The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

lightly down onto the foot of Kate's lounger. "Who wants to read a woman's diary?" he added plaintively.

    Kate punched him lightly in the ribs. "I'm having a great time reading it, I'll have you know. It's a heck of a lot more interesting than a ship's log."

    "Ouch." Jared gave her a reproachful look as he massaged his injured ribs. "That's a fine way to treat a man who's just come out to invite you to a nice home-cooked dinner."

    "Has David lined up the restaurant staff for us again?"

    "Uh, no, not exactly."

    Kate's brows rose as she saw the speculative gleam in Jared's eyes. "Really? Who's going to do the cooking? You and David?"

    "As a matter of fact, we planned to let you do it." Jared gave her his best buccaneer's smile. "Dave hasn't had a home-cooked meal in ages. Neither have I."

    Letty gave a muffled laugh from her lounger. "Be careful, Kate. Sounds like they're planning to take advantage of you."

    "I'm supposed to be on vacation," Kate pointed out loftily.

    "Yeah, well, if you can't cook, just say so. Dave and I will understand. It's not too late to order dinner from the restaurant."

    "I can cook," Kate retorted, feeling challenged.

    "Are you sure?" Jared looked doubtful.

    "Of course I'm sure," she snapped, thoroughly irritated now by his skeptical expression.

    "It's okay to admit it if you can't. I mean, this being the late twentieth century and all, there are probably a lot of women who never really learned to cook. They've got their careers and stuff to think of first, I guess and…"

    "I told you, I can cook."

    "Well, if you really think you can handle it…"

    "I can handle it."

    "You're sure it's not too much trouble?"

    "It's not too much trouble, dammit. Haven't you got some work you should be doing?"

    "Yeah." Jared got to his feet and leaned down for another quick, satisfied kiss. "There's a major plumbing disaster going on in the south wing. I'd better check on the repairs. See you around six. You can pick up any supplies you need at Chan's grocery in town. Letty will show you the place. Tell Chan I sent you and he'll give you the resort discount."

    Jared sauntered off, whistling.

    Kate stared after him. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Letty, but did I just let myself get bamboozled into cooking a free meal for Jared and Dave?"

    "That's what it sounded like to me." Letty looked over at her curiously. "Can you cook?"

    "You're looking at the best pizza maker this side of Seattle."

    "Pizza!" Letty looked first astounded and then delighted. "If David isn't already half in love with you, he will be after tonight. Since Gabriella died, that boy's been eating restaurant food for just about every meal of the day except breakfast. When you stop and think about it, you realize he's been practically raised on such things as pâté-stuffed mushrooms and seafood curries. Not normal kid food at all."

    The question was whether David's father would be as easily impressed, Kate decided. And if Jared did fall in love, would he admit it, either to her or himself?

    The fact that she was even pondering such a question shocked Kate. It meant she had to face something she had been deliberately shying away from for the past few days. She was tumbling head over heels into love with the pirate of AmethystIsland.

SIX

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    T he short trip into the tiny island town of Amethyst was a disturbing confirmation of everything Letty Platt had said about Jared's power on the island. Even more unnerving for Kate was the realization that even though this was the first time she had left the resort grounds, she was already a well-known figure, and not because of her reputation as an author, she soon discovered to her chagrin.

    "Ms Inskip, it is indeed a pleasure to serve you." The beaming owner of the small grocery brushed aside his young assistant who appeared to be his son and handled the transaction personally. "Allow me to give you the usual resort discount," he insisted as he bagged Kate's purchases.

    "I think I can handle the regular prices." Kate reached for her purse.

    "No, no, no. Impossible. I will not hear of it. Jared Hawthorne does a great deal of business with my small shop and the discount I give him is my way of thanking him. You understand?"

    "Yes, of course, but these are my groceries, not Mr. Hawthorne's. I'm buying them for personal use, not for the resort."

    "But you are a close personal friend of Jared's and I must insist you accept the discount."

    "But I really don't want it or need