Wilde One (16 page)

“You bet.” Gage draped an arm around Ainslee’s shoulders and squeezed. “I’m going to take off. I meant to leave when Peyton’s clan did, but I’m glad I stayed for the b-ball action. Good seeing you, Ains. Don’t be such a stranger.”

She hugged back, despite his smelly, damp shirt. “I’ll try to make time for a longer visit soon.”

“You’d better.” Her brother stuck out his hand. “Nice meeting you.”

Smiling, Griff shook it. “Likewise.”

“Grandma, can I give you a ride home?”

“You can.” The older woman wrapped Ainslee in a fierce hug. “I’ll expect to hear from you soon.”

“I’ll call.” She laid her cheek against her grandmother’s fluffy, white hair. “Promise.”

She stepped back and shot a glance toward Griff. “He’s a keeper.” She spoke in a hushed whisper. “The whole family likes him.”

Ainslee nodded. “I like him, too.” She kept her voice low. “We’ll see how it goes.”

Her grandma turned to face Griff, who broke off his conversation with Gage. “You take good care of my girl.”

“Grandma, I can take care of myself.” Ainslee issued a half-hearted protest.

Griff gave her grandmother’s hand a squeeze. “Don’t worry. I will.”

She nodded. “Good night, Barbara. Come along, Gage. If we’re leaving, let’s go.”

“Right behind you, Grandma.”

When the screen door out of the kitchen slapped shut behind them, Griff smiled at Ainslee’s mother. “After shooting hoops with your son, I could use a shower.”

“Of course. Of course.” She headed out of the room, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll show you where we keep the extra towels.”

Griff gave Ainslee a long look. “Everything okay?”

She nodded. “Saying good-bye to my grandma always makes me a little sad. She isn’t as young as she used to be.”

His smile was sympathetic. “None of us are. I’d better go catch up to your mom. Maybe we can work on the clue when I get out of the shower.”

“Sounds good.” She gave him a weak smile.

After he left, Ainslee dried the last of the pots and pans then wandered outside to lean on the porch rail. Down in the barns, cows lowed, and corn stalks rustled in the big garden patch to her right. She didn’t want to live in Iowa again, but the familiarity was comforting.

“Come talk to your old man.”

She jumped and spun, pressing a hand to her chest. “I didn’t know you were there, Dad. Give me a heart attack!”

Beaming up at her, her dad patted the spot on the porch swing next to him. “I was watching Gage and Griff’s basketball match. Definitely entertaining.” The light shining through the kitchen window illuminated his quick grin. “Your mom wouldn’t have approved of some of their language.”

Ainslee laughed as she dropped onto the seat. “I bet.” When something soft touched her bare foot, she let out a squeak. “Good grief, Rocky. Where did you come from?”

“He’s been keeping me company. I like your new pal.”

Bending, she lifted the dog onto her lap. “Which one?”

“Both, actually.”

“Are you going to nag me about not letting Griff escape since I’m obviously on the verge of turning into an old maid?”

“I think I’ll pass.” Still smiling, he reached over to pat her arm.

“Thank God.”

“I’d rather hear more about this treasure hunt. Why do you suppose Victor Talbot chose you to compete for your great-grandpa Frank’s family?”

Ainslee shrugged. “Peyton, Gage and I are the only direct descendants. Maybe he figured they’d be too busy with their lives to bother with the hunt. As a teacher, I’m on summer vacation in June.”

“Could be. I’m just glad you’re enjoying yourself and taking some time to decompress. I know this school year was a rough one for you.”

“I had a couple of good students, but…” She let out a sigh. “My illusions are thoroughly shattered. I’m not going to save all the kids who need saving, so I’ll take a break from trying.”

“You need a change.” He squeezed her hand resting on Rocky’s back. “I think this is a smart move for you. Find a nice, quiet town and make a peaceful life for yourself.” A familiar smile spread. “If you keep Griff around, it would be his good fortune.”

“Thanks, Dad. I needed to hear that.”

“Glad I could make you feel better about your decision. Your mother has your best interests at heart, but—”

“She isn’t always so sure I know what I’m doing.”

“Your mom has a hard time believing you wouldn’t be as happy as she is with farm life.” He rubbed his hands together. “Enough with the serious talk. About these clues…where’re you headed next?”

“We haven’t looked at the latest riddle. We were going to do that when Griff gets out of the shower.”

