by Anne
"No wild parties, is that what you're trying to say?" he said jokingly.
She looked hesitant and he regretted his flippancy. "I'll behave, 1 promise. No four-letter words except nice and/me. No picking up wild women and no excesses of any kind."
"You're laughing at me."
He sighed. "No, I'm not. I'm sorry if it came out that way. All I really want is the peace and quiet you already have."
"Is that what you expect? It's obvious that you've never traveled with two eight-year-olds." She frowned a moment, "Why us? That's what I really want to know. You must have a lot of friends and enough money to go anywhere. Why choose to go on a sight-seeing tour of the Southwest with us?"
Mike stared into space for a long moment, not knowing what to say, no longer knowing what the truth was. It was true that he wondered whether he could adjust to a settled life with a wife and family and thought this would be a good test, but that wasn't really all of It. He just couldn't explain the rest.
Maybe it was the two little girls. They were so cute and unspoiled and fun to be around. He hadn't had much to do with kids before, but Sylvia hoped to change that. He was just getting in a little extra practice, that was all.
He glanced over at Sara and saw the worried look on her face. What did she suspect? he wondered. That he was going to seduce her for pure sport? He did have a certain reputation along those lines. The rumors were spread more because it suited his image than because they were true, but she needed reassurance, not explanations. He put his arm around her shoulder.
"Ill be honest with you, Sara," he said lightly. "I like you." He smiled down at her. The worry on her face was replaced by suspicion. "You and your kids." he added lamely.
She did not reply and the suspicion did not leave her face. He could feel the tension In her shoulders.
"I never had much of a family life as a kid. My parents were always traveling from one movie set to another, and I grew up pretty much alone. You remind me of the sister I always wanted, but never had. I can relax when I'm with you."
She did not reply and Mike couldn't decipher the look on her face. Maybe he hadn't said it plainly enough.
"It sounds terrible to say, but it seems there's always some woman climbing all over me. It's a relief to be with someone who wants me for my driver's license."
A tight little smile came to her face. Hell, he thought, was he getting through or wasn't he? He didn't know, but they had reached the camper, so there was no more time for discussion. He gave her one last reassuring hug and opened the camper door.
"I'm really looking forward to the next couple of days." he told her enthusiastically.
"That's nice. We are too." She went to the front of the camper and seated herself behind the wheel.
Mike sat down at the dinette table, putting his suitcase on the floor near his feet. Kari climbed into the front seat next to her mother and Megan sprawled in a lounge chair across from him, feeding her doll.
He sighed. There was still tension in the air and he really didn't feel comfortable yet. He had assured Sara in no uncertain terms that he would behave himself. That nothing would happen. Nothing could possibly happen. He turned to stare morosely out the window, suddenly feeling rather dejected.
Four
Sara turned onto the highway, more conscious of the man behind her than of her driving. She forced her attention onto the road. So he thought of her as a sister, did he? Well, that was just fine with her. Terrific, as a matter of fact. She'd known all along that he couldn't be attracted to her, and shed wondered why he had wanted to come with them. Now she knew.
It wasn't as If she thought it could be something else. Sara knew there was nothing special about her and was glad to know the truth. Relieved, even. She would find it pretty frightening to have a man like that interested in her. She could never measure up to the other women he had known and would just worry herself sick about it. This was a much better relationship. Much more comfortable. Why, then, did she want either to start a fight or to have a good cry?
She shook herself mentally and turned to Karl with a smile. It was time to start acting like a good "sister" instead of a reluctant hostess.
"Why don't you go back and show Mike which drawers he can use? Then maybe you can offer to trade places with him. He might be more comfortable sitting up here."
Kari went off and, for a time, Sara could hear the murmur of voices and giggles behind her as the girls helped him settle in. That wasn't so hard, she told herself. And it would only get easier as they went on. She'd just be polite and friendly and everything would go smoothly.
He appeared suddenly, sitting down next to her. She took her eyes off the road for a moment to flash a smile at him. She felt his answering grin down to her toes and concentrated on her driving.
"All settled in?"
"Yes. Thanks for the drawer space. I didn't expect it. I hope you didn't have to,crowd your stuff too much."
How did he manage to make his voice so smooth? she marveled. Was it natural or the result of voice lessons?
"No problem," she assured him. Suddenly it seemed too difficult to concentrate on both the road and his conversation. Her body's reaction to him was definitely distracting.
She cleared her throat. "Actually, I brought along some warmer clothes for all of us in case the weather turned cooler. There was no real need to keep them inside the camper. They're just as convenient packed in our suitcases in the outside storage compartment." She carefully passed another car. "In fact, if your case is empty, you might want to put it there too."
"Sounds like a good Idea."
Having used up her store of conversational topics, Sara fell silent. It was just as well, she thought. To be a good, safe driver she needed to keep her mind on the road and not on idle chatter.
Her hands tightened on the wheel as she sensed Mikes eyes on her. He wasn't watching her. She scolded herself. He probably was just trying to familiarize himself with the camper's controls in case she wanted him to drive.
"Ever drive something like this before?" she asked.
