Читать книгу Christmas Kisses Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Louise Allen - Страница 33

CHANCE LAY BACK in the lounger located in a recess surrounded by plants near the pool. Only a person who looked carefully or passed him could see him, while he had an open view of most of the water. He needed some down time, just like the others. Thank goodness Friday was the transition day for guests so this afternoon there were few around. The resort would be full for the week by the next evening.

He’d worked his staff hard over the last week. They had moved to five different areas in five days, with each day starting at four a.m. The team not only needed a break but deserved one. Michael had volunteered to show the others around Trujillo. Karen and Peter had taken him up on the suggestion but for some reason Ellen had declined to join them. Chance had paperwork to see to and a conference call to make so he’d remained behind as well. He’d not seen Ellen since that morning and assumed she was resting in her hut.

In the short time since the three new staff members had arrived, their clinic team had turned into a cohesive group that worked well together. Ellen had assisted him some but mostly he’d stationed her with Michael or given her triage duty. She and Michael had become regular buddies. When there weren’t patients to see, they had lunch together, laughing over something that had happened. It reminded him too much of Alissa and his ex-colleague Jim.

Even Marco and his crew gave Ellen special attention. She shared her sunshine with everyone but him. It wasn’t that she wasn’t civil, it was just that he didn’t receive the same warmth. The times she had worked with him they had said little outside the need-to-know arena. He shouldn’t have cared but he felt left out. When she’d first arrived he’d wanted it that way but now he wasn’t so sure. The more he was around her the more he admired her. She wasn’t the pampered princess he’d wanted to believe she was.

Ellen was an excellent doctor. When she was working triage she recorded what was wrong and had everyone in order of need so that no time was wasted between patients. Maybe it was time to let her start handling patients on her own. They could see three times more patients if he did.

After the excruciating return ride to the resort, when she’d fallen asleep against him, and later, when he’d caught her watching him undress, he’d renewed his vow to stay clear of her as much as possible. He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t enjoyed the feel of a soft body against him. But wouldn’t he have reacted the same to any female contact?

There wasn’t much opportunity for a sex life around here but when he’d found companionship he’d been discreet about it. After his wife had left he’d been the favorite subject of discussion and he hadn’t enjoyed it. He preferred his private life to remain just that—private. A few times in Honduras he’d met a woman of interest and when he’d return to the States he had a few ladies he regularly stayed in contact with, so he had hardly been celibate. Still, there was something about Ellen that made his hormones stand up and take notice whenever she was near, as if he had been a monk and left the order.

If the ride home hadn’t been painful enough, the fact that she’d been watching him undress while wearing nothing but a towel had made him even more sexually aware. Every time they were alone it was like she was teasing him, daring him to come closer. He was confident this was something she did unconsciously yet it was still there, pulling him to her. As his body heated with need he imagined stepping across the short space between their huts and taking her in his arms. That would have shown her not to be poking the bear. Instead, she’d let the blind down, shutting him out.

He understood that feeling. In this case, he was glad she had. Even a short moment of pleasure would turn into a bad idea in the long run. Despite how she might act about work here, she wasn’t the type to stay with him. No woman was. His life was in Honduras. She would never be satisfied with him or living here for the long run. He wasn’t her prince charming.

Chance opened one eye to a slit at the soft pad of feet along the bricks around the pool. Ellen stood there in a blue bikini, preparing to dive. He shifted uncomfortably in the chair as his body reacted to all the beautiful skin on display. Her hair was down around her shoulders. The woman was going to be his undoing. He’d been played for a fool before and if he wasn’t careful he would give Ellen the opportunity to do the same again.

With a perfect arch, she dove into the pool and surfaced. As she swam to one end and back, he was fascinated by each smooth movement she made. What he wouldn’t do to be the water flowing around her. He had to get some control but that wasn’t going to happen right now. On her next pass he stood. Hopefully his baggy swim trunks would disguise most of his body’s reaction to her.

A yelp of surprise came from her when he stepped into her view.

“Hey.” He watched as all that long blonde hair swirled around her on the surface of the water.

“Hi. I didn’t see you sitting there.”

He stepped closer. “I thought you would’ve gone to town with the others.”

