His Reluctant Bodyguard (15 page)

After they'd eaten themselves into a stupor, they'd stretched out on the mats for a nap with the basket between them. Avery could tell by the sound of Rip's even, rhythmic breathing that he fell asleep almost immediately. However sleep eluded her. Thoughts spiraled and tumbled through her mind, increasing along with the wind and rain she could hear whipping through the rocks.

She fumbled for the lantern and crawled through the dark on her knees to the opening to the larger cavern. The wind still howled outside, and after she turned on the light and held it outside, she could make out the floor of the big cave. Water had invaded and lapped at the rocks below their hidden lair. Though still six or seven feet below them, Avery hoped to heck it didn't
rise
much higher. If the storm continued to drive the sea into the outer cave, they could be trapped and drown in their hideaway. Sorry she'd ventured to
look,
she shut off the lantern, crawled to her mat, and rolled herself into a tight ball, praying the storm would end soon.

In spite of her fear, she had somehow managed to fall asleep, because enveloping warmth awakened her.
Warmth and something heavy across her shoulders.
Her eyes popped open and she could see the dim outline of Rip's arm dangling over hers. He lay curled around her, only lightly touching her, except for his arm. Rather than pulling away, Avery savored the closeness. She hadn’t pursued a romantic relationship in a long time, by choice. Most of her previous relationships had left her feeling smothered. But being with Rip felt right in a way she had never experienced before.

She had no way to judge how much time and passed, so she snuggled closer to Rip hoping to go back to sleep. After squeezing her eyes shut, she realized the cave had gone completely silent. Abruptly sitting up, she groped for the lantern and hit the switch. Beside her, Rip groaned and propped himself onto one elbow.

"Do you hear that?" she asked, struggling to her feet.

He squinted in the glare of the light. "No, I don't hear anything."

"Exactly!
The wind has stopped. The storm must be over." Gripping the lantern's handle, Avery stumbled for the opening with Rip close behind her.

When she held the light outside the entrance, the water still lapped at the rocks, but it appeared not to have risen any higher. Plus, the larger cavern didn't seem as dark as their hiding place.

"I think the sun might have broken through." Rip voiced her own hope. "We can get out of here!"

But the purple bruise around his eye reminded her of the need for caution. "But Mama Simone said to wait for her or Luc."

"To hell with that," Rip declared. Sleep seemed to have revived some primitive instinct in him. He fairly hummed with nervous energy "My cousin and uncle want a fight, and I’m going to give them one. Besides, this island is a powder keg ready to blow. "

Avery skeptically eyed the water rippling below them. "How deep does that look to you?"

He followed her gaze. "It won’t even be up to your knees. Stick your shoes in your purse. I’ll carry the water and the lantern."

Wrapping the few items left in the basket, she shoved them into her purse. Then, she removed her shoes and threaded them through the strap. "All right, but if it’s still raining, I’m staying here."

Reluctantly, she followed Rip out the entrance. They picked their way slowly down the rocks until they reached the flooded cavern floor. She saw him suck his breath in sharply when he stepped down into the water, but he’d been right about the shallowness. The water hit halfway up his calves as he stood and held the lantern high to help her negotiate the rest of the way. Steeling herself, Avery gathered her skirt up into her free hand and joined him. They sloshed their way toward the outside.

With the wet sand squishing between her toes, Avery hustled ahead. She could see shafts of light shining through the opening so the storm really had passed. But the sound of crashing waves had replaced the howling wind, and when she poked her head out she saw spray from the high surf.

"It’s still a little wild out there," she warned, raising her voice over the noise.

Rip peered over her shoulder. "But it’s not raining."

Shutting off the lantern, he climbed out, and Avery followed, blinking in the bright afternoon light. They picked their way over the slick rocks until they reached the trail and could see the rough sea.

"Guess we won’t be going anywhere by boat for awhile." She paused to slip her shoes back on, her thoughts briefly straying to Valiant, which she knew would have sailed far from the reach of the hurricane. For a fleeting moment she wondered if she would ever see the ship again.

"Doesn’t matter, we’re going inland." Rip seemed oblivious to being barefoot as he pushed ahead. Apparently, Mama Simone’s potion had helped his injuries.

"Inland? Is there another town?" Avery didn’t remember any of the Lesser Antilles with a lot of population in their interiors, but maybe
Benezet
was different.

He shook his head, but didn’t stop to look at her. "What’s there is a hydro-electric plant. Thanks to lots of streams and rivers,
Benezet
is one of the few islands that
produces
all its own power."

Avery’s mind raced with the implications of this information. "So that’s why everyone drives golf carts. They’re electric."

"Right, gasoline is very expensive," Rip confirmed. His eyes had a strange glint Avery had never seen before. "My father and uncle did a few good things for
Benezet
. They weren’t always bad."

"Of course they weren’t." Staring intently, she ran her fingertips down his arm. "But you aren’t responsible for them, Rip. You have nothing to do with them."

"I’m not so sure. Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve felt different.
Like I’m my father’s son after all."
His voice sounded tight, clipped.

Dropping her hand, she shook her head. "You’re also your mother’s son. But most important, you’re your own man. Don’t forget that."

Looking unconvinced, he silently continued along the path, and she followed doggedly. They didn’t stop again until they reached the cross path leading to Mama Simone’s cottage, but Rip turned in the opposite direction.

"Better hide your
hair,
we’re going into town, though I think we should stick to the outskirts."

Without stopping, Avery gathered her hair into a ponytail,
then
pulled the scarf out of her purse. "And we’re going into the village because?"

"Walking to the hydro-electric plant will take too long. We need transportation."

