In Too Deep (11 page)

Whatever the truth, there was no hostility from the others. When Cara approached, the leader gestured for her to sit, then began speaking slowly. She was able to understand some of what he said, but she looked to Rod for a translation. He was able to fill in some of the gaps.

“He says that this will not be the first time the government has paid no attention to the Lacandones' wishes. The government tells them go here, go there. It is the way of the world. He says when the government wished to buy the mahogany trees, he tried to explain they were not his to sell. They were put here by the gods, not man. Still, the trees were cut down. People came who did not understand the land. They have destroyed it.”

Cara watched the man's eyes as he spoke and saw the sorrow, the resignation. He reminded her of the American Indians, whose lands were lost to a civilization they didn't understand.

“Will he fight?”

Rod asked the question for her, then listened to the response before saying, “He says there would be no point.”

“But where will his people go?”

Apparently Señor Castillo sensed her compassion, because for the first time his expressionless face creased with a faint smile.

“He says they will do as they have always done. They will move on to the next place. They are few, their needs are slight, and it is still a big forest.”

Suddenly Rod seemed surprised by something the man said. “He asks if you would like to see the land they farm.”

Cara nodded with enthusiasm, though she feared another slash-and-burn piece of farmland. “Of course.”

Proudly the men led them to land that had been cultivated in tune with the rain forest. Cara's eyes widened at the variety of crops they found. Corn, rice, pineapple, limes, oranges, avocados and tobacco flourished. Here there was no evidence of the destructive slash-and-burn technique. She asked about it.

“That is the way of the newcomers who know nothing of the land,” Rod translated. Cara was able to detect the bitterness in the Lacandones's voice. “He says they have been able to farm the same land over and over because they understand it and respect it. As a result the gods are kind and their harvest is bountiful.”

“Tell him I am impressed,” Cara said in Spanish, hoping that Señor Castillo would understand enough of the words to hear her enthusiasm.

This time the man's smile was wide. He offered them food before they continued on their journey. Over the meal he told them of the Mayan legends and gods.

“We pray to Hachäkyum to watch over us and heal us. This is the traditional way. We also have Känänk'ash, the Lord of the Forest, and K'ak, the Lord of Fire. Yaxchilan and Palenque are the ceremonial sites of our religion. We continue to make pilgrimages there to show the gods we have not forgotten them, even as the world around us changes.”

“But Yaxchilan would be lost if the dam were constructed,” Cara said with a sudden feeling of dismay.

“It may make the gods very angry,” he responded simply. “Perhaps if we light incense and make foods for the gods, they will understand. We will hear their answers if we listen well to the wind.”

It was with the disquieting sense that she might be a party to the further destruction of a gentle way of life that Cara said goodbye.

Señor Castillo looked into her eyes and Cara had the feeling that he could see into her soul. “You will do no harm,” he said quietly. “I believe that you are a kindred spirit.”

His faith weighed on her. As they prepared to leave, the woman they had seen earlier approached and shyly offered her one of the clay figures.

“Gracias,”
Cara said, touched by the gesture.
“Es muy bonita.”

Then she noticed the woman staring at the red bandanna knotted around her neck. She took it off and held it out. The woman took it and a smile lit her dark, serious eyes.

“Bonita,”
she said softly.

As Cara left the camp, she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. It was as if she'd been touched by something pure and gentle, only to discover it was endangered—and by her. Even Rod seemed to have become caught up in the mystical mood. His expression was brooding and he was quiet as they walked toward the archaeological site. Finally he looked down at her. He reached out and took her hand in his and held it tightly.

“Having second thoughts, princess?”

Cara nodded. “How are we ever supposed to know what's right?”

He ran a finger along her cheek. “I think you just have to do what's in your heart.”

