The Adventurer by Diana Whitney Page A

off-limits. Too unstable. she’d expected. When Devon hunched forward, she peered That’s why the Forest Service has them boarded up. ” over his shoulder, read the speedometer and flinched. Raw “Oh. ” Disappointed, she unfastened the chin strap and terror notwithstanding, they were only traveling thirty-five removed her helmet, being careful not to disturb the head miles an hour. Feeling a bit foolish, she began to relax and scarf. enjoy the ride. Devon regarded her thoughtfully. “If you’d like to see a Despite the chaotic mass of trails cut into the valley floor, working mine, I know a place out by Randsberg where a few Devon seemed to know exactly where he was going. the fol-bucks will buy us a tour. ” lowed a washboard road to a sloppy T, then took the left Her heart leapt at the suggestion. ” Do you really think we fork up into the hills, where the terrain changed drastically. could? ” The grade steepened and the narrow road clung to the jag- ” Absolutely. ” ged mountain like a wet ribbon. On one side was a vertical ” I can hardly wait, ” she said, shocked by a thrill of an wall of rock; on the other, the ground plummeted down into anticipation. Actually, she’d never given much thought to a deep gorge. mines or motorcycles or wild canyons before. Suddenly, she The higher they traveled, the tighter Jessica held on. By couldn’t think of anything else. Never in her life had she felt the time they emerged into the canyon, she was hugging q qqraq, so completely and utterly free. It was as though Devon hard enough to crack his ribs. When he pulled into eon had opened the door to a new world, a place where a scraped-gravel area and turned off the ignition, a massive sigh of relief fogged her visor. exhaustion came from pleasure instead of pain, and the tiniest wonders provided the greatest joys. Gazing around, she heaved a contented sigh.
    “This is just spectacular. “
    “I’m glad you like it, ” Devon said softly. Then he did something completely unexpected by reaching out and caressing her cheek with his thumb. “Has anyone ever told you what a glorious smile you have? ” Instantly tongue-tied, she avoided his warm gaze by staring across the rippling water and stammered, “Look. There’s a campground on the other side. ” Still stroking her tingling skin, Devon glanced over his shoulder at the scattering of parked vehicles. “It’s just a day camp. Overnighters aren’t allowed in this area. ” As if on cue, a green Forest Service truck rumbled down the road, crossed the creek and pulled up to a group of men who were donning backpacks. The ranger leaned out the window to chat with the hikers, one of whom pointed up into the rugged canyon hills. “The Forest Service patrols this area several times a day, ” Devon explained. “The ranger is probably checking their plans and warning them to stay on the trails. ” He stepped away then, tucking his gentle thumb into a belt loop.
    “Would you like to go over there? “
    A cool breeze swept her face, chilling away the warmth of his touch. She felt oddly bereft. “
    “You mean drive across the creek? “
    “I don’t think Bill would approve of having his prized dirt bike used as a ferry. ” Since the Forest Service truck had just traversed the shallows , Jessica knew that the water was no more than six inches deep. “Then I guess we’ll have to walk. “
    Devon stopped her as she knelt down to untie her shoelaces, i’ll walk.
    Madam will ride. ” “But how-? Oh, no!” She pressed her hands to her mouth and giggled. “I haven’t had a piggyback ride since I was seven years old. ” ‘ “Then it’s about time, wouldn’t you say? ” He bent his knees, squatting down to mounting height. “Hop on. ” ‘ It was, of course, a ridiculous notion. After all, Jessica was a grown woman and grown women do not climb on men’s backs. It was unseemly. It was childish. It was foolish She silently argued with herself for about three