Second-Time Lucky. Laurie Paige

racing?” Caileen asked, recalling the grocery clerk’s remarks.

      Sammy nodded. “A lot of people use the old back road, the one near the campground, to check out their engines. We were standing beside the road, watching.”

      Caileen suppressed the anger his words caused. Now wasn’t the time to accuse him of putting her child in danger. Zia had gone of her own accord. “What happened after the injury?”

      “She was bleeding a lot,” he said, gesturing helplessly. “I held a handkerchief against the wound while someone called the ambulance on a cell phone.”

      Caileen stared at his hands as he clasped them and leaned forward, his forearms on his thighs. He had large hands, a man’s hands, but his expression was that of a boy who’d been caught in some mischief. He was twenty-one, an adult by law. She sighed and poured a cup of coffee, then took a seat opposite him.

      Another person came into the room. She glanced up and her eyes met those of Jeff Aquilon. She stared at him.

      He nodded, walked over to the counter and got a cup of coffee, then stopped by the table. “May I join you?” he asked.

      “Yes. What are you doing here?” She realized how rude that sounded. “Is everything all right?”

      “With my family, yes. The hospital called and asked if Jeremy and I could give blood. We’re both O negative.”

      “Universal donors,” Sammy said.

      “Zia is A negative,” Caileen said, trying to put all these facts together into a whole.

      “I understand she was injured in a car accident,” Jeff said. His gaze settled on Sammy. “You should know better than to bring women along when you’re doing something stupid.”

      Caileen was surprised when Sammy’s ears and face reddened. “We always have meets on the weekends. No one ever got injured before,” he said defensively.

      “Yeah,” Jeff said in an unforgiving tone. “There’s always a first time, and then you learn.”

      “You gave blood for Zia?” Caileen asked, interrupting the other two.

      The dark eyes flicked to her. “Yes.”

      “Your nephew is giving blood, too?”

      “Yes.”

      A rush of gratitude flowed through her. “Thank you,” she said. “That was kind of you. And your nephew.”

      He shrugged. “We’re on a special call list with the hospital. Blood supplies are low due to lack of donors.” Again his hard gaze settled on the younger man. “You should persuade your friends to come down and give blood. That way, you can make up in part for the harm you’ve caused.”

      Sammy swallowed, his throat working as though he’d bitten off a large bite and was having trouble getting it down. “I will,” he said hoarsely.

      Caileen felt sorry for him. He looked as if he might burst into tears at any moment.

      “And you can apologize to her mother.”

      Caileen didn’t know what to say as Sammy apologized for putting her daughter in danger. “Thank you,” she finally murmured when Sammy stopped his faltering apology. “However, Zia is an adult. I suppose she chose to be there.”

      “Maybe, maybe not,” Jeff spoke before Sammy could. “Even an independent woman trusts her boyfriend to take care of her. Right?” He narrowed his eyes and stared at Sammy.

      “Yes, sir.”

      Caileen almost expected Sammy to stand at attention and salute. The tense little scene was interrupted by the arrival of Jeff’s nephew. He walked into the room with a bandage around his elbow.

      “Sit here,” his uncle advised. “You want some juice? The nurse said there was plenty in the fridge.”

      Jeremy took the chair. “Please.” He looked Sammy over. “You the guy who took her to the illegal drag race?”

      That he didn’t think much of the other young man was clear. Sammy nodded, looking miserable. Caileen kept her mouth shut.

      “Are you Zia’s mother?” he asked after thanking his uncle for a box of orange juice. He stuck a straw in it and took a long drink.

      “Yes, I am,” Caileen answered. She studied Jeff and Jeremy, noting how alike they were with their dark, dark eyes, thick, brown-black hair and serious air. “You have a class with her at college, I understand.”

      Jeremy smiled. It did wonders for his face, just the way Jeff’s smiles lit up his countenance, she noticed.

      “Yeah. She’s one smart kid.”

      Caileen smiled and agreed. It was amusing to hear this young man call her daughter a kid. From her info on the family, she knew Jeremy was three months younger than Zia.

      However, he seemed older, Caileen acknowledged. He’d taken on the responsibility of protecting his younger cousins—step-cousins actually—last year and had cared for them with no outside help for months.

      She glanced at Jeff, who silently observed the exchange. He was a person who didn’t duck his responsibility to his family, either. Like uncle, like nephew?

      For a second, she wished her child would find someone like Jeremy to date. And for a second longer, she wished she’d found someone like Jeff when she was nineteen and idealistic…

      The doctor came in just then. “Mrs. Peters?”

      She stood. “Yes?”

      A large warm hand found hers. She glanced at Jeff, who’d also risen and was standing beside her. She stared at the surgeon in dread.

      “Zia is fine. She’s weak from the loss of blood, but she’s young and healthy. She’ll be ready to go home in the morning. I don’t expect any complications.”

      Caileen nodded. She realized she was squeezing the life out of Jeff’s hand and let go, embarrassed at clinging to him as if she were one of those neurotic TV mothers.

      The doctor glanced at Sammy. “There’s a policeman in the lobby wanting a statement from you.”

      Going pale, Sammy rose and hurried down the corridor to the main lobby.

      “Thanks to both of you for coming in,” the doctor continued, his eyes on Jeff and Jeremy.

      “It was no trouble,” Jeff assured him.

      “Yeah, but next time tell the nurse not to use that rusty needle,” Jeremy quipped, giving his bandaged arm a pained glance.