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JESSE FORCED HIMSELF to slow down. Tempting as it was to rush through his pre-flight checklist, this was not the time. He wouldn’t be much good to Luc splattered all over the side of a mountain. At least nature was on his side; it stayed light until about nine at this time of year.
“Entry door secure,” he muttered. “Elevator trim. Flaps set. Avionics set.” The familiar words calmed him and he continued to check his oil temperature, fuel boost, and transponder as he eased the Beaver away from the dock. In no time at all, the aircraft reached takeoff speed. He lifted off, gained altitude, and climbed up and over Highway 1, headed for Cowichan Lake.
The despair in Luc’s voice had torn at his heart. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, fighting for composure. His pilot training ensured that he wouldn’t lose it now, but he’d like nothing better than to put his fist through something. It broke his heart that the first time the boy called him ‘Dad’ was because of a bully’s painful comments, and that he wasn’t there to hold the child in his arms and comfort him. He didn’t care what the camp leader said, if his son wanted to come home, he’d move heaven and earth to make that happen. When he’d accepted responsibility for the young boy he hadn’t expected to love him so much. He’d vowed to protect him, and he was doing that now; leaving Luc within five miles of the abusive older boy was simply not an option.
Still shaking with emotion, he forced himself to think about something else, and his thoughts drifted back to the diner and Lexie. Fifteen minutes ago they’d been standing side by side, discovering common interests.
Making a slight course correction, he envisioned her face. A study in contrasts, everything about the woman fascinated him. He felt guilty about not telling her that he’d followed her progress at Bistro Provencal, but if he had, she wouldn’t have opened up. It was common knowledge that such things went on in the restaurant business, but what incensed him the most was that the manager had taken her ideas and presented them as his own. His knuckles whitened on the controls as he thought about what she’d put up with all these years.
Jesse had a hard time balancing the skilled, confident chef with the emotionally scarred woman he’d just met. She deserved better, and he’d love to be the one to show her that not all men were selfish pigs.
There’d been a moment... when she looked longingly at the cabins... that he recognized their shared values. He suspected that her happy childhood memories had been replaced with not-so-happy ones. They had that in common, too.
What fascinated him most of all was that she seemed completely unaware of her beauty – both inside and out. Did she have any idea how her eyes flashed fire when she spoke of supporting her suppliers? How when she took her hair down she became a desirable, sensual woman? His body tightened at the thought. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea... asking her to stay. Especially since she didn’t seem aware of him as anything other than a needy business owner. He should start his search for a new cook tomorrow. After all, Lexie was a chef, and far too experienced to be content cooking at a neighbourhood diner.
“Yeah, right.” He said it aloud and almost laughed. “Who do you think you’re kidding, Coop? You want her to stay right where she is.” It felt good to admit it, he thought as Lake Cowichan came into view. He dropped the nose of the Beaver and lined up for a landing.
* * *
THE CAMP MANAGER HELD Luc back until the propeller stopped, and then released him. As he ran down the dock, the boy’s bottom lip quivered, and he launched himself into Jesse’s arms, his small arms clinging tightly to his neck.
“There, there.” Jesse stroked the boy’s hair. “I’m here now.” He looked up and met the man’s gaze. He could see it in his eyes: parental interference shouldn’t be tolerated. Little did he know that he was dealing with a parent who would do anything to protect his son... anything.
“They told me my mother killed herself because of me,” the boy sobbed. “The older boys said I’m a loser and my mother couldn’t stand to look at me any longer.”
Jesse’s heart broke for the child but he managed to keep his cool. “That’s not true,” he said, holding the child away from him and looking into his eyes. “Your mother loved you very much. I know that because she was my sister and she told me.”
“She did?” Luc hiccupped, but he’d stopped crying.
“Yes. I’ll never lie to you, Son.” He shifted the boy to his hip and glanced at the suitcase at the end of the dock. “Is that Luc’s?” he asked, barely suppressing his anger.
The man nodded. “I’m sorry, Mr. Cooper. The boys have been disciplined and they’d like to apologize.”
Luc clung even tighter and buried his head in Jesse’s neck. “I don’t think so.” He reached for the suitcase with his free hand. “Thank you for getting this ready.”
“Are you sure...” Jesse turned on him and the man’s words trailed off. “I guess not.” He followed along behind. “I wanted to tell you how much we appreciate your donation. Thanks to your generous support, we’re able to keep the camp open for the full season this year.”
Jesse nodded. Of course... they were worried he was going to withdraw his financial support. Tempting as that might be, he would fulfil his pledge for this year. Next year was something else, but he’d think about that later.
He adjusted Luc’s seat belt and handed him a set of headphones. The boy looked small, and he made a mental note to get some sort of booster seat fitted for the right side.
“Ready, Bud?”
Luc nodded, eyes wide with excitement.
“All right, then.” He eased the Beaver away from the dock. “Let’s go home.”
