“No,” she said firmly. “You’re not in shape to do even that kind of work yet.”
Lisa opened her lips to speak and then closed them again. “Probably not. But maybe in a few days I will be. I’d be very careful, Jane.”
“I’m sure you would be. But there’s no way that MacDuff would want to have to worry about taking care of you while he’s caught up with the hunt. He’d probably drown you if you got in his way.”
Her grin deepened. “No, he wouldn’t. I told you: I’m a very good swimmer.”
“You’d have to be.” She tried to read her expression. “Is this about Cira?”
“Of course. This entire place is about Cira. Can you blame me for wanting to go and see if I can help them find her treasure?”
“No, but I’ll be the one blamed if you injure yourself.”
She frowned. “I wouldn’t want that to happen. I’m not going to let you be hurt. Don’t worry, I’ll handle this myself. I can make it work.”
“Oh dear.” Jane shook her head. “I’m afraid to see exactly how that’s going to take place.” Her gaze went to the north bank. “But evidently I’m going find out soon. There’s MacDuff and Jock coming in for the day.”
Lisa’s gaze flew to the two men coming toward them. “Good heavens. The Highlander and a Greek god.” Her eyes went to Jock. “Why isn’t he in Hollywood? He’s spectacular.” Her gaze shifted to MacDuff. “He’s the one who might throw me in the lake?”
“That’s the laird,” Jane said. “But neither of them are easy, Lisa.”
“Sharp…” she murmured. Her eyes never left the men as they approached. “They’re important to you, Jane?”
“Yes.”
“Do you sleep with the Greek god?”
“No, I do not sleep with Jock. Nor MacDuff. I told you that we’re not discussing my sex life.”
“I just thought that might be the reason you don’t sleep with Seth.”
Jane had a sudden thought. Lisa was both vibrant and beautiful, and it wasn’t unusual in this day and age for girls her age to have sex. “And I don’t believe Caleb would like it if you decided that you should sleep with either Jock or MacDuff to get what you want.”
“I wouldn’t like it, either. Sex … confuses me.”
Confuses?
But she dismissed the thought because Lisa was taking a few steps forward and holding out her hand to Jock. “I’m Lisa Ridondo. You’re perfectly wonderful-looking, but I’m sure you’re much more than that if Jane is your friend.” She shook his hand. “I just want you to know I won’t get in your way and I’ll do anything you need me to do.”
Jock’s brows rose as he gazed at her curiously. “Thank you, Lisa.”
But she was already turning to MacDuff. “And you allowed me to come here, and I’m grateful. You’ve probably been told that I can be difficult, but you’ll never see it. I can keep it hidden.” She smiled. “And Jane says that you might throw me into the lake, and that’s okay if it makes you feel better. I can handle it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said drily. “Welcome to my Gaelkar.” His gaze raked her from head to toe. “Should you be wandering around? I hear you were wounded.”
“I’m fine. You’ll be surprised how quickly I’ll heal.” She turned and moved away from them. “But you’re tired and hungry and don’t need someone like me getting in your way. I’ll go to my tent and rest if Jane will show me the way. I just wanted you to know that anything you want done, I’ll be glad to do. Phone calls, computer work. I could probably translate, if you needed it. Anything. I know you want to be freed from that kind of drudgery. You have something more important to do.”
Jock chuckled. “What an offer. Maybe a little too generous?”
“You think I’m conning you?” She gave him a level look. “I’m absolutely sincere. Cira is important to all of you. I think she’s important to me, too. I’ll have to see. But until I have the opportunity to find out, I’ll do whatever I have to do to get you to accept me.” She turned away. “But I’m tired and hurting a little, so I’ll have to start tomorrow.”
“Or maybe the next day.” Jane was right beside her, helping her up the slight hill leading to the tents. She glanced behind her and saw Jock and MacDuff still looking after them. “Well, I do believe you made an impression.”
“That doesn’t matter. I don’t think either of them is going to believe words. I’ll have to show them that I meant what I said.” She looked at Jane as they stopped beside a tent. “Just as I’ll have to show you.”
Lisa was standing very straight, but Jane could see the paleness of her face and the tightness of her mouth. Not only was she obviously struggling with pain but she was alone here with strangers and she had temporarily lost even Caleb, who was the only person she loved.
“Right now you don’t have to show me anything.” Jane whisked her inside the tent and lit the lantern. “We’ll get you to bed and then we’ll start new tomorrow.”
Lisa nodded. “Tomorrow.” She started to unbutton her shirt. “It’s been kind of a long day.” She was fumbling with the buttons due to the bandage on her thumb. “But a night’s rest and I’ll be ready again.”
Jane brushed Lisa’s hand away and unbuttoned her shirt. “That’s right.” She finished helping her undress and tucked her in the bedroll. “There you are. I’m in the tent next door. If you need me, call.”
Lisa bit her lower lip as she gazed up at Jane. “I hate to be this helpless.”
“I know you do.” She headed for the tent door. “So get well so you can tell me to go to hell.”
Lisa shook her head. “I couldn’t ever … do that. Too late.” She closed her eyes. “Not you, Jane.…”
5:50 A.M.
What on earth?
Jane stood outside her tent, her stunned gaze on the scene at the campfire below. MacDuff and Jock were sitting eating before the fire and Lisa was sitting across from them, drinking a cup of coffee. She was smiling and talking and her demeanor was a world away from the fragile girl Jane had tucked into bed last night. The scent of bacon and coffee drifted to Jane and she heard MacDuff laugh at something Lisa had just said.
Jane slowly started down the hill, her eyes still on the three at the campfire. She had gotten up, prepared to go in Lisa’s tent and help her again before she went down and made the coffee. But it appeared that Lisa didn’t need help, or if she did, she was hiding it with amazing efficiency.
“Good morning, Jane.” Jock had seen her and rose to his feet. “Let me get you a cup of coffee.” His eyes were twinkling. “Otherwise, our Lisa will be jumping up and waiting on you, too. MacDuff and I are feeling quite guilty enough as it is.”
Our Lisa?
Jane took the cup of coffee and sat down beside Lisa. “Really? We wouldn’t want that.” She looked at the remains of food on the men’s plates. Something that looked like eggs, bacon, pancakes, and a delicious hash brown casserole. “I take it you’re feeling better this morning, Lisa?”
She grinned. “I felt better before the hash brown casserole. That took a surprising amount of arm movement. I didn’t think it would.”
“You must have gotten up early to prepare a feast like this,” Jane murmured.
“Not too early. It’s all in the prep.” She smiled at MacDuff and Jock. “I wanted them to get a good start on the day.”
“Aye,” Jock said. “And so you did.” He finished his breakfast. “What else could a man need?”
“I’m certain you can think of any number of things,” Lisa said. “And I’ll guarantee to try to supply them. Dinner will be much better than this once I can send someone for the ingredients I need and pick up a camp oven.” Her gaze shifted to MacDuff. “And I’ll get those Munich contracts you mentioned translated and ready for your signature by the end of the day. You say they’re in the briefcase in your tent?”
MacDuff nodded wryly. “Where they’ve been sitting for the last two months. I’ve been preoccupied.”