by Anne
"Thank you. Mommy." he said politely. Damn, he thought/It did matter. For some unspoken reason, he didn't want her to mother him. He wanted to feel her hands on him, wanted her lips to taste his. He wanted to lie next to her and discover the passions that lay hidden beneath her demure exterior.
"We have cherry fruit drink," she told him. "Is that all right?"
Fine." He'd find a way to make her as aware of him as he was of her. he decided. After all, couldn't Captain Wonder do everything?
By late afternoon Mike was getting discouraged. He was no closer to solving his problem with Sara than he had been at lunch time. How in the world could he make an impression on her when they were trapped in a trailer with two kids, driving through the desert?
If he tried to keep the kids occupied, she thought he was one of them. He could hardly send her flowers or candy, yet when he'd offered to pay some of the expenses, she had flatly refused. He thought he had gotten somewhere when she had accepted his offer to drive for a while, but then she had announced that she and the girls were going to take a nap. She wasn't even going to sit next to him to admire his skill. He was getting nowhere fast.
Hearing the patter of little bare feet coming toward him, Mike glanced up from his driving. Kari sat down next to him.
"Hi, Sleeping Beauty. Megan and your mother still asleep?"
"Yeah."
Out of the corner of his eye he saw her yawn, then stare out the window. Soon he heard the sound of another pair of bare feet approaching.
"My turn for the front seat," Megan announced.
"I just got here," Kari answered, determined to stay put.
"Why don't you ladies share the seat? It's big enough," He was surprised at the firmness in his voice, but it seemed to work, for the two girls quietly divided the seat between them. Maybe he ought to try the firm approach with Sara, he mused.
"Your mother still asleep?1'
"Uh-huh," Megan said with a yawn.
"Is she snoring?" Kari asked her.
"Ladles don't snore," Mike said.
"Mommies do."
"Yeah," Megan said. "They go like this." She threw her head back, hung her mouth open, and made a loud noise. Both girls giggled.
Mike couldn't help smiling, but felt a need to defend Sara. "I can't hear her.'
"She's quiet now," Megan told him.
"Yeah." Kari chimed in. "It's 'cause you're here. You're a guest and we got to be ladles." They looked down their noses at each other primly.
"I just don't know about you girls,1' Mike said, shaking his head with a laugh.
"But we know about you," Kari replied.
"Yeah, all about you."
Point, counterpoint. Mike decided not to ask just what they knew about him and they rode for a while in silence as he looked for a way to reopen the conversation. After all, they were the key to understanding Sara. No use letting the opportunity go to waste. Finally he asked, "'You girls go on vacation like this every summer?"
"Nope, this is the first time that the budget book said we could go."
"Mommy wasn't sure what the budget book would say cause we bought the house last year."
"The house is real nice, though, and we have a room of our own."
"Ladies," Mike said firmly. Two pairs of green eyes stared at him. "I'm confused.'1
They exchanged quick looks and then Kari started speaking very slowly. "Last year we bought a house. Before that, we lived in an apartment and we all slept in one room. Now Mommy has her room and we have ours."
"And Mommy has a den."
"Not the kind bears sleep in. It's just a little room for her books and stuff."
He chanced a brief glance at them, his lips twitching slightly. "You girls write your own lines?"
They stared at him for a moment. "If we have a ruler," Karl said finally.
He blinked rapidly at the road and decided not to explain. "What I was really wondering about was the budget book," he said quietly. "IVe never seen one before."
"Ill get it," Megan offered.
"No, that's okay,' Mike said quickly. "Just tell me about it"
"You write numbers in it and it tells you how much you can buy."
"Oh."
"And when you can buy It."
"Yeah, it said if we wanted to go on this trip, we couldn't buy hot lunch in school all year."
"And Mommy couldn't buy any new clothes until next Christmas."
"Grandma bought her a coat"
"That doesn't count. Grandma uses a different budget book." Karl looked directly at him. "Now do you know what a budget book is?"