“I thought about it. But I hate to admit that after the pace we’ve kept this week I needed a little extra rest. I can be a tourist on our next day off.”

“Do you like being a tourist?”

“I do. I love to see new places. See how others live.” She held on to the edge of the pool.

Her position gave him a tantalizing view of her breasts scantly covered in triangles of dark blue that reminded him of a sky just before a storm. “So what do you think of Honduras?”

“I like it. The people are wonderful. Every day is exciting.”

“Some days, too much so.” Like the day she had almost been stabbed. It still sent fear though him when he thought about it.

Ellen pushed away and floated toward the other side of the pool. Chance took a seat on the edge, letting his feet dangle in the water.

“So why aren’t you off doing something exciting on your day off? Surely you get away from work sometimes,” she asked.

“Not as much as I would like.” He enjoyed watching her tread water. She had managed to put as much space as possible between them. For that he was grateful. He was far to attracted to her. “When I get a couple of days I like to spend them scuba diving. Hiking in the jungle.”

She moved closer. “I would love to learn to scuba dive. My father said no when I was a kid. Never took the time to learn after I started college. And hiking? After all the lectures you’ve given me about safety, you hike in the jungle?”

“I stay on the touristy trails. More than one person has gotten into trouble, venturing off too far.”

“Michael offered to take me to see a waterfall one day.” With a kick, she swam away from him again.

“I wouldn’t get too attached to Michael if I were you.” Chance didn’t like how that sounded. Like a jealous middle-schooler. “Hey, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s none of my business what you two do after hours.”

She headed for deeper water. “I’m pretty sure Michael flirts with every woman in his age group who comes down here. I don’t take anything he says seriously.”

That’s what his wife had said when he’d questioned her about her relationship with Jim. Still, coming from Ellen he wanted to believe her.

“Anyway, I’m down here to work, not play around.” She started toward the shallow end.

“But it’s always nice to have a friend.”

Could they be friends? He wasn’t so sure. This attraction would also be vibrating between them.

“Well, I think I’ll get a nap in before dinner. See you later.” Ellen took the steps out of the pool, giving him a tantalizing view of her backside that included a sexy swing of her hips.

Chance slipped into the water and began making strong, sure laps until he was exhausted.

Ellen paused in the doorway of the restaurant. Maybe she’d just eat in the main dining area tonight. She’d given thought to having her meal brought to her hut but she wasn’t going stay in such a beautiful place and hole up in her room.

She’d made it halfway to the private dining room when her name was called. She recognized that voice.

Chance sat at a table overlooking a bubbling water fixture among ferns. A candle flickered in the lantern on the table. “We have to eat out here tonight. Not enough of us to prepare the extra room for. You’re welcome to join me but I’m almost done.”

She looked around the area at all the empty tables. Hating to cause any of the staff more work, she still wasn’t sure she wanted to eat a meal with Chance in such a romantic setting. Maybe she should order her food then make an excuse to carry it back to her hut. “Okay.”

Chance half stood as she took her seat cross from him.

After feeling vulnerable at the pool in nothing but her swimsuit, she wasn’t sure she could handle more time between the two of them. Every nerve in her body had been aware of Chance watching her leave the pool. It had been exciting and terrifying at the same time.

Apparently she was worrying for no reason. Chance ate and shuffled papers he had spread out on the table without paying any notice to her. She finally asked, “So what are all these?”

“Med invoice forms. I’m expecting a shipment any day.” He didn’t look at her.

“You do work all the time.”

He glanced up. “Someone has to do the paperwork.”

“Can’t someone else do that?”

He made an exaggerated scan of the room. “You see someone else volunteering?”

“I’ll be glad to. It wouldn’t hurt you to accept help sometimes.”

He put down the paper he had been reviewing. “Do you always say what you’re thinking?”

“Not always.” She certainly didn’t where her father was concerned and kept some of her thoughts about him to herself.

A waiter showed up with her meal. They fell into silence as they both ate. For some reason she didn’t even think to ask to take her meal to the room. “You know, I could help with those. I’m a pretty good organizer. Maybe I can set up a system that’ll make it easier for you.”

“Don’t you get enough work during the day not to want more?”

