boy forward. He looked anything but happy to be there.
I know just how you feel, kiddo, Tess thought.
“Shake hands with Miss Tess,” his mother ordered. The boy quickly put his small hand in hers, then withdrew it just as fast.
“Hey, you’re pretty. Mom, I have to go outside now. Mark said that Caleb found a snake by the playground last week and we have to go see if it’s still there.”
Linda cringed a little at the word snake. “I don’t think so. You’re going to have breakfast and then you can play while we’re cleaning up, but stay away from snakes.” She rolled her eyes at Tess.
This time, Tess’s smile was not forced as she asked Joey, “So, between snakes and snapping turtles, which is your favorite?”
Wide brown eyes lit up as he looked at her with renewed interest. “Do you like ’em, too?”
“Well, I like snapping turtles more than snakes, but snakes have a certain charm all their own.”
“Wanna help us catch some?”
Tess laughed delightedly at the eager look he gave her. She knew she had just become an interesting adult in his small world. She loved children, loved working with them and being around them. Pediatrics was her specialty and that was what had led her to Hope Corps, and ultimately, Afghanistan.
“I’m sorry, Joey, I don’t have my snake-catching clothes on right now.” Tess pointed to the softly flowing yellow skirt and blouse she was wearing.
“Shame, I could use an assistant to hold the snake bag.”
“No, you do not need an assistant. You are not catching any more snakes!” Linda Mason said as she hustled her young son away. “We’ll talk later, Tess. It was so nice to meet you.”
“See ya, Miss Tess.” The boy called the words over his shoulder, protesting as his mom hurried him toward the breakfast buffet.
“Bye, Joey.”
“I told you.” Joe laughed as he nodded in the direction of his departing son. “Every critter he finds ends up at the house. Boy’s going to either be a vet or end up wrestling alligators for a living. It’s going to be a fine line between the two.” Seeing the small crowd gathering around them—clearly eager to meet the new arrival—Joe began making introductions.
The next few minutes were taken up by warm welcomes from the fellowship surrounding the table. Everyone was so kind and friendly, but Tess wasn’t feeling in the spirit of it. She just wanted to leave and get back to the cottage. Her heart wasn’t into socializing just yet. She hoped it didn’t show on her face. Truly, she did not want to offend anyone.
As people slowly broke away from her and began moving toward the buffet tables, she noticed the aunts talking to Luke, Caleb and the woman with the lovely silver hair. After a minute all of them began to come toward her, balancing full plates in their hands. As they approached, Tess’s gaze moved curiously from the woman to Luke, who was walking beside her. They really were well matched. Tall and willowy, she moved gracefully toward the table, laughing at something that Katie had said. He moved with an easy grace that belied his size. He was all muscle and confidence, and he reminded Tess of someone she had met. In fact, she was certain she had met him before, somewhere. He was not the type of man a woman forgot easily. As he drew closer, she looked into his azure eyes.
“Tess, this is Sarah Fulcher. Her father is the pastor at this church. And you’ve met Luke and his son, Caleb.”
As Annie made the introductions, Tess smiled. “Hello. It’s nice to meet you, Sarah,” she said. Still that nagging feeling of familiarity about Luke tugged at her senses. It was starting to get frustrating. She really felt that she should know him, and was struggling to place him.
Tess noticed a change in his eyes when he glanced at her, but it was gone so quickly she thought she had imagined it. A slow smile slanted across his handsome face. She looked from him to Sarah. The woman was also smiling, although it did not quite reach her violet eyes. Well, that’s nice, we’re all smiling, Tess thought. What now?
“Hello, Tess.”
Luke chose a seat next to her, and Sarah sat next to him. Katie pulled Caleb over to sit between her and Annie, after putting a plate of food in front of Tess. Tess thanked her, but she had lost the appetite that she had so recently found. The food could have been cardboard, for all she noticed it. For some reason she felt uneasy in the midst of the warmth emanating from every soul in the room. Well, almost everyone. She looked at Sarah again and saw pure dislike in the women’s eyes before it was hidden behind a courteous mask. Tess shivered slightly, reaching for her cane instinctively as she glanced quickly away.
“It looks delicious,” she said, giving Katie a brilliant smile she did not feel. She was conscious of Luke’s strong arm where it brushed against hers as he reached for the saltshaker. Please go away. Just go away, she urged silently. Everyone just go away.
“It must be so difficult for you, being lame.” Sarah looked pointedly at the cane that Tess was holding on to for dear life. “I mean, what a tragedy that you were in that awful accident.” Insincerity was etched all over her lovely face. It was hard for Tess to miss it, but no one else at the table seemed to notice.
Startled, Tess looked at the woman. Did Sarah know how she had been injured? But no, she couldn’t possibly. The aunts didn’t even know the whole story. Before she could answer, Luke cut in.
“I’m sure that Tess doesn’t want to talk about what happened right now.” He looked directly into her eyes with concern and understanding.
“Well, darlin’, sometimes it’s better to talk about these things.” Sarah laid a possessive hand on Luke’s biceps as she spoke, and looked at Tess as if to say, Stay away. He’s mine.
She’s marking her territory, Tess thought faintly. It was so obvious that Katie and Annie looked at each other with slightly raised eyebrows, but didn’t say a word. Well, lady, you don’t have to worry about me. He’s the last person I want to be around. I’m not in the market for a man. For the first time in ages Tess said a silent prayer before speaking.
Please, Lord, give me strength. Let me be a peacemaker. Funny how prayers came to mind even when you didn’t want them to.
“Yes, it was a pretty nasty accident, Sarah.” Turning from the woman to Luke, she added, “I want to thank you for all of the help with getting the cottage ready. The aunts told me how wonderful you were. Also, I want to thank you and Caleb again for helping with the groceries.”
“It was our pleasure. I was on leave last week, so it worked out well for all of us. Caleb was a really big help and worked extra hard to get everything done.” Luke’s voice was deep and soothing, and the grin he gave her caused her stomach to do a slow flip.
All right, so you’re an attractive man, she conceded mentally. But that does not mean that you can charm me like you’ve obviously charmed every other woman at this table. I am not smitten. Not by a long stretch.
“Darlin’, you did her grocery shopping? You never said. Well, isn’t that just the most generous random act of kindness!” Sarah gushed as her well-manicured hand began to slowly caress the biceps under it. Luke seemed to tense and pull away from the bright pink nails, but the expression on his face remained composed and friendly.
“Well, I’m all about random acts of kindness.”
He didn’t miss a beat as he spoke, but Tess had noticed his slight withdrawal from Sarah’s hand. Interesting dynamic for a couple.
“I mean, I expect Tess has a difficult time with even the simplest of tasks, like shopping, cleaning and taking care of herself.”
“Oh, I get by just fine, Sarah. I’m taking it one day at a time, but thank you for your concern. My leg is healing nicely and soon I won’t need this cane at all.” She tapped