The boy stared at Mac’s hand suspiciously before he laid his own tiny palm against it. Mac figured the kid for eleven or twelve, but he didn’t look much more than eight or nine. The slight body, the gaunt cheeks, the hopeless look in his eyes, told how the disease had decimated him—body and soul.
“You ready to join the others?” Mac asked.
He watched as the boy looked toward the kids bunched in the front window of the terminal and made a face. “This is a waste of time.”
“Why is that?”
“I mean, why bother pretending everything is all right, when it’s not?”
Mac put a hand on the boy’s back, and they began walking toward the terminal. “Why not pretend? Why not enjoy every moment you’ve got?”
The boy met his gaze, and Mac knew the answer without having to hear it. He had been through it all himself.
This was a child going through the stages that prepared him for death. The anger. The grieving. And finally, the acceptance. Brad Templeton had done it all before, when the first remission ended. Then death had given him a brief reprieve—a second remission. But having once accepted the fact he was going to die, it was awfully hard to start living all over again.
“Death doesn’t always win,” Mac said quietly.
Brad looked up at him. “How did you beat it?”
“Determination. Will power.”
Brad shook his head. “That isn’t enough. If it was, I’d already be well.”
“Don’t give up.”
“I have to,” Brad said. “It hurts too bad to hope when you know it isn’t going to make any difference.”
They had reached the door to the terminal, but before going inside, Mac stooped down and turned the boy to face him. “Some times you have to forget about what the doctors say and believe in yourself.”
Brad looked skeptical.
Mac didn’t know who he was trying to convince, himself or the kid. Some times the doctors were right. Kids died. And football players got career-ending injuries.
He rose and said, “Come on, Brad. We can keep each other company this week and have some fun.”
Brad snorted. “Fun. Yeah. Right.”
Mac smiled. “If you’re not smiling ear to ear when you get back on that plane in two weeks, I’ll—”
“How are you two doing?” Jewel interrupted. A whoosh of cold air escaped the terminal as she joined them in the Texas heat that was already rising from the tarmac.
“I was making a bet with Brad that he would be smiling by the end of next week.”
Brad grimaced.
Jewel eyed Brad, then murmured to Mac, “Looks like you have your work cut out for you.”
“Come on, Brad,” Mac said, giving the boy a nudge toward the door. “Let’s go inside and meet the other kids.”
“I’ve already met them,” Brad said sullenly. “They all hate me.”
“We’ll have to work on that, too,” Mac said, sending Jewel a look that said “Help!” over his shoulder.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d keep an eye on every body while I greet the folks on the plane from Houston,” she said.
Mac realized the second commuter plane had arrived, Jewel was headed back out onto the tarmac. “Don’t forget,” he said. “Smile.”
Jewel shot him a radiant smile. “How’s this?”
Mac put an exaggerated hand to his heart. “Lord have mercy, girl, that’s potent stuff!”
Jewel laughed and turned away, her hips swaying seductively in the tight jeans.
Mac was glad she’d turned away when she had. His hand was still on his heart, but it was keeping the damned thing from flying out of his chest. If she kept walking like that, he wasn’t going to be able to go inside anytime soon.
He felt a tug on his shirt sleeve and looked down to see Brad staring up at him.
“You got the hots for her?”
Mac stared, agog. “The hots?”
“You know. Sexy chick like that—”
Mac put a hand over Brad’s mouth. “Where did a kid your age learn—? Don’t answer that. She’s Miss Whitelaw to you.”
The kid reached up to uncover his mouth. “I’m twelve. I was here when I was nine and Jewel said we can call her Jewel and she’s a lot prettier now.”
“And you’re old enough to notice, is that it?”
Brad gave Mac a man-to-man shrug. “I haven’t thought too much about girls ‘cause…you know.”
Mac put a hand on Brad’s shoulder. “Yeah, I know how that is, too.”
He ushered Brad inside thinking it was going to be a very long two weeks.