* * *
JESSE’S LONG LEGS TOOK him swiftly down to the dock and Lexie watched him hungrily. Within moments, he had untied the aircraft and climbed aboard. For several moments he just sat there and she wondered if he’d changed his mind, or if there was something wrong. Then she remembered the time she’d flown to Gabriola Island. The pilot and co-pilot had spoken back and forth in a terse, familiar cadence that she presumed to be a flight check, their competent fingers touching lightly on dials and gauges.
Seconds later, he pulled away, the floats cutting into the calm waters of the cove as the aircraft accelerated. The throaty roar of the single engine grew louder and then the Beaver lifted off, a string of watery beads trailing from the floats.
Lexie hadn’t realized that she was holding her breath until the aircraft banked and disappeared.
What had just happened? she asked herself. She walked aimlessly around the deck, sorting through her emotions.
If she were in a romance novel, her heart would be plummeting... falling through her stomach as his words registered. The man she was falling for had a son; he was married. He’d never suggested otherwise and any half-baked dreams she may have indulged in had originated in her imagination, not his. Thank goodness she’d found out before she did... or said... anything foolish.
But there’d been something between them, and that puzzled her. How could she feel such a profound sense of loss when she’d known him for a short time?
A distant sound caught her attention and she checked her watch. Half an hour, he’d said. That had been an hour ago. If he was coming back, it would be any time now. Heart racing, she scanned the skies, waiting for the sound to grow louder, willing the Beaver to appear around the corner.
But the sound – whatever it had been – faded, as did her hopes. What was his son’s name? Luc. She said it aloud and pictured Jesse’s face as he listened to Luc on the phone. It was the face of a man who would do anything for his child and for a moment she was envious. What would it be like to be loved like that? Loved by someone with that sort of passion? Even though he belonged to someone else, the thought left her breathless.
* * *
JESSE GRABBED A BEER and walked to his deck. Tonight he’d stayed with Luc longer than usual when tucking him in. He’d known that raising a child wouldn’t be a piece of cake, but there was so much he didn’t know. Well... he’d simply learn.
Like talking about Janie. He should have been talking about his sister from the get-go. Luc’s eyes had widened when he mentioned Janie’s name, and he’d clutched nervously at the comforter, but he’d soon relaxed, listening with interest as Jesse told him a story about his mother. Growing up, Jesse had gone to school with a boy whose older brother had committed suicide. Not one person in the family had mentioned the dead brother’s name again. It had seemed so abnormal – it still did. Since then, he’d known several other similar instances, and he still didn’t approve. The least he could do for Luc was keep his mother’s memory alive. When the time came – and it would be soon now – he would speak to the boy about the dangers of drug abuse. He wondered how Lexie would go about it.
Now where had that come from? He tipped up his beer bottle, surprised to find it empty. Since rescuing Luc, he hadn’t thought about Lexie, but now memories of her came creeping back. Like the way she gnawed on her bottom lip when she was thinking. Or the soft yearning in her voice when she told him of her cherished summertime memories.
Bad timing, said the voice in his head.
Jesse pressed his fingers into his temples. Bad timing was putting it mildly. There were weeks when being a business owner wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and this had been one of them. More than once this week he’d wished he could go back to working for someone else. No responsibilities except getting safely to his next destination. Flying above it all, where the ugliness and disappointments of everyday life couldn’t reach him.
...as if such a Utopia existed. It didn’t, of course. Besides, he’d discovered early on that he had a knack for business. He wasn’t flashy... okay, he’d indulged himself with a beautiful watch... but he kept his head down, his face out of the limelight, and his balance sheets healthy. But this week had tested his patience. People quitting, the rising cost of wharf space, Luc’s emotional problems, Sylvia’s departure, and the possibility of losing one of his lucrative freight contracts. Not that the loss would make a blip on his bottom line, but he hated to lose. He stared at the empty beer bottle as though it might hold the answers to his hellish week. Not surprisingly, it remained silent.
And then there was Lexie. Could he possibly have fallen for her in the space of an afternoon? It didn’t seem likely, but he couldn’t seem to get her out of his mind. What had she thought when he ran off like that this afternoon? Her quiet reassurance had meant a lot, allowing him to focus on Luc.
Silent steps carried him through the house and to Luc’s bedroom. The boy was sleeping soundly in a tangle of bedclothes. Jesse straightened the blankets, kissed the boy’s forehead and made sure the night light was on. Never again would the child wake up and be frightened. He’d make sure of that. Jesse knew he’d been fortunate to find the perfect housekeeper in Maggie. She created a warm, comfortable environment for Luc, and he was content to stay with her when Jesse had to go out of town... like tomorrow. More bad timing, but it couldn’t be helped. The next day, he promised himself. The next day he’d take Luc and they’d fly up to the diner. After all, he hadn’t been able to check with Larry today.
There must be something needing a decision...
