Cynthia gave Isabelle a warm smile. She adopted an upbeat tone of voice in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Was that more than you wanted to hear?”
Isabelle rose from the couch and offered a grateful smile in return. “No—it was exactly what I needed to hear. It certainly gives me something to think about.” She glanced at her watch. “You’d better get started for Phoenix if you want to take care of your business and get back here before dark.”
The words echoed in Cynthia’s mind as she gathered her purse and car keys. Doubts won’t disappear with the passage of time. You have to do what’s best for you regardless of what other people think. But her own situation was different. Her decisions impacted an innocent boy’s life. It was Bobby’s welfare that had to come first.
Could he actually be Bobby’s father?
Shane’s turmoil had become so pervasive that it had cost him a night’s sleep then interfered with his day’s work. He attended a meeting, yet had no idea what had been discussed. He’d spent a good part of the day asking people to repeat what they’d just said because his mind had wandered to Cynthia and Bobby.
He had to do something. Things could not go on like that.
Had Cynthia purposely denied him knowledge of his son? He swallowed the lump in his throat but couldn’t swallow the conflicting thoughts and feelings. He had to clear up that question. He had to find out the truth. But how? His current relationship with her was so tenuous he didn’t think it would stand the strain of what could be a false accusation on his part. He needed to know the boy’s exact date of birth. If he had that, then he wouldn’t need to ask any questions.
He took a deep breath, then slowly expelled it. He could still taste her lips and feel the underlying passion they’d shared last night before she’d broken the kiss off. It had not been enough. It would never be enough. He had to do whatever was necessary to find out what the future held for the three of them. He pulled up to the garage and clicked the remote to open the door.
Shane entered the house through the kitchen and continued on toward the den. He immediately spotted Cynthia sitting in the recliner with her head back and her eyes closed. He saw the stress lines etched on her face. He wanted badly to be able to banish them, to take care of everything that had caused such a beautiful face to be marked with tension. But he was also aware that this new independent Cynthia would never allow it.
It was a perplexing problem. Everything had been so clear for him before he found her in his house late that night. Now nothing was clear. She’d done more than create sleepless nights and worrisome days for him. She’d forced him to rethink his life and what the future held. However, he was still left with the problem of how to confront her about Bobby.
He took a steadying breath and entered the den. His subdued voice barely carried across the room. “Are you asleep?”
His whispered words penetrated her foggy veil just before she succumbed completely to the drowsiness. She turned her head and slowly opened her eyes. “I’m afraid I almost dozed off. I suppose that means I should go upstairs rather than stay here.” She stifled a yawn, then closed her eyes again.
He pulled an ottoman next to her chair and sat down. “You look tired. Did you have a rough day? Did you accomplish everything you needed to in Phoenix?”
“Yes.”
He waited for her to continue, but no more words came from her. “Yes—what?”
“Yes, both—I had a rough day and took care of everything I needed to in Phoenix.” She shifted her weight, opened her eyes and brought the recliner back to an upright position. She stifled another yawn. “It’s been a nightmare of a problem, but the worst of it is behind me now. Just a few more details and then everything will be in order and I can close out the estate.”
“You know what? I think you need a break. Tomorrow is one of my days to provide medical services on the reservation. Come with me. It will do you good to get away from the stress and pressure you’ve been under since you arrived.”
“No... I couldn’t do that. I—”
“Please?” He brushed his fingertips across her cheek, then took her hand in his. The words sprang from his mouth as a full-blown idea without his having given it any conscious thought. “I’d like very much to show you what prompted me to push for a children’s hospital, why the need exists and the kind of work we’ll be doing.”
His persuasive voice, combined with the tantalizing sensation of his touch, wrapped her in a warm cocoon. All her resistance melted away. Perhaps she was just too tired to fight off the feeling, but try as she might, she could not find any reason to object to his plan. Quite the contrary—she sincerely wanted to know more about his work on the reservation, more about his special projects. He was definitely right about her needing a break from the stress, but would she be trading one type of stress for another in agreeing to spend the day with him? And there was Bobby. It would be an ideal way to introduce him to the Native American portion of his heritage.
“Well? I haven’t heard an answer yet. Would you accompany me to the reservation tomorrow?”
“Does your invitation include Bobby?”
A warm smile curved up the corners of his mouth. “Of course it includes Bobby. Does that mean you’ll go?”
“Well...it would be educational for Bobby.” She returned his smile. “Yes, we’d like that.”
“Good. We need to get an early start.”
“In that case I’d better get myself out of this chair and up to bed.” As she rose to her feet, he jumped up and assisted her.
“I’ll walk you to your door.”
He clasped her hand in his. The feel of her skin and the warmth of the contact sent a tremor of excitement through his body. They walked up the stairs together. When they reached her door, he leaned his face into hers and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I’ll see you and Bobby in the morning. Good night, Cynthia.”
They lingered outside her door for a moment longer, his hand still clasping hers. The sensation was both comfortable and familiar, with neither of them putting forth an effort to terminate the contact. It was Cynthia who finally spoke.
