Читать книгу Christmas Kisses Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Louise Allen - Страница 34

THE STAFF ATE supper together that night. Afterwards Ellen and Karen took a walk around the resort before heading for their huts. When Karen had said good-night and left, Ellen glanced at Chance’s place. A light was on inside. She shrugged. Tonight would be as good a time as any to tackle those reports he was concerned about. Maybe he had time now to show her what needed doing.

A roll of thunder from the west arrived just as a soft rain began to fall. Ellen climbed the steps of Chance’s hut. The main door was open. She knocked, at the same time looking through the screen.

“You looking for me?” The low rumble came from the hammock hanging near the edge of the porch.

Startled, she turned. “Are you spying on me again?”

“Hey, you’re the one on my porch, looking into my hut.”

The hammock swung slowly as he spoke. She stepped toward him, close enough to look down at him. Chance was stretched out with his hands behind his head and his legs crossed, wearing a T-shirt and cargo shorts. He appeared more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. Chance carried a heavy burden with all he did to make the clinic function. He deserved his down time.

“I came over to see if you wanted me to look at that paperwork but I can see you’re taking some time for yourself. We can do it tomorrow.”

A streak of lightning flashed in the darkening sky seconds before thunder hit. Ellen yelped, jumped, and grabbed the rope supporting the end of the hammock where Chance’s head lay. It swung. She tipped forward and down on top of him.

Strong arms circled her waist. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

With her palms she pushed against his chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall on you.”

Lightning flashed again. She shuddered.

“Don’t worry, I have you.”

There was security in those words. She looked into his eyes and found compassion there.

“It’ll pass soon.”

She relaxed into him. Found sanctuary. “Thanks. I’ve not been too fond of lightning since I was a child.”

Chance continued to hold her but his body remained tense as if he was trying not to get too close, even though they were touching from shoulder to toes.

The lightning eased. She looked at him. “I think I’m good now. If you’ll give me a little push, I can get off you.”

Instead of doing as she requested, his lips found hers and her world exploded with pleasure. The hammock drifted to the side as he brought her up alongside him. She entwined her legs with his. He wore shorts and her bare legs brushed against his rougher ones. She stifled a moan.

Chance’s hand slid down to cup her butt then squeezed it, lifting her against him. The knit tank top sundress she wore rode up her legs. He ran a hand along the back of a thigh, setting her skin tingling. She flexed into him. The evidence of his desire stood long and ridged between them.

Ellen didn’t question why Chance was kissing her after he’d made it clear earlier he didn’t want her. She didn’t care. He wanted her now. That was what mattered.

Chance’s tongue demanded entrance and she gladly offered it. Her center throbbed. She was crazy for this man, had been since she’d heard him speak so passionately about the people he cared about. Even then she’d been half in love with him.

Vaguely aware of the rain falling around them as if curtaining them from the outside world, her hands shook as they pushed upward over his T-shirt and circled his neck, letting her fingers curl into his hair. His scalp was warm.

Chance’s mouth left hers to nuzzle behind her ear. His fingers found her leg and the edge of her panties. Tracing the elastic, he teased her. His other hand splayed across her back, holding her close.

Ellen rolled her head to the side, giving Chance better access to her neck. He whispered, “Sweet, sweet El.”

She slipped a hand under the hem of his shirt and found warm skin waiting there. His muscles rippled as her fingers brushed over them on her way around his waist to his back. It was heaven to touch Chance, to have him near.

His lips traveled over the line of her jaw and back to her mouth. He placed small hungry kisses on her mouth before he captured her lips completely in a hot kiss, full of need and question.

Ellen squeezed his neck and gripped his back, squirming against him.

“Woman, you’re killing me.”

“Good.” Her lips found his and took command.

Abruptly Chance rolled forward, causing her to slide behind him, her face buried between his shoulder blades. The thump of steps on the boards of the porch stopped her complaint.

“Chance, I need to see you about your plans for the surgery team.” At Michael’s words Ellen went stone still.

“I’ll meet you up by the reception area,” Chance said.

“It’ll just take a minute.” Michael said.

Ellen grinned against Chance’s back and brushed a fingertip over his waist. His hand captured hers and squeezed, holding it in place. Her body shook with a giggle.

Chance said tightly, “I’ll see you up front.”

There was silence for a second, then an “Oh…” from Michael. He added, with humor wrapping the word, “Gotcha.”

