Her reward was another grin. “This page has a printer symbol up in the corner. Click there.” A whirring noise from the printer to her left heralded a sheaf of papers, produced in just seconds. “There’s your information.”
“Great.” She went back to the search page for more listings. “I can’t believe what I’ve missed. You could find almost anything you wanted on the Internet.”
He chuckled. “You can buy almost anything you want.”
She widened her eyes. “Anything?”
Standing up, he gazed down at her. “Groceries, clothes, books, furniture...you could probably buy yourself a private airplane, if you wanted. Or a yacht. You must have seen the ads on TV.”
Her cheeks heated with a blush. “Our sets were always secondhand and usually didn’t work very well, so I never paid much attention to commercials. We couldn’t afford cable service, didn’t have computers or fancy phones. Just the basics.”
“But even with minimum TV—”
“The kids and I watched their shows on public TV, or videotapes. You can find lots of those in the thrift stores. When he was home, Travis tuned in to sports, but we were usually in another room because he would be getting drunk.” Now her whole face felt hot. “Nathan took classes in computers at school, but since we didn’t have one...” She shrugged. “He did his homework before he came home.”
“Well, now you know what to do.” He walked to the door. “I’ll leave you to surf to your heart’s content. Have fun.”
The clock in the corner of the screen said eleven thirty when Susannah finally slumped against the chair and rubbed her eyes. She’d printed out a stack of paper about an inch thick—between her computer use and Amber’s art projects, she should buy Wyatt a pack of paper very soon. But she had a much better understanding of the meals they should provide for Lena to stay healthy. In fact, all the kids could use less sugar and starch in their diets, more fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
Gathering her research, she went to tell Wyatt she’d finished. He sat in the rocking chair in the living room with a book, of course, and Honey curled up at his feet. The dog thumped her tail as Susannah came in but otherwise didn’t move.
Wyatt glanced up from his pages. “You found what you wanted?”
She held up her pages. “I could have kept going all night. But I have enough information to get started. Thanks for bringing me into the twenty-first century.”
“You’re more than welcome. Feel free to use the computer anytime.”
Something about the night or her mood—or maybe the warmth in his dark brown eyes—brought a confession to the surface. “I feel pretty stupid, being so far behind the rest of the world. I’m determined that at least Nathan and Amber will get a good education.” She gave a wry laugh. “Though how my parents could have stopped me from running away, I don’t know. Maybe if they’d accepted Travis, instead of trying to keep us apart...”
“You’re not stupid,” Wyatt said in a stern voice. “But it bothers you, not graduating from high school?”
Lips pressed together, she nodded.
“Me, too. That’s why I earned my GED. It’s the equivalent of a high school diploma for going to college or getting a job.”
Susannah huffed a frustrated breath. “Something else I’m not caught up on.”
He frowned at her. “No discouragement allowed. As your computer instructor, I’m giving you an assignment—look it up. Go to the computer and find out about the GED. Then we’ll talk.”
An hour later she returned with more papers and dropped down onto the sofa. “Four tests! I can’t possibly pass four tests. Social Studies? Science? Math? Not to mention I haven’t written an essay since before Nathan was born.”
He marked the page in his book and closed it. “You’ll have to study. And you don’t have to take the tests all at once. But you could do it, Susannah. If you want to.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because you’re a survivor. You’ve come out of a bad situation, and you intend to make a better life for yourself and your kids. The GED is a step in that direction and not even the hardest one. You’ve already taken the hardest step.”
As she held his gaze, Susannah’s heart lurched in a tug of war between doubt and hope.
Since she’d cut herself off from her family, she’d concentrated on what Travis wanted and then, of course, what her children needed. As her marriage unraveled, as life became a struggle to cope, she’d learned to ignore her own needs. Her own dreams. But Wyatt said she could do it. A man who was so skilled, so intelligent and responsible believed in her ability to improve her life beyond basic survival. He wanted more for her.
Did she want more for herself?
“You’re right,” she told him as hope won the struggle for her heart. “It might take me a while, with all the studying. There are courses I can take to prepare, but they’re pretty expensive.”
“I’ll float you a loan,” Wyatt said and got to his feet. “I’m betting you’re good for it.”
Susannah fell in love with him at that moment.
She couldn’t tell him so, of course—she was, as a matter of fact, still married. And her messy life wasn’t the place a man like Wyatt wanted to be.
Just knowing the truth, on her own, would have to be enough.
And so she got to her feet and mirrored his confident smile. “I’m betting you’re right.”
August
THEY ALL LOOKED pretty funny in their swimsuits.
Becky sat on the side of the pool, kicking her legs in the water and watching the other kids play Marco Polo. They’d spent the summer riding horses and wearing jeans, so their legs and stomachs were pale compared to their arms and faces.
Of course, the girls couldn’t exactly show off anyway, because of the stupid tank suits Ms. Caroline had bought them—they might as well be a swim team, since they were all navy blue. One size definitely did not fit everyone—Lena was a little too skinny, especially since she’d been diagnosed with diabetes, while Becky knew that her hips were too wide, her legs too chubby. It didn’t help that her arms and cheeks were still splotchy from peeling after that sunburn a few weeks ago. And then there were the freckles, everywhere...