She shrugged. “I want to help. That’s what I’m here for.”

He looked at her. “And why is that? Here in Honduras?”

“Because of you.” She wanted that passion and conviction she’d heard in his voice in her life.

“That’s right, you said. Where was the fund-raiser?”

“In New York about six months ago.” She’d spent the next few months trying to convince her father that her life’s calling was in Honduras. He’d spent the time fighting the idea.

“That long ago.”

“Yeah, it took me awhile but I made it.”

Chance looked at her instead of the papers. “Why not sooner?”

“Well, mostly because of my father.”

Chance lifted his chin in question. The man had a way of getting people to talk to him. He was practicing that bedside manner she’d seen him use on his patients. It was powerful when turned on someone. She was that person now. The feeling that if he turned up the charm she couldn’t resist him anything filled her. Caution was what she needed to use.

“I’m an only child with an overprotective father. Make that way overprotective.”

“I guess if I had a beautiful daughter and she wanted to come down here to work I’d be concerned also.”

He’d said she was beautiful. Other men had but for some reason she especially liked hearing it from Chance.

“I love my father but after my mother died he just couldn’t stand the thought of losing me too. He seemed to think that making all the decisions in my life was the answer to keeping me safe.”

“He wouldn’t be pleased to know what happened the other day, would he?”

“No, he wouldn’t, and I don’t plan to tell him. It would only worry him. He already thinks I take too many risks.”

“Risks?”

“Yeah, like going into medicine, working in an inner-city clinic, or like coming down here.”

“Then I’d better see that you get home safe.”

Anger shot though her. “That’s not your job. I can take care of myself. I don’t need someone else watching over me.”

“Whoa.” He held up a hand. “I stepped on a tender spot. Sorry.” He went back to looking at his papers.

Taking a deep breath, she focused on her meal again. She watched the candle flicker and listened to the tinkle of water in the fountain then glanced at Chance. He was a handsome man. One of those who drew a woman’s attention naturally. There was an aura about him that just made her want to know him better. But what she didn’t need was someone caging her after she’d finally found her freedom.

Done with her meal, she asked, “Of all the places in the world, why did you decide to start a clinic in Honduras?”

Chance looked up. “I came here to do summer work with one of my professors while in med school.”

“That was it. You decided to start the Traveling Clinic?”

“Yeah, something like that. I saw the hardship and wanted to work here.”

Something about his tone made her think there was more to it than that. “So you decided to make it your life’s work.”

“It sort of evolved into it.” He took a bite of the fruit they’d been served for dessert.

“How’s that?”

Chance put his fork down. “You’re full of questions.”

“No more than you were.”

“Okay, so I had high hopes that I could make life better for the Hondurans. Make a real difference. But that, like everything else, costs money. Each year that has been harder to come by.”

“So when you made fun of me for trying to save the world you weren’t any different your first time in Honduras.”

A sheepish look came over his face. “Yeah, I know that stars-in-the-eyes look. I’ve had it and seen it hundreds of times. I’ve also seen people go home defeated by the amount of need here.”

“Is that why you’re so tough on me, because you don’t want me to be discouraged?”

He crossed his arms on the table. “I just want you to understand what you’re getting into. This isn’t a fairy-tale world.”

“What makes you think I need that?”

“Look at you. Your polished nails. You don’t belong here. This isn’t a place for you.”

She leaned toward him. “Who gave you such a narrow view of women and their abilities?”

“That would be my ex-wife, who came down here and stayed a few months before she left me for my colleague.”

By the tone of his voice he was still terribly bitter. She couldn’t keep the amazement in her voice from showing. “You were married?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. Even I can make a mistake.”

“Mistake? That’s a sad view of marriage.”

“But honest. Enough on that subject.” Chance returned to the papers at his fingertips.

He had been hurt, deeply. Did he judge all women by his ex-wife’s behavior? Even her? Maybe that’s why he treated her so unfairly. A few minutes later, she pushed back from the table. “Thank you for the stimulating company but I think I’ll call it an evening.”

To her disbelief Chance gathered his work, stood and stuffed the forms in his back pocket. “I’ll walk back with you.”

