The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

refrain from commenting on the first step." Kate wrinkled her nose. "Do we have to stop now?"

    Jared shook his head. "You two don't have to quit, but I've got work to do. Some of us are not on vacation. I'll see you both later. Dave, don't forget to take care of the equipment when you're done here."

    "I won't, Dad. Come on, Ms Inskip. Let's go look at another section of coral."

    "Sounds like a wonderful idea."

    Kate lowered her mask and turned to follow the boy back under the water. She was aware of Jared standing in the shallows watching them for a few minutes, but when she surfaced a while later, he was gone.

    The small, aching sensation of regret she felt startled her.

    The invitation to dinner in Jared and David's private quarters arrived late the next afternoon. Kate had been lazing in the shade on her veranda, telling herself she ought to be doing something useful, such as plotting a new novel, when the knock sounded on her door. She got to her feet and went to answer the summons. A young man in the resort's livery of white slacks and a flowered shirt stood on the threshold. He was obviously having a hard time containing a grin.

    "Message for you, Miss Inskip. From the management. I had special instructions to wait for a reply."

    "Thanks." Kate glanced curiously at the childish print on the outside of the envelope. She unfolded the single sheet of lined binder paper and read the short, painstakingly lettered message.

    "Please come to dinner tonight. We will have it at seven." It was signed David Hawthorne.

    "Just a minute," Kate told the messenger. "I'll give you a reply."

    She found a piece of stationery with the resort's crest on it and carefully wrote a short note of acceptance. Then she folded it, slipped it into an envelope and sent the courier off with it.

    As soon as she closed the door behind the young man she went straight to her closet and examined her wardrobe. Sarah and Margaret had done an excellent job of packing. Kate smiled to herself as she made her selection.

    At precisely seven o'clock that evening, dressed in a demure ankle-length sheath of polished green cotton and gold sandals, Kate walked down the path to the gracious, airy home where Jared and David lived.

    The house was set a short distance from the resort. It was nestled in the lush island foliage on the top of a bluff and commanded a sweeping view of the cove and the small outlying shoals and islets that protected AmethystIsland.

    Kate hesitated briefly before raising her hand to knock at the front door. She'd never accepted an invitation quite like this one before, and her curiosity was aroused. She wondered if Jared knew what his son had planned for the evening. Cautiously she tapped on the door. A moment later she heard pounding footsteps and then the door was flung open.

    "Hi," David said. "I knew you'd come. Everything's ready. Dad's in the living room."

    Kate stepped inside the cool foyer and glanced curiously at her surroundings. There was a subtle harmony to the bleached wood floors, the sisal matting and the graceful greenery. The front of the house seemed to be one vast open window that caught the breeze and the spectacular view.

    David led the way toward a large room furnished in rattan. Kate followed her host down two steps and looked across the room to see Jared standing at a brass and glass beverage cart. He turned to glance at her as she walked slowly toward him. His gaze was appreciative and his smile was slow.

    "I'm innocent," he said. "This was all David's idea."

    "I believe you." Kate smiled at the boy, who was looking enormously pleased with himself.

    David looked at his father. "Come on, Dad, you're supposed to pour her a drink. Then I'll introduce her to Jolly."

    "Thank you for reminding me, Dave. What will you have, Kate?"

    "A little sherry will be fine."

    Jared nodded and picked up a bottle. "When is the restaurant kitchen sending dinner over, son?"

    "I told them to send it at seven-thirty. Is that okay?" David looked momentarily anxious.

    "That sounds fine." Jared handed the glass of sherry to Kate, his gaze a mixture of amusement and sensual intensity. "Dave tells me he has arranged everything this evening."

    David nodded in satisfaction. "Come on, Kate. I want you to meet Jolly."

    "Who's Jolly?" Kate obediently followed the boy out of the living room and into a spacious kitchen. A large green-and-yellow bird crouched malevolently on top of a black wrought-iron cage. "Oh, I see. He