His pale green eyes widened as if he suddenly realized the thoughtlessness of his words. “Forgive me, Dr.—I mean—Amaranth. I didn’t mean to be rude. I simply meant that—”
She silenced him by lifting her hand. “Stop while you’re ahead, Samual. No need to dig that hole any deeper. I know what you meant.”
He lifted the basket and cast a pleading look at Jovianna. “I brought enough for three.”
Poor Samual. Jovianna almost felt sorry for him. Almost. After all, his discomfort was his own fault. Several times now, and for a multitude of reasons, she had gently but firmly declined his suggestions that they get together during off-hours. They worked too closely at the university. Mixing pleasure with business was all well and good until something went wrong and made the workplace uncomfortable for everyone.
She relieved him of the wine, took it over to his car, and placed it back inside. “A picnic for three before we descend into the gorge sounds lovely. But I think water is a better pairing with lunch. The way down can be tricky.” A glance at the increasing dreariness of the sky made her frown. “And if a storm blows in while we’re walking the gorge, we’ll need our wits about us. Flash flooding, you know.”
“Too true.” Samual scowled at the picnic basket as though he despised the thing. “Trouble is, I didn’t think to bring any water.”
“No worries,” Amaranth called out as she popped open the back of Jovianna’s Land Rover. “Jovianna always brings a case or two when we take our little outings. Staying hydrated is very important. My girl never forgets the lessons she learned on the digs.”
“I didn’t realize your historical studies included archeology. How interesting.” Samual offered Jovianna his best smile in an awkwardly endearing sort of way.
“They don’t, actually.” Jovianna joined her mother at the back of her vehicle and added extra cans of water to her backpack. “But when your childhood is spent traveling the world with your parents as they unearth history, you pick up a few things.” She held out a refillable bottle. “You can use this one if you like.”
“Thank you.” He took it from her and slid it into the oversized pocket of his baggy shorts. “I already found the perfect spot. Shall we eat before we explore?”
Amaranth smiled, then nudged her shoulder against Jovianna’s and lowered her voice. “Shall I feign an attack of old age so you can see about getting caught in his belt buckle again?”
“Stop it,” Jovianna hissed before turning to Samual and waving him on. “You go ahead and set up. Amaranth and I have a few things to gather. Be there in a sec.”
As soon as he got well out of earshot, she turned back to her feisty parent. “For the love of all things peaceful and good, will you please behave yourself? You know I adore our outings. Don’t make this one memorable for all the wrong reasons. Please?”
Her mother shrugged, then held up both hands as though surrendering. “I simply thought you might like a lovely summer tumble with such a fine specimen.” She leaned to one side and eyed Samual as he bent over to unload the basket. “Excellent hips. I’m sure his thrusting power would not disappoint.”
“He is five years younger than me,” Jovianna said.
“Your father was five younger years than me.” Amaranth quietly chuckled. “That was a good thing, he always said. An older man would never have had the stamina I required.”
“I think I just vomited a little.” Jovianna handed the lighter backpack to her mother.
“How do you think you got here, Jovianna?” Amaranth swung the bag up onto her shoulders with the smoothness and agility of someone half her age. “Come now, sweetie. I would never say anything improper in front of one of your colleagues.” Her smile somehow became a little more mischievous. “Now, I’m not saying I won’t make him or you uncomfortable for the sheer pleasure of it, but you know I won’t say anything inappropriate that he could use against either of us.”
“I know.” Jovianna slung her pack over her shoulder and locked up her vehicle, finding some small comfort in knowing that her mother would never do anything that would endanger their reputations or their careers. Amaranth loved to tease, but she prized their lifetimes of work and study for the treasure that it was. Jovianna nudged her mother as she fell in step beside her. “I agree he is a fine specimen, but work romances can be so very messy.”
Amaranth nodded. “Indeed. Remember Viola, Meredith, and Herbert? Lost three excellent educators over that brouhaha.”
Samual rose and gave a theatrical bow as they approached. “If you’ll be seated, dear ladies, it would be my honor to serve you.”
“My, my,” Amaranth said as she swung her bag to the ground.
“Ever the considerate gentleman,” Jovianna added, deciding a little flattery wouldn’t hurt. After all, he had laid out quite an impressive spread of cheeses, fruits, and touchingly fancy crackers and biscuits. She felt sure that once the eligible females of Glasgow discovered him, he would soon forget all about her. He merely needed a little more time to settle in and get to know the area. “You did bring enough for three. My goodness, Samual. If we enjoy all this, we’ll be napping rather than trekking through the gorge.”
The man looked so pleased he almost glowed. “Nothing is too good for the esteemed Jacobs ladies.”
“The biscuits are divine,” Amaranth said as she nibbled one while circling the rest of the plates. “I shall recommend you for immediate tenure, young man.”
“I vote we eat just enough to hold us through the gorge, then come back and enjoy our fill to renew ourselves,” Jovianna said. She knew if they ate too much of the richness spread before them, they wouldn’t be fit to explore anything. Her napping comment had not been a joke. “What say you both? Save the lion’s share for after we’ve walked a bit?”
“We can enjoy some cheeses and bits of apple,” Amaranth said with an authoritative nod at the rest. “The high carbohydrates and sugary treats will serve us better later.” She turned to Samual. “Do you not agree with Jovianna?”
“Absolutely.” His tone of adoration almost made Jovianna choke on the cracker she’d just swallowed. “Whatever Jovianna decides is always fine by me,” he added with a warm smile.
Amaranth circled the blanket covered in food again, nudging Jovianna as she passed. “God bless him, he has it bad,” she said barely loud enough to be heard.
“Beg pardon?” Samual looked up from filling a small plate.
“She always says a blessing before she eats,” Jovianna said. “God bless the ham and don’t let the cheese go bad. I think she picked it up from a Scot. Didn’t you, Mother?”
“Oh yes,” Amaranth said while dutifully crossing herself. “A very virtuous colleague I once worked with on a dig in the Hebrides instilled the trait within me.”
“Here you are.” Samual held out a plate to Amaranth, then tipped a quick nod at Jovianna. “And yours is coming.”
“Served me first,” Amaranth said under her breath. “Wise young man, indeed.”
“You promised to behave,” Jovianna whispered.