JEWEL’S HEART WAS BEATING RAPIDLY. Even kidding the way he was, Mac’s admiring look had been enough to take her breath away. It was easy to keep the smile on her face long enough to greet the other five campers, Patty Freeburg and Gavin Talbot.
Patty was petite and pretty, with long blond hair she wore in a youthful ponytail, blue eyes and a wonderfully open smile. “Hello,” she said. “I’m glad to be back.”
“Good to have you back, Patty,” Jewel said. “You know the drill. Would you mind helping the kids locate their luggage inside?”
“Sure,” Patty said. “Come on, you guys, hup, two, three, four!”
The two boys marched, and the three girls giggled as they followed Patty toward the terminal.
Jewel turned to greet Gavin Talbot, who was hefting a duffel bag over his shoulder. She knew Gavin’s credentials backward and forward. He was twenty-six and working on a Ph.D. in child psychology. Eventually he planned to become a clinical psychologist, and work with dying kids. He was spending time at Camp LittleHawk because it catered to children with cancer.
She knew Gavin would have to be an empathetic and caring man to choose such a career. She had not imagined he would also be stunningly handsome.
He was over six feet tall, with the sort of rangy body Jewel was used to seeing on cowhands, who led physically active lives. His sun-streaked, tobacco-brown hair suggested a lot of time out-of-doors, and the spray of tan lines around his dark brown eyes con firmed it. He was dressed in a white, oxford-cloth shirt, un but toned at the throat and turned up to his forearms, well-worn—though not ragged—jeans and cowboy boots.
“Hello, Miss Whitelaw,” he said, reaching out to shake her hand as they followed Patty and the kids back to the terminal.
His large, callused hand engulfed hers, offering comfort, reassurance and something else…a spark of sexual interest.
Jewel didn’t think she was imagining it. She felt a small frisson of pleasure merely from his firm hand-clasp. It was probably the way he looked into her eyes, as though seeking a connection, that made her insides jump a little.
“Call me Jewel, please, Gavin,” she replied.
“Jewel,” he repeated, the smile broadening, becoming more relaxed. “The name fits.”
Jewel only had an instant to decide whether to frown or smile, as Mac had instructed. Jewel smiled.
She had only taken two steps when Gavin put a hand under her elbow and said, “You’re hurt.”
“It’s an old injury that causes me to limp,” she said, wondering if the interest she had previously seen would diminish, now that he knew she was considerably less than perfect.
Her opinion of him went up a notch when he said, “It doesn’t seem to slow you down much.” She felt a spurt of anxiety when Gavin made eye contact with her again, because the sexual spark was still there. Well, she had wanted to attract him and she had. So now what did she do with him? She turned to find Mac staring at her through the terminal’s front picture window.
Mac was safe. Mac was non threatening.
Mac also was not volunteering to help her get over the lingering fear that had kept her celibate all these years. Maybe seeing that someone else was interested in her would spur him to action.
She turned back to Gavin and forced another smile onto her face. “You look like you spend a lot of time outdoors.”
“I own a cattle ranch sou
th of Houston,” he said. “I spend my weekends there when I can.”
“You should be right at home here,” she said. “We do a lot of trail rides in the early morning and late after noon for the children.”
“What about moon light rides for the grown-ups?” he asked. “Ending with a romantic campfire and toasted marsh mal lows?”
Jewel was a little shocked at how fast Gavin had made his move. She swallowed back the knot of fear and shot him a calculated come-hither glance. “I suppose that could be arranged.”
“How about tonight?”
“How about what tonight?” Mac asked.
Jewel had been so busy staring back into Gavin’s brown eyes, she hadn’t realized they had reached the terminal. Mac’s question caught her unawares. “What?”
“Jewel and I were just setting up a moon light ride for tonight,” Gavin said.
Jewel heard the warning in Gavin’s voice. Stay clear. This one’s mine. We don’t want company.
Mac ignored it. “Sounds like a fine idea,” he said. “Hey, Patty, you want to go for a moon light ride tonight?”
Patty smiled. “Sure. Who all’s going?”
“Every body,” Gavin said wryly, his gaze never leaving Mac’s.