“Well, I guess I’d better get to bed—” she glanced shyly at the floor, then regained eye contact with him “—if you’ll give my hand back to me.”
He pulled her to him and said, his voice barely more than a whisper, “If I have to.” He released her hand, then enfolded her into his embrace. A moment later he captured her mouth with a sensual kiss that spoke of deeply felt emotions rather than lust—a kiss as soft as spring rain, yet conveying a strength to rival the mightiest storm.
Cynthia’s blood coursed hotly through her veins. The soft intimacy rapidly built to intense fervor. Every fiber of truth in her being told her to put a stop to what was happening before it was too late, but she didn’t want it to stop. It could only lead to trouble, but at that moment she didn’t care. She encircled his neck with her arms. His heartbeat resonated with hers, as they pressed their bodies more tightly together. She felt his groan of pleasure as much as she heard it.
He was everything she’d ever wanted in a man, everything she needed. His tongue brushed hers, the textures meshing in a burst of shared excitement. His hands caressed her shoulders, her back, and finally cupped the firm roundness of her bottom. He pulled her hips tightly against his, the heat of his arousal increasing her ardor. Her insides quivered as she drew in a ragged breath. She threaded her fingers through his hair. Was there a chance for them, after all, or was it all physical on his part without any love?
A very shaken Cynthia jerked to attention as the reality of what was happening exploded in her head. She broke the delicious contact of their mouths. She stumbled backward a couple of steps and tried to get her ragged breathing under control. She’d sworn she would keep her distance from him and not allow herself once again to be drawn into his aura. All-out panic raced through her. In spite of all her intentions, she had been well on her way to making love with Shane. Their escalating excitement had to
be brought back in check. Her wants, desires and needs must take second place to what was most important—protecting her son.
She touched trembling fingers to her kiss-swollen lips. The depth of Shane’s passion glowed in his dark eyes, sending a tremor of renewed desire racing through her. It would be so easy for him to draw her back in. She fought to compose herself, to deny the temptation of Shane Fortune’s nearness and his unmistakable allure.
He took her hand in his, kissed her palm, then held it against his chest. His heart beat strongly against her fingers. His voice contained a hint of huskiness. “What are you so afraid of, Cynthia? What is it that has you so scared?”
She quickly withdrew her hand from the warmth of his grasp. She put as much conviction into her words as she could. “I...I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I can see it in your eyes. Whatever it is, I’d like to help.”
“You’re mistaken. Good night, Shane.” She went into her bedroom and closed the door. Her heart pounded, only this time it was trepidation, rather than the sensual delight of Shane Fortune. She held her breath until she heard him walk away.
His words had more truth to them than he probably realized. She was definitely scared. Her most recent encounter with the all-too-tempting masculinity of Shane Fortune—or more accurately her total vulnerability where he was concerned—left her frightened to the core. She could not protect her son unless she was strong herself. She renewed her determination to do what needed to be done.
“I’m ready. Is it time to go yet?” Bobby’s excitement spilled out as he looked expectantly at his mother. The drive from Chicago to Pueblo had turned him into a seasoned car traveler who knew what spending many hours on the road was all about. As soon as she told him of today’s planned activities, he raced around the house gathering the things he wanted to take with him in the car.
Cynthia chuckled as she tried to slow down Bobby’s excess energy. “We haven’t had breakfast yet. Don’t you think we should do that first?”
His expression fell. “Yeah...I guess so.” He went into the kitchen and took his place at the table.
Shane set a glass of milk in front of him. “That will get you started, champ. Now, what do you want to eat?”
“I’m not hungry, Shane. Can we leave now?”
“I really think we need to have breakfast first. We have a busy and long day ahead of us, and we need to get fueled up.”
Bobby looked at him, clearly in awe. “Are you going to have breakfast, too?”
Shane grinned. “I sure am. I think I’ll have some scrambled eggs, ham and toast. How does that sound to you?”
Bobby grinned back at him as he squirmed in his chair, getting comfortable. “Yeah. Me, too. That’s what I want.”
Shane whirled toward the kitchen door. He’d seen Cynthia out of the corner of his eye as she stood in the doorway watching them. “What about you?” He cocked his head and shot her a questioning look. “Am I cooking for three?”
She quickly averted her gaze and headed for the coffeepot. “I suppose so—if it’s not too much trouble.” There was no question that Bobby idolized Shane. The knowledge tugged hard at her ever-increasing sense of guilt. If only she knew what was going on inside Shane’s head, how he really felt about her. What he would do if he found out Bobby was his son. She took a swallow of coffee, hoping it would wash down her fear.
Shane gestured toward a chair. “It’s no trouble at all. I’ll get breakfast on the table, then we can be on our way.”
“Yeah, Mommy, then we can be on our way.” Bobby looked at Shane. “Right?”
“Right, champ.”
Her son’s imitation of Shane was not lost on Cynthia. And another layer of guilt attached itself to the rapidly growing lump that seemed to have found a permanent home in the pit of her stomach.