She didn’t question his motives; instead, she said thank you to the waiter and headed for the door. Chance caught up with her and they walked out of the main building.

She needed to apologize for spying on him but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. They continued walking.

At her hut Ellen said, “Uh, about the other night, the window and all. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I was flattered.”

She shifted from one foot to the other, not meeting his eyes. “Still, I shouldn’t have been invading your privacy. It won’t happen again.”

“That’s a shame. I found it flattering.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Where she had been embarrassed now she was indigent. He was enjoying her discomfort.

“What man doesn’t appreciate a lovely woman admiring him?”

“My, you have an ego.”

He grinned. “I’m just teasing you.”

“Since when do you tease?”

“Maybe I’m finding a new side to my life.”

“Could another one be you getting over your issues with me?”

Suddenly the current of awareness between them went up three notches. The air almost sparked. He stepped into her personal space. “Sweetheart—” the word was more growl than endearment “—I don’t think so. I have too many where you are concerned. The main one is wanting you.”

Her heart quickened. She’d not anticipated that declaration. In fact, by the way he’d treated her she hadn’t been sure he even liked her. Chance stepped closer. She refused to back away. His head lowered and an arm went around her waist. He drew her against him. His mouth found hers and she forgot to think. She hung on for dear life. It wasn’t a simple meeting of lips. Too many emotions roiled in her and flowed between them. The kiss was a mixture of shock, amazement, taking, giving, and abrupt release.

Without a word Chance left her staring after him as he stalked off past his hut and up the path.

On weak legs Ellen slowly climbed the steps to her porch. What had brought that on?

For days he’d treated her as if she was an interloper in his world. Out of nowhere he’d kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

Then he’d abruptly let her go. Why? What had suddenly turned him against her? There had been something real between them and just as quickly he’d broken the connection as if it was something he wanted no part of. Her arms went around her waist and she squeezed. Being pushed away hurt.

She knew what she had been thinking. No one had kissed her like that in her life. The electric ripple had rolled through her, making her ultra-aware of her body and his. She’d come close to marrying other men who had never had that effect on her. What if she had never known those brief moments of passion with Chance?

How far would she have allowed Chance to go? By her reaction to his kiss, too far. She bit her lower lip. Even now her lips still tingled.

But could she afford to act on her feelings again? Coming to Honduras had been her way of finding her place in the world. A space she chose and to make hers. Not one that her father oversaw or controlled. Did she want to get involved in something that might hurt her chances of staying here?

It really wasn’t an issue. Chance had walked way.

Chance hesitated at the bottom step to Ellen’s hut. He had no choice but to knock on her door. Never having been an indecisive person, he couldn’t understand why this time it was so difficult to do something so simple. Maybe because he was afraid she’d chew him out for the abrupt way he’d grabbed her, kissed her and walked off. He deserved her disdain even if he had done the right thing. Now he had a larger issue. A shipment of drugs was coming in and he needed to meet the plane. She’d offered to help with the paperwork and this was one of the times he needed her.

Needed her. Unfortunately, that seemed to be happening on a number of levels.

He prided himself on facing problems head on but the thought of approaching Ellen so soon after their kiss had him feeling uneasy. The kiss they’d shared had rattled his nerves and his convictions. He wanted more than a kiss and that shook him to the core. She shouldn’t interest him, shouldn’t affect him in any way, but she did, far too much. He’d spent the night vacillating between berating himself and wanting to crawl into Ellen’s bed. The latter he wasn’t going to do under any circumstances. He had to stop whatever was happening before it got out of hand.

He wouldn’t kiss her again.

For him, controlling his emotions had been a lifetime thing. He done it when his mother had left, when his father had sent him to boarding school, separating him and his sister, and yet again when the headmaster had stated frankly he would never amount to anything. He would do so again where Ellen was concerned. It was necessary if he didn’t want to lose his sanity, or, worse, hurt her.

She was a good doctor and he was as well. They were in Honduras to help people and that was what they would do. Their relationship would remain professional. He wasn’t some teen whose body ruled his brain or some lovestruck young man who went after the first beautiful woman he’d seen in a while. As a mature man he could handle any fascination he might feel for her, especially a woman he wasn’t sure he liked.

