Discovering Sophie (12 page)

“I’m sure you do.” He climbed out and saw her eyes briefly scan him, causing a pink blush to spread across her cheeks. Abruptly, she turned around and sat down on the rock. Sophie was attracted to him. Somehow knowing that made him feel a little more in control.

“But I really have to say that you looked like—”

She whirled around and cut off his sentence. “I don’t care what it looked like. I do not want to kiss you.”

Obviously not now—which was his plan. But he would bet money that she had wanted that kiss as much as he had.

He reached for a hand towel Hector must have dropped off. He probably saw all the flirting going on and didn’t want to interrupt them. “All I was going to say is you looked like you…were enjoying yourself.”

She ignored him and dried off her feet, then proceeded to put her socks and shoes on. Jack pulled on his shirt, and then sat beside her to dry off his own feet and put on his socks. While he put on his boots, he cut a sly glance toward Sophie and watched as she finger-combed her hair.

Pretty, even with wet hair.

She looked his way and caught him staring at her. The instant their eyes met, the spark of awareness flared between them again. The intensity was alarming to Jack, and he was glad he hadn’t kissed her.

He ducked his head and finished lacing his boots. It scared him to think how easy it would be to put aside his fears and give in to the emotions she evoked. She was dangerous to him, and he needed to put a barrier in place.

“Hey, I’m only teasing you.” He stood up and grinned. “I wouldn’t want your boyfriend to hunt me down after you go home.”

“Peter isn’t the violent type, so I think you’re safe,” she said, standing beside him.

“That’s good to know.” He glanced at her and winked. “Good Christian men are hard to find. You better hang on to him.”

An emotion he couldn’t define flickered across her face. Slowly, she gave him a soft, almost sad-like smile. “I think you’re right.” Then she turned away and walked back toward their gear. Jack followed behind her, keeping a safe distance between them.

Her reaction was exactly what he had wanted. If he made it clear how wrong he was for her, both of them could ignore the chemistry between them. Besides, Jack didn’t plan on getting involved with a woman who could potentially hurt him even more than Heather had.

He refused to analyze why Sophie could do more damage than his former fiancée. Deep down, he just knew that she could.

They found Hector leaning against his pack, taking a
siesta
. Jack’s nylon pants were already drying, but he encouraged Sophie to change out of her wet clothes. She went behind a big tree while he and Hector turned their backs. Once she was changed, they continued on their journey. If all went well, they should make it to
Por El Río
by dusk.

* * *

Rain soaked Sophie’s clothes, making her wonder why she’d even bothered changing out of her wet clothes from swimming. Not for the first time, she replayed the events of that swim over and over. Especially the almost kiss.

It was stupid, and she kept telling herself how much she
didn’t
like Jack Mathison—she kept telling herself that repeatedly. But every time she thought about his tanned, muscled body, or his blue eyes and that mischievous grin, she felt a warm, fluttery feeling inside her chest.

What an absurd reaction. Jack might be nice to look at, but he was not a nice person. Something he had made sure to point out to her with his reference to Peter and hanging onto a “good Christian” man.

She was so confused. While Peter had his faults, he truly was a good guy, and he did share her faith. He enjoyed being involved in church and made generous weekly donations to further demonstrate his commitment. So why couldn’t she feel the same intense feelings for him that she had for Jack?

She gripped the straps of her backpack tight as if holding onto to them could keep her from giving up and sitting down. She squinted against the pouring rain, hoping to see the village they would be staying at tonight.

Part of her wanted to turn around and ask Jack how much further they had to go, but he would probably think she was complaining. Besides, she wasn’t talking to him. It was easier to be mad at him rather than deal with her stupid feelings.

Hector paused in front of her. He grinned and pointed his finger at a thatched roof coming into view. Finally, they’d made it to
Por El Río
. She knew there wouldn’t be a hotel, but hopefully someone had a generator and enough warm water for a bath. Earlier, Sophie had slipped on the wet grass, and her pants were covered in mud and grass stains.

Jack came up beside her, and she instantly felt the tingle of awareness that only seemed to get stronger each time she was around him. She didn’t dare look at him right now, afraid he might see how he affected her.