As the sound of his footsteps disappeared, Ellen kissed the back of Chance’s neck and ran her hands around his waist beneath his shirt. She snickered. “We almost got caught.”

Chance’s swung his feet to the floor and stood. He turned and offered her a hand. “I think you should go.”

Really! She could kick Michael for showing up. Finally Chance was letting her in, showing his true feelings, and Michael barged in. Maybe she had been stepping over an edge that would end up hurting her but it would have been a wonderful trip down. Chance’s touch sent her body into awareness overdrive.

As soon as Michael had left, Chance had turned cold. What was he afraid of? She wouldn’t let him walk away as if nothing had happened. This time she wasn’t going to stand for it.

Putting her hand in his, she let Chance pull her to a standing position. As soon as she had, he let her go and stepped back. She glared at him as she straightened her dress, then stepped close enough that her chest came into contact with his. His eyes widened but he didn’t move. How much humiliation could she take?

“Dr. Freeman, I don’t know what you’re playing at but I’m tired of it. We’re both adults. I’m old enough to know what I want and to be responsible for my decisions. I’ve made it clear I want you. I know you want me too. You made that obvious minutes ago. So give it a rest. It’s not me you are protecting, it’s yourself.”

He said nothing but his jaw muscle jumped. She’d made her point. Shaking all over, she said, “I’ll be going now.”

Had he been gut punched? Chance stood there looking at the spot where Ellen had stood. He hadn’t planned on what had happened. The second she’d fallen into his arms he’d been unable to let her go. If Michael hadn’t walked up Chance had no doubt where it would have ended. His bed. Every fiber in his being wished it had.

Ellen was angry. She should be. He deserved every word she’d said. She felt used. What had he been thinking? That’s just it, he didn’t think around her. He’d wanted her to stay away. After tonight it looked like she would without him saying it again. Why didn’t that make him feel better?

She been right about him protecting himself. He was afraid of her. Ellen had the capability of taking his heart and crushing it.

Inhaling a few deep breaths, he headed to the lobby area to meet Michael.

He was sprawled in a chair, flipping through a magazine as if he wasn’t really interested in the material. When Chance approached, he sprang out of the chair with a wide grin on his face. “Sorry, man, I didn’t mean to break something up. I had no idea.”

Chance didn’t want to talk about what had happened between him and Ellen. His nerves were too raw. The need still too intense. “What do you need to know?”

“Oh, yeah, yeah. You’re in a hurry to get back to Ellen.”

Michael had seen her. Chance had tried his best to protect her. What was or wasn’t between them, he wanted it to remain theirs alone.

Michael was saying, “I think it’s great and about time. Ellen’s crazy about you. I’ve tried to get something going but she’ll have none of it. But you, she can’t seem to keep her eyes off. Even when we’re working she knows where you are all the time.”

She did? Chance hadn’t been aware. Maybe he hadn’t wanted to. Regardless, he didn’t want to discuss Ellen with Michael. “What did you need from me?”

Michael looked at him a second then said, “I need the list of patients and their diagnoses to fax to the surgery team ASAP.”

“I need to double-check the info. Can I get them to you first thing in the morning?”

Michael grinned. “I’m sure that’ll be soon enough.”

“Good. See you then.” Chance started back toward his hut.

A few minutes later he shuffled through the papers on his desk, the same ones that Ellen had come over to work on before he had distracted her. He looked at the drug list from a few nights before. Beside each drug there was a pink dot. What the hell?

That damn fingernail polish. The same that had covered her nails as she’d raked them over his skin just a few minutes earlier. And the ones he wished were still pulling him close.

He had to figure out a way around this obsession with Ellen. All he need to do was endure a few more weeks and she would be gone. The bigger question would be how would he survive after that?

Despite Ellen’s anger with Chance, she was still basking in the glow of his kisses days later. She didn’t like it but couldn’t seem to do anything about it.

What would have happened if Michael hadn’t interrupted them? Would Chance have forgotten all the opposition he’d put up against her and taken her to bed? Would she have let him? Could she have resisted?

Even now she wished she could be alone with him again. But she had no intention of allowing that. She wanted someone who trusted her to make her own decisions.

She looked at him sitting at the head of the table as if he were the patriarch of a family. Forking another piece of the succulent fruit off her dinner plate, she scanned the table. The staff was sitting down together for the first time in over a week. She relished it when they ate in their dining area, almost like they were a family. It had been just her father and her for so long that she enjoyed a meal with the large, boisterous group.

