The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

happen to be extremely hungry. Stomping knife-wielding assailants into the pavement always has that effect on us lady commandoes."

    "Trying to apologize to a prickly little broad has the same effect on me." Jared helped himself to one of Kate's fried plantain slices. "So tell me, Ms Inskip, do all the ladies back in the States take two-week classes in self-defense these days?"

    "More and more of us are. How long has it been since you've been back?"

    Jared shrugged. "I go once a year to take my son to see his grandparents. That's about it. I'm not too fond of the mainland. I moved out here to Amethyst a long time ago and I've never wanted to leave."

    "You like it out here where you get to play king of the island, right?"

    Jared smiled slowly, white teeth glinting. "Right."

    "What did you do before you built Crystal Cove?"

    Jared shrugged. "I was born into the hotel business and I grew up in it. My father was a vice president with one of the big international chains. We lived all over the world. Later I decided to follow in his footsteps. But I soon realized that, although I loved the business, I wasn't cut out to work for a corporation. One day I chucked it all and went out on my own"

    He definitely did not look like a corporate animal, Kate thought. "Is your wife equally satisfied with island life?" Kate could have kicked herself for asking, but she suddenly had to know for certain if he was married.

    Jared's smile vanished. "My wife died five years ago. And yes, she loved living here. But then she would have been happy anywhere as long as she was with me and David. Gabriella was that kind of woman."

    "I see." Kate didn't know what else to say. Jared had obviously been married to a paragon, and now he was alone. "I'm sorry."

    "Thanks, but don't worry about it. Five years is a long time. David doesn't remember her and, as for me, I've adjusted."

    Kate was very sorry she had given in to her curiosity. She felt as though she had intruded on something very private within this man. Instinctively she backed off, looking for a way out of the overly personal conversation. "I ran into your son a while ago. A nice boy."

    Jared's eyes reflected paternal satisfaction. "Yeah, he's a good kid." He paused. "Got any of your own?"

    Kate struggled to find another exit. "No. My husband and I talked about it a few times, but he wasn't exactly enthusiastic about the idea. Kept saying we should wait, and then one day he was gone altogether and that sort of changed my plans." She scowled at him. "Are you going to eat all my fried plantains?"

    Jared glanced down, apparently surprised to discover the inroads he had made into the stack of chips. "Sorry. Again. I seem to be saying that a lot tonight. Want some more? On the house?"

    "No, thanks. I'm finally getting full." At least the overly intimate mood was broken, Kate thought in relief. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way." She stood up and reached for her purse.

    Jared got slowly to his feet. "Look, if you're rushing off on account of me…"

    "I'm not," she said flatly. "I'm rushing off so I can take a walk around the resort gardens. I'm supposed to be doing relaxing things. As I explained to Sharp Arnie, I've been under a lot of stress lately. I'm here to unwind. I assume it's safe to walk around at night?"

    "Sure, it's safe." Jared was clearly offended. "You can even go down to the beach. The path is well lit. Just don't try to follow any of the paths that lead into the jungle or up to the castle ruins. They're not lit, and unless you know where you're going you could get lost at night."

    Kate's attention was riveted instantly. "There really is a castle here?"

    Jared's expression was edged with humor. "Yeah, there's really a castle. But no one is allowed up there except on guided tours. The place is crumbling to pieces and it's extremely dangerous."

    "I wouldn't be able to see much at night, anyhow. But I'll certainly want to see it while I'm here."

    "We schedule regular tours once a week."

    Kate nodded absently, thinking it would probably be far more interesting to explore the place on her own. She had never been enamored of tour groups. "Fine."

    "And you'll probably want to see about a costume for the masquerade ball the night after next," Jared added quickly as Kate turned to leave.

    She halted and tilted her head inquiringly to one side. "What masquerade ball?"

    "In honor of the pirate who discovered this island and built the castle," Jared