Christmas Kisses Collection. Louise Allen

half stood as she took her seat cross from him.

      After feeling vulnerable at the pool in nothing but her swimsuit, she wasn’t sure she could handle more time between the two of them. Every nerve in her body had been aware of Chance watching her leave the pool. It had been exciting and terrifying at the same time.

      Apparently she was worrying for no reason. Chance ate and shuffled papers he had spread out on the table without paying any notice to her. She finally asked, “So what are all these?”

      “Med invoice forms. I’m expecting a shipment any day.” He didn’t look at her.

      “You do work all the time.”

      He glanced up. “Someone has to do the paperwork.”

      “Can’t someone else do that?”

      He made an exaggerated scan of the room. “You see someone else volunteering?”

      “I’ll be glad to. It wouldn’t hurt you to accept help sometimes.”

      He put down the paper he had been reviewing. “Do you always say what you’re thinking?”

      “Not always.” She certainly didn’t where her father was concerned and kept some of her thoughts about him to herself.

      A waiter showed up with her meal. They fell into silence as they both ate. For some reason she didn’t even think to ask to take her meal to the room. “You know, I could help with those. I’m a pretty good organizer. Maybe I can set up a system that’ll make it easier for you.”

      “Don’t you get enough work during the day not to want more?”

      She shrugged. “I want to help. That’s what I’m here for.”

      He looked at her. “And why is that? Here in Honduras?”

      “Because of you.” She wanted that passion and conviction she’d heard in his voice in her life.

      “That’s right, you said. Where was the fund-raiser?”

      “In New York about six months ago.” She’d spent the next few months trying to convince her father that her life’s calling was in Honduras. He’d spent the time fighting the idea.

      “That long ago.”

      “Yeah, it took me awhile but I made it.”

      Chance looked at her instead of the papers. “Why not sooner?”

      “Well, mostly because of my father.”

      Chance lifted his chin in question. The man had a way of getting people to talk to him. He was practicing that bedside manner she’d seen him use on his patients. It was powerful when turned on someone. She was that person now. The feeling that if he turned up the charm she couldn’t resist him anything filled her. Caution was what she needed to use.

      “I’m an only child with an overprotective father. Make that way overprotective.”

      “I guess if I had a beautiful daughter and she wanted to come down here to work I’d be concerned also.”

      He’d said she was beautiful. Other men had but for some reason she especially liked hearing it from Chance.

      “I love my father but after my mother died he just couldn’t stand the thought of losing me too. He seemed to think that making all the decisions in my life was the answer to keeping me safe.”

      “He wouldn’t be pleased to know what happened the other day, would he?”

      “No, he wouldn’t, and I don’t plan to tell him. It would only worry him. He already thinks I take too many risks.”

      “Risks?”

      “Yeah, like going into medicine, working in an inner-city clinic, or like coming down here.”

      “Then I’d better see that you get home safe.”

      Anger shot though her. “That’s not your job. I can take care of myself. I don’t need someone else watching over me.”

      “Whoa.” He held up a hand. “I stepped on a tender spot. Sorry.” He went back to looking at his papers.

      Taking a deep breath, she focused on her meal again. She watched the candle flicker and listened to the tinkle of water in the fountain then glanced at Chance. He was a handsome man. One of those who drew a woman’s attention naturally. There was an aura about him that just made her want to know him better. But what she didn’t need was someone caging her after she’d finally found her freedom.

      Done with her meal, she asked, “Of all the places in the world, why did you decide to start a clinic in Honduras?”

      Chance looked up. “I came here to do summer work with one of my professors while in med school.”

      “That was it. You decided to start the Traveling Clinic?”

      “Yeah, something like that. I saw the hardship and wanted to work here.”

      Something about his tone made her think there was more to it than that. “So you decided to make it your life’s work.”

      “It sort of evolved into it.” He took a bite of the fruit they’d been served for dessert.

      “How’s that?”

      Chance put his fork down. “You’re full of questions.”

      “No more than you were.”

      “Okay, so I had high hopes that I could make life better for the Hondurans. Make a real difference. But that, like everything else, costs money. Each year that has been harder to come by.”

      “So when you made fun of me for trying to save the world you weren’t any different your first time in Honduras.”

      A sheepish look came over his face. “Yeah, I know that stars-in-the-eyes look. I’ve had it and seen it hundreds of times. I’ve also seen people go home defeated by the amount of need here.”

      “Is that why you’re so tough on me, because you don’t want me to be discouraged?”

      He crossed his arms on the table. “I just want you to understand what you’re getting into. This isn’t a fairy-tale world.”

      “What makes you think I need that?”

      “Look at you. Your polished nails. You don’t belong here. This isn’t a place for you.”

      She leaned toward him. “Who gave you such a narrow view of women and their abilities?”

      “That would be my ex-wife, who came down here and stayed a few months before she left me for my colleague.”

      By the tone of his voice he was still terribly bitter. She couldn’t keep the amazement in her voice from showing. “You were married?”

      “Don’t sound so surprised. Even I can make a mistake.”

      “Mistake? That’s a sad view of marriage.”

      “But honest. Enough on that subject.” Chance returned to the papers at his fingertips.

      He had been hurt, deeply. Did he judge all women by his ex-wife’s behavior? Even her? Maybe that’s why he treated her so unfairly. A few minutes later, she pushed back from the table. “Thank you for the stimulating company but I think I’ll call it an evening.”

      To her disbelief Chance gathered his work, stood and stuffed the forms in his back pocket. “I’ll walk back with you.”

      She didn’t question his motives; instead, she said thank you to the waiter and headed for the door. Chance caught up with her and they walked out of the main building.

      She needed to apologize for spying on him but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. They continued walking.

      At her hut Ellen said, “Uh, about the other night,