Chapter eleven

Pat used the gate key Dr. Cambridge had given her and drove down the dirt road just as the sun was rising over the bay. She stopped and stood on the back of her Jeep, camera pointing to the sunrise. She captured the dunes as they glowed pink, then hurried on past the Visitor's Center and stopped where the trail snaked down to the water. She jogged the last few yards, then fell to her knees, taking several shots of the water as it shimmered with the red and pink reflection of the sun as it rose, seemingly still dripping with water as it hovered above the bay. When the colors changed, she put her camera down and watched, unconscious of the smile that appeared on her face as pelicans flew across the bay.

She had seen more sunrises than she could count but they never failed to thrill her by their beauty. Finally she stood and dusted the sand off her knees and walked slowly back to her Jeep, eyes scanning her surroundings for any sign of movement. She spotted a few seagulls as they started their hunt for food and then the ever-present vultures that left their roost in the oaks. In the winter, she could imagine Osprey as they fished, wings spread beautifully as they soared over the bay. She grudgingly admitted that the preserve was a wonderful idea. The Thompson Ranch had been around forever but the public was never allowed on the property. Now, this part would be opened up for others to enjoy, just as she had enjoyed the sunrise.

She went back to her Jeep and drove the rest of the road until it stopped where the marshes were going to be reconstructed. Earth-moving equipment was already present but no work had begun yet. She took several shots of the flat grassland, trying to envision what it would look like with water instead of grass. Carly had told her they would restore this area first, so that visitors could see their progress and eventually move inland to restore the fifty-something acres that had been filled in by the Thompsons over the years.

She walked on into the woods, trying to get her bearings. She assumed she would spend many mornings out here, hiking. She swatted at a mosquito that was trying to have her for breakfast and knew the number would increase dramatically when the marshes were back. But, food for the birds, she knew. And, it was one of the curses to living near the bay. She had no problems with them on the island.

She walked on until the oak motes became too dense, the underbrush growing so thickly she could not penetrate. She wondered how the deer managed to get around in there but knew they did. She also knew that Dr. Cambridge planned on thinning the underbrush in places and allow the oak trees to grow unimpeded by the thick cover.

Much to her surprise, she found a newly hatched nest of cardinals in the low brush. The male was not at all happy with her appearance so she stayed back and sat for nearly a half-hour until the parents grew accustomed to her and continued to visit the nest. She shot nearly a roll of film on the nest alone.

Finally she stood, her aching muscles complaining at having been cramped too long. She made her way back to her Jeep and drove to the ranch house. Carly's Jeep was parked out front and Pat debated whether to drive right past or stop. She decided to stop.

Carly and Elsa were both on the floor, flat on their stomachs as they pulled cables behind the built-in desks. Elsa insisted that they move them and Carly, knowing little about the workings of computers, agreed. A loud voice behind them startled them.

" Am I interrupting? "

Carly banged her head on the desk and cursed. Elsa poked her head out without hitting anything, her eyes widening.

" Mi Dios, " she murmured.

Carly looked up, right into long, tanned legs. Her eyes followed their length, finally stopping at the amused face of Pat Ryan. Shit.

" Dr. Cambridge, hello again, " she said, squatting down beside the prone woman. " Busy doing environmental stuff, I see."

I hate her. Carly sat up and faced Pat Ryan, her smiling face only inches away.

" You're a little late, aren't you? " She reached behind her and rubbed her head where she'd smacked it.

Pat laughed and leaned back on her heels, away from Carly.

" I was here at sunrise, thank you. Where were you? Still in bed? There's land to preserve, you know. Wildlife to save."

Carly gritted her teeth and ignored the soft chuckle from Elsa. She stood, moving away from the photographer. Pat stood, too, and pulled the cap off her head, letting her dark hair cascade around her face.

" I wanted to shoot the Visitor's Center before the men showed up but I ended up playing with some cardinals instead. I'll try to get it tomorrow, " she said.

Carly stared at the woman before her, high cheekbones now framed in dark hair, blue eyes shining back at her. But only for an instant. Pat Ryan secured her hair again and slipped the cap back on.

" Cardinals? "

" Yeah. Found a nest in the brush. Thought it might look good on one of your little brochures, " she said.

" Good. Glad you're working."

" I don't believe we've met, " Elsa finally said, standing as well. " I'm Elsa Sanchez. Computer nerd."

" Nice to meet you, Elsa. Pat Ryan. I volunteered to photograph this...work in progress."

" Yes. I hear your aunt is very persuasive, " Elsa said with a smile.

Pat laughed again. " I see you've heard. But, I'm sure it will be enjoyable. Entertaining, at least, " she said and smiled at Carly.

" Don't you have to get going and...develop something? " Carly asked, suddenly feeling uncomfortable in the woman's presence.

" Well, I can help you down on the floor there, if you need? "

This time Elsa laughed and Carly neatly ignored both her and Pat Ryan. I hate them both.

" We don't need any help, thank you. In fact, we were nearly done."

" Well, then I guess I'll go...develop something." Pat grinned at Elsa. " Nice meeting you. I'm sure I'll see you about."

" Same here."

Pat tipped the bill of her cap then turned and walked purposefully from the room, leaving both women staring after her.

" Dios, " Elsa said again.

" I really wish you would quit saying that."

" She's...outstanding, " Elsa murmured. " Do you think she's...? "

" Do I think she's what? "

" You know, gay? "

" How the hell should I know? " Carly exploded. " And why the hell should I care? "

" Sorry."

" Don't start, Elsa, " Carly warned.

" Don't worry. I wouldn't dream of it."

" Because for one thing, I don't even like the woman. She's arrogant. I can hardly stand to be around her."

" Yes, I can tell."

" And another thing, she's...insufferable, " Carly said for lack of finding another suitable word to describe the obnoxious Pat Ryan.

" Yes, insufferable."

" Obnoxious."

" Yes, obnoxious."

Carly turned on Elsa, hands on hips as she glared at her. " Are you mimicking me? "

" Me? Why in the world would you think that? "

Carly pointed at her, shaking her finger in Elsa's face. " Because I know you and I can see the wheels turning. Don't even think about it."

" I wouldn't dream of it."

" Are you two fighting? " a male voice asked and they both turned to see Martin watching them from the doorway.

Carly recovered first. She moved away from Elsa and towards Martin.

" Of course not, Martin. We don't fight. She just delights in irritating me, " Carly said and tossed a glance back at Elsa who stuck her tongue out at her, causing Carly to laugh.

" I'm glad you're here, Martin. You can help me with these cables. Dr. Cambridge has...environmental stuff to do, " Elsa said.

" I hate you, " Carly whispered, but Elsa only grinned, pulling Martin with her. The smile that Martin gave Elsa caused Carly to raise her eyebrows. It appeared Martin was smitten with her assistant.