Pearls (15 page)

“I found some over here too. Mine looks like a calendar, probably Rodrigo’s way of keeping track of the date. We’ll study them in further detail to see if they lend us any clues about the pearls.”

Smiling, Isabel ran her fingers over the cave walls, feeling an overwhelming sense of connection with her long-dead ancestors. Five-hundred years earlier, they’d stood on the exact spot she now occupied, driven from their people and all that was familiar, yet the journal told how they were completely at home in their love for one another. Would she ever find that sense of belonging in her own life?

After studying that spot for a few minutes, she continued her search of the chamber, inching slowly around the room, careful to take in every detail. Manuel seemed equally absorbed in the exploration, spending most of his time studying the pictures and markings on the walls.

“What’s taking so long back there?”

Isabel startled at the sound of Raúl’s voice. She’d forgotten all about him in the blessed peace created by his absence. She stepped to the opening. “It’s a good-sized chamber, and there are interesting markings on the walls. Would you like to have a look?”

“No. I’m ready to go back to the camp.”

Isabel sighed.
We should have sneaked away from camp without him this morning.
“Just give us a few more minutes.”

She moved back inside the chamber. “Why don’t we quit for the day and come back tomorrow without him. That way we can spend the whole day looking around. This is too interesting to hurry.”

Manuel nodded. “Our job will be easier if we’re not babysitting.”

A startled shout came from the main chamber, and Manuel and Isabel rushed to the opening.

Raúl held a lamp aloft with one hand while the other flailed wildly at the air. “Get away from me!” he shrieked. “Get away!”

Isabel heard the flap of wings and the odd squawk of the Guácharos as they shifted about, obviously disturbed by Raúl’s interloping. He continued to shout and shake his fist, only aggravating them more. Isabel watched with morbid fascination as a group of birds descended on Raúl, diving and circling with malicious intent, threatened by what they viewed as an intrusion.

Raúl dropped the lamp, throwing his arms over his head in an attempt to ward off the attack. His head snapped from side to side, looking for an escape. He made a run for the chamber opening, but his attempt to escape was thwarted when his feet slipped on the slick surface of the rocky floor. With a dull thud, he sprawled in a most ungraceful fashion on the ledge then rolled to his side and curled into a fetal position. Having neutralized their enemy, the birds lost interest and flew back to the dark ceilings above.

As Raúl pushed to his feet, a string of curses poured from his lips, surprising Isabel. He’d never talked that way in front of her—yet another reminder that she’d been in love with an ideal and not with the heart and soul of the man.

Behind her, Manuel shifted, and she realized his arm had slipped around her waist, a gesture both protective and possessive. She leaned back against him and felt his chest shaking in suppressed laughter.

“What’s so funny?” she whispered.

“Look at Raúl.” His lips brushed against her earlobe as he spoke, his warm breath fanning across her neck. “He’s covered in droppings.”

She noticed the slimy gray sheen that coated Raúl’s designer shirt and pants.

He brushed at his clothes, trying to remove the offending substance, then held his hands in front of his face, his features twisting in disgust. “The slime on the cave floor smells terrible.”

Manuel, who’d shown reluctance to speak to Raúl all day, suddenly became a fount of information. “Now, Raúl, we told you about the oil birds that inhabit this cave. And where there are birds, one will generally find bird droppings.”

A look of horror spread across Raúl’s face. “Do you mean, this is—”

“Yep. You found the bird poop.” Manuel slapped Raúl on the back, managing to avoid touching the soiled sections of the shirt.

Raúl’s unmanly shriek echoed through the large chamber. He rushed to the water’s edge and frantically tried to wash away the smelly substance.

Knowing how upset Raúl was, Isabel tried desperately to suppress her laughter, but the harder she tried to hide her amusement, the more her urge to laugh grew. Manuel’s uninhibited chuckle sent her over the edge. A giggle escaped and grew into a full-blown belly laugh until tears poured down her face.