Cara trembled at his touch. What was in her heart right now was need beyond anything she'd ever known before. She wanted this sometimes sensitive, sometimes impossible man to hold her and teach her everything there was to know about passion. It was as if the visit to the Lacandones had somehow awakened her to the importance of many things, including love. Like the rain forest, love came with no guarantees that it would last forever. It was up to the individual to treasure it and respect the gift while it was his. She raised her face to Rod's, her eyes still shimmering with unshed tears.

“Don't look at me like that,” Rod whispered with raw urgency. “Not unless you mean for me to make love to you here and now.”

She looked away, but the yearning built inside her, growing more powerful by far than the doubts. “I'm not sure what I want anymore.”

The smile he gave her was rueful. “Not exactly the passionate declaration I was hoping for, princess, but you're getting closer.”

“That's what I'm afraid of,” she said and lapsed into silence.

* * *

It was late afternoon when they arrived at the archaeological site. The man who came to greet them was tall and distinguished, with touches of silver in his black hair. If he was disconcerted by their unexpected appearance, he hid it well.

“So, Señor Craig, you are back again,” he said enthusiastically. “I thought perhaps your work would be completed by now.”

“There have been some delays,” Rod told him. “But we will be finished soon. Señorita Scott wished to meet with you to discuss your feelings about the dam before we leave. Cara, this is Rafael Riva. He discovered this site and is in charge of the research.”

“Señorita, it is my pleasure,” Rafael said, bowing over her hand. She searched his expression for some sign of antipathy, but he seemed sincerely delighted to see them. “I appreciate your willingness to come all this way to talk with us.”

Before Cara could respond, there was a whoop of delight from Rod and she turned just in time to see his face light up as he spotted a woman coming toward them. Slender, her midnight black hair flowing down her back, she walked with the regal bearing of a woman who was totally sure of herself. With a thoroughly unfamiliar sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, Cara watched as Rod swept the woman into an exuberant embrace and swung her around. She had no doubts at all that this was Maria Herrera.

“They are old friends,” Rafael said in a low voice, apparently reading Cara's sudden attack of insecurity. “Do not seek out trouble where there is none.”

She looked into kind eyes that danced with amusement. “You can be so certain?” she said dubiously. “They appear quite fond of each other.”

“As they are. But I know Maria well, señorita,” he said with conviction. “Her heart lies elsewhere. As for Señor Craig, his eyes light only for you. You have nothing to worry about.”

Before she could respond, Rod was bringing Maria over and she found her hand clasped by cool, slender fingers.

“So,” Maria said, surveying her knowingly from head to toe. “This is the one. She is very beautiful.”

Cara glanced at Rod, who was looking thoroughly uncomfortable. “Don't mind Maria,” he advised. “She thinks she sees things.”

“Do not make light of my skill,
amigo
,” Maria retorted, responding to his teasing. “It is a gift.”

“What is it that you think you see?” Cara asked, intrigued.

“A marriage, perhaps. Lovers, surely.”

Cara choked. An embarrassed flush sped to her cheeks.

Maria laughed. “Now, let us leave these two men to their talk. You and I will get to know one another. You will share my tent. There is water there, if you wish to clean up a bit. And then we will all have dinner. The others will be here soon.”

She bestowed another kiss on Rod's lips, then linked her arm through Cara's and led her away. Cara's head was reeling. She had come here expecting to find a rival. Rod had seen to that with his veiled innuendoes. Instead she had found a willing coconspirator determined to see her in Rod's arms.

* * *

When the two women had gone, Rafael regarded Rod seriously. “What are these delays you speak of,
amigo
? They are serious?”

Instinctively trusting the man he knew Maria loved, Rod spoke openly of the incidents of sabotage and terrorism.

“Do you fear I am responsible?” Rafael asked with disconcerting directness.

“I would not like to believe that,” he said, searching the older man's face. He did not flinch under the penetrating gaze.

“But you are not certain?”

“I cannot be certain of anything.”

Rafael calmly withstood the scrutiny and the doubting words. “You can be sure of this. I have told you my objections to this dam. I think I have made you understand. That is all I can ask. If there are others who threaten you, I assure you it is not with my cooperation.”