Mike nodded. He certainly did now. It was having to count every penny twice, that's what it was. And if that wasn't enough, he had crowded himself in with them. No wonder Sara saw him as another kid. He had been acting like one, hanging around for treats with no thought of the cost. If he wanted her to see him as a man, he'd better start acting like one, he decided.
"You guys see your father much?" He wondered why the question was suddenly so important to him.
"Nope. Not since last July."
"Yeah, he gave us a nerf check for Christmas," Megan said.
"It wasn't nerf," Kari corrected. "It was rubber."
"Nerf. Rubber. It's the same thing." Megan insisted.
"No, it's not." Karl argued.
"They both bounce," Mike said quietly.
The twins looked at him.
"That's what Mommy said."
"She threw it out before we could see it bounce though."
So their father was a real nice guy who didn't help with their expenses. Was he any better? Mike didn't say anything, but he was beginning to get an idea of the kind of life Sara lived and he was angry. Mostly at himself. Why hadn't he seen how hard it was for her? Instead of moping around wondering why she wasn't falling into his arms, why hadn't he shown her that she could lean on him? Well, all those hard times were going to change. On this trip, she was going to go first class.
"Isn't there anyone to help your mother?" Mike asked. "You know, like your grandfather?11
"Grandpa's dead.'
"Besides, Mommy says a person shouldn't be beholden."
"Beholden?"
"That's what we say In Missouri. It means you owe somebody something, and Mommy says you should always pay your own way."
Swell, he thought. A poor but proud little lady. Well, It would make things difficult, but not impossible. No problem at all for Captain Wonder. He'd just have to keep his eyes open for the right opportunity.
After a long period of silence Mike said, "Maybe you'd better see if your mother Is awake. We're going to be at Lake Mead soon."
"She's not,1' they both said together.
"How do you know?"
"She bumps around a lot when she gets up," Karl replied.
"Yeah," Megan laughed. "And she makes groany noises."
"I heard that," a voice called from the back of the camper.
The girls fell back into the seat, smothering their laughter behind their hands.
Mike looked into the rearview mirror and watched Sara pull herself out of bed. Her hair was tousled and her eyes were half-closed, making her look incredibly sexy. He would have liked to park the damn trailer and take her back to bed, but two giggling little bodies next to him were reminders of the impossibility of that. How did couples with large families manage to get the privacy to make love?
Sara carefully padded toward the front and sat in the seat behind the girls. They peeked out at her, still giggling.
52 « ANNE AND ED KOLACZYK
"You two keep that up and I'll tickle you to death," Sara threatened.
The giggles continued.
From the corner of his eye, Mike saw Sara force a fierce scowl onto her face, but her eyes were swollen with sleep and her face was flushed. She still looked desirable, but now it was combined with such an appealing vulnerability that he was seized by an irresistible urge to grab her and hold her close to him. He wanted to take care of her and protect her. H
e wanted to make love to her and let only wonderful things touch her life. Instead, he clutched the steering wheel tightly and stared straight ahead.
After a long silence, during which he fought to get his emotions under control, Mike said, "How about I spring for dinner tonight? This time. I've got money."
"I've already bought some hot dogs and beans," Sara replied quickly.
"They'll keep, won't they?"
"I don't want to take a chance," she told him firmly, "Besides, we shouldn't get into the habit of eating out."
There was an air of finality in her voice. She was so tough, but he had seen that vulnerability peeking through and knew she could use his help. He'd just have to be a little clever. It wouldn't be any problem. Pick up a check here. Buy the girls a gift there. No problem,
He smiled happily. Sara was going to have one terrific vacation without ever being aware of what was happening.
"Dinners ready." Sara announced.
"Ah. a fiendish plot," Mike called out from the double bed where he and the girls had been playing a card game. "I was finally winning and it just happens to be dinnertime."
"You weren't winning," Megan argued. "I had less cards left than you."
"I was still going to win." He came over to the table, a girl holding on to each hand. "Looks good."
