Wilde One by Jannine Gallant

Author:Jannine Gallant [Gallant, Jannine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensignton Publishing Corp.
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

“I don’t see anything.” Ainslee clutched Griff’s arm in a death grip.

He removed the fingers digging into his flesh and slid the mistreated limb around her waist to squeeze her tight against his side. She’d been a terrific sport about hanging out in the cave, especially considering her face was so pale he feared she might keel over at any minute.

“The earth isn’t packed as hard right here. It gives just a bit.” He tapped the ground with his foot. “At exactly ten paces from the drawing. Whoever counted it off must have been my size. I can’t imagine it was Victor at age ninety-something. Unless he buried the clue when he was a lot younger.”

“You think something’s buried here?”

He nodded. “Good thing I grabbed a trowel from the barn when I was getting the tiles from the car. I thought it might come in handy in a cave.”

“Uh, if you don’t mind…” Her hand holding on to him squeezed tighter as she buried her face against his shoulder.

“I’m an idiot. Sorry, Ainslee. Let’s get you out of here before I start excavating.”

“That works for me.”

He had to smile at her shaky tone. When they neared the entrance, she pushed away from him and ran the last few yards.

Turning her face up to the late afternoon sun, she drew in deep breaths. “Wow, I survived.”

“You were awesome.” Stepping up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her head. “You okay now?”

Silky hair caught on day old stubble when she nodded. “I’m fine. Go dig up the treasure or clue or whatever is buried in there.”

“I’m sure it isn’t buried deep since the ground is as hard as a rock, so it shouldn’t take long. Be right back.” Turning, he retreated into the cave, counted the paces off from the drawing again then pulled the trowel out of his daypack. After a few scoops, he struck something hard. Digging with care, he loosened a small, wooden box and set it beside him before filling in the hole. Hurrying out of the cave, he held up his prize. “Look what I found.”

She eyed the box from beneath drawn brows. “Doesn’t look big enough to hold much of a treasure. My guess is it’s another clue.”

“Probably. The box is nailed shut. Maybe I can use the trowel to pry the lid off.”

“We can open it later. What about the other tile?”

“Right. I’ll see if I can find a match to a drawing in one of the other caves.”

A hint of color stained her pale cheeks, but her hand still shook when she pushed her hair behind one shoulder. “I can come with you.”

“You don’t have to show me you’re brave.” He smiled and drew his thumb across her lower lip. “I already know.” Taking a step back, he glanced toward the second cave. “I’ll go find our other box.”

The drawing in the fourth cave matched the tile. He walked the eight paces indicated and dug. Minutes later, he retrieved the wooden container and filled in the hole.

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