The Adventurer (9 page)

“The next week he suffered a massive coronary and died. “

“Oh, God. ” The image of a shattered little girl flickered through his mind, along with another horrible thought. “Surely you didn’t blame yourself. ” “Of course I did. After all, I’d gotten my wish. My friends stopped teasing me and father never walked me to school again. ” ‘ “But that was a child’s perception. When you grew older, you must have realized that you weren’t responsible. Heart attacks are a common complication of obesity. “

“Perhaps. ” She pulled a napkin from the bag and dabbed her red eyes.

“But the fact remains that a broken heart is a weakened heart. Deep down, I’ll always believe that his death was my fault. ” Devon wanted to dispute that but couldn’t. Beliefs and feelings weren’t based on clinical fact. Emotions existed. “They couldn’t be swept away or rationalized. Her pain was real, as tangible as a touch and just as potent, and guilt was an emotion with which Devon was all too familiar. He suppressed an urge to pull off the freeway and gather her in his arms. Instead, he reached out and took her hand, offering what solace he could.

She looked surprised but didn’t resist.

“I wish I could say that someday you’ll feel differently but you probably won’t, ” he said. A tingling warmth radiated from her slender hand, which was completely engulfed by his large palm. “Children are not miniature humans, they’re works-in-progress. It’s not fair to hold them to adult standards” “Are you saying that an eight-year-old doesn’t understand cruelty or the difference between right and wrong? ” “No, I’m sqying that eight-year-olds who’ve made mistakes are entitled to the same forgiveness as adults. ” He gave her hand a comforting squeeze. ” That little girl has suffered enough, Jessica. IYS time to forgive her. ” She raised her moist eyes. “And would you and your father also be entitled to absolution for past mistakes? ” “You crafty devil. ” He shook his head, admiring how she’d managed to corner him with his own words. “All right, you’ve made your point. ” ‘ She took a deep breath and leaned against the padded headrest, seeming lost in thought. Devon’s gaze ricocheted from the road to his lovely passenger, with whom he was becoming more intrigued by the minute. Her silent tears had born mute testimony to the pain of sharing such an achingly intimate experience, yet she’d endured it hoping to spare Devon a similar ordeal. Jessica Newcomb was a woman of courage and compassion That made her special. She was also the kind of woman that made a man start thinking about the future. That made her dangerous.

*

By midmorning, they were bumping along a rutted road winding through the jagged canyons of the Tej on Pass. They emerged into a sandy valley, scarred by crisscross bike trails and dotted with blue clumps of desert sage. Dust plumes wafted from the knobby tires roaring over the craggy hills, barren as shark’s teeth, that encircled a clearing bristling with recreationalists. Jessica gasped at the bustling sight. “Good grief, where did all these people come from? ” “All over, ” Devon replied cheerfully. “From Los Angeles , south to Riverside and Bakersfield, north as far as Fresno. This is off-roaders’ paradise. ” Pressing her nose against the passenger window, Jessica was awe struck by a plethora of unique machines centered in the busy hive of activity. There were a variety of dirt bikes, which were lean motorcycles powered up for steep hills and treacherous terrain. There was also an odd assortment of dune buggies and fitted with puffy tires specially designed to handle loose sand or jagged rocks with equal ease. Casual campsites had been haphazardly established, a random city of tents, campers and recreational vehicles that was populated by a human melting pot represented by all ages, creeds and genders.

Jessica had never seen anything like it. “Do you know these people? “

“It’s been a few years since I’ve been here but some of the old-timers are probably still around. ” Devon parked the Mercedes in the midst of the chaos and flipped off the engine He eyed her anxiously. “Well, what do you think? “

“I don’t know. It’s kind of like Disneyland on wheels, isn’t it? “

He chuckled, then pointed through the windshield toward a cleft in the hills. “Beyond those rocks is a wild canyon with one of the prettiest creeks in the Tehachapi mountains. We can ride in there later, if you’d like. “

“Ride on what? “

Shrugging, he encompassed the scene with a casual sweep of his hand. “Take your pick.. two wheels, three wheels or if you’re really hinky, I can find something with four wheels. “

“You mean these people will loan their vehicles out to total strangers?

“Not exactly. ” He flashed a secretive grin. “But I have my ways. ” ‘ Her eyes narrowed. “Are these ” ways’ of yours legal? ” “Of course. ” In a rather effective Richard Nixon imitation , he held up two fingers on each hand, puffed his cheeks and croaked, “I am not a crook. ” Laughing, Jessica clapped her hands in delight. “Such talent! Can you do Bogart? ” Devon curled his upper lip and lisped, “Of all the gin joints in this crazy world, why’d she have to come into mine? ” Moaning, she covered her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t think that quote is accurate. ” “I paraphrased. Besides, it’s the delivery that counts. I do a great Cagney, too. ” She held up a restraining palm and regretted having encouraged him in the first place. “Another time. “

