The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

fast. Just why is Sharp Arnie so willing to spare AmethystIsland?"

    It was Billy who answered. "Let's just say Arnie is real respectful toward Jared here. See, Hawthorne owns most of Amethyst. What he says over there goes, don't it, Hawthorne?"

    "Most of the time," Jared agreed. "Makes life simple." He leaped lightly on board and reached out to grasp Kate's arm. He hauled her off the dock and into the boat with little ceremony. "Sit down, Ms Inskip." He guided her rather forcefully into a seat and gave her a wicked smile. "Wouldn't want you to fall overboard between here and Amethyst. Something tells me I'd never hear the end of it. So long, Billy. See you later in the week. Thanks for looking after the lady."

    Billy grinned. "No problem. Have a nice vacation, Ms Inskip."

    Kate opened her mouth to explain once again that so far her vacation was not off to a great start, but she closed it in frustration when Jared Hawthorne rudely gunned the engines.

    Abandoning the effort, she sank wearily into a seat and gazed dully out over the water. As she watched, Port Ruby began to shrink in the distance. It occurred to Kate that she could not remember ever having felt so bone weary.

    When she got bored with watching Port Ruby, she allowed her gaze to wander back to Jared Hawthorne who was concentrating on guiding the sleek craft through the necklace of small islets that protected RubyIsland from the full force of the sea.

    When they got beyond the bits and pieces of land, Kate was suddenly aware of the vast expanse of turquoise sea that lay ahead. She had not spent much time in boats of any size, let alone one as small as the cruiser.

    "I assume you're reasonably good at handling a boat?" she called to Jared.

    "You'll find out soon enough, won't you?" he retorted cheerfully. Then he seemed to notice the tension in her face. "Hey, take it easy. I make this run three or four times a month. Amethyst is just a short hop."

    "I see." The eerie sense of familiarity returned to Kate as she studied Jared's lean profile. Idly she tried to pin down who it was he reminded her of. His hair was dark, nearly black, worn unfashionably long and silvered here and there with hints of gray. He must be nearly forty, she decided. Try as she might, she could not think of anyone she knew who resembled him. Her curiosity overcame her.

    "Look," she finally said, pitching her voice above the roar of the engine, "this is going to sound silly, but do I know you from somewhere?"

    Jared gave her a curious glance. "No. Definitely not. Believe me, I'd remember if we'd ever met."

    "Of course. I told you it was a silly question. It's just that I'm so tired I can't think straight." She ran her fingers through her short hair. The breeze generated by the moving boat was refreshing. "How long until we get to Amethyst?"

    "About an hour."

    "I think I'll take a nap, if you don't mind."

    "Suit yourself."

    "Thank you, I usually do," Kate said as she settled back in the shade of the cruiser's canopy.

    "What a coincidence," Jared said half under his breath as he watched her eyes close. "So do I, Ms Inskip. And something tells me that could be a problem."

    She looked different with her lashes lowered and her mouth closed, he thought, studying her objectively for the first time. More vulnerable, a little softer. Attractive, even.

    Damned attractive, if you liked the type.

    He decided Kate Inskip was probably only a few years younger than he—thirty-three or maybe even thirty-four. The wide belt of the wilted safari-style dress revealed a slender waist and hinted at full, round hips. The large, button-flap pockets on the front of the dress successfully concealed most of the contours of her breasts, however. That was okay, though, Jared finally decided. A man should have something to look forward to discovering on his own.

    A wealth of tawny brown hair styled in a short, sassy fashion made a nice frame for her long-lashed green eyes and tip-tilted nose. It was a strong face, Jared realized, the face of a woman accustomed to making her own decisions and carrying them out, the face of a woman who did not rely on men to smooth her way in the world. But there was an intriguing sensuality about her full mouth, he discovered.

    What the hell was he thinking of, Jared wondered in the next instant as he realized with a start where his thoughts were heading. Kate Inskip was definitely not his type. She'd never be his type, not in a million years.

    He liked his