They made quick work of breakfast and were soon on their way to the reservation. Cynthia stared at the landscape as they traveled down the two-lane highway. She’d been so busy since her return to Pueblo, her mind occupied with the problems of her father’s estate, that she had not taken the time to simply enjoy the scenery.
Shane kept up a descriptive commentary as he drove, pointing out various sights to Bobby. “You see that tall cactus? That’s a giant saguaro, the symbol of this desert region. They can grow to be more than fifty feet tall.” He glanced over his shoulder to Bobby in the back seat. “That’s as high as a five-story building. Some of them live to be 250 years old. That flower blooming on the top is the state flower of Arizona.”
Cynthia noted the fascination on Bobby’s face. As long as Shane was imparting information, she decided it was a good time to introduce Bobby to a bit of his heritage in a setting where it wouldn’t seem out of place. She turned toward Shane. “How large is the reservation? How many people live on it?”
Shane glanced at her, his expression showing his surprise at her question. “It’s the second-largest reservation in the country. Its three parts total 2,854,789 acres, roughly the size of Connecticut. The reservation population is close to eight thousand. The tribal headquarters is located in the town of Sells, which is where we’re headed.”
They drove onto the reservation. Cynthia noted that only a small roadside sign announced that they had crossed the boundary and entered tribal land. Shane continued to provide a travelogue. He pointed out the Kitt Peak Observatory, with its large white domes where a total of nineteen telescopes of various types and sizes were stationed. “And over there is Baboquivari Peak. At 7,730 feet it’s the highest point on the reservation. It’s also home to the ancient gods and is considered sacred.”
Cynthia continued to stare out the window at the wide open spaces that stretched for miles without any sign of habitation. “I’ve never been on the reservation before. Is all of it this...sparse? There was that one small convenience store with the art gallery next door a little way inside the reservation, but other than that, I haven’t seen even a gas station. How large is Sells?”
“The Tohono O’odham don’t discourage tourism, but they don’t exactly encourage it, either. You won’t find motels, plentiful gas stations or even public camping facilities. Sells has a population of a little under three thousand people and is the largest town on the reservation.”
They arrived at the tribal headquarters and were greeted by tribal leaders. After Shane introduced Cynthia and Bobby, the men discussed business. Cynthia took a book from her purse and found a comfortable chair. Bobby wandered around the large room, carefully inspecting the baskets and pieces of pottery. He was particularly fascinated by a puzzlelike drawing.
He carried it over to Cynthia. “What’s this, Mommy?”
She took it from his hand. “I’m not sure. It says, ‘Man in the Maze.”’ She studied the circular pattern for a moment. “This figure must be the man, and he needs to find his way through this maze.” She started to trace one of the many routes within the circle.
“But where is the man trying to go?”
“I don’t know, Bobby. Let’s see if this is for sale. If it is, then we can take it back to Shane’s house with us. I’ll bet he can explain it to you.” She carried the drawing to the counter and made the purchase.
Shane motioned to Cynthia and Bobby. “Let’s get going. Today’s visiting-doctor station is a little village about twenty miles from here.”
They arrived at the designated location to find several people already waiting for the doctor. Shane grabbed two large bags from his Ford Explorer and proceeded immediately to a back room to set up. He glanced at all the anxious faces, then turned to Cynthia. “Could you explain that it will take me a few minutes to get ready?”
“Sure. You go ahead.” She turned to face the assembled people, mostly mothers with children. She quickly and efficiently organized as much as she could. She made a list of names and ages of patients and their reason for seeing the doctor, along with any symptoms they described.
Even Bobby helped. Without asking his mother or even
telling her what he was going to do, he went to the car and retrieved the toys and games he’d brought with him. He offered them to the children to play with while they were waiting.
Cynthia blinked away the tears misting over her eyes as she choked back a sob. She had never been prouder of him than she was at that moment. Turning toward the door to the back room, she saw Shane standing there watching the proceedings. She didn’t know how long he’d been watching, but the expression on his face said he’d seen enough to know what had happened. His look exuded warmth, but his eyes showed something that sent a little shiver of apprehension through her—a tender fondness and pride directed toward Bobby.
Shane collected his thoughts and quickly became all business. “Well, shall we get started?” He set a clipboard on the table. “I’d like for everyone to sign—”
“Is this what you need?” Cynthia handed him the list she’d made, noting the surprise that covered his features as he scanned it.
He gave her a warm smile that quickly turned into a teasing grin. “Yes, Assistant Cynthia, I believe this is exactly what I need. Thank you.”
The day passed quickly with the two of them working efficiently as a team. They managed a half-hour break to eat the lunch she’d packed, then resumed tending to the constant stream of patients. By late afternoon everyone had been seen by the doctor. Shane repacked his two bags and carried them out to the car while Cynthia helped Bobby gather his toys and games.
“I was real proud of you today, Bobby.” She kissed him on the cheek. “That was good of you to share your toys with the other boys and girls.”
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