"What?" He sounded startled. "Oh, you mean the camper. No, I haven't." He leaned a little closer. "What is It? Automatic transmission?"
"Yes, and power steering. It's just heavier than a car, that's all." If he hadn't been checking out the camper, why had he been looking her way?
"Want to play auto bingo, Mike?" Kari asked.
He turned in his seat, his legs almost brushing Sara's thigh. Her breath caught in her throat and a jolt of awareness raced through her.
"What's auto bingo?" he asked.
"It's a game the kids play to pass the time while we're driving," Sara told him. Her voice sounded only slightly strained. "It's not hard and they enjoy it."
"Well, if you really think I can handle it, I'll give it a try," he teased.
Megan gave him a card and a crayon. "You have to look for all the things on the card," she told him. "When you see one. call it out so no one else can get it. Then you cross It out on your card."
"And no fair using your special Wonder powers," Kari warned him.
"Okay," he agreed with a laugh. "Human powers only."
"Cross your heart?" both girls chorused.
Mike promised, and settled back in his seat to study his card while Sara glanced over to study him. He certainly didn't look like he needed any special powers to do anything. He looked pretty wonderful just as he was, she thought breathlessly, A look, a touch, the trace of a smile, would be more than enough to make her do his bidding.
"How am I going to find a lake in the middle of the desert?" he asked plaintively.
The girls giggled.
Sara awoke from her meandering thoughts. "Did they give you that card? Thafs not exactly fair, girls."
"All the cards that are left have lakes on them. Mom." Karl pointed out.
"He picked last," Megan added.
"It doesn't matter," Mike assured her. "It's probably fairer to give me a harder one. Evens out the odd
s."
"Sure," Sara said, keeping her eyes on the road ahead. She had to watch herself and remember his little "sister" speech. They'd just have some light-hearted family-type fun. That was all she wanted anyway.
"Gas station," Megan called out,
"Airplane," Karl said.
Mike looked around him quickly, then down at his card. "Do I need them too?"
"It's too late," Megan told him. "We already got those. You have to find a different gas station and airplane." She paused, then called out, "Bus."
Mike sighed and studied his card. "Cat. Picnic table. Cement truck. Who made these stupid cards anyway?"
"I did," Sara said with a smile. It wasn't so hard to relax around him, she decided. All she had to do was concentrate on his personality, and not on his body.
She could laugh and joke with him and not even notice how gorgeous he was. The muscular legs that she could see out of the corner of her eye had no effect at all on her. Well, almost no effect. She did have to admit that her body had a slight tendency to tingle with awareness of him, but she was sure that would lessen with time. She'd get used to his presence and see him as the brother he wanted to be. She turned off the road into a gas station.
"Gas station, " Mike cried. Sara thought the smile he flashed at the girls was a bit triumphant.
"Very good," she told htm, and turned off the motor. "At least you won't go down without a fight."
"Hey, I'm on a roll now."
"Sure," she agreed, and smiled at him.
He smiled back, but the look in his eyes startled her. It was soft and caring, and seemed to imply a bond between them, as if they were sharing not just a joke, but the secrets of their souls. She felt as if his eyes were piercing through the defenses she had carefully built over the years, and it frightened her.
She turned with relief to the attendant who had come to her window. "Fill it up," she told him, and then opened her door. 'I'm going to stretch my legs," she called back to Mike and the girls, not daring to meet his eyes again.
What in the world was she doing? she asked herself. Did she really think she could share a twenty-three-foot trailer with the sexiest man in the world and not be affected? He was an actor. He knew how to play on people's emotions, but that didn't mean that his were involved. She couldn't let herself forget that. She could enjoy their time together, but she must not let things get out of control. She and the girls made up the family. Mike was a pleasant guest who would be gone In a few days, with no regrets on anybody's part.
She took a deep breath and climbed back into the camper as the attendant returned. She handed him her credit card.
"Why don't you let me take care of the gas for the rest of the trip?" Mike asked.
She took the form from the man and signed it, then entered the mileage and cost in a small spiral notebook she took from the glove compartment. "No, thank you," she said smoothly. They were not in need of handouts, and she didn't want to feel beholden to him. It would be harder to keep her distance then.
"I just want to share the expenses," he protested lightly.
She knew that he was looking at her, but she didn't turn her head. Those eyes of his were dangerous and would blind her to the realities of her Life. "The expenses have all been budgeted for," she said, and turned on the motor. "And you're our guest."
"But—"
"Girls," Sara broke in firmly, "we should be at Montezuma's Castle in about fifteen minutes. Better put away your game and use the bathroom If you need to."
Mike and the girls waited as Sara locked up the camper. The morning had been the pits, Mike thought. But why? He'd had the peace and quiet he had been hoping for. No screaming fans had followed his every move, and Sara and the girls were treating him like a regular guy. Why had it been so unsatisfying?
"Come on, Mike," Kari called to him.
He shook free of his thoughts to find that Sara and the girls were already halfway across the parking lot. He started after them.
"Mike's being pokey. Mommy," Megan said.
"'He's a big man." Sara assured her. "He wont get lost."