“Let’s see if we can figure it out without him.”

The excited gleam in her father’s brown eyes reminded her of a little boy, despite his receding gray hair and a face weathered from endless hours spent outdoors.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll go get the envelopes.” She set the drowsing dog on the seat and jumped to her feet. “Be right back.”

Hurrying down the dark hallway to her bedroom, she slammed into damp, bare skin. Strong hands settled over her shoulders, setting up a wild clamor in her chest.

“Griff?” She rocked backward to peer up at him. He smelled of soap and…male. The urge to press her nose against firm pecs was almost overwhelming. Instead, she pulled away.

“You have to ask?”

She smiled. “No, I guess not. What’re you doing wandering around naked?”

“I have on a towel. Your mom was so busy making sure I had everything, I forgot to grab clean underwear. Since going commando in your parents’ house felt a little strange…”

Ainslee covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. “Go get dressed. Dad wants to help us with the clue. We’re sitting out on the back porch.”

“I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

In her room, her hands shook a little as she grabbed the two envelopes out of the tote bag where she’d stuffed them.
Damn, Griff. Why does he have to be so freaking sexy?
She let out a breath. What she needed was a buffer between them. For the next hour or so, her dad would do just fine.

* * * *

Griff pulled a clean T-shirt over his head then bent to grab a pair of old flip-flops out of his duffle bag. Straightening, he stuffed his feet through the straps then released a long breath. He’d worked hard all day to get back onto even footing with Ainslee. Still, when he’d held her pressed against his chest, her tension had been palpable. He’d completely blown it with her, and he didn’t know how to fix the problem.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he rubbed his temples. Maybe when the damn treasure hunt was over, they could work on establishing some sort of semi-normal dating relationship. Because this sure as hell wasn’t.
Whatever normal is.
Last time he thought he’d found an ordinary connection with a woman, the relationship had deteriorated into a nightmare.

He glanced around the guest bedroom, which he assumed had originally belonged to one of Ainslee’s brothers. If the track medals hanging on the walls were an indication, either Peyton or Gage had been a decent sprinter. Griff couldn’t remember when he’d last met a woman’s family. His mind skittered away from an image of Johanna’s frantic mother dashing into the hospital room.
Shit!
He certainly hadn’t ever met a woman’s parents after knowing her for less than a week. The whole situation was strange. Awkward.

Not that he wasn’t glad Ainslee had given him a second chance instead of flying by him on the highway, which was what he’d probably deserved. He wasn’t ready to part company with her when the treasure hunt was over. He wanted… Pressing his fingers harder against his temples, he sighed. He wasn’t sure what the hell he wanted.

Dropping his hands, he let out another breath.

First things first.
They’d figure out the clue tonight so they could hit the road in the morning. He was pretty certain they’d be heading straight to Wyoming…where the weirdness could start all over again, but this time with his family.
Damn Victor Talbot and his lame-brain treasure hunt.
He let go of a smile. Of course without Victor, he wouldn’t have met Ainslee.

And that would have been a real shame.

Leaving the bedroom, he headed toward the light at the end of the hallway and passed the living room where Barbara Fontaine napped in a recliner with a book open on her lap. The monolithic kitchen he crossed into next gave new meaning to the old expression about a cook’s fallen arches. Pushing open the screen door, he stepped out onto the porch. Three heads turned in unison. The only one not wearing a frown was Rocky.

“No luck with the riddle?”

“It’s a strange one.” Ainslee held up a square, ceramic tile. “We each had one of these in our envelope.”

“What are those weird designs?” He bent to take a closer look. “Are those stick figures of animals?”

Ron cleared his throat. “They remind me of the hieroglyphs found in caves occupied by early man.”

Ainslee’s eyes brightened. “You’re right, Dad. I remember watching a show about Neanderthals in France. The cave drawings did look like these.”

Griff leaned against the porch railing. “So we’re headed to France instead of Wyoming? I thought for sure our next stop would be my great-grandpa Hartley’s hometown.”

“I thought so, too, but we haven’t solved the riddle yet to know for sure.”

Ron held out a piece of paper. “Read it to him, Ainslee. I’m not wearing my glasses.”

She took the note and smiled. “Pressure’s on, Griff. Your turn to show us how smart you are.”

Shifting his weight, he smiled back at her. “I don’t remember ever making that claim, but let’s hear the clue.”