Chance tapped his fork against his glass. “Okay, listen up. Here’s the plan for the next couple of days.”

Everyone quieted.

“We’ll be going to two outlying villages that are farther away from here than we normally go. Because of this, we’ll have more armed guards than usual. Security will be extra-tight. We’ll be in drug-trafficker country. They shouldn’t bother us unless we give them a reason. And we’ll be making every effort not to do that.”

Ellen’s newfound freedom shook a little. They were going to spend the night in the jungle? This was more than she’d expected when she’d decided to come to Honduras. She looked at Chance again. Everything was more than she’d expected.

“Is there a problem, Ellen?”

“No, sir.”

His eyes narrowed at the use of sir. “You’re welcome to stay here if you’re not comfortable.” His blue gaze bored into her. Daring her.

Was he trying get her to stay here? “No. I’m good. I wouldn’t miss it.”

His look moved to Peter and then Karen. They both nodded.

“Good. There has been some trouble with the local traders and we need to be very careful about every move we make. Don’t ask any questions of the patients that aren’t medical.” He looked at her. “Don’t leave the clinic area unescorted for any reason. My priority is everyone’s safety. Take no chances. Pack for a two-night stay. Enjoy the comforts of home tonight because we’ll be sleeping in the trucks or on the ground for the next couple of nights. Any questions?”

Ellen listened as the others talked and made comments about the plans. She couldn’t decide if she was excited or terrified. Either way, this was the type of work she’d come to Honduras to do and she would do it without complaint.

“Pack light but be sure to have your long pants and long-sleeved shirts, hat and boots. Don’t forget the bug spray and sunscreen.” He looked at her. “This won’t be a picnic. So be prepared.”

He acted as if she had been complaining. Not once, to her knowledge, had she not risen to expectations. If she hadn’t been sure she could do it she hadn’t let on and had forged ahead. She was tired of trying to prove herself to him.

The next day consisted of a long drive into the interior of the country. Ellen had been told by Michael that the people they would be seeing had only seen a doctor a few times. She was looking forward to helping them.

She’d kept her distance from Chance whenever she could. Disgusted with him for not facing the fact that he cared for her, she was also furious at herself for letting it matter. She was slowly accepting he was right. If they had a relationship and it went bad, she didn’t think she could continue to work here. She would have to look elsewhere for a clinic. But would she like the country and the people as much as she loved this one? It would be better if they just remained professionals. But could she face Chance every day without her feelings showing?

They arrived at the village where they were to work by midafternoon. Before they had finished setting up people were waiting. Again, Ellen worked primarily with Michael, only occasionally swapping to help Chance. At those times they were almost too formal in their interactions. A couple of times the others gave them strange looks or knowing smiles. Would it be worse if they were together?

As the day ended, Marco and his men set up a food table. There were double the number of helpers, with two of them stationed on the perimeter of the area with rifles. Folding chairs were placed at the table so that everyone could sit in comfort to eat.

Growing up in New York City, Ellen hadn’t had a chance to do any real camping. She’d attended summer camp but there had been beds with mattresses and running water. This was going to be rough camping and she was rather looking forward to the new adventure after the initial shock. The most interesting aspect so far was the tent structure with covered sides that had been set up as a bathroom area.

While they were eating Chance announced, “Ladies, you may have first turn in the bathroom. You’ll find your sleeping bags in the back of the truck. Don’t forget to pull the mosquito netting over you when you go to sleep. Marco’s men will be keeping watch tonight. Don’t get up and wander around. Get some sleep. We’ll start early tomorrow.”

Ellen and Karen headed straight to the bathing area after dinner. They were allowed nothing more than a sponge bath but that was better than nothing. They changed into clean work clothes, which they would sleep in. Ellen left her bra off for ease of sleeping and planned to slip it on before anyone noticed in the morning. When she and Karen stepped out of the tent the men were already lined up, waiting to get in. Ellen pulled her towel up against her chest to cover the fact she was braless.

Chance was at the end of the line but she didn’t met his gaze as she passed him.

There was a lantern burning in the truck and her and Karen’s sleeping bags were already rolled out on the benches across from each other, their nets hanging from the side rails of the truck.

“I’ve always loved camping out,” Karen said as she slipped into her bag.

“This is a first for me.”

