Then Came Love (10 page)

“I’m going to hold the side of the canoe steady while you get in. Sit on the bottom, in the middle. Okay?”

Logan nodded his understanding and clambered over the side while she fought to keep it level.

“Okay, here we go.” She grabbed onto the line at the bow of the canoe, rolled over onto her back and started kicking. She didn’t intend to lose sight of Logan again. Her feet finally touched bottom just as Jackson came roaring up in a small outboard. Several campers were standing on the dock applauding, and one stepped forward to tie up the canoe.

Jackson ran the outboard up on the sand, tilting the outboard motor just before it hit bottom. He leaped out and started unbuttoning his shirt.

Amanda frowned at him and then looked down at herself. No wonder there were so many men on the dock willing to help her. “Thanks” she murmured as Jackson put his shirt around her shoulders.

Jackson turned his attention to Logan. “What happened, buddy?”

It was difficult to tell who was shivering harder, the youngster or the dog. “Wanted to go fishing” he said defiantly. “You went fishing last night.”

“Yes I did but that doesn’t mean you can take the canoe out alone. I promised to take you fishing and I will, but we’ll be using one of the outboards.” His tone was firm but kind.

Dave came running from the workshop, still holding a wrench. “Logan!” He scooped up the wet child and held him against his chest. “Don’t you ever do that again” he murmured into the boy’s ear. “We’ll talk about this later. He raised his head and spotted Amanda. “Thank you for saving my boy.”

“From what I could see, he got in the canoe and the breeze pushed it out into the lake.” She played down her part. “It wasn’t too far, but it was over his head.”

Dave nodded, but he was having a hard time concentrating on her words. “Maybe you’d better get dressed,” he said finally. He leaned closer. “I don’t want any of the older campers to have a heart attack.” He put Logan on the ground. “As for you, young man, it’s about time we got you some swimming lessons. Come on, let’s get you into some dry clothes.”

Amanda started to shake as she watched them walk away. She wrapped her arms around her middle. “He could have drowned,” she said between chattering teeth.

“You’re coming down from an adrenalin high.” Jackson had picked up her discarded clothes and was guiding her into the boathouse. “Let’s step in here for a moment.”

They went inside and he took her into his arms. It was as natural as if they’d been together for years. She began to cry, sobbing silently into his shoulder.

“It’s okay,” he murmured, smoothing her wet hair. “Let it go.”

It felt so good to be held by him. The solid warmth of his body, the feel of his bare skin, the scent of his after-shave. She sighed contentedly. “I’d like to stay here forever,” she said and pulled back, looked into his eyes.

He kissed her, slowly at first and then the kiss deepened. Desire raged through her body and she could feel her resolve slipping.

“Jackson,” she said breathlessly...

“Amanda!”

They broke apart. It was Carlos, and he was right outside the door. Jackson pointed to the pile of clothes that he’d tossed carelessly onto the floor and guided her behind the door where she couldn’t be seen.

“Just a sec” he called, and opened the door. “Amanda is just changing.”

Carlos grinned. “I heard she took off her clothes. Sorry I missed that.”

The scowl on Jackson’s face silenced him.

“Sorry. Please tell Amanda there’s a call for her in Kathy’s office. He’s waiting on the line.”

Amanda’s hands trembled as she tried to do up her jeans. “I heard him” she said when Carlos came back into the boathouse. “I’ll never forgive myself if something has happened to Gran.” She took off Jackson’s shirt and pulled her T-shirt over her head. Then she slipped her feet back into her shoes and ran to Kathy’s office.

“Line two.” Kathy nudged the office phone across the desk as she rose. “I’ll be outside.”

“Hello?”

“Amanda, what are you playing at?”

“Vince?”

“Who else would it be?” He was shouting. “I go away for a few days and when I have to come back early to take care of some business my wife is gone.”

“You’re at home?”

“I just said that, didn’t I?”

“How did you find me?” The moment the words were out of her mouth she regretted them.

“Why, are you hiding?”

“No, it’s just that...” She didn’t know what she wanted to say.

“The garage called me about the car. Seems they’ve been trying to get in touch with you since last night but you weren’t available, so they called me.”

“They called you?”

“My name’s on the registration papers. Jeez, Amanda has your brain gone to mush? And what are you doing there, anyway?”

“It’s a long story, Vince.”

“Well you can tell me on the way home.”

“The way home?”

“Will you stop repeating everything I say? Yes, I’m coming up to get you.”

“What about the Range Rover?”

“They can’t get the part they need for a week. They’ll have it delivered back to Vancouver when it’s ready.”

Everything was moving too quickly. She couldn’t think straight. “When are you coming?” She glanced at the clock on the wall. Was it really only nine thirty? So much had happened already this morning.

“I’ll be there around two, two-thirty. We’ll drive back tonight.”