Tucking in a final blonde lock, she added, "And we’re going to the plant because?"

"Whoever controls the power plant controls
Benezet
. If this revolution is going to happen, that’s where it’ll be."

Not feeling at all cheered by the thought, she clenched her teeth and said nothing further. Instead, she decided to save her arguments for if and when they found that transportation. Besides, the muddy path was growing slippery as they started downhill.

Spread out below them, Avery could see houses with gaping holes in their roofs. Several trees were lying at odd angles, and she saw a few people moving through the streets. The closer they got, the more damage became apparent. The storm may have only lasted a few hours, but it had been destructive.

When the path widened into a rubble clogged road, she found herself picking her way through hunks of kelp, leaves,
bits
of wood, plaster, and lots of things she didn’t recognize. Rip's idea of staying on the fringes made more and more sense. Debris from the storm seemed to be everywhere.

"Do you know how to get to this power plant?" she asked as they approached three houses with sheets of plywood over their windows.

"Not exactly, but I'm sure the main road going inland will get us there." She opened her mouth, but he quickly answered her unspoken question. "It will be the paved road, probably with a line painted in the middle."

Even though Avery saw no signs of life around the houses, Rip chose not to get too close. What had once been large vegetable gardens between the homes were now muddy, churned-up messes. She hoped fervently that none of the inhabitants had been hurt. They crossed two intersecting dirt roads, but still met no people. However, a mongrel barked at them, and then followed a dozen yards behind.

Ten long minutes later, the dog started barking again, but at something other than them. Before Avery could ask what had spooked the animal, a loud braying noise sounded, then a string of shouted words. Though she couldn't quite understand the patois, the forcefulness of the cries left no doubt in her mind that at they were profane.

Another loud bray rang out and a large, black mule trotted into view. The noisy mutt ran at the mule,
who
put down his head and charged like an enraged bull. As Avery stumbled to get out of the way, Rip jumped into the fray, grabbing for the rope halter the mule wore.

"Look out!" she shouted, while the animal gnashed its long yellow teeth at Rip.

The dog yelped and ran for cover, at the same moment Rip caught the rope on the side of the mule's jaw. The animal bellowed out its dismay just as a stooped and grizzled man ran up still babbling.

"Merci beaucoup," he exclaimed, taking the mule’s halter from Rip and smacking the animal on the muzzle. Then he verbally berated the mule, who brayed again in reply before dropping its head as if embarrassed. When the man saw Rip and Avery’s confused expressions, he spoke in English. "The old devil, he
get
away from me. Many thanks for your help." Rip briefly shook his extended hand, but the man’s dark eyes lingered on his face.
"You a
Pollendene
?"

Nerves prickled across the back of Avery’s neck as Rip hesitated before nodding. "I’m Rip
Pollendene
."

The old man’s face broke into a
snaggle
-toothed grin. "
Phillipe’s
little boy?" He smacked Rip on the shoulder with his free hand.
"Not so little any more, eh?
I served with your father before you were born. He was my friend. I
be
Jasper Parlier." As Avery sighed with relief, the old man’s gaze swept over her and he nodded knowingly.
"Your woman?
She a quadroon like your mama?"

The mule tossed its head and brayed again, but Jasper kept his grip on the halter. "Settle down, Midnight, old devil!" He muttered something in patois and the animal hung its head again. Turning back to Rip, he asked.
 
"
You going
to the plant?
Half St.
Namadie
gone there already."
 

"Can you show us the way?" The undercurrent of excitement in Rip's voice sent another tingle of nerves across Avery's neck and down her arms.

"The road
be
just over that rise yonder." Jasper gestured vaguely with his arm. "You'll know coz everybody
be
on it." Then his smile broke out again. "You ride old Midnight! He
be
ornery, but a steady mount. He
carry
both you and your woman."

Avery couldn't stop a little gasp of surprised dismay at the mention of riding the big, ugly creature. Fortunately Rip seemed to share her aversion.

"Thank you, Jasper, but I can't take your mule."

The old man's expression went hard and every bit as determined as Midnight. "You would insult me?"

"No, of course not!"
Rip quickly denied, holding out his hands palms up. "But how would I get him back to you?"

"And he doesn't have a saddle, bridle or anything." Avery spoke up, adding to their case.

Jasper Parlier looked at her and his face softened. "He
don't
need anything,
cheri
. Just point him where you want to go." Then he turned back to Rip and pronounced in a tone of finality. "You send him back when you
be
done. You got important work to do."

Rip edged closer to her and muttered, "It would be faster than walking."

"Not after he throws us off and stomps on us!" she hissed back, but she had a sinking feeling she'd already lost the battle.

The old man guided the mule over to an uprooted tree. "Stand on here to get on."

Nodding, Rip handed her the nearly forgotten jug of water. "Hold this until I get on him."

"When you're lying in the dirt, I'm not picking you up," Avery warned with a narrow eyed glare.

While she and the cowering mongrel stood a safe distance away, Rip climbed onto the tree trunk then vaulted to the mule's back. Avery cringed, but the blasted creature never moved a muscle. She just knew it was waiting for her before it turned into a bucking bronco.

Stomping over to the tree trunk, she handed Rip the water jug,
then
took a firm grip on her shoulder bag. "So help me, Rip
Pollendene
, if this critter throws me off, I’m going to kill you!"

As Avery balanced on the rough trunk, she gathered her long skirt into one hand, grateful she still had her
bermuda’s
on under it. Taking a deep breath, she threw her leg over the mule’s back and plopped down behind Rip. Midnight flicked his ears but otherwise remained immobile.