“Really? And no complaints. I like that about you. Always a good sport.”

“Thanks. I wish others thought that.” Ellen helped Karen adjust her net around her.

Karen lay back. “You really have a thing for Chance.”

“I’ve sure tried not to.” Ellen opened her bag.

“I’ve worked with many doctors but I’ve never seen one more dedicated than Chance. Sometimes people can’t see past their job.”

“I think most of it has to do with him thinking he needs to protect me.”

Karen harrumphed then murmured, “It’s more like the fact he has the hots for you that’s bothering him.”

He might but Chance had made it clear he wasn’t going to act on them.

Ellen settled into her bag, turned the lantern down and pulled the net around her. Lying back, she looked up at the stars. This was an amazing country. Even with the poverty, need and sometimes danger she’d be happy to live here forever.

Sometime during the night Ellen woke, needing to go to the restroom. After debating having to get out of the sleeping bag, climb down out of the truck and walk across the camping area to the bathroom tent, she decided she had no choice. Using her penlight and moving as quietly as possible, she made her way there.

She was returning to the truck when a figure loomed near her. A hand touched her arm. She jerked away.

“Shush. You’ll wake the whole camp.” Chance stood close enough that she could feel his breath against her cheek. “What’re you doing out here, wandering around? I’ve told you it isn’t safe.”

Ellen clenched her teeth. “I had to go to the restroom. Why should it matter to you anyway? You’ve made it clear you don’t care about me.”

Chance’s fingers wrapped around her forearm and he pulled her behind the clinic tent, putting it between them and where the rest of the group slept. His arms crushed her against him and he growled, “You make me crazy. And the problem isn’t that I don’t want you but that I do.” His mouth found hers.

Despite everything her brain told her about him hurting her again, her body told her to take what she could. She dropped her light and her hands clutched his waist. His tongue caressed the interior of her mouth and she join in the sweet battle. One of Chance’s hands slipped under her shirt and slid over her ribs to cup her breast.

He groaned.

A flash of awareness went through her. Her flesh tingled. Reveled in Chance’s touch. He took her nipple between two fingers and gently tugged.

Her womb contracted.

“Sweetheart,” he murmured against her lips. He pushed the shirt higher. The moist night air touched her skin seconds before Chance leaned her over his arm. She held on as his wet, warm mouth covered her nipple and sucked. His tongue circled and teased her. Blood flowed hot and heavy to her center, feeding the throbbing there.

She moaned. Chance stood her up and his mouth covered hers. His hands went to her hips and brought them against his. With a hand behind his neck, she held his lips to hers.

“Mr. Chance, I heard a noise.” Marco stood nearby.

Chance continued to hold her close as he said over his shoulder, “Everything is fine. Miss Ellen got lost. I’ll see her back.”

“Sí.” By the tone of Marco’s answer he saw through that lie.

With Marco gone, Chance tugged Ellen’s shirt back into place. “Let’s get you back to bed. We’ll talk about this later.”

Ellen’s heart flew. At least this time he wasn’t walking away mad, apologizing or denying that there was something between them.

He picked up her penlight then took her elbow, guiding her around the tent toward the truck. There he gave her a quick kiss and brushed her already sensitive breast with the knuckle of his index finger before he handed her the light and walked off into the darkness.

On shaky legs, Ellen climbed into the truck and into her sleeping bag. Her heart thumped as if she had been running and her center burned as she relived every second of the last few minutes before she finally drifted into a dream of Chance doing it all again.

Had he lost his mind? Chance walked the few paces to his tent. Ellen was driving him beyond reason. He’d always been a sensible adult, one who thought before he acted, yet when he was around Ellen he came unglued. She brushed against him and all he could think of was kissing her, having her. It had become worse when he’d discovered her bare breast. Heaven help him. He’d almost taken her behind the clinic tent. Worse, he still wanted to.

He had to get Ellen out of his system.

Chance slapped at his pants leg in frustration. They were both adults. She had more than proved that with her warm welcome when he’d kissed her. So why couldn’t they have a short and satisfying affair while she was here? He would make it clear there would be no ties when the time came for her to leave.

Maybe it was time to stop protecting her. If he didn’t do something soon, he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on his work. One thing he did know was that he would not be able to push her away any longer. No matter the reason, he wanted her beyond sanity. He would have her.

