop for a quick drink. I have the perfect place in mind.”

It was perfect. It had a classic little balcony that sat high above the valley, looking over the town and the ships. It was open, and there were flowers everywhere. The umbrellas were candy-striped in a peach that was as soft as the fragrant air.

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