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CHAPTER 1

“You got another letter from moldy, old Dr. Mecate.”

Gina O’Neil glanced up from grooming a horse to discover her best friend, Jase McCord, holding up a brilliantly white business-sized envelope. She knew exactly what business it contained. How could she not, considering the obstinate Dr. Mecate had sent her at least half a dozen others just like it?

It would behoove you to allow me to dig on your property.

What in hell was a behoove?

Proving my academic theory would increase the cachet of your establishment.

She had the same question about cachet.

I would be happy to advance remuneration.

Who talked like that?

“Helloo.” Jase waved the envelope back and forth, his wide, high-cheekboned face softened by the chip in his front tooth that he’d gotten when he was bucked from a horse at the age of eight. His face, combined with his compact but well-honed body, made him look like a marauding Ute warrior, which was exactly what he would have been if born in a previous century. “What should I—?”

Gina snatched the envelope from his hand. “I’ll take care of it.” In the same way she’d taken care of all the others.

Direct deposit into the trash can.

Gina turned back to Lady Belle, and Jase, who was familiar with Gina’s moods, left.

Nahua Springs Ranch was not only Gina’s home but also her inheritance. Once one of the most respected quarter-horse ranches in Colorado, Nahua Springs had become, after the death of Gina’s parents nearly ten years ago, one of far too many dude ranches in the area. Nevertheless, they’d done all right. Until recently.

Recently she’d begun to receive as many letters from bill collectors as she did from Dr. Mecate. Certainly his remuneration would be welcome, considering their financial difficulties. Unfortunately, what he wanted from her was something Gina couldn’t give.

If she opened the letter she knew what she’d find. A request for her to let him search for Aztec ruins on her property.


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