Chance gave the door a sharp, solid tap. There was no response. His knuckles rapped against the wood once more.

“Coming.” The word had a groggy sound.

Ellen opened the slatted door and stood on the other side of the screen door.

“Did I oversleep?” Panic filled her voice.

Her mass of hair fell in disarray around her face. The temptation to open the door, take her in his arms and walk her backwards to the bed almost got the better of his control. How much was a man supposed to take? Chance sucked in a breath.

“No. Were you serious about helping with the paperwork?” He sounded gruff and formal even to his own ears.

She blinked twice. “Yes.”

“Then I need you to come with me. We have a shipment. I want to show you how to handle it and what’s involved.” He was already making his way down the steps again.

“Okay. Give me ten minutes.”

“I’ll get us something to eat and meet you at the truck.” He didn’t wait for her to answer before heading along the path.

As good as her word, which he was coming to learn was ingrained in Ellen’s makeup, she showed up at the Jeep dressed and ready to go right on time. He’d never known a woman as attractive as she who could be dressed on such short notice. His ex-wife would have certainly balked at his request, expecting at least an hour to prepare herself to go out in public, even in the wee hours of the morning.

Ellen climbed into the seat beside him and he handed her a cup of juice and a banana. “Breakfast of champions.”

“Or the crazy,” she mumbled.

Chance grinned. He found she had that effect on him more often than most. There was never a dull moment around Ellen. He was learning to like it. Putting the Jeep in gear, he headed toward the road that would take them to the nearby airstrip.

Ellen yawned. “Why so early? It’s three a.m.”

“This is when a plane was available to bring supplies in. We use volunteers and have to work around their schedule. This plane was making another delivery and just added us as an extra stop.”

“Oh. You couldn’t have told me about this last night? I would have been ready.”

“I didn’t know for sure and I had other things on my mind.” Like kissing you, holding you, taking you to bed.

A soft sound of realization came from her side of the cabin.

“Uh, Ellen, about that kiss. Look, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. You didn’t come down here to have an affair and I certainly don’t make it a habit of taking advantage of young women. It won’t happen again.” Out of the corner of his eye he saw her shift towards him in the seat.

“For starters, I’m old enough to take care of myself and I make my own choices about who I kiss, not you.”

“But I took advantage of the situation…”

He felt her glare. “Chance, just shut up and drive.”

Half an hour later they had reached the airfield. Marco and a couple of the others were helping set out lanterns along a dirt runway.

“This looks a little illegal to me,” Ellen said as they waited on the plane circling the field.

“It would be by American standards but by Honduran ones it’s the only way to get the drugs safely into our hands.” Chance pointed toward a car sitting near the tree line. “That’s one of the officials. We’ll give him the papers, a little cash and he’ll sign off on them.”

“So it is illegal?”

“No, we just have to get our shipments in a less orthodox method so that we don’t draw the drug traffickers’ attention. This way we’re not robbed on the road. Marco, Ricardo and Perez will ride as an armed escort back to the resort just to be sure.”

“Is this how it’s handled every time?” Ellen sounded excited by the whole idea.

“Pretty much, but we change up meeting points and times. Nothing’s the same twice.”

“Interesting. I kind of like this cloak-and-dagger stuff.”

Chance grinned. He could see her as a femme fatale. “Rest assured, it’s necessary and not something to take lightly.”

The plane’s wheels touched the runway, throwing up dust.

“Do you ever see the humor in something or do you always take everything seriously?”

“When it comes to my work it’s serious.”

And unfortunately where you are concerned it is serious as well.

Chance stepped on the gas and raced after the plane. They needed to have it unload and gone before anyone took notice. He pulled to a stop beside the plane. Thrusting some papers into Ellen’s hand, he said, “As I call out the meds, you mark them off the list.”

“Got it.”

By the time he had the first box in his hands and was placing it in the trunk, Ellen was standing at the hood with a penlight in her mouth and the papers spread across it.

“Do you have a pen?”

“No.”

She dug through her bag a second. “Never mind. I’ve got something.”

“Amoxicillin.”

“Okay,” she called.

“Penicillin.”

There was a pause. “Got it.”

