“Another sure sign,” Laura declared. “Unstable and heightened emotions.”

Then she heard a voice, slow, deep, and male, and admitted that pregnancy wasn’t the only cause of unstable and heightened emotions. Lust was definitely right up there in the running.

With her hand still on Kate’s shoulder, she got to her feet.

“Is this club for women only?”

“Depends.” Margo went to automatic purr. “On the man. Want to help us look for treasure, Michael?”

“You all would be pretty ticked if I got lucky and found it first shot, after all the time you’ve put in.”

“He has a point.” Kate reached up to pat Laura’s hand, signaling that she was fine now. “Anyway, men just don’t get Seraphina’s dowry. Do they, Mick?”

“Seems to me if she’d had one, she’d have been better off doing something with it instead of burying it somewhere and taking a header off a cliff.”

“See?” Her point made, Kate rose. “I’m going to check out lunch. Rumor is Mrs. Williamson made potato salad.”

“I’ll give you a hand.” Enjoying the tension that had leapt into the air, Margo decided to let it hum. She sent Michael a quick wink before following Kate.

“I’d gone upstairs to make some calls,” Michael began before Laura could retreat. “Looked out the window and saw five pretty girls scattered over the cliffs. It was hard to think about going back to work without getting a closer look.”

“We try to spend a few hours out here every Sunday. So far we’ve found two coins. Or rather Margo found one and Kate found one. The girls and I are batting zero.”

“Is it important to you? Finding gold?”

“The hunt’s important. And the mood.” She shifted her gaze to the sea. “The possibilities. I imagine her there, that young girl standing on the edge of the cliff thinking she had nothing left to live for.”

“There’s always something to live for.”

“Yes, there is.” She did retreat, the few bare steps the rocks allowed, when he lifted a hand to her face. “I should help with lunch. You’re welcome to have some if you like.”

“I wanted to talk to you about the girls, if you have a minute.”

“Oh.” The wariness in her eyes became concern. “If they’re getting in your way—”

“Laura,” he said patiently. “Do you really think you’re the only one who can appreciate their company?”

“No, of course not.” Annoyed with herself, logic hampered by rampaging emotions, she dropped her hands to her sides. “What is it?”

“I’ve been giving them a few pointers in the saddle. Kayla . . .” He glanced back, grinning as he watched the little blond head bob. “She’s a pistol. She’d be doing bare-back jumps if I let her.”

“Please.” Laura shuddered. “My heart.”