Come morning, he assigned Ellen to work with Michael as usual. If he’d assigned her to assist him after all this time the others would notice, especially Michael. He wasn’t ready to answer questions about his feelings for Ellen.

Throughout the day he would meet Ellen’s gaze and she would smile. Once they grabbed for a bandage at the same time. Their hands touched. By his body’s reaction he was reverting back to his youth. When they stopped for lunch he sat under a banana tree to eat and watched as Ellen and Karen walked to the truck that doubled as their bedroom. Even Ellen’s walk had him turned on.

Michael squatted on his heels beside him. He looked off toward the two women as well. With humor hanging on each word, he said, “I never thought I would have seen it. The untouchable Chance Freeman has fallen hard.”

Chance cut his eyes to him. “What does that mean?”

“You have it bad for Ellen.”

“You’re crazy.” Chance picked up a tiny stick and threw it.

“So it’s okay if I go after her?”

“You already said she wasn’t interested.”

“I haven’t given her the full court press,” Michael said with a smile.

“Leave it alone, Michael,” Chance growled.

“Then I suggest you do something about it.” Michael looked at the women again.

“You know, it’s none of your damn business.” Chance didn’t need pushing toward something he had every intention of taking care of himself.

Michael chuckled. “No, I guess it isn’t but it’s nice to see the cool, calm and collected Dr. Freeman squirm.” His grin grew larger. “I’ll see that the clinic is ready for this afternoon around two.”

Michael had been a friend for a number of years and had often listened into the early morning hours to Chance’s sad story of his poor choices where women were concerned. More than once they had handled issues having to do with the clinic together. If Michael wasn’t such a friend, he would’ve never gotten away with those remarks about Ellen.

The afternoon work went every bit as well as the morning had. It was dusk when a couple of gunshots rang out in the distance.

“What’s that?” Karen asked in alarm.

Michael, appearing unconcerned, continued to store equipment. “Drug dealers most likely. We’ve been lucky we haven’t heard more shots.”

Fifteen minutes later Chance stepped out of the clinic to see a boy of about twelve run into the clearing and stop. He gave the area a wide-eyed look as if searching for something. Ellen slowly approached him from the direction of the truck. She spoke to him.

Chance hurried toward them. As usual she wasn’t considering the danger. The boy could be luring her into the jungle. Kidnappings happened often for ransom in this area. She didn’t have to step beyond the clearing but a few paces before she wouldn’t be seen. Not wanting to spook the boy, Chance slowed as he joined them.

As he came closer the boy said something about his father being shot and asking for her to come help. Chance’s heart rate jumped. That had to have been the shots they’d heard. The boy’s father must be working with the drug traffickers or had crossed their path.

“Must come,” the boy cried. He stepped forward with his hand out as if he were going to take Ellen’s.

Chance stepped closer to Ellen and told the child, “You’ll need to bring him here.”

“Can’t. He no walk,” the boy said as he looked back toward the opening in the foliage he’d just come out of. “Hurry. Lots blood.”

“Then have someone carry him here.” Chance made it a firm statement.

The boy looked around as if expecting someone to pop out of the jungle. “No one help. Afraid.”

Chance shook his head. “Then I’m sorry.”

Ellen gave him a pleading look. “Chance, we have to help.”

“My first concern is the staff of this clinic, their safety. Leaving this area would not be safe. The drug traffickers have free rein. We don’t even know the boy is telling the truth.”

“He die. Please.” The boy looked from Ellen to Chance and back again, tears forming in his eyes. “It not far. Promise.”

“We have to help him,” Ellen begged.

Chance was torn. If it was true he wanted to give the help. But what if it was a trap?

Ellen grabbed his arm and squeezed as she looked at him.

“How far?” Chance asked the boy.

He said a village name Chance wasn’t familiar with.

By this time Marco had joined them. Chance looked at him, “How far?”

“Ten-minute walk,” Marco said.

“Okay, I’ll get supplies and you get my to-go bag.” Ellen left before he could say more.

“Should be safe. I send Ricco with you.” Marco waved Ricco over.

“Tell me what happened to your father and what part of his body has been hurt,” Chance said in rapid Spanish to the boy. Heaven help them if they ran into trouble. He’d let his better judgment be overshadowed by Ellen’s beautiful eyes. That unrestricted, forge-forward determination might get them all into trouble. Yet he felt the pull to go as well. There was a patient who needed his help regardless of the danger.