The government representative stood beside her as Chance named the medicine labeled on each of the boxes. The man didn’t ask to see inside any of them. When it came time for him to sign the government form, Chance slipped him some bills and he went away smiling. The price of doing business. The process went on for another fifteen minutes.

Chance looked at Marco and his crew. “Okay, guys, are you ready to go?”

“Sí. We behind you.”

Chance climbed into the Jeep. Ellen was already there, holding a paper by the corner as she flapped it. “What’re you doing?”

“Making sure it’s dry.”

The paper must have sucked up moisture from the night air. Chance breathed a sigh of relief that they were loaded and headed back to the resort. He was always on edge when waiting in the open. Drug traffickers were everywhere and as far as he and they were concerned his cargo was gold. The antibiotics were not the most valuable of drugs for resale but they certainly were important to the work of the clinic.

He glanced at Ellen. She’d gathered the forms firmly in her hands. He started the Jeep and they were soon turning into the resort entrance and driving round to the staff parking lot. Chance pulled into a slot next to the van. He waved at Marco as he turned in behind them then back out again on his way home.

“Marco isn’t staying?”

“No, we’re safe here. Now we need to get these counted and stored.” Chance opened the back end of the van.

“How can I help?”

How like Ellen not to complain and join in. “As I bring you the boxes, open them, count the contents and store them in the lockbox.”

“Will do.”

Over the next half hour they worked together, getting the medicine into place. Ellen did everything he asked. With all the boxes in the van, he joined her inside it as well. Being in the tight area with her made him even more aware of his desire. Working shoulder to shoulder, with hands brushing on occasion, he questioned his judgment at having Ellen help him over asking Karen.

He’d chosen Ellen because she had offered and seemed good at this type of work. The other part of his reasoning had been to see how she reacted to the clandestine operation that was sometimes necessary. He was pleased, she’d come through like a champ.

With the medicine stored, Chance climbed out of the van and offered his hand to Ellen. She hesitated a second before she placed hers in his then jumped the short distance to the ground.

To his disappointment she let go of his hand. “Bedtime.”

She yawned. “Past it.”

“Tomorrow’s clinic is in a village not far away. You and I will sleep in. The others will go ahead and we’ll catch up with them before midmorning.”

She pulled her bag out of the Jeep. “I can go earlier if I’m needed.”

“No, you need your rest.”

“But—”

What was the problem? The idea that she’d have to ride out with him? Or she wanted to spend time with Michael? “No buts. Be here at nine ready to go.”

“Okay, but before I go I need to ask you a question.” It had been worrying her all night. Ellen had to get some kind of answer for his behavior in front of her hut.

He stopped and turned. She moved toward him. Looking him straight in the eyes, she asked, “Why did you kiss me?”

A stillness came over Chance then he wiped his hand over his face. “Let’s not get into it again. I’ve already apologized. It won’t happen again.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Ellen refused to back down until he gave a reason. She said softly, “Why?”

“What do you want me to say? Because I wanted to more than anything in the world.”

Did he mean that? Joy swelled in her chest. She stepped closer. “If that’s the truth, why not?”

“Come on, Ellen, this isn’t a good idea.”

“Probably not. But I still want to know.” She continued to study his face in the dim light.

“Look, you deserve more than I can or am willing to give.”

“I don’t remember asking for anything. And if I was, you don’t get to decide that for me. My father has done that all my life and I don’t need you taking his place. I choose what I want.” Since when did he think she wasn’t capable of making her own decisions?

“The most that can be between us is an affair. You don’t want that. Go to bed, Ellen. Forget about what happened.”

“Just for the record, I asked about a kiss, you are the one that brought up an affair. Good night, Chance.”

That would give him something to think about. She took the path leading to their huts.

After a few hours of sleep, which were not refreshing by any standard, Ellen was sitting in the truck, waiting for Chance. She’d decided after their discussion that she would do her job, be as much help as she could be to the clinic, and stay out of Chance’s way. He’d made it clear where he stood regarding her and she would respect that. That was just as well for her, she didn’t need to get involved with someone who thought they knew all the answers where her life was concerned.

Chance walked up looking as if he hadn’t fared any better since they’d parted than she had. His hat was crammed on his head and his aviator sunglasses were in place.

