Read Online Jed's Sweet Revenge by Deborah Smith - Free Book Online Page B

few people cared enough to notice it, and he understood that a lot of Roarke’s behavior came from a sense of having lost everything when Jed’s mother died. Amanda Gregg Powers had tamed him for a few years, but after her death he spiraled toward oblivion with single-minded disregard for the consequences. He had died in a drunken knife fight in Tucson, Arizona.
    A commotion on the right of the forest trail brought Jed’s attention back to the present. Out of a big rhododendron flew a gawky, bottom-heavy bird with a wingspan easily five feet across. It lumbered upward and disappeared over the treetops.
    “A wild turkey,” Thena explained. Jed looked at her and found her smiling toward the piece of sky where they’d last seen the monstrosity. “Wasn’t he beautiful?”
    “Sure. Just like a flyin’ elephant. But if you say he’s beautiful, then I’ll agree.”
    “Why, thank you,” she said primly. “Courtship has made you a more likable human being.”
    “You’re welcome. Now about this courtship—”
    “You’re going to see a wonderful sight, Jedidiah.” She intended to keep this conversation on impersonal ground. “Close your eyes.”
    “Oh, no.” He slapped JackJaw’s neck ruefully. “This little stud is probably trained to throw me when you give some hand signal. I don’t trust you.”
    She laughed. “Close your eyes. I’ll lead JackJaw.” She reached over and took the nylon line from Jed’s hand. He arched a brow at her and attempted to assess the situation.
    “This is silly. I don’t like to play games,” he grumbled. A blush began to creep under the tan on his neck.
    “That’s too bad, Jedidiah. You need to learn to relax.” Actually, he looked as if he was never anything but relaxed, Thena thought in dismay. He reminded her of a lazy, watchful wolf, always conserving his energy for the hunt. “Please. I want you to enjoy the full effect of what you’re about to see.”
    “Oh, hell, all right.” Feeling very uncomfortable and unprotected, he shut his eyes and put a hand on each taut hip, trying to maintain a nonchalant attitude.
    “Oh, you’re so trusting.” She chuckled. “What a sucker.”
    “You got thirty seconds, gal. And it better be good.”
    “It will be.” She led JackJaw beside Cendrillon, guiding both horses out of the forest onto the edge of what had once been a magnificent rolling lawn. “Smell the air, Jedidiah. It’s sweeter here because there are dozens of magnolia trees.”
    He inhaled the scent, and it brought a disturbing, poignant feeling into his chest. There was no world beyond this world, no voice other than Thena’s, nothing more important than staying here, near her. For the first time in his life, he felt at home. The sudden and unexpected idea threw him for a loop.
    “Just a few feet farther, Jedidiah. Keep your eyes closed.”
    “We’re outside the woods now, aren’t we? We’re in some kind of clearin’.”
    “That’s right. Listen to the grass rustling aroundthe horses’ knees. Doesn’t it sound like whispers? The island spirits are whispering about us.”
    “They’re sayin’, ‘Look at that idiot with his eyes shut.’ ”
    She laughed in delight. “No, they’re happy that you’re here.”
    “No, they’re not.” He was serious.
    Thena stopped the horses side by side. For a second she fingered Cendrillon’s white mane nervously, hoping that what Jed was about to see would make all the difference in his feelings for Sancia. She reached over and touched his forearm. The hard muscles tightened in response.
    “Now, Jedidiah,” she said softly, “keep your mind and your heart open. Promise me you won’t say anything for a while. Promise me you’ll just be quiet and absorb what you see. It’s only fair.”
    “My mind’s open, my mouth’s shut, I’m absorbin’. Okay, I promise.”
    “Then look at your mother’s home.”
    Shock ran through him as his eyes opened. Every muscle inside him twisted with emotion. Part of