Sara smiled at him weakly, envying the girls" easy manner with him. They were so natural and relaxed, while all she could think of was how gorgeous he was and how many women would pay to trade places with her right now. And what was she doing to win his Interest? Making him hot dogs and beans. She sat down with a sigh, wondering if there were any Jem me Ja tale classes at her local YMCA.
Karl passed the plate of hot dogs around. Each of the girls took one and she noticed that Mike looked around carefully before he took any, "I made two for you." Sara told him, wishing their budget ran to filet mignon and wine. "But there are more in the refrigerator if you want them."
"No, this is fine." Mike took his food and passed the plate to her. He opened the catsup bottle for Megan, then carefully shook the mustard before squeezing it on his hot dogs. He seemed to be enjoying himself, Sara thought, relieved. Maybe he didn't mind the meager meal.
"Have any pickle relish?" he asked.
Sara's heart sank. "No."
"Mommy bought some once but it got moldy cause nobody ate it." Megan told him. "She won't buy it anymore."
"Megf" Sara said. "I certainly would have bought some if 1 had known Mike wanted it." She didn't want him to feel unwelcome. Lord knows she would have bought a gallon of pickle relish if she'd thought It would help him enjoy their company more.
Megan took a huge bite of hot dog and bun, ignoring her mother's words. "Is it Captain Wonder food? "
"No." Mike shook his head and reached for the catsup. "Actually, it's something the Dark Avenger tricks me into eating. Good thing you don't have any. It steals my strength."
"Maybe yours was moldy too," Kari said.
Mike nodded. "Might have been. Ill be more careful in the future."
Sara smiled, but somehow she couldn't join in their joking. She was so conscious of Mike that the trailer could have been floating out to the middle of the lake and she probably wouldn't have noticed. She stole a glance at his hands gripping his cup and wondered how they'd feel on her body. She was evenjealous of the napkin that brushed his lips, as she longed to do.
He shifted his position slightly so that his leg almost touched hers, and she was suddenly conscious of the heat radiating from him. Heat that matched her own in intensity. She tried to convince herself that the look in his eyes as he gazed across the table at her was merely fond, but she suspected she was fooling no one, not even herself.
"What's for dessert?" Kari asked.
Sara glanced around. Everyone was done but she. "Baths,11 she announced, and quickly finished the rest of her hot dog.
The girls groaned, but they carefully cleared the table, then trooped back to the double bed and started to change their clothes.
"I'm going first," Megan shouted, and got her pajamas from under the pillow. Kari didn't argue, so her twin went into the bathroom.
"Want some more coffee?" Sara asked Mike.
"I can get it."
She shook her head and got to her feet. "I have to check her bath water anyway." She poured them both some more coffee, then went into the bathroom, relieved to escape Mike's presence for a moment. Maybe her racing heart would have a chance to slow down a bit. She frowned at the inch of cold water Megan had put in the tub. "I think you could use a bit more."
"Mom!"
Sara ran the water until she was satisfied. "I'm sure Captain Wonder takes a good bath," she said pointedly.
Megan did not look impressed, but climbed into the tub.
When Sara returned to the table, she found that Mike had finished clearing it. "You didn't have to do that."
"There wasn't all that much to do," he said. "How about if I wash the dishes and you dry? Our coffee's still too hot to drink."
"Mike, you're a guest." she protested. And making him work wasn't going to help his opinion of her, Sara thought.
He looked almost Impatient with her. "Then I’ll dry."
She just shook her head and began to run water into the tiny sink. "You don't have to help, really you don't."
But Mike picked up the dish towel anyway. She should have insisted he put it down, but somehow the words wouldn't come. She liked being close to him too much. Even something ordinary like washing dishes seemed exciting. Their hands might touch occasionally and. in the small galley, it was impossible for her not to brush against him once in a while. Even as the thought crossed her mind, her body met his.
"Sorry," he said with a laugh, and moved aside to put away a plate.