Ellen hurried into the clinic tent and snatched up Chance’s bag then headed for the supply van. At first she’d been angry with him for hesitating to help the boy’s father. As far as she was concerned, if a person was hurt you had to do whatever was needed to take care of them. Chance’s hardline stance didn’t impress her. As he spoke more to the boy she saw the sympathy in his eyes. It wasn’t that Chance didn’t want to go, it was more that he was responsible for everyone and couldn’t make snap decisions. The fact they were going showed that Chance really did care.

Grabbing suture kits, she stuffed them in his bag. She took a couple of bottles of saline out of a storage basket. Finding a spare backpack by the shelf, Ellen dropped the bottles in. She added additional supplies that from her experience might be needed.

Chance entered the van. “I need to get some antibiotics. The boy says his father was shot in the leg.”

Ellen stood, letting Chance come behind her. Their bodies bumped in the close quarters. Minutes later, they had what they thought they might need. She left the van first, with him right behind.

“Hand me that backpack,” he ordered.

“I can carry it.” Ellen offered him his to-go bag instead.

Chance glared at her. “You’re not going. Ricco and I will handle this.”

“Ricco has medical experience now? How’s he supposed to handle a gun at the same time he’s helping you? I’m going.” Ellen watched his mouth form a tight line. He wasn’t going to agree.

“Peter or Karen—”

Ellen huffed. “Karen couldn’t keep up the pace and Peter is needed here. We can stand around and argue about this while a man is dying or we can get going.” She turned to leave the tent.

He grabbed her under the arm, jerking her round to face him. “You can go only if you agree to follow my orders to the letter. No arguments. No going rogue. Either you agree or you stay here. This is still my clinic and my call.”

She glared at him and said through her teeth, “I promise to do as you say.”

Chance searched her face. “Okay, let’s go take care of this patient.”

Ellen had no doubt that he didn’t like the idea of her going but he recognized he clearly needed her help. She adjusted the pack on her back as he slung the strap of his bag across his chest. At a lope he crossed the clearing and Ellen followed close behind.

“You ready?” Chance asked Ricco, who nodded. “Ellen, I want you between Ricco and me.”

She moved into position.

To the boy Chance said, “Take us to your father.”

The boy dipped his head under a large leaf and moved into the jungle. Chance followed with Ellen and seconds behind her Ricco. The path was little more than a foot wide. She wouldn’t have even said there was one if she hadn’t been behind Chance. As they walked he held leaves and vines back. She accepted them and did the same for Ricco.

“Stay close and don’t speak unless necessary,” Chance hissed over his shoulder.

Underfoot was dark packed dirt crisscrossed with roots. Her boots were so new they didn’t make the best hiking wear. A couple of times she caught a toe on a root but righted herself before she tripped. Once Ricco caught her arm before she fell.

Another time Chance stopped and she bumped into his back. He cautiously looked around. The boy was standing a few feet in front of him, looking down the path. They waited then moved forward at a slower pace. Finally, they broke out of the jungle into an open space next to a creek with five small huts. The roofs were pieces of tin or plastic tarps peaked just enough for rain to roll off. The walls were little more than uneven boards wired together to form a square. The boy led them through knee-high grass to one of the stacks closest to the water.

He stepped through an opening into a hut that had no door. Chance and she followed. Ricco stayed on guard outside. The sun was almost over the horizon, making it dark inside. The boy told a woman there that he had brought the doctors.

Ellen could make out someone lying on an old mattress on the dirt floor across the room. Chance was already stepping that way and Ellen joined him.

“We have to have some light here.” He sounded exasperated as he went down on his knees to speak to the barely conscious man.

Ellen pulled off the backpack, opened it and removed a flashlight. Clicking it on, she held it over Chance’s head.

He glanced up. “Well done, Ellen. I should have known you’d consider the details.”

She couldn’t help but be pleased with his praise.

“Can you point the light toward the left some?”

Ellen did as he requested. From her vantage point she could see the dark-skinned man was maybe thirty, dressed in a torn shirt with baggy shorts. One leg of the pants was pulled high on his leg. Below that on his thigh were two dirty rags covered in blood. Even if they could help him, fighting infection would be the larger battle.

“Look at this,” Chance said with revulsion in his words.

She understood his feelings. “Two shots. He really needs to be in a hospital.”

“Agreed, but that would be in a perfect world and this isn’t one. Nearest hospital is too far away and he would never make it, even if he would allow us to take him.”