He shrugged philosophically. “Okay. Meanwhile, I’ll keep my day job. “

“Good idea. ” She stepped from the car and was instantly consumed by the aura of excitement permeating the air. “This is so great. Look!” She wiggled a finger toward a half-dozen racers roaring wildly around a makeshift track. Squinting through the rising dust, she was shocked to realize that both the dirt bikes and the helmeted riders seemed inordinately small. “Why, they’re just children!” Devon came up beside her. “Kids are the best racers. They’re absolutely fearless. ” The words had barely left his tongue when one of the racers leaned too far into a curve and the bike squirted out like a grapefruit seed. Jessica gasped in horror as the roaring pack converged on the limp little body that was sprawled across the track. Before she could exhale, the speeding motorcycles parted, streamed around the helpless child, then reconverged into a harried mass. The fallen rider leapt to his feet, yanked off his helmet and stalked off to retrieve his toppled bike. Jessica pried her knuckles from her teeth. “Dear God! How can the parents allow those poor children to do something so dangerous? ” “Don’t let their size fool you, Jessie. In order to compete in organized track races, those munchkins have proven themselves to be skilled riders. ” Devon looped a lazy arm around her shoulders. “

“Ready for a closer look? “

The warmth of his touch both calmed and excited her. She licked her lips and lifted her chin. “That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it? ” His affectionate squeeze made her heart leap, then he guided her into the hustling throng. For Jessica, the next hour was an adventurous whirl of new sights, new sounds and new friends. Devon mingled easily, turning strangers into chums with chatty charm and a relaxed style that politicians would envy. Owners who proudly wheeled their machines out for inspection were treated to Devon’s expert appraisal, which was inevitably followed by praise. He had a way of ingratiating himself without seeming pushy. As much as Jessica admired that, she couldn’t help being struck by the paradox between this likable hustler and the surly grump she’d met at the airport two days ago. That ragged, burned-out journalist had stared past her as though she’d been a bland piece of scenery. This new and obviously improved version of the enigmatic Devon Monroe couldn’t have been more attentive. He scrupulously included Jessica in his conversations and solicitously asked if she was enjoying herself. Certainly, this was not the behavior of the sullen, self-important jerk she’d first judged him to be. Even more startling than his unanticipated transformation was her own reaction to it. She found herself watching him in total fascination, transfixed by that silly, crooked grin of his and the way his eyes scrunched when he laughed. He was, she realized, an immensely attractive man. And judging by the admiring glances he was drawing from passing females, Jessica wasn’t the only one who thought so. She studied him silently, watching his casual banter with a burly man named Bill who’d brought his family out for the day. Suddenly Devon turned and caught her staring at him. She flushed and pretended to be inspecting one of the many motorcycles that were parked around the campsite. Devon said something to Bill, then loped over to Jessica’s side. “Can you ride a motorbike? ” he asked.

She tensed. “

“No. ” If he was disappointed, he covered it well. “I’d like you to see the canyon, ” he said amiably. “We can take the car if you want, although it won’t make it beyond the creek or…” He let the words slide and cast a longing glance at one of the shiny black motorcycles.

Jessica swallowed hard. “Or what? “

He angled a little-boy look that melted her heart. “Or we could ride double. ” The thought scared her to death but she’d have rather eaten glass than disappoint him. “Sure, why not? ” she said, and was rewarded by his delighted grin. “Great! You’ll love it. ” ‘ She rather doubted that but forced an agreeable smile that melted into a wary frown after he returned to where Bill was waiting. Biting her lip, she watched the two men negotiate for a moment, after which Devon peeled a few bills from the cash wad he’d dug out of his jeans. Bill dropped a key into Devon’s palm. They sealed the deal with a handshake. As Bill waddled off to the beer cooler, Devon slid an affectionate hand over the shiny machine and motioned for Jessica. She hesitated, took a bracing breath and complied.

Devon’s blue eyes glowed with enthusiasm. “Isn’t she a beauty? “

“Uh-huh. ” Apparently not noticing that her response was less than enthusiastic, he hoisted a candy-apple red helmet from the handlebars. “Put this on. ” With a deft flick, he tossed one helmet toward her. It looped lazily and fell into her waiting hands.

She stepped back, eyeing the gaudy headgear. “Do I have to wear it? “

“Yep. ” Since Devon was already adjusting his own helmet , arguzrient seemed useless. Sighing, she carefully laid the helmet at her feet, then pulled off her cotton neck scarf and fastened it securely around her head. Meanwhile Devon had straddled the machine and was inspecting the throttle lever. He glanced up, saw her head scarf and did a double take. “The helmet will protect your hair from wind, if that’s what you’re concerned about. ” It wasn’t, of course, but the real reason for the head scarf was nobody else’s business. Since she felt compelled to respond , however, she used the first lame excuse that came to mind. “It seemed a polite and tidy thing to do. After all, I wouldn’t want someone else using my helmet without taking precautions. ” A flicker of amusement lit his pale eyes. “After seeing your apartment, I never would have taken you for the fastidious type. ” “I won’t dignify that with a response, ” she said primly, then lifted the helmet and awkwardly lowered it into position Devon reached out and fiddled with her chin straps. “

“How does that feel?