At least Gavin was a good sport, Jewel thought. She was grateful that Mac had realized how un comfortable she would have been all alone with Gavin and had invited himself and Patty. With Mac along she would feel safer flirting with Gavin. And perhaps Mac would be moved to do a little flirting himself.
Jewel was amused to see how Gavin maneuvered to be in the front seat with her on the trip back, forcing Mac into the back with Patty and the kids. Gavin wasn’t the least impressed by Mac’s football hero status, because he wasn’t a big football fan.
“I know that sounds like blasphemy in Texas,” he said. “But I’d rather spend my Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the ranch, since I’m stuck indoors reading and writing the rest of the week.”
“What’s the name of your ranch?” Jewel asked as she started the van and headed back toward the ranch.
“Let’s not talk about me,” Gavin said, avoiding an answer. “Tell me about yourself.”
Jewel watched Gavin stiffen as Mac suddenly leaned forward, bracing his arms on the back of the front seat, effectively interposing himself between Jewel and the counselor. “Mind if I listen?” Mac said. “Jewel and I haven’t had much time to catch up on things since the last time we were together.”
Jewel heard the insinuation in Mac’s voice that suggested “together” meant more than sitting on a garden swing next to each other.
“You two are old friends?” Gavin asked, eyeing the two of them speculatively.
“We’re rooming together,” Mac said. “Didn’t Jewel tell you?”
Jewel turned a fiery red at the knowing look Gavin gave her, even though the situation with Mac was perfectly innocent. She was a little perturbed at Mac. He seemed to be saying everything he could to keep Gavin at a distance. She appreciated his concern, but until he volunteered to take Gavin’s place, she was determined to be brave enough to pursue the relationship.
She forced a laugh and said, “Mac has been like a big brother to me for years. He gets a little protective at times.”
Gavin’s brows rose, and the smile returned. “I see. Don’t worry, Mac,” he said, patting Mac’s arm. “I’ll take good care of her.”
Mac grunted and shifted back into the back seat, his arms crossed over his chest.
Jewel shivered as she made brief eye contact with Gavin. It looked like she was going to get a chance to try out her feminine wiles tonight. Mac would be there, so she wouldn’t have to worry about things getting out of hand. Toasting marsh mal lows over a campfire would be a marvelously romantic setting, perfect for establishing a friendly rapport with Gavin.
She wondered if Gavin would try to kiss her. She wondered if she should let him. She caught Mac’s narrowed gaze in the rearview mirror and wondered, with a smile, if Mac would let him. She had better have a talk with Mac before the trail ride and let him know she welcomed Gavin’s attentions for the practice they would provide.
Jewel shivered in anticipation. She only hoped that when the time came, and Gavin made advances, she would have the nerve to follow through.
CHAPTER NINE
MAC STARED THROUGH HIS HORSE’S EARS at Jewel, riding side by side with Gavin on the moonlit trail ahead of him. Patty had decided to stay at the ranch, so he had no riding partner. Mac watched Jewel lean close to hear what Gavin was saying. A trilling burble of laughter floated back to him on the wind. His neck hairs rose, and he gritted his teeth in frustration.
That could have been him riding beside Jewel. That could have been him making her laugh. Instead, he was reduced to the role of chaperon. And not enjoying it one bit.
Mac turned to see who was coming as another horse cantered up beside him bearing one of the three late additions to their trail ride. “Hey, Colt. What’s new?”
“You know anything about that Gavin guy?” Colt asked, aiming his chin toward the couple ahead of them.
Mac stared at Gavin. “He’s as comfortable on a horse as any cowboy I’ve ever seen, he’s educated, friendly, courteous and he appears to be interested in Jewel.”
“You think he’ll try to hurt her?”
Mac saw the worry on Colt’s young face. Six years ago the kid had been only eight, but obviously Jewel’s trauma had left a lasting impression on her family. “There’s not much Gavin can do with me along,” Mac reassured the teenager.
Colt heaved a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Mac. Jewel is… well, she’s pretty special.”