Ellen leaned closer for a better look. “He’s lost a lot of blood. He needs a transfusion.”

“I’m O. Have you ever done a transfusion outside a hospital?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll set that up and you can take care of the wounds while I’m giving blood. Ever removed a bullet?”

She gave him a wry smile. “I saw it done during emergency rotation.”

“Can you handle it?”

“Sure I can. So if I understand this right, you’re going to lie around while I do all the work?”

“Funny lady.” Chance reached for his pack.

She came down on her knees beside him.

Chance called to the boy to come and hold the flashlight and asked the woman to get them some hot water. He then prepared a syringe of antibiotic and injected it into the man’s arm. “It’ll be too little, too late, but it’s better than nothing.”

Ellen could identify with his frustration. She pulled the saline bottles out of the backpack as Chance removed supplies from his bag. Slipping on gloves, she lifted the bandage off the upper hole in the man’s leg. It was still oozing. She opened up some four-by-fours and placed them over it, then gave the same attention to the other one. As Ellen worked Chance was busy setting up an IV line. With efficiency and precision that she admired, he’d already inserted the needle into the man’s arm.

Chance spoke to the boy again and he dashed out the door. The woman arrived with the water. Ellen continued to clean around the first wound. The boy returned with a wooden chair that had seen better days and a lantern. Chance placed the chair close to the mattress. Ellen took the lantern, situating it so she could get the most out of its light.

“I’m ready for you to finish this IV,” Chance said.

“Let me change gloves.” Ellen stripped off the ones she’d been wearing and pulled on clean ones. She moved close to Chance. Taking his arm under hers, she held his steady and began pressing on the bend in his elbow for a good vein. She was close enough to catch the natural scent of him.

“You know, you really are beautiful.”

She glanced up then down again. “You’re not already light-headed, are you?” With a firm, steady push she inserted the large IV needle into his arm. “Hand me one of those tape strips.”

“No, just speaking the truth.” He handed her a strip from the ones he’d placed on the backpack. “This isn’t your first stick. Nicely done.”

“Thank you. Yes, I’ve done a few in my time.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “But I’m always open to a first time in other areas.” His eyes widened slightly before he started pumping his fist and blood flowed to their patient.

“You’d better get busy on those holes or you’ll be wasting my blood.”

“I’m on it.” She removed her gloves and replaced them with clean ones again. “I’ll have them taken care of and get back to you in a minute.”

Ellen carefully cleaned around the surface of the first wound. She was going to have to remove the bullet and not damage the nearby artery while doing it. Even in the best of situations that would still have a degree of difficulty. Under these conditions that was upped a hundred times. Ellen counted on her skill to save this man, if not her experience.

Locating large tweezers, she cleaned the blood away and went after the bullet. She pursed her lips tightly as she continued to search. Finding the bullet, she grabbed it and pulled it out. The wound bled anew. She dropped the bullet to the floor and snatched some four-by-fours and placed them over the hole.

“Nice job, Doctor.”

“Thanks, but I have to stop this bleeding. Could you apply pressure while I get the sutures ready?”

“Sure. Now I’m assisting you.”

She glanced at him. “Problem with that?”

“Not at all.” After she’d helped him pull on a glove, he put two fingers in the center of the pads.

Minutes later Ellen had the wound sutured closed. She checked on Chance as she worked. She didn’t need him passing out. He seemed comfortable. The entire time she worked she was conscious of him watching her.

As she applied the final piece of tape to the bandage Chance said, “You handled yourself well, Dr. Cox.”

“Thank you. How’re you doing?” She took the patient’s vital signs. He was stable, but barely.

“I think I’m about at the end of my giving. Head’s a little light.”

“Well, let me try to stand and I’ll see about you.” She pushed up but her knees were stiff and didn’t want to move.

“Give me your hand and I’ll pull.”

She took his hand. It was a struggle but she finally made it to her feet.

“Walk around a minute and get some feeling back into your legs.”

Ellen took his suggestion and made a couple of circles around the shack.

Returning to Chance, she removed the needle and applied a pressure bandage. “Now, sit there for a while. I don’t need two patients. I’ll have to admit this is out of my usual wheelhouse. Even in a clinic in the middle of New York City, what we have done here is over the top.”

“If it makes you feel any better, this is a little extreme for me as well.”

“Thanks for that. I thought you might remind me again that I shouldn’t be here.”

