individual, isnât he?â Jerome threw some money down on the table to cover their bill. âCome on, weâd better head for the campsite. Iâll get my ranger friends to do some investigating as to what that little meeting was all about.â
âDo you think he has something to do with the attack on your house and the threats?â Gemma stood up and pushed her chair back under the table.
Jerome shrugged. âWho knows? I doubt if dear Gerald would get involved himself, but I wouldnât put it past some of his henchmen.â
He led the way across the tearoom.
âArenât you concerned that heâs seen you here?â She asked.
Jerome paused at the side of his car. âI donât think Iâm in any physical danger from him, if thatâs what you mean.â A furrow of concern creased his brow. âAre you frightened, Gemma?â Her cheeks heated under his gaze. âNot frightened, exactly. Just a little concerned.â She couldnât imagine Gerald slinking up a mountain in the dark to assault them, but if Jerome was right about the manâs cronies then she would be lying if she didnât say she felt scared.
He stepped forward to lightly grasp the tops of her arms. âI wouldnât be taking you with me if I thought youâd be in any danger.â
She felt the reassuring heat from his touch race into her body and her pulse quickened.
âI swear everything will be fine. Itâll just be you, me and the wildlife.â
Gemma swallowed. âI donât know which is scarier - Geraldâs goons or you.â She was glad she managed to keep the wobble out of her voice as she cracked the joke.
âHa-de-ha! Iâll remind you of that when itâs all dark up that mountainside.â
Jeromeâs eyes twinkled and Gemma felt her blood heat at the idea of being alone with him.
âIn your dreams,â she retorted.
Jeromeâs eyes darkened and he bent his head so his lips brushed hers. âYou donât want to know how I see you in my dreams,â he murmured against her mouth.
Gemma gasped, shocked both by his words and the way her body had responded to him.
Jerome released her arms. âThe guys will be waiting for us.â
She got into his car in a daze. He took the road leading out of the valley before making a turn along an unmarked dirt track. Soon they had climbed high above the valley floor and along the edge of a pine forest.
âI donât think this is going to do your carâs suspension much good.â Gemma clutched at the handle on her side of the car as they rolled and pitched across the ruts in the track.
âWeâre going the rest of the way on foot.â Jerome halted in a small clearing in front of a locked five-bar gate. A dark green Land Rover with âForestry Commissionâ stamped on the side had already parked up. Two rangers waited by the gate.
âWe wondered when youâd get here.â The taller of the two men called out as he crossed over to the car. Jerome opened his door and got out.
âSlight hitch on the way. We bumped into Gerald Shakespeare and two suits in the tearooms.â
The ranger scowled as Jerome opened Gemmaâs door.
âWeâd heard rumors that heâs trying to get central government onside to overturn the planning restrictions for Maggieâs Fell.â
Gemma climbed out of the car and slid her seat forward so she could help unload the camping gear. Jerome introduced her to his companions and she colored as the rangers exchanged knowing smiles.
âSurely he wonât succeed though?â She hoisted her backpack on to her shoulders, staggering a little under the weight.
Maggieâs Fell was a large tract of mountainside famous for its unspoilt beauty and abundant wildlife. It also comprised a large area of flat land that was the main target of Gerald Shakespeareâs development plans. Under any normal