If he was such a big man, he wanted to know, why was she treating him like one of the kids? Maybe that was the problem. He wasn't used to that kind of reaction from the women around him. Well, if she wanted another kid, that's what he'd give her. he decided. He started running forward in short, choppy steps.
"Mommy, Mommy." he cried in a little boys voice. "Please don't leave me, Mommy."
The two girls giggled as Sara kept them walking through the entrance to the site. The sidewalk was narrow and Mike was forced to walk behind them.
"I'll be good," he whined.
Sara said something, but he couldn't make out the words.
"What? "he asked.
"She said you'd better be." " Kari told him.
"Kari," Sara hissed, but the girls just laughed. They walked through the visitors' center, then down the path to the ruins.
Not overly interested in ancient Cliff Dwellers, Mike found himself watching Sara as she gave the girls a lesson in Indian history. She was really beautiful, he realized, and he wondered why he hadn't noticed it before. She didn't need any makeup to make her eyes sparkle, or designer clothes to make her body seem soft and inviting.
Maybe it was the love that radiated from her. It was so obvious that she treasured the girls. He thought about what it would be like to be so wanted, to be so secure in someone's love. As they moved on down the path to another ruin, he followed along.
He had never had that kind of relationship with his parents, and, although Sylvia claimed she loved him, he had never seen that look in her eyes. He doubted that it had ever appeared in his either. Was Sara's kind of love unique, or had he just not been lucky enough to find it yet? he mused. What would it be like to be included in the warm circle of her love? Would her body be as soft and giving as her eyes promised?
Sara and the girls climbed up some narrow stairs to peer Into the remains of one of the cliff dwellings, and Mike dutifully trailed behind. There was something about Sara that was so intriguing. How could he make her equally interested in him?
When the last of the ruins had been explored, they went to view the diorama. Then there were innumerable pictures to take—pictures of Sara and the girls, of him and the girls, of each girl with Sara, and of each girl with him. One helpful old lady stopped by and offered to take a picture of all of them.
"No, but thank you anyway," Sara said quickly.
"Why not?" Mike asked, and passed Sara's camera to the woman.
He went over and put his arm around Saras shoulders as the girls stood in front of them. Sara's body next to his felt good and he pulled her a little closer. She glared at him slightly, but he just smiled back Innocently.
She smelled as clean and fresh as he had expected, with just a hint of perfume. He ran his hand over her shoulder and down the bare skin of her arm. He could feel the warmth of the sun lingering, hinting at an even greater warmth inside. His grazing touch became slower, more of a caress, as an answering need awoke in him.
"Smile now."
He turned toward the camera, almost having forgotten their volunteer photographer. Then he smiled broadly, but his fingers continued their gentle play, no longer moving much. Just pressing against Sara's arm for the contact he felt he needed somehow. A slight quiver went through her and he bit back a smile. Maybe now she'd remember he wasn't one of her kids.
"Such a lovely family," the woman said with a sigh as she snapped one last picture and handed the camera back.
"Thank you," Mike said. Sara looked confused as he passed her camera back to her, but he just smiled and turned to the girls. "Anybody besides me hungry? I'll buy."
"Lunch is back in the refrigerator in the camper," Sara said quickly. "No sense In letting it spoil."
Mike opened his mouth to protest, but everyone had turned away before he managed to get any words out. She had done it again, he realized as he followed along behind Sara and the girls.
She had made him one of the kids again. But why? He had sensed she felt the same attraction he had when he'd held her close to him for the pictures. Why had she backed away? Had he misread her reaction?
Well, if she wasn't interested in him, then he wasn't interested in her, he told himself as they went back to the trailer. He wasn't so egotistical that he needed every woman around him to fall at his feet. He watched In brooding silence as Sara and the girls got out sandwich fixings—bologna, cheese, mustard, and tomatoes.
"Just help yourself, Mike," Sara said as she and the girls made their own sandwiches.
He waited until they were done, then moved in to make his. He was actually enjoying this little vacation for the new experiences it presented, like making his own sandwich. Usually he just ate out. or had his houseboy cook for him. He put two pieces of bread onto a paper plate, then piled a few pieces of bologna on them. He was determined to have a good time, even if Sara wanted to play earth mother. It didn't matter to him.
"Mom," Megan announced. "Mike took three pieces of meat."
"That's okay," Sara replied.
"But you said we could only take one," Megan protested.
"That's because you wouldn't eat your bread if 1 let you take more." Sara replied. "Besides. Mike is a big man."
"For sure," Mike said jovially, glad that she had noticed at least that much. "And Captain Wonder needs three times as much food energy as anybody else." he told the girls.
Two pairs of green eyes stared coolly at him. Mike toyed with one of the pieces of meat, wondering if he should put it back. He didn't like bologna all that much anyway, and he didn't want everybody mad at him.
"Once you touch it, you gotta take it," Kari told him quietly but firmly.
Mike frowned but put the meat down on the bread. They were all treating him like a little kid, he fumed. He grabbed the plastic mustard container and squeezed it over his bread. All he got was a rude noise. The girls laughed hysterically.
"You have to shake It down." Sara explained. With a big smile on her face, she took the bottle from him and shook it. The mustard came out evenly.
