Cody Night stood at the threshold of the pit and stared down at the rattlers. This sure wasn't how she'd planned to spend her summer vaccation in South America... standing at the edge of a pit filled with poisonous rattlers and a spire pressing into her back. She looked over at her partner/boyfriend Micheal Deavereax. Right now in his cotton slacks and his cotton shirt, she couldn't figure out what she'd seen in him. He'd just stood there when the natives ran into their camp while she fought. She always knew he wasn't a browler, but... "White woman with hair the color of the earth, you have traspassed onto our sacret ground. You must die for this." "Great chief, I didn't know it was sacret or would never have crossed onto it. Iam like you, great one, I have very powerful blood running through my veins... the blood of the Cherokee." The big chief stepped forward and looked down into her eyes. She tried not to flinch, but his eyes were so cold and deadly. He let a great loud laugh and shuved her backwards into the pit. She landed with a thud and for a moment she couldn't move for the wind was knocked from her. A loud hissss sounded close to her ear and she glanced over in time to see the rattler coil up and get ready to strike her. She flew to her feet and herd a rifle go off. She looked up as a body fell down in the pit with her. She closed her eyes afraid it was Micheal and herd a deep voice from above her head.

"Give me your hand, miss."

Cody opened her eyes and looked up into the most beautiful green eyes she'd ever seen. They were the kind of eyes she'd call "kiss me" green. She lifted up her hand and a calloused hand grasped it pulling her up out of the pit. She moved away from the pit when her feet touched the ground and looked up at the man who saved her. The green eyes were set into a tanned face and black hair framed his face... he was handsome. His shoulders were broader than some of the bramer bulls she's seen at the rodeo and his chest reminded her of a brick wall... so big and unmovable. He cut the ropes that bound her hands and began to speak again.

"My name is Dalton Reed. I'm here to get you out."
"The Dalton Reed... the adventuror?!"

He smiled and nodded. Cody smiled back shyly and remembered Micheal. She ran over to where he was tied and quickly cut the ropes.

"Micheal, when we get out of here we're through. We can still work together, but I'm not goin' back out with you."

He never said a word, just stroud out of the huge tent and Dalton stepped up beside her.

"So, Ms. Night, what are you doin' when you get back to the States?"
"You mean after I take a nice long bath? Well, I guess get back to college... unless you'd like to help me forget this and get on with my summer vaction."

Dalton laughed and offered her his arm.

"Maybe I'm willin' to take you up on that offer if you'd like to accompany me to Venice."
"I'd love to, but let's get outta here first. Where'd Micheal go?"