She almost jumped out of her skin when he lightly touched her back. “Easy,” he said, laughter evident in his voice. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Taking a fortifying breath, she turned and looked at him. Rivulets of rain poured off his hat, his eyes partially hidden by the bill of his ball cap. “What did you want?” Her question came out with a little more bite to it than she had intended.

Jack noticed and, of course, found her irritation funny, marked by the sardonic grin he gave her. “I just wanted to let you know we’ll only be staying one night. Manuel is a friend of mine, and he has a hut you can stay in so you won’t have to worry about setting a tent up in the rain.”

“And where will you and Hector be sleeping?”

“Hector will stay with you. I’ll figure something out.”

Either the hut was very small or Jack had another reason for bunking somewhere else tonight. Despite her curiosity, she wasn’t about to ask him for clarification.

“Great. Let’s go.”

She started forward, but he held her back with a gentle hand to her arm. The heat of his palm seared her wet skin. She paused, trying to understand her confusing feelings toward Jack. Of all the men she’d ever been acquainted with, why did she have to pick
this
one to be so attracted to?

“What now?” she asked, feeling frustrated, wet and tired.

“Manuel will want you to stay longer. I’m sure they haven’t seen a real doctor since the last group I brought through here six months ago.”

“Okay.” Unable to think clearly, she took a step away from him, forcing his hand to fall away.

He gave her a questioning look but only said, “I just want you to be prepared for any demands the people will make on you and remind you that we don’t have time to linger more than a day. Out of courtesy, we’ll help all we can but only for a few hours in the morning.”

“Got it. Can we go now?” Thoroughly soaked, her hat was completely useless at this point. All she wanted was to be dry again.

He gave her another one of his lazy smiles before turning her around and giving her a little push forward.

In the fifteen minutes it took them to get to the village, the rain had finally dissipated to a fine drizzle.
Por El Río
looked primitive, but the locals were dressed in modern clothes. They talked excitedly with each other and, once again, Sophie wished she could speak the language.

Following Jack and Hector to the center of the village, she scanned the faces, wishing her father was among them. She knew he wouldn’t be, but she longed to find him. Her life had been in such an upheaval since he’d gone missing. For a girl who claimed she didn’t need a father around all the time, she had quickly found out how wrong she’d been. Families were important, and she vowed that from here on out, nothing would keep her from having a relationship with her father. It might just be the two of them, but it didn’t mean they couldn’t have the same close-knit relationship Peter’s family had. She only prayed it wasn’t too late.

Under a large thatch-covered pavilion, a nice looking man smiled at them and motioned them toward him. His dark hair had just a touch of gray at the sides, and Sophie guessed he was probably in his mid-fifties.

“Jack,
mi amigo
.” He reached out and embraced Jack, patting him on the back.

He had to be Manuel. But who was the beautiful woman standing next to him? His wife? She looked to be half his age, dressed in a pair of jeans and a tight V-necked tee, emphasizing her curvaceous body. Her sleek, black hair hung nearly to her waist. It was beautiful and shiny, making Sophie keenly aware of her own matted hair underneath the sopping wet hat.

The dark-haired beauty openly admired Jack, making Sophie’s stomach tighten with an uneasy feeling of annoyance. You would think with her husband standing next to her and the villagers looking on, the woman would at least pretend not to be so interested in Jack.

“Elaina,” Jack said, leaning in and kissing her on the cheek.

Elaina wrapped her slender arms around Jack and murmured something in his ear. Jack chuckled and pulled back, his face turning red.
Jack Mathison blushed?

Turning around, Jack motioned toward Sophie. “Dr. Kendrick, this is Manuel Carrero and his daughter, Elaina.”

His daughter. Not his wife. But judging by the way Elaina’s dark brown eyes devoured Jack, she must be single.

Fingers of jealousy gripped Sophie’s middle as she contemplated whether or not Elaina was the reason Jack would be staying somewhere else tonight.

Jack pointed out Hector, who greeted Manuel with a wave, while simultaneously keeping a hold on the donkey. Some of the children were interested in Fred and were trying to pet him. Hector was doing his best to keep them in front of the animal instead of behind where they could get hurt.

“Hello,” Sophie said, holding out her hand to Manuel.