“Any idea who those others might be?”

Rafael shrugged. “It would be only guesswork. I have no evidence.”

Rod wondered how much he really knew and why he was so willing to hide even his suspicions. “Do you think they're simply trying to make a point or do you think they'll actually attack us, if they get the chance?”

Rafael clearly detected the subtle attempt to trap him into a revelation. He smiled and reminded him, “Not knowing who they are, I cannot say, but I am sure you can protect yourself.”

“I'm not worried for myself. It's Cara. Her turning up here has been an added complication. If anything happened to her, I'd never be able to forgive myself.”

“So, Maria's insight is not so far off the mark after all, is it,
amigo
?” Rafael said with a laugh.

“She is the daughter of an old friend,” Rod countered defensively.

“He would disapprove?”

Rod thought about that seriously for the first time. No. Scottie probably would not disapprove. In fact, the sly old fox had probably set it up. “Perhaps not,” he admitted.

“But you still fight it?”

Rod gave him a knowing look and dared a more personal comment than their brief acquaintance justified. “As you do, my friend. As you do.” After no more than a beat, he inquired pointedly, “When will you marry Maria?”

“So,” Rafael said, at once becoming more serious. “This is, how you say, turnabout? Maria and I understand each other. We will find our own way in time.”

“Just don't wait too long,” Rod urged. “Someday I would like to see you both bouncing babies on your knees when I come to visit.”

Rafael's expression hardened. “You look to your own house,
amigo
.”

Rod accepted the subtle criticism. “You are right. I have overstepped.”

Rafael put a companionable arm across his shoulders. “Only out of concern for Maria. I respect that.” He smiled. “But we will talk of this no more tonight.”

“Agreed,” Rod said. “Tell me, do you have a radiophone here at the camp?”

“Of course.”

“Would it be possible for Cara to use it to reach her father? He's been ill and he'll begin worrying if he doesn't hear from her soon.”

“Whenever she wishes, but what of your transmitter? Surely you didn't come into the rain forest without one?”

“It was destroyed by vandals my first week out. I haven't been in touch with the office since then. That's what brought Cara flying down here.”

“An incredible woman to come to your rescue in this way.”

Rod shot him a wry look. “She didn't come to save me, Rafael. She came to wring my neck.”

O
nce she'd washed up and changed to her other clothes, Cara felt almost civilized. She was anxious to see Rafael's work and to talk to him and his staff about the dam. She also wanted to hear Maria's views, especially about the Lacandones. Cara had no doubt at all that Maria's opinions would be outspoken and informed. Already Cara had come to respect the other woman's intelligence and sensitivity.

She had a suspicion, for instance, that Maria had read her feelings for Rod on her face, not in the stars. Correctly interpreting the insecurity, just as Rafael had, Maria had then compassionately set about putting her mind at ease. Cara was less sure how Maria had reached her conclusions about Rod's carefully guarded feelings. In both instances, Maria seemed to have insight into emotions that Cara and Rod had not yet acknowledged, even to themselves. All because of the gift, no doubt!

Cara gazed in the mirror, her expression thoughtful as she considered Maria's actions. Running a brush through her damp hair, Cara was still trying to tame the curls and understand the woman when Maria returned to the tent.

“You are ready?” she inquired in her low, musical voice. “I will take you to the work tent. It serves also as our dining room during these days when the heat is too much to permit eating outdoors.”

“Couldn't we tour first?”

Maria smiled at her eagerness. “It would offend Rafael. Even here, he enjoys playing the host. Already he has opened a bottle of wine to celebrate your visit. Unfortunately, the meal is not likely to match the wine. We are limited here to foods that will not spoil. I arrived only two days ago, so we do have some cheese and fresh bread and fruit.”

“Very continental,” Cara said.

“That is good,” Maria said with an approving smile. “You look on the bright side always. Your Rod—”