She smiled quickly and concentrated on her washing, wishing he hadn't been quite so eager to get out of her way. That rush of desire as they touched had been rather pleasant. Rather strong too. It surprised her that she could feel such a powerful reaction to someone she barely knew.
Of course, she saw him on television every Sunday night, so he wasn't exactly a stranger—not that she'd felt this desperate need to touch him and to feel his arms on her each time she'd watched him cavort about in his Captain Wonder suit. No, this was a new feeling, and one that frightened her as much as it gave her pleasure.
By the time they sat down with their coffee, Sara was feeling somewhat more like herself. Megan had finished her bath and was having a brownie for dessert. Mike took one off the plate too. They looked delicious, but Sara refused to let herself have one. She'd decided that, at least while Mike was here, she wouldn't eat everything in sight.
"Do you take baths, Mike?" Megan asked suddenly.
Sara frowned at her daughter, certain the conversation was going to go in a direction she wouldn't like.
"Yep," Mike answered.
"Does Mommy come in and check if you're doing a goodjob?"
"Meg!" Sara cried, reddening against her will.
Mike just grinned. "She's welcome to any time."
Megan shook her head, "You'd better be careful, she likes hot water."
"Oh?"
Hot water was definitely what Sara felt she was In, and Mike's obvious enjoyment of her embarrassment only made it worse. "Megan, I think that's enough."
"Well, you told me Captain Wonder takes good baths," she reminded her.
"Finish your brownie." Sara ignored the warm look in Mike's eyes, wishing fervently his glance would move elsewhere.
Kari arrived to have her brownie, distracting Mike into having another. Then it was time to put the girls to bed. She tucked them in and kissed them good night, stepping aside for Mike. He repeated the same ritual, she noticed with a smile,
"Do you kiss Mommy good night too?" Megan asked him.
Sara just stared at her for a moment.
"Should I?" he asked.
"Mommy doesn't kiss men," Kari announced.
"She might," Megan ar
gued. "Julie's mom kisses lots of men."
"Girls, this is not the time for such a discussion," Sara said, finding her voice as she reached over to turn off their light. She refused to allow herself to linger on the thoughts Megan's question had awakened. "Good night."
"Good night."
She and Mike walked back to the table, where he grabbed another brownie. She studied the chocolate crumbs clinging to his lips and longed to lick them away.
"Want to sit outside?" he asked.
"Sure," she agreed quickly. At least the darkness would hide her burning cheeks, the visible evidence of her racy thoughts.
Mike picked up his blanket and walked with Sara to the grassy patch next to the camper. It was dark outside, and quiet. Only the murmur of voices from the other campers broke the peaceful silence. He spread the blanket and stretched out on it while Sara sat primly, Indian-fashion.
"Well, you survived your first day with us," she said quickly, before he could bring up anything the girls had said.
"It was fun. I like your kids."
She didn't know what to say next. She couldn't see his face, but she sensed his nearness. Why had she thought it would be easier out here? The darkness had only attuned her senses to his every movement. She didn't need to see him for her body to react to his presence.
"They sure are enjoying having you along," she said lamely.
"I'm enjoying them," he echoed.
She wondered if he meant it or if he was Just being polite. He probably meant it, she decided suddenly. He hadn't spent much time with her. just with the kids, so he really could have had fun. "I thought tomorrow we'd go swimming and maybe do some hiking."
"Sounds fine," he said.
She jumped suddenly when his fingers touched her leg. "We could rent a boat, but I think the girls would get tired of sitting still, and I don't think they swim well enough to water ski." The fingers moved along her skin, brushing it gently, yet leaving a fiery trail in their wake.
"You know best."
Did she? she wondered. If those fingers didn't stop their gentle, rhythmic caress, she wouldn't be capable of coherent thought. "We probably ought to go over to see Hoover Dam sometime too."
"If you like."
Like? What she'd like, she thought breathlessly, was for those fingers to stop. No, wait, she really didn't want them to. She wanted them to go on, to move to caressing other parts of her body. She took a deep breath. "So tell me, Mike, what's your girlfriend like?'