Divine justice. Raúl had tortured them all day with his surly disposition, and in one glorious moment, God had issued vengeance. And only God could have served up a retribution so fitting.

Isabel’s stomach growled as they neared the campsite. The light meal they’d eaten at lunch hadn’t satisfied her appetite for long. Hunger had gnawed at her middle for over an hour. After Raúl’s misfortune in the cave, they’d returned to camp for a quick lunch, then spent the afternoon hiking some of the trails in the national park. Isabel and Manuel had tried to slip away, leaving Raúl at camp while they enjoyed time alone. But Raúl responded like an animal defending his territory and refused to allow them any privacy.

The jeep bumped over the last stretch of road, and Manuel steered it into the makeshift parking space. While he exited the driver’s side, Raúl jumped out of the passenger seat and moved to help Isabel down from her perch in the back of the jeep. She accepted his hand and hopped to the ground. The moment she landed on her feet, Raúl wrapped her in his arms and pulled her against him. Before she could launch a protest, his lips covered hers in a demanding kiss.

She stiffened and struggled against the hold he had on her, finally convincing him to release her. “What are you doing?” she hissed.

A devilish grin spread across his face, causing his dimples to appear full force. “If you couldn’t tell, perhaps I need to do it again.” His gaze dropped to her lips, and he moved toward her.

Pressing her palms hard against his chest, she backed away from him. “No, you don’t!” She turned toward their tents in time to see the dark look Manuel flashed her way.

Undeterred by her rebuff, Raúl kept a possessive hand on her back as they joined Manuel at the tents.

Manuel’s accusing stare flustered and embarrassed her, but Raúl seemed not to notice. He grabbed his bag of toiletries and a fresh shirt. “I’m going to that visitor’s center to wash in the restroom. Anyone else want to come?”

Isabel squatted by the box of food supplies. “Not me. I want to start supper before I starve.”

Manuel retrieved the miniature camping stove and set it on the ground near Isabel. One burner atop a small canister of fuel provided an efficient way for campers to cook. “I’ll help Isabel. We can clean up in the creek later.”

Raúl’s lip pulled up in disgust. “I don’t know how you can tolerate these living conditions. It’s unhygienic.” He stalked to the jeep, not waiting for a reply.

Tension drained from Isabel’s shoulders as he drove away. She hadn’t realized how much stress Raúl caused her until she had a moment away from him. She glanced up and caught Manuel staring at her. “What?”

He dropped his gaze to the matches in his hand. Taking one from the box, he struck it and lit the burner. “Hungry for something in particular?”

“I’m not picky.” She held up a can and studied the label. “I can make do with anything.”

“Yes. I’ve noticed.” He accepted the canned ham she offered him and attacked it with the can opener.

His tone and attitude confused her. He seemed to be referring to something more than dinner, but she couldn’t fathom what he was insinuating. She studied his face. “Are you angry?”

A muscle in his jaw flexed. “No.”

“You are! You’re mad.” She moved closer in order to study his face. “What’s wrong?”

He dumped the ham into a small pan and set it on the burner, refusing to look her in the eye.

Upset by his withdrawal, she reached out and touched his arm. “Manuel, please talk to me.”

He heaved a sigh. “He’s a pathetic excuse for a man, Isabel. I can’t understand your attachment to him. You seem like the type to look beyond a pretty face.”

She lowered herself to the ground and sat cross-legged, propping her elbows on her knees. Understanding dawned in her mind, and she smiled at him. “You’re jealous.”

His answer was part growl, part grumble, and fully incomprehensible. Moving like a robot, he continued to cook, refusing to give her any more clues about what he was thinking.

His reticence intrigued her, and she wanted nothing more than to question him until he’d revealed the depth of his feelings. The very idea that he might have feelings for her sent a shiver of anticipation through her. But if she questioned him, fairness would dictate that she reciprocate and share her feelings about him. In no way ready for that discussion, she dropped the issue, choosing instead to refute his earlier claim. “Do you think I’m still interested in Raúl?”

