The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

about and sputtering sea-water.

    "Jared, we've been friends for a long time." Max splashed toward the stone wall. "I ask that you consider our long acquaintanceship before you do anything rash. Consider also the cash involved here."

    "I have considered it, Max. I considered it while I was locked in that dungeon cell. And I considered it very closely when you threatened Kate and my son. And after due consideration I have decided I never did like you all that much, anyway."

ELEVEN

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    "F urthermore, I want you to know I feel some serious errors in judgment were made around here. Serious errors that were compounded by a ridiculous macho approach to the entire event." Kate reached the end of the terrace, swung around and paced back. The morning was magnificent, as usual. Out in the bay lay the sleek, white cruise ship, its passengers still at breakfast on board. "I think it was absolutely unpardonable of you not to tell me what was going on right from the start."

    "It had nothing to do with you and it was potentially dangerous. The whole thing was supposed to be a secret operation. Fat lot of good it does trying to explain the concept of secret to women." Jared concentrated on the repair work being done on the terrace railing. He had been concentrating on it ever since Kate had finally tracked him down that morning. "Mark, watch out for the tile. It cost me a fortune to have this stuff shipped in and I don't want it chipped."

    "Right, boss." Mark and his assistant exchanged quick grins as they dutifully spread a protective cloth over the expensive Italian tile. They had been listening unabashedly to the exchange between Kate and Jared for several minutes. When they finished here on the terrace, the entire resort would know every detail of the argument.

    "The very fact that it was dangerous is precisely why you should have told me what was going on."

    "The idea was to keep you out of it." Jared examined the lumber that was to be used for the makeshift railing. "This isn't going to look great, but it should do the job."

    Kate glowered at Jared's back. "What's going to happen to Max and Taylor?"

    "Sam Finley collected them bright and early this morning. He'll turn them over to the authorities." Jared frowned at his men. "Let's get moving on this, you two. This should have been completed yesterday. Those people from the cruise ship will be pouring in here in another couple of hours. Where's the colonel? He was supposed to be digging some extra tables and chairs out of storage."

    "Saw him a while ago, boss. He's working on it."

    "Jared," Kate began determinedly, "I would appreciate your undivided attention. I am trying to talk to you." But it was a losing battle and she knew it. They had all gotten to bed very late last night and there had been little chance to rehash the affair. Kate had awakened bright and early this morning with every intention of doing so, but thus far she had been thwarted at every turn.

    "Hi, Dad, how's the railing going?" David bounded up the terrace steps and skidded to a halt near his father.

    "We're getting there," Jared said.

    David grinned at Kate. "You still yelling at Dad?"

    "I am not yelling at your father. I am trying to have an intelligent, coherent discussion and I am being stonewalled."

    "She's yelling," Jared said.

    "What does stonewalled mean?" David asked.

    "Never mind." Kate turned back to Jared. "Jared, I would like to talk to you in private, if you can manage to spare a few precious minutes of your valuable time."

    "Not right now, Kate. Maybe I'll have some time later to let you nag me but I've got more important things to do at the moment. Okay, Mark, let's get that new section in place and see how it fits."

    "This is impossible," Kate said.

    "No, I think it will be just about right." Jared studied the length of wood that had been sanded down to form the new railing. "Maybe a quarter inch more off that end, Mark."

    "Right, boss." Mark picked up the power saw.

    "I'm wasting my breath," Kate said. "I should have known there was no point trying to have a serious conversation about this with you. You wouldn't talk to me last night and you won't talk to me this morning. I'm beginning to get the idea you just don't want to talk to me at all."

    Jared must have caught the new note of resignation in her voice. He shot a quick glance over his shoulder. "There's nothing to talk about that can't wait until after that cruise ship sails. Look, why don't you go have a