“I only acted that way because I was afraid that you had bitten off more than you could chew. These conditions are harsh.”

What he didn’t say was that today was an example of that. She had a patient waiting and couldn’t worry about that now. Going down on her knees again, she started caring for the last bullet wound. With the lower one, the bullet had gone clean through. Working as efficiently as possible with the few supplies as she had left, she closed the wounds Done, she started cleaning up.

In all the medical work she had ever done she’d never felt better or more confident about herself than she did at this moment. This work was what she had been born for.

She looked at him. “We’re not all the hothouse flowers you think we are.”

“I know that now. You’ve more than proved it.” Chance looked around the shack. “It seems we’re here for the night. We need to keep an eye on him.” He nodded toward the injured man.

Ellen placed a hand on their patient’s head. “Infection is our enemy now. And you don’t need to do any activity for a while either.”

Chance looked in the direction of the woman and boy, who waited in the corner in what was nothing more than a makeshift kitchen. There was a small table and a bench with a shelf above it. A bucket sat on the bench. Chance spoke to the boy, “Can you find us something to sleep on? A blanket for your father? Something to eat?”

“Sí.” The boy left and the woman went out the door behind him.

Chance stood and walked to the doorway. Ellen joined him. Chance spoke to Ricco. He nodded and move to the corner of the building, his gun at the ready. She and Chance continued to stand there. The night sounds were almost overwhelming as animals as well as bugs communicated.

“This is an amazing country,” Ellen said. “I know why you keep coming back.”

“It is.”

She looked at him. “You love it here, don’t you?”

“If I said I didn’t, you would call me a liar.”

Ellen smiled. “That I would.”

The boy returned carrying a rolled-up tarp. They followed him inside. He placed it on the floor. “Sleep.” He pointed to it.

Chance chuckled. “All the comforts of home.”

“Better than the dirt.” Ellen sat on it with her legs crossed.

“Do you ever see the negative in anything?” Chance asked, taking the chair again.

“Sometimes but it’s better to see the positive because the negative is usually far too obvious.”

The woman came in holding two banana leaves. She handed one to her and the other to Chance. Ellen had never seen anything like it.

“Pulled pork and vegetables. It’s cooked in the ground. You’ll like it.” Chance picked up a bite between his thumb and forefinger and put it in his mouth.

Ellen wasn’t so eager. She looked at it more closely in the dim light then moved it around with a tip of a finger.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you squeamish about something. You need to eat.”

“I’m just not sure about this. I usually have my food on a plate.”

Chance chuckled. “Just pretend that you’re at a baseball game and you’re having a hotdog.”

“My father has box seats for the Mets and a cook comes in.”

Chance’s fingers stopped halfway to his mouth. “Just who is your father?”

“Robert Cox.” Even in the low light she could see Chance’s eyes widen.

“As in Cox Media.”

“Yes. That’s my father’s company.”

“So why in the hell are you down here? You don’t need the money or even to work.”

She glowered at him. “I’m a doctor because I want to help people. And today shows that I’m needed. Even by you.” In a show of defiance, she picked up a finger full of food and plopped it into her mouth. “That’s good.”

The boy came in again, this time with two bottled drinks. He gave them each one.

Chance said, “No matter how far out of civilization you get, soda companies are there. Thank goodness. We don’t need to drink the water.”

Ellen finished off her meal and stood. “Let me have those.” Chance handed her his leaf and bottle. “I’ll put this away and then check the patient. You need to sleep. Work on building new blood cells.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“No argument?” Ellen looked at him.

“Nope.”

“We really have gone into a different world.” She placed the stuff she held on the bench then stepped over to her patient. He seemed comfortable enough. There was a low fever but that was expected. “We’ll need to get him out of here and to a hospital tomorrow.”

“Agreed,” Chance said as he lay out on the tarp. “Come on, you need some rest as much as I do.”

Ellen stretched out beside him, leaving as much space as possible between them. She put her arm under her head, trying to get comfortable.

“Come over here,” Chance said. “You can use my shoulder for a pillow.”

The tarp made a crinkling sound as she shifted closer. She laid her head on his broad shoulder. He moved his arm around her and his hand settled on her waist.

In a sleepy voice he said, “I’ve dreamed of sleeping with you but never in a shack in the middle of the jungle.”

Ellen rolled toward him and her arm went across his waist. She didn’t care where it was, just that she was near him.