“Good morning,” she offered.

Chance climbed into the driver’s seat. “Mornin’.”

“It came around pretty quickly.”

A grin covered his lips. The one she didn’t see often. “Nights like last night remind me I’m not as young as I used to be.”

“I can understand that,” Ellen mumbled as he started the Jeep and pulled out of the lot.

She looked at Chance’s large, capable hands on the steering wheel and then moved her eyes up to his face to settle on his mouth. She like his full lips that remained far too serious far too often. As he slowed, her attention went to his strong thigh muscles flexing and contracting as he pressed the gas pedal after shifting gears.

He intrigued her, made her want to know more about him, figure out what made him react to her as he did. It wasn’t just his kisses, his air of authority but his devotion to the people he was trying to help that fascinated her. Yet the hurt from the night before wasn’t easy to let go of. There was still an ache behind her heart. No one liked being rejected, especially when they were told it was for their own good.

Ellen peeled an orange that she had taken from the bowl in her hut. Breakfast had been delivered without her request. It was her guess that Chance had seen to it. “Want some?”

“No, thank you.”

“You sure?” She offered a couple of slices, holding them out. “I bet you didn’t eat much for breakfast.”

After shifting gear again, he reached out and took the slices from her.

A shiver of warmth went through her. All it took was one innocent touch and her heart rate jumped. If she was going to keep her promise to herself, she would have to get a handle on her reaction to Chance.

Ellen pulled a slice off the orange and popped it into her mouth, making an effort not to let it show how rattled she was. What she needed to do was focus on something else. “Tell me what you need done to get the paperwork in order.”

“I have to see that everything is turned in on time and in order to the foundation as well as to the government representative. I need help doing what we did last night and an inventory of supplies done regularly. I also need shipments set up. Have papers in order for customs.”

For the next few minutes Chance continued to list different areas where he needed assistance.

“Where’s the paperwork right now?” Ellen threw the orange peel out of the window.

“Most of it is on a table in my hut.”

He was a control freak? Did he think he could do everything? “Have you been seeing to it since the clinic opened?”

“Pretty much, but lately it has been more difficult. The foundation is now required to submit items it didn’t have to in the past. I have to admit I hate doing it as well.”

“But you didn’t plan to ask for help, did you?”

He glanced at her. “I let you help last night, didn’t I?”

Chance had, but she had a feeling that was a rarity. She suspected she should feel honored.

By the time she and Chance arrived at the clinic area there was a line of people waiting.

“I should have come on with the others,” Ellen said as she hopped out of the car. “So many waiting.”

“It doesn’t do them any good if you’re so tired that you don’t know what you’re doing. They’ll be seen. We won’t leave until we do.” Chance grabbed his to-go bag off the backseat.

He sounded like he knew from experience what bone tired meant. As if he’d been there before.

“I just hate the never-ending need here.”

A weary look came over Chance’s face. “I know what you mean. I often wonder if we’ll ever make headway.”

The statement was like a thump to her chest. She would’ve never thought she’d hear that discouraged tone from Chance. The great man who had stood at the podium and proudly shared the work being done in Honduras on behalf of the people. The work the clinic was doing. His voice made him seem demoralized. As if he could give up the effort. Didn’t he see that just being here, his caring was making a real difference in these people’s lives? Marco and his crew were better off just by the pay.

She walked beside him. “But it’s worth it. We do make a difference. I see it in every place we go.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t appear any different when we return. These people need local permanent clinics.”

Was he just tired? She’d never heard him talk like this. “Then why do you keep on doing it?”

“Because no one else is. Where would these people go for help if the clinic wasn’t here? Where would I go?”

A cloud of sadness settled around her. Why did he think he had no other place to go? What had happened to him? Where was his family?

Ellen followed Chance into the tent where the clinic was already in full swing. He took his spot at a table where Karen was prepping a patient for an exam. Peter was doing triage. Ellen joined Michael and went to work.

In the middle of the afternoon a mother brought in a baby who had a cleft palate. He was thin but had bright eyes. Not only his looks suffered from his mouth deformity but his ability to eat had as well. Ellen’s heart went out to the child like it had to no other. The mother also had a three-year-old with her.