“Oh.”

“Well don’t sound so enthusiastic.”

“It’s just that...” she let her voice trail off. He wouldn’t care that she wanted to ensure that Carlos was properly trained. Besides, that wasn’t really what was on her mind. “All right. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Just be ready.”

She stood staring at the handset. She didn’t want to go home; didn’t want to leave Jackson. She looked up, startled when Kathy came back into the room. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“I wasn’t. I just got back from a quick trip into town. The phone was ringing when I stepped inside the office.” She gave Amanda a quick hug. “I don’t know how to thank you for rescuing Logan. He’s such a stubborn child.”

“He sure wants to learn how to fish.” She pressed her fingertips to her temple. “I’m getting a headache.”

Kathy rummaged round in her drawer and pulled out a small bottle of Tylenol. “Here, take a couple of these and you’ll feel better.” She looked at her kindly. “I didn’t mean to listen in on your call, but are you leaving us?”

Amanda swallowed two pills without water. “Yes. That was my husband; he’s coming to get me this afternoon.” She looked distractedly around the room. “I don’t want to go home.” Her focus came back to Kathy. “Carlos will need a helper.”

“He says he has a friend in town who can start any time. I’ll give him the word right after I write you a cheque.” She went behind her desk and took out a cheque book. “I can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate everything you’ve done.”

Amanda held up a hand. “Thanks Kathy, but I don’t want to be paid. I should be paying you. Working here has been the best thing that’s happened to me for a long time.”

Kathy paused, pen in the air. “Are you sure? It wouldn’t be a lot, but I don’t feel right.”

Amanda tried to keep her tone light. “You gave me a cottage, and I met some very nice people while I was here.”

Kathy gave her a sly smile. “That Jackson’s something, all right.”

Amanda just smiled. Kathy had said it all.

“Okay then, I’ll go and tell Carlos he’s the new head cook.” She scurried out of the room.

Amanda wandered outside and down to the boathouse. Jackson had up-ended the canoe so it could dry out. He appeared as she stepped onto the dock, concern evident in his eyes.

“Was it your grandmother?”

She shook her head. “No. That was Vince.”

“Your husband?”

She nodded, then looked away from him. “He’s coming to get me this afternoon.”

A sharp intake of breath was his only reaction.

“I don’t want to go.” She was struggling to hold herself together. “But what I want doesn’t matter. He’ll be here around two.”

“I still don’t have your phone number.”

“And I don’t have yours.”

“Where’s your cell?”

“At the cottage.”

He started forward and she shook her head. “No, Jackson. I don’t trust myself if you come to my cottage.” She looked at the boathouse. “If Carlos hadn’t interrupted us...”

“We’d be in there right now, making love.” His voice was husky with desire. “You’re right not to let me come to your cottage but promise me you won’t leave until we’ve exchanged numbers.”

“I promise. I’m going to pack up my stuff and bring it to the restaurant; Vince won’t want to hang around. But I’ll be cooking lunch. We’ll see each other, won’t we?” She was missing him already.

“I’ll make sure of that.” He watched her walk away. He was also going to make sure to get a good look at this husband of hers.

Amanda didn’t see Jackson again until lunch. He arrived around one thirty, ordered a hamburger at the counter and went to sit outside at one of the picnic tables. He was sitting there staring into a mug of coffee when she brought out the food.

“Penny for your thoughts.” She ached to reach out and touch him.

He raised his head and looked at her as though he was memorizing her features. “It’s not ending here, Amanda. I just want you to know that.” He held out his hand. “Your cell phone.”

He entered her phone number into his cell and glanced up. “I’m going to put my number in yours. What name shall I use?”

She thought for a moment. “Tiffany.”

He raised an eyebrow, did as she asked and handed the phone back to her.

“People are looking at us,” she said. She was right; some of the campers were staring openly. “I’d better go.”

She paused at the door and looked back at him for a fleeting moment. He thought he saw tears in her eyes but he couldn’t be sure.

* * *

Vince pulled up in his Hummer shortly after two. He got out, stretched and looked around, taking in the resort with a critical eye.

“I think your husband is here.” Carlos had been on alert ever since Amanda brought him up to date.

She looked out the window and sighed. “Yes, that’s him, and he’s smoking one of those disgusting cigarillos.”

Vince walked past the picnic tables, smoke trailing after him. A few of the campers fanned the air in protest but he didn’t seem to notice. He entered the restaurant and Amanda scurried out from the kitchen with her backpack.

“I’m ready.” She gave him a weak smile. “Shall we go?” She didn’t want anyone here to see the way he treated her.

Vince grunted and walked back out the door. He looked over the few campers still sitting at the picnic tables and his gaze came to rest on Jackson. His eyes narrowed for a moment and then he walked to the vehicle, not checking to see if Amanda was with him or not.