“First place ladies and gents were no more and no less. Find Bill, and you’re close to the dark, echoing truth about the origins of the treasure.”

His brows shot up. “That’s it?”

“Yep. Do you think his reference to the treasure means this will be the last stop?”

Griff met Ainslee’s gaze, and his stomach tightened. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Her eyes darkened. “So, any ideas? The
no more and no less
part reminds me of a basic algebra equation with those little caret signs.” Her lips curled down. “If I have to do math, I’m in trouble.”

“Something you aren’t good at?” A smile stretched wide. “No, way!”

She grimaced. “Yes, way. I suck at math.”

Her father nodded. “True. She doesn’t have a head for numbers.”

Griff rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue because I’m pretty sure I have this one figured out, and the clue isn’t about math.”

“You do?” Her voice rose.

“Don’t sound so surprised. I’m not a complete idiot, although recently…never mind.” He straightened against the railing. “If something isn’t more or less, what is it?”

“The same.”

“Equal.” Ron spoke at the same time as his daughter.

“Right, and guess what Wyoming is?”

Ainslee smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. “The Equality State. I used to know all those nicknames, but I’ve forgotten a few. Wyoming is also called the Suffrage State because it was the first state that allowed women to vote. I get it—the place where men and women are equal.”

Griff rolled his eyes. “How do you know so many useless facts?”

“Hey, not so useless. I may not be good with numbers, but I kick butt at random knowledge. One of these days I should sign up to go on
Jeopardy
.”

“Uh, can we get back to the riddle?” Ainslee’s father shifted on the seat, disturbing Rocky who let out a snuffling moan. “I need to go to bed. The cows won’t sleep in just because I stayed up late.”

“Sorry, Dad.” Ainslee turned back to face Griff. “Okay, who’s Bill, Mr. Smarty?”

“Ever heard of William Frederick Cody?”

“I teach history. Of course I…duh. Buffalo Bill.”

“Cody, Wyoming was named after him, and Cody happens to be the nearest town to our ranch. Near being a relative term. The ranch is in the middle of nowhere out by the Shoshone National Forest.”

Ron pushed up off the porch swing. “The clue mentions close to Bill, so maybe Victor Talbot is referring to your ranch, which is near Cody.”

Lips pursed, Griff nodded. “That would be my guess.”

“Great. Mystery solved. You head to Wyoming in the morning, and I can go to bed.”

“What about the dark, echoing part and the tiles?” Ainslee frowned. “He mentions the treasure. Do you know where it is?”

Griff shoved his hands in his pockets. “Don’t have a clue.”

“Terrific.”

“You can figure it out while you’re on the road tomorrow.” A smile curved her father’s lips. “Must be around a thousand miles to Wyoming. You’ve got a couple of days to sort through all those random facts in your brain to prove their value.”

“Funny, Dad.”

“I try.” He headed toward the kitchen door. “See you in the morning, honey. Good night, Griff.”

“Good night, Dad. Love you.”

“’Night, Ron.”

When the screen slapped shut behind him, Griff dropped down onto the swing on the far side of the dog. Rocky moaned and rolled onto his back.

“I like your dad. He’s a cool guy.”

“Yes, he is.” She let out a sigh. “I guess we should go to bed, too. Maybe get an early start in the morning. My parents will be up at five.”

“It’s not even ten yet. I’m not tired.”

“What do you want to do, then?”

Griff struggled to keep his hands to himself. He knew exactly what
he
wanted to do. It involved getting Ainslee naked and the chocolate syrup they’d eaten on their homemade ice cream earlier. If her guarded expression was any indication, she probably wasn’t having the same fantasy.

“The temperature dropped.” Looking away, he waved a hand toward the star-filled sky. “It’s a beautiful night. Let’s take a walk.”

“Okay.” She stood and prodded Rocky. “He probably should go out one last time before bed, anyway.”

“Good idea.” Their romantic stroll in the moonlight had turned into a poop party for the dog.
Perfect.

“I’ll go grab a flashlight from the kitchen.”

“I’ll wait with Rocky.”

When Ainslee returned, they headed toward the big white barns then followed a path along the side of the pasture. Quiet lowing accompanied the scuff of their sandals on the hard dirt trail. Rocky ran ahead, nose to the ground, sniffing everything in his way. For reasons known only to him, he growled ferociously at one particular fencepost, snapping at the base.