Michael lifted the older child onto the table. As he did the mother watched intently. Michael examined the boy and then said to the mother, “You’ll need to clean this area.”

The baby in her arms began to squirm.

“May I hold him?” Ellen asked.

The mother looked unsure but she handed the boy to Ellen.

She looked into the baby’s face. With the right funding and the right people, how many children with cleft palates could be given a better life? Maybe she could get some support from her father and his contacts. Her fear was that in return his demand would be that she return to New York.

Michael said to her, “Chance will see the baby. He handles all the cleft palates.”

Chance looked up when Michael called his name.

“Can you see this little boy now or do you want them to wait?” Michael asked.

“I’ll be ready for him in a second.”

He looked at Ellen, who was speaking baby talk to the child. She was absorbed in the child’s happy but distorted sounds. Motherhood would suit her. She would make a good wife to someone. The idea left a sour taste in his mouth.

His voice was gruff when he said, “Ellen, bring him here and let me have a look.”

She did as he asked.

“Hold him while I check him out.” Chance pulled his stethoscope from around his neck and put the earpieces in place. He leaned close, placing the disk on the child’s chest. The soft smell filled his nostrils. Ellen. Would her scent always remind him of flowers? She’d stopped wearing perfume after he’d explained it wasn’t a good idea but still he would know her aroma anywhere.

Chance glanced up to find her watching him. They were so close he could see the black flecks in her blue eyes. He had to count the baby’s heartbeats twice. Returning his attention to the child’s chest didn’t help matters. One of Ellen’s breasts, covered in a tight T-shirt, was only inches from his hand. He dreamed of touching. Just once…

He closed his eyes and opened them again. Only by focusing on a tree outside the tent door was he able to record the child’s respirations accurately the first time. The fascination with Ellen had to stop. Someone was going to notice. Worse, he was going to act on his desires.

The boy baby looked well cared for but thin. He would need surgery to continue to grow, for his teeth to form correctly and for him not to develop ear problems. Chance had just finished his examination when the mother, along with the older child, joined him and Ellen.

“Please continue to hold the boy,” he said to Ellen. She smiled and nodded, appearing glad to do so. “I need to take some pictures.” He then spoke to the mother, telling her he could help the child but that he would need surgery. That he wanted to take some pictures of the boy’s mouth for the doctors.

The mother gave her agreement but she continued to look concerned.

“Ellen, I need you to hold him in front of you so I can get some pictures from different angles. Just stand where you are and try to keep him happy.”

“That’s not a problem. He’s precious.”

Chance hurried to the van and brought back the high-resolution camera then began taking pictures. The boy remained happily in Ellen’s arms.

He wasn’t surprised people were content around her. If it wasn’t for the fact he was fighting his attraction to her all the time, he’d feel the same way around her.

Minutes later Chance had all the pictures he needed. “Ellen, get Marco to help you get all the information you can about names and where she lives so that we can contact her when the team comes down here. Marco knows what to do.”

“Okay.” She placed a kiss on the child’s cheek and handed the boy back to his mother.

Despite the pretty picture, Chance was aware of the price of becoming too emotionally involved. Ellen would get hurt if she rushed in and opened her heart too freely.

He made sure that didn’t happen to him.

Fifteen minutes later Ellen returned. He was between patients. “We got all the information you requested,” she said.

“Good. The plastic surgery team should be here the week after next. We’ll put the boy on the list. They’ll have a full week of surgery.”

“He’s a cute little thing.” She looked out the clinic door wistfully. “It’s a shame he has to go through surgery.”

“I could tell you liked him.”

“How can you not?”

“Be careful, Ellen. Your bleeding heart is showing. Don’t get too attached. You’ll get hurt.”

“You keep telling me that.” She gave him a direct look. “Yeah, maybe. But if you never get attached you might miss out on something wonderful.”

Pete asked her for some help and she left him. Chance had the idea that her remark had more to do with what was happening between them than dealing with their patients. He had closed himself off. Had meant to. How many times could he get kicked in the teeth and still survive? It had already happened twice. If he became involved with Ellen it would occur again. He was confident her kick would be the hardest of them all. He wouldn’t give her up easily, but give her up he would.