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.
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