Dark Summer

feeling so generous to me.' He shrugged. 'Radkin? Why should I trust him? But I dealt with Lincoln for years and didn't trust him.'

'And rightly so. Then it's a possible lack of control?'

'Yes. But I could probably get around that. The first thing I'd do would be to jettison Radkin's guards and bring my own people.'

She smiled. 'And build a stockade as strong as the ranch.'

'Stronger. And if it's an island, there would have to be sea and air escape routes.'

He was already planning, thinking, working out the details. 'What about Montana? How does that compare?'

'Closer. Familiar. I'm better able to negotiate the system. But I'd have to either let MI6 in again for funding or seek other help. But I could probably still keep the dogs safe.'

'Then make your decision.'

'What a pushy broad you are.' He gazed at her. 'It really doesn't matter to you, does it?'

'I'll go with you anywhere, anytime.' She smiled. 'I like the snow. I like the sun. Wherever you decide, we'll make it good.'

'What a remarkably lucky man I am.' He cupped her face in his two hands. 'Have I told you that I love you?'

'No, but I knew it. You talked around it a lot, and I knew it was hard for you to come right out and say it.' She gave him a quick kiss. 'More of that later. Now you have to concentrate on more important things.'

'There's nothing more important, just more urgent.' He kissed her again and pulled her to her feet. 'Come on, let's get back to Bridget. I wouldn't want her to have a relapse.'

She fell into step with him. 'She's still strong enough to nag you.'

'But you'll be there to ward them both off and protect me. You can't imagine how secure that makes me feel.'

'Sarcastic bastard.' She punched him in the arm. 'You don't deserve me.'

'I know,' he said soberly. 'That's why I have to joke about it.'

She could feel her throat tighten with emotion. She reached down and patted Wiley's head. 'And do you have something to tell Bridget?'

'Yes.'

'Which is it? Snow or sun?'

'I grew up in the desert.' He smiled. 'What do you suppose? It has to be the sun.'

CHAPTER 21

Six months later

An island in the Caribbean

'I BELIEVE I'M JEALOUS, DEVON,' Bridget said as she got off the helicopter at the pad a short distance from the white plantation house. 'I just got back from Dublin, and the weather was less than balmy.'

'That's Marrok's main complaint.' Devon smiled as she gave Bridget a hug. 'He says the weather is too perfect. When he talks about sun, he wants hot and searing to the bone.'

'Where is he?'

'At the cottages. He's trying to negotiate a treaty between Janet and Sid. They don't agree on anything but Wiley. He said he'd meet us at the garden.' She studied her. 'You look very fit.'

Bridget made a face. 'It took forever to get back on my feet. Tell Marrok that his shi'i'go hocus-pocus is pretty slow going.'

'What do you expect? You were at death's door. Maybe beyond it. Are you going to stay the night?'

Bridget shook her head. 'No, the helicopter is supposed to pick me up in an hour. I have to get back to Dublin. Jordan wants me to go to Paris.'

'So naturally you'll do it,' Devon said.

'It's my job.' She started across the stretch of lush green grass toward the house. 'Just as Marrok was my job. How is he?'

'Starting to get bored and restless. It was fine while he was busy setting up his stockade here. But you know Marrok, he needs a challenge.'

'How about you?'

'Between taking care of the dogs, starting a new practice in town, and dealing with Marrok, I'm not lacking in challenges.'

Bridget studied her. 'You don't seem too harried. I've never seen anyone look so mellow.'

'No?' Devon smiled. 'I'm not ready to settle down either. But this period has been good for both of us. Why did you come? Just to check on your family's investment?'

'Partly. Partly to close unfinished business.' She gestured to the envelope she was carry ing. 'And to give this to Marrok.'

Devon gestured. 'Well, there he is.' Marrok was standing on the patio talking to Nick Gilroy and gesturing at the dogs running on the grounds a short distance away. 'Marrok likes to alter the exercise regimes for the dogs every other day. It may be good for them, but it's driving Nick crazy.'

'I can see Marrok has too much time on his hands,' Bridget murmured. 'I think we may have to save him from himself.'

Marrok turned to face them as Nick strolled down the steps and moved toward the dogs. 'Bridget.' He took her hands. 'You look well. Why are you here?'

'Nothing like being abrupt.' Bridget's gaze was on the dogs. 'That's quite a pack. Gracie is running with them. And there are several other dogs.'

'Why not?' Marrok said. 'We wanted to see if the shi'i'go dogs had the same effect on other dogs as they did on Sarah Logan's Monty.'

'And have they?'

'Only time will tell, but Devon said their checkups show an astonishing increase in strength and vitality.'

'I'm surprised Sarah let you bring Addie with you.'

Marrok smiled. 'I told her that we had to test her dogs sometime. If Monty and the others showed any sign of a decline when I took Addie away, I promised her I'd bring Addie back to her. Monty and Maggie have remained as strong as ever.'

'Then the effect is permanent.'

'Again, only time will tell. The outlook is leaning toward positive.'

'Good heavens, you sound like a scientist.'

'I feel like one.' Marrok grimaced. 'All I need is a clipboard and horn-rimmed glasses.'

'Sit down,' Devon said. 'Have a glass of iced tea.'

Bridget sat down at the table shaded by a turquoise umbrella. 'Thanks. I'm thirsty, and I have a lot of talking to do.'

Devon poured her a glass of tea. 'Catching up? We've been doing most of the talking.'

'What are Sarah and John Logan doing to legally protect the dogs?'

'Mostly exploratory work so far,' Marrok said as he dropped into a chair. 'John says that he has to have the right people in place before he even starts to leak any information about the shi'i'go.'

'That's smart,' Bridget said. 'Particularly since he doesn't have all the information himself.'

'He does.' Marrok's gaze flew to her face. 'I told Sarah and John everything. I couldn't expect cooperation unless I gave it.'

'My, my, how you've changed,' Bridget said. 'Your influence, Devon?'

'More tea?' Devon asked.

'You're being diplomatic.' Bridget grinned. 'And I do think that it's your influence.' She leaned back in her chair