“I don’t have to think. I saw you kissing.”

“He kissed me. I didn’t kiss him. There’s a difference.”

Manuel’s “hmmph” suggested he disagreed.

Feeling suddenly defensive, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Look, Manuel, I’m in a tough position here. I’ve tried to explain to him that it’s over between us, but he refuses to accept it. I’d love to blast him when he pulls that Romeo stuff, but we need Raúl’s support to continue this search.”

“Or maybe you still care about him.”

Isabel laughed with derision. “Honestly, I can’t figure out what I saw in him in the first place. Why didn’t I notice how selfish and petulant he is?”

The endearing smile lines at the corners of Manuel’s eyes threatened to appear. “You’d never seen him under adverse circumstances. In Caracas he controlled his environment. Now that he’s not able to dictate every detail, you see him without the advantage of familiar territory.”

“Yeah, I noticed he’s out of his element here. But I don’t know how much more I can take. He’s really starting to annoy me. Will you hate me if I clobber him and alienate our only sponsor?”

Manuel grinned. “Not if you let me watch.”

She giggled, glad to feel the camaraderie between them restored. While she could endure Raúl’s complaining and unwanted advances, she couldn’t bear Manuel’s scorn and disapproval.

Isabel handed him another can then went to find the plates and silverware. They worked side-by-side, preparing a modest meal of
cachapas
, heavy corn pancakes filled with ham, beans, and cheese.

The jeep returned just as they dished up plates. Sporting a fresh shave and damp hair, Raúl looked as if he’d stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine. He caught her staring and flashed her a dimpled smile.

Her breath caught in her chest. No wonder she’d fallen for him. He was the very image of the Latin lover. What woman could resist such beauty when taken at face value?

Raúl sat beside Isabel, and she couldn’t help but enjoy the enticing scent of his cologne. His faults aside, she could give him credit for immaculate hygiene and impeccable taste in clothes. Isabel handed him a plate and a fork. He promptly cut a bite and lifted it to his mouth.

Manuel winked at Isabel and bowed his head. “
Padre Santo
, we thank you for this meal we are about to eat, and for your hand of blessing on our lives. Amen.”

“Amen.” From the corner of her eye, Isabel saw Raúl shake his head and stuff the bite into his mouth. Obviously, he saw no need to delay the meal to say a trivial prayer.

Isabel and Manuel settled into their canvas chairs and began eating. With the sun setting in the west, the forest creatures began their evening song. Isabel marveled at the peace and beauty around them, but the moment was short-lived.

“What is in this sorry excuse for a meal?” Raúl stared at his plate with disgust.

Isabel felt slightly offended by his insensitive comment. “It’s
cachapas
. You don’t like it?”

An insect biting at his arm interrupted his answer. He dropped the fork to his plate and smacked at the offending creature. A curse escaped his lips. “We haven’t had a decent meal in days.”

“I’ve enjoyed all our meals,” Isabel disagreed. “Maybe you’re being too picky.”

Raúl waved his hand in the air around his head. “Where are all these insects coming from?”

Isabel looked up and noticed the unusual number of bugs hovering in the air around him.

Manuel cleared his throat. “I told you several times already that the insects are attracted to fragrances. If you’d forego the cologne and hair products, you wouldn’t have a problem.”

Raúl glared at Manuel. “And then I would look like you, Manuel, barely more civilized than the animals that live here.”

Just then, a large fly landed on Raúl’s neck and bit him, eliciting a pain-filled yelp. He slapped at the offensive pest, but the bug had already inflicted its damage.

Manuel shrugged. “At least I won’t be covered with bug bites. You’re going to look beautiful with welts all over your body.”

Raúl jumped to his feet, sending his plate tumbling to the ground. “I will not stay in this godforsaken place a minute longer! How do you expect me to endure these conditions? I’ve not had a real shower in days; the bugs and mosquitoes are eating me alive; and that cot you expect me to sleep on could be classified as a torture device!”