“Like I have a bowling ball on my head. “

“You’ll get used to it. ” He flipped down his plastic visor , then hers.

The world took on an eerie gray hue. “There. Are you ready to go? “

She eyed the big machine with growing trepidation. “I suppose so. “

“Okay, here’s the drill. While we’re moving, hang on tight, keep your feet on the pegs- ” he pointed to the narrow steel props on each side of the chassis “and don’t let your leg touch the muffler. It gets red-hot.

Any questions ?”

“Only one. ” She smiled sweetly. “Is it too late to change my mind? ” “Absolutely. ” Devon scooted forward on the padded seat, then reached back and patted the ridiculously small portion that was left. ” Hop on. “You’re joking, right? ” She couldn’t see his face through the visor but suspected that he wasn’t smiling. “Look, I’ll never fit on that tiny thing without, uh, crowding you. ” ‘ From beneath the tilted helmet came an unmistakable John Wayne drawl.

“Haven’t you heard, pilgrim? That’s the best part. “

She rapped her knuckles on the top of his helmet. “Are you leering under there? “

“Yes, ma’am, “

“Good. Just checking. ” With that, she tossed a leg over the seat, held her breath and settled into the intimate position Her heart was thudding so loudly that it was a wonder he couldn’t hear it. He twisted the key, stomped on the starter and the engine roared to life. While he tested the idle speed, she licked her lips and assessed the muscular back looming in front of her face, wondering whether she was supposed put her arms on the outside or inside of his nylon Windbreaker. Deciding that outside would be more appropriate, she tentatively slid her hands around and lightly touched his firm chest. “No He yanked off his helmet and shook his ruffled hair. daredevil stuff, okay? “

“We’re here, ” he announced. “What do you think? “

“I’ll pretend you’re a crate of eggs. ” lowering one foot to the ground, she reluctantly turned “How flattering. ” him loose and raised her visor. “Oh my, it’s beautiful.

There He turned slightly. “Hang on. ” really is a creek.. and trees!

Honest to goodness trees!” “I am hanging on, ” she insisted even though her delicate Devon swung a leg over the handlebars, hung his helmet embrace was too limp to dent a feather pillow. on the rubber handgrip and helped Jessica dismount. His With a shrug, he revved the engine and kicked the bike exhilaration was contagious. “See that strip of smooth stone into gear. As the motorcycle lurched forward, a startled halfway up the cliff? That’s an ancient riverbed. There was scream reverberated through her helmet and before they’d once a big mining camp here in the canyon. Down the creek traveled fifty feet, Jessica was glued to his back like a postabout a mile are a couple of broken down cabins. And that age stamp. The sensation of speed was terrifying. Every time cave over there- ” he gestured toward a boarded opening they leaned into a turn, she remembered the tiny body in the rock wall “-is the entrance to one of the mines. ” bouncing on the racetrack and thanked God that her will Invigorated by the canyon’s primitive beauty and Devwas in order. on’s unbridled joy at sharing it with her, Jessica could barely After several long minutes of burrowing into Devon’s contain her own excitement. “Can we explore? I mean, I’ve back, Jessica finally gathered the courage to open her eyes never seen a real mine shaft before. ” and realized that the scenery wasn’t moving nearly as fast as “The ones around here are off-limits. Too unstable. she’d expected. When Devon hunched forward, she peered That’s why the Forest Service has them boarded up. ” over his shoulder, read the speedometer and flinched. Raw “Oh. ” Disappointed, she unfastened the chin strap and terror notwithstanding, they were only traveling thirty-five removed her helmet, being careful not to disturb the head miles an hour. Feeling a bit foolish, she began to relax and scarf. enjoy the ride. Devon regarded her thoughtfully. “If you’d like to see a Despite the chaotic mass of trails cut into the valley floor, working mine, I know a place out by Randsberg where a few Devon seemed to know exactly where he was going. the fol-bucks will buy us a tour. ” lowed a washboard road to a sloppy T, then took the left Her heart leapt at the suggestion. ” Do you really think we fork up into the hills, where the terrain changed drastically. could? ” The grade steepened and the narrow road clung to the jag- ” Absolutely. ” ged mountain like a wet ribbon. On one side was a vertical ” I can hardly wait, ” she said, shocked by a thrill of an wall of rock; on the other, the ground plummeted down into anticipation. Actually, she’d never given much thought to a deep gorge. mines or motorcycles or wild canyons before. Suddenly, she The higher they traveled, the tighter Jessica held on. By couldn’t think of anything else. Never in her life had she felt the time they emerged into the canyon, she was hugging q qqraq, so completely and utterly free. It was as though Devon hard enough to crack his ribs. When he pulled into eon had opened the door to a new world, a place where a scraped-gravel area and turned off the ignition, a massive sigh of relief fogged her visor. exhaustion came from pleasure instead of pain, and the tiniest wonders provided the greatest joys. Gazing around, she heaved a contented sigh.