“I know.”
Colt glanced over his shoulder, frowned, then looked straight ahead again. “I thought I might get to see a little more of Jenny if we came along tonight. I should have known she’d stick like glue to Huck.”
Mac arched a brow. “You have feelings for her yourself?”
Colt readjusted his Western straw hat, setting it lower over his eyes to hide his expression. “She’s Huck’s girl.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“So what if I like her?” Colt retorted. “Nothing’s gonna come of it. They’ll probably get married as soon as Huck finishes college.”
“College is a long way off. Maybe Huck will change his mind. Or Jenny will.”
Colt snorted. “What difference would that make? She doesn’t know I’m alive.”
Mac wasn’t sure what to say. He hadn’t been too fortunate in the romance department himself. But he knew what he would do if he loved a woman. “Mind if I offer you some advice?”
Colt shrugged.
“If you get a chance to make Jenny your girl, grab it with both hands.” He grinned at Colt. “It’s awful hard for a woman to resist a man who loves her, heart and soul.”
Colt eyed him sideways. “If you say so.”
They had reached the ring of stones Camp Little Hawk used as a campfire site for bar be cues. Mac watched as Gavin lifted Jewel from her horse, sliding her down the front of him as he settled her feet on the ground. He saw the stunned look on Jewel’s face as she gazed up at Gavin. Was it fear or wonder she had felt at the intimate contact?
He kneed his horse into a lope to catch up to them. He was out of the saddle and at her side seconds later. “Hey, Jewel,” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get the fire going for those marsh mal lows.”
When she looked at him, he saw dazed pleasure in her eyes. Damn. She was definitely aroused. A quick glance at the front of her—at the pebbled nipples that showed through the knit top—con firmed his diagnosis.
So what was he supposed to do now? Disappear, so Gavin could get on with his seduction?
The hell he would.
He grabbed Jewel’s hand. “Come on, Jewel. Let’s get some firewood.”
Jewel glanced at him in surprise, smiled and followed him to the box of firewood that was kept nearby. He loaded her arms with kindling an
d picked up a few logs to carry back himself. By the time they returned to the fire, Colt had unpacked the wire clothes hangers they had brought along and was unbending them to make marsh mal low roasting sticks.
Mac and Jewel knelt together before the ring of stones that Jenny and Huck were straightening and began arranging the kindling and logs. Gavin arrived moments later with the bag of marsh mal lows, a thermos of hot chocolate and some paper cups from his saddlebag and a couple of blankets that had been tied behind Jewel’s saddle.
“Up, you two,” he said to Mac and Jewel. “Let me get this down under you.”
Mac and Jewel scooted to the side, and Gavin spread the gray wool blanket where they had been, settling himself on the opposite side of Jewel from Mac and leaning close to whisper, “I think you’ve already started my fire.”
Mac couldn’t help overhearing. Or seeing Jewel stiffen slightly before she managed a smile and replied, “Give me a match, and I’ll show you a real blaze.”
Gavin, damn him, laughed and handed her a box of matches. Instead of letting her light the match by herself, Gavin held her hand as she drew the match along the edge of the box and lit the kindling. When the fire from the match had almost reached her fingers, Gavin lifted her hand to his mouth and blew it out.
Jewel made a mewling sound that had Mac’s insides clenching. His hands fisted unconsciously, and his body tensed to fight.
Until that moment, Mac had not realized the extent of his feelings for Jewel. He had always liked her and considered himself her friend. He had missed talking to her in the years they had been apart. He was more than a little attracted to her. But the instinctual need to claim her, to make her his and only his, rose unbidden from some where deep inside him.
He resisted the strong urge to hit Gavin Talbot in the nose and began straightening out a clothes hanger to use as a roasting stick. Fighting the metal was a better release for his tension than starting an uncivilized brawl.
It was abundantly clear to him now, as it had not been before, that he wanted to be the man Jewel gave herself to for the first time. He wanted to see her eyes when their bodies were joined, hear her sighs as she learned the pleasure to be found in loving each other.
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