But Lizzie was pretty no matter what she wore, and the blue suit was no exception. Tall, with long, pretty legs, bright blond hair and big blue eyes, she didn’t need the makeup she put on to look sexy. Her boobs were big enough and her butt filled out her jeans—as well as the suit—just right. Her skin went from pale to tan without a burn. No freckles.
And the boys had noticed. Well, except for Justino, who never really saw anyone except Lena. Thomas and Marcos, though, were circling around Lizzie like sharks as she kept her eyes closed and tried to find them in the water, calling “Marco! Marco!” and listening for their “Polo!” answers. Lizzie understood very well what was going on—she never tried to reach for Lena or Justino, though they were playing, too. Laughing and teasing, Lizzie searched for the boys, who stayed just far enough away not to get caught.
A hand settled on Becky’s shoulder. “Are you feeling okay?” Ms. Caroline sat down beside her. She’d bought herself one of the blue suits, too—so everybody could be miserable together, she’d said—and she was as attractive as Lizzie, even though she was so much older.
“I thought you’d be out there playing.”
“Just soaking up some sun.” As if she wasn’t totally lathered up with sunscreen. “I’m going in right now.” Sliding into the cool water, she figured maybe if she got to be It, Nate would remember she was alive. So far, her plan for making him her boyfriend had not been a screaming success.
“Polo!” she yelled, coming within Lizzie’s reach.
“Polo!” Thomas floated on the other side, farther away, and Lizzie splashed in his direction.
“Pol
o!” Becky moved after her best friend, determined to be caught.
“Marco?” Lizzie turned away, toward the boys. She was different these days, sort of far away, as if she and Becky hadn’t cut classes together, hadn’t cheated off each other’s papers and shared hours in detention. As if they hadn’t gotten caught smoking dope together, which was what got them sent to this camp to begin with.
“Polo,” Becky said again and grabbed her by the arm. “I’m It.”
Lizzie opened her eyes to glare. “That’s cheating. I didn’t catch you, you caught me.”
“Oh, let her be It,” Lena said. “You’ve done it long enough.”
Sticking her lower lip out, Lizzie started to pout. After a few seconds, though, she gave in. “Fine.” She sent a spray of water in Becky’s direction. “Who cares, anyway?”
Becky closed her eyes and called, “Marco!” She heard Lena and Justino and the boys, but Lizzie didn’t answer. The next time, there were two boys...and then one. After a few minutes, Lena and Justino stopped playing. So she stopped calling, since the game didn’t work with just two people.
She opened her eyes to see Lizzie sitting on the ladder at the deep end, with Thomas and Marcos treading water at her feet. Did they realize how ridiculous they were?
Nate had stayed in the game with her, because he was a nice guy. When she glanced at him, though, he was watching Lizzie splashing Thomas and Marcos with her feet. He wanted to be there but wouldn’t desert her in the middle of the pool.
Fabulous—she was a pity date.
Stretching out her arm, she slung a wall of water in his direction. “Go on,” she said. “I’m tired of this stupid game.”
Being a boy, he didn’t understand. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Thank goodness they were in a pool, in case the tears in her eyes fell out. “Just go away.”
He glanced at his mom, sitting at the shallow end with his sister, Amber. Becky hoped for a second he might go that way and actually held her breath.
Instead, he stretched into the water and swam over to the wall beside Lizzie. Now she could splash all three of them.
And if we’re lucky, Becky thought, they’ll drown.
Not that it was a big deal if Nate liked Lizzie, instead of her. Her mom was always saying she was a loser, so she shouldn’t be surprised. She wasn’t pretty, wasn’t smart or talented, and there was no reason a boy—or anyone else, for that matter—would think she was special.
There were only a few weeks left before the end of camp and the beginning of school. They were running out of time to be together.
And Becky had no idea what she could do to get his attention.
* * *
WYATT HAD NEVER felt so out of place in his life. No self-respecting cowboy found himself sitting beside a swimming pool in the middle of an August work day—wearing shorts, for God’s sake. He hadn’t put on a pair of shorts in probably a decade. Maybe longer.
But one of the couples at church had offered Garrett the use of their backyard pool to give the teenagers a change of pace from their usual ranch activities. Then his brothers had ganged up on him, basically forcing him to come along. Get out of the house for a change, get some sun, get some time with the kids...they’d bombarded him with a list of benefits he would get by joining the swim party. They’d even bought him the shorts.
So here he was, bare legs and feet exposed to the world. At least he’d kept his shirt on. After a summer inside, his usual rancher’s tan had faded out of sight. No back brace, though, which was a relief.
“Cheer up, Boss.” Carrying a bottle of water in each hand, Ford sat down in the lounge chair beside him, his blond hair dark and sleek from a few quick lengths. “You’re supposed to be enjoying yourself.” Having lived in California, the family lawyer actually possessed swim trunks to wear at a pool party. “The water’s great—you should try it out.” He slid one bottle across the table and uncapped the other to take a swig.