“
Hola
, Doctor.” The older man bypassed the handshake and pulled her in for an exuberant hug, kissing her on the cheek. “Welcome, welcome,” he said in heavily accented English.

Sophie turned to greet Elaina. The girl ignored her outstretched hand, and took her time skimming her eyes over Sophie’s bedraggled look. Her perfectly sculpted lips lifted into a smile that was anything but friendly. Elaina’s gaze flickered to Jack, and then she said something to him in Spanish.

Whatever she’d said made all of them look at Sophie. Manuel looked concerned. Elaina looked smug, and Jack looked amused, although his eyes also held sympathy. It was obvious Elaina had just made some derogatory comment about Sophie’s appearance.

It didn’t bother Sophie—much. Truthfully, if she could’ve heard what Elaina had said, she probably would agree with her. Obviously, Sophie needed a bath and a change of clothes. She just needed to know where she should go.

Manuel spoke to Jack in a lowered voice and several times gestured toward Sophie. She had no idea what they were saying, but wondered if it involved Elaina and Jack with Sophie as the third wheel.

Jack shook the older man’s hand and then Hector and Manuel walked off together with Fred in tow. Manuel looked back and yelled, “Elaina,
vamos!
”

Elaina pressed her body close to Jack and whispered in his ear, making him laugh again. She cast a triumphant smile at Sophie before turning to follow her father.

Sophie watched Jack as
he
watched Elaina walk away. A knot twisted her gut, and it felt like a vice squeezed her chest. Jack seemed to forget she was even here. She cleared her throat. “Excuse me, but I would very much like to change my clothes, and I have no idea where to go.”

At the sound of her voice, Jack turned toward her. “I’ll show you. Elaina is getting some warm water ready for each of us now, but I’m afraid you won’t have too much time to clean up. Manuel is anxious for your help right away.”

So, while Sophie was off being a doctor, what was Jack going to be doing? Spending time with Elaina?

“Are you going to offer your services as well?”
Oh, shoot
. She really hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

A look of amusement crossed his face, and the corner of his mouth lifted. “Just what services are you talking about, Dr. Kendrick?”

“I don’t know.” She lifted one shoulder uncomfortably. “What do you usually do?”

Jack grinned. “Not what you’re thinking.”

Sophie put her hands on her hips. “Just what is it you think I’m thinking?” She hoped he wouldn’t actually tell her.

“I think—” The sudden reappearance of Elaina cut off Jack’s words. “I
think
we need to finish this conversation later,” he said in a low whisper.

Not if Sophie could help it.

An old woman was walking slightly behind Elaina. She approached them and spoke directly to Sophie. “
Doctor, mi nieto necesita ayuda, por favor
.”

“What did she say?” Sophie asked, turning to Jack.

Jack didn’t answer right away. Elaina had already entwined her arm through his. She leaned in and whispered in his ear. It seemed the girl took every opportunity to speak to him in such an intimate manner. This time Jack didn’t blush or chuckle. Instead, he spoke to the old woman and offered her a genuine smile.

Then he looked at Sophie. “This is Elaina’s great-aunt Guadalupe. Her grandson is sick, and she wants to know if you can help him.”

Immediately, all the petty feelings Sophie was struggling with evaporated like the rain when the sun came out. Caring for the sick, especially innocent children, was her calling in life. Sophie gazed into the wrinkled face and smiled. “
Sí
. I will help.” She glanced at Jack. “Tell her I’ll come as soon as I change my clothes.”

Jack translated to the old woman. When Guadalupe spoke back to him in rapid Spanish, Jack laughed out loud. Elaina just cast Sophie a self-satisfied smile.

“Guadalupe is very pleased you will help her grandson,” Jack said. “But she first insists you need a bath. She is concerned that your…well, how do I say it? Your unclean appearance will not be beneficial for Mario.” Jack winked at her. “That’s her grandson’s name.”

Sophie looked down at her mud-soaked pants and then at her dirty hands. She wasn’t the least bit offended and smiled at the older woman. Cleanliness was something she whole heartily approved of. “Tell her I’ll hurry but be very thorough.” At least the rain had finally stopped. So, when she did get into dry clothes they would stay that way.