Wyatt snorted. “Not likely. I’ve forded streams and rivers on horseback, rescued my share of stranded cows from high water. That doesn’t mean I enjoy standing around dripping wet.”
“I know.” His brother grinned at him. “Look at Amber, though. There’s nothing cuter than a five-year-old and a pair of water wings. She’s loving it.”
In fact, Wyatt had been trying hard not to watch the little girl playing on the steps at the shallow end of the pool because right beside Amber stood Susannah, keeping a close eye on her daughter. She wore a blue, one-piece swimsuit that was not at all revealing, and yet his pulse kicked up every time he looked at her. Slender curves, smooth skin, long legs...yeah, he had a real problem focusing his attention anywhere else.
“Pretty amazing, when you think about it,” Ford said. “At the start of this camp enterprise, we didn’t realize we needed someone like Susannah on board. But over the last month or so she’s become indispensable.”
Wyatt shifted in his chair. “Amazing.”
“Caroline and Garrett expected the kids to take care of all their food, their laundry, their housekeeping,” his brother continued. “But without Susannah’s guidance, they wouldn’t have picked up the routines and learned to manage as well as they have.”
“Good point.”
“Not to mention her cooking. And keeping the house looking like a showplace.”
“She’s done a great job.”
“That order of protection I got her will expire soon. She’s going to have to figure out what to do next. Has she said anything to you about what she’s thinking?”
“Don’t know why she would.” He’d been careful to keep Susannah’s secrets, even from his brother.
With the persistence of a terrier, Ford wouldn’t let the subject go. “You two have spent a lot of time in the house together, so I thought she might have mentioned it.”
“Nope.”
“I’m kind of surprised Bradley hasn’t shown up at some point this summer, begging her to come back.” There was a reason Ford was a top-notch attorney. “He’s the type who would hate being told no.”
Wyatt didn’t reply. He didn’t intend to lie if he could help it.
Of course, he’d been deceiving his brothers for twenty years, since the night their dad died. What difference did a few white lies make, compared to a lifetime of dishonesty?
Ford’s voice intruded on his thoughts. “She’s a lovely lady.”
He realized he’d been caught staring at Susannah again. “Yes, she is.” There was no point in denying the obvious. “But you’re practically a married man.”
“So is she. Married, that is.”
“I’m aware.” He shifted his gaze to watch Marcos do a cannonball jump off the diving board.
“The end of a bad relationship isn’t a good time to start a new one.”
Wyatt unclenched his jaw. “What’s your point?”
“Getting involved—”
Rescue arrived from an unexpected direction.
“Come play with me,” Amber demanded, standing on the deck in front of him with her blond curls slicked straight, her pink-and-purple-striped swimsuit dripping onto his bare toes. “I want to jump in.”
Wyatt stalled. “Why?”
“They all do it.” She nodded toward the teenagers in the deep end. At that moment, her brother took a leap off the side of the pool, feet first. “See? It’s fun.”
“And why do you need me?”
“You’re the strongest one here. You have to catch me.”
“Have you done this before?”
The little girl nodded. “Lots of times.”
He glanced beyond her and saw Susannah and Caroline unpacking snacks on the patio table. “What does your mother say about this plan?”
“It’s okay,” Amber said. “Please?”
>
What could he say to that? He got to his feet and held out a hand. “Let’s go, Princess.”
“Wait a second,” Ford said. “Do you think that’s a good idea? Your back—”
He threw a glare over his shoulder and kept walking. About halfway along the length of the pool, he stopped. “Is this a good spot for jumping?”
Amber peered over the edge, and nodded. “It’s deep enough.” Then she frowned at him. “Silly, you can’t wear your shirt in the water.”
He’d forgotten about the shirt. “I guess not.” He pulled it over his head and tossed it on the nearby lounge chair, ignoring his own discomfort. “Okay?”
“Okay!” She clapped her hands. “Are you going to dive in?”
“No. Never dive in the shallow end.” He sat down on the side and put his feet in, wincing. “It’s cold.”
“Not after a minute,” Amber assured him. “Get in so I can jump.”
“Right.” Wyatt slid into the water. Great—now he had a ghost-pale, goose-bump-covered chest. “How far out are you going to jump?”
“A long, long way.”
He backed halfway across the pool. “Here?”
She motioned him to come toward her. “There.”
“Okay. You ready?”
All at once, Amber looked a little worried. But she nodded.
Holding out his arms, he said, “I’ll catch you. One...two...three!”
She bent her knees and froze. “Come closer.”
He stepped up to a point about a yard off the wall. “Now?”
“Okay.”
He counted off again. This time she jumped and landed on top of him, her arms in a stranglehold around his neck.
“Good job,” he managed, his arms under her bottom. “You jumped.”
She sat back and grinned at him. “I jumped!”
“Amber Bradley, just what do you think you’re doing?” Suddenly, Susannah stood above them, glaring down, hands on her hips.
“I jumped, Mommy! Did you see?”
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