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  Amy nodded. “It started out that way, but then Sam recognized the need for more than what was in the original plan. Especially since there’s so many kids, he expanded the operation to include this school. It’s a good way to keep them occupied so the parents can help in the rebuilding effort. The kids adapt well to the loose but structured learning environment here.” She leaned her head toward Rebekah. “Beck’s a big help since she’s training to be a teacher, and Natalie’s a kindergarten teacher.”

  Pausing to answer a question, Amy turned back to Lexa. “Most of the younger group speak English. We primarily speak English here in the schoolroom to help build their vocabulary and communication skills.”

  Lexa helped Natalie pass out papers a few minutes later. “Are those some of the mothers?” Lexa nodded her head toward a small group of women on folding chairs at the back of the room. They were respectful and quiet and watched their activities with interest. She smiled at one, but the woman lowered her head in a shy manner and looked away.

  Natalie nodded and clapped to get the attention of a group of giggling children. “Right. The ones who are pregnant or can’t help at the worksite for whatever reason often come and visit.” She leaned closer. “Some of them benefit from the lessons, too.” After introducing Lexa to the group, Natalie began their lesson.

  One little girl couldn’t take her eyes off Lexa the entire morning, and stared at her long braid. Amy told her the child’s name was Margarita. She was seven, but small for her age with big brown eyes that threatened to swallow the rest of her pretty, delicate features. Dangly earrings swung from her ears every time she moved before getting lost in a mass of dark, wavy hair. Margarita’s multi-colored dress was old but clean, and she shuffled around in tennis shoes three times the size of her small feet.

  “Do you like my hair?”

  Margarita nodded and surprised Lexa by nudging aside her arm and scooting onto her lap. Laying her head against her chest, she closed her eyes.

  Amy smiled. “She’s the youngest one in the group and gets tired about mid-morning. Just hold her. She gives good love.”

  Lexa stroked her hair, so soft and silky. It seemed to give the girl a measure of comfort. She sighed and stuck a couple of fingers in her mouth. She listened as Lexa hummed a quiet song and nestled even closer. A warmth flooded through her, and Lexa’s arms tightened around the precious child. Margarita was so trusting, so innocent. God must have known they both needed a moment like this.

  A short time later, Rebekah called everyone together and dismissed them for lunch following a short prayer. “We’ll meet here again at three o’clock and then go until five-thirty in order to get in the required number of hours per day,” she told Lexa. “Margarita’s really taken to you. She’s a very loving little girl. It’s a shame about her, though.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Rebekah looked around the room to make sure the children and mothers were all gone. “She has several older brothers and sisters. Two of them come here to the school, but they don’t pay her much attention.” A sadness surfaced in her green eyes. “Apparently, sweet little Margarita was an afterthought. The parents dote on the older children, but sadly neglect their youngest.”

  Lexa sighed. “Attention is what she seems to crave right now. At least she was dressed neat enough.”

  “Yes, today she looked pretty good. Other days, not so much.”

  Lexa turned away so Rebekah wouldn’t glimpse her tears. She busied herself collecting stray crayons from the floor and straightening chairs around the long tables. Amy and Natalie worked together in another section of the schoolroom.

  As the group walked back to the campsite for lunch, Lexa’s thoughts centered on the small girl. Such large, lonely eyes. She vowed to pay as much attention to Margarita as she could for the duration of the TeamWork camp. She understood the pain of loneliness, especially for a child, and wanted to somehow protect the little girl. Even for only a moment in time, she wanted to shield Margarita from the hurts caused by the world.

  It was the same way she felt drawn to her quiet roommate, Sheila. Both seemed lonely and a little lost. Just like Lexa herself a short time ago. But now it was different. Something had changed.

  Or could it be that she was changing?

  ~~**~~

  After lunch, Sam summoned the seven newest members of the TeamWork crew into his office. Walking with the others, Lexa’s heart rate picked up speed at the thought of seeing Sam again.

  “Come in!” Sam threw the door wide and smiled. His eyes settled on Lexa as she ducked beneath his arm on the way inside. She turned her head and tried to focus on what another girl was saying. The newest volunteers were each assigned to different dorms among the more seasoned crew. It was an effective way to help them get to know everyone better and ease into the camp routine.

  For the better part of the next hour, Sam distributed various handouts listing the names of the others at the camp and the available assignments. He explained the camp procedures in more detail and answered their questions. Lexa leaned against a tall file cabinet in one corner, studying the paperwork and darting quick glances at Sam.

  “You’ve already been here a couple of days and no doubt have a better idea where you’d most like to serve. Don’t feel pigeon-holed. If you wake up one morning and want to test your culinary skills and make peach cobbler, or help serve meals, I’m sure they can use you in the canteen. However, if you feel the urge to build something, we can use your help at the worksite. Of course, the children can always benefit from more willing volunteers in the schoolroom.”

  “We have enough volunteers and positions to fill, so don’t worry about signing up on a list for any particular day. However, I reserve the right to move you around if we have a pressing need somewhere else. One of the perks of being the director,” he teased, and they all laughed.

  “These things always have a way of working themselves out.” Sam paused, looking around the room. “I commend you all. I’ve noticed some of you trying out the various positions in the camp, and you’re doing a great job.”

  Sam told them more about his expectations for the newest group of volunteers. “It’s not going to be easy.” His words echoed those of the interviewer in the TeamWork headquarters in Houston a few months before. “But it’s also very rewarding work.” Sam’s gaze encompassed those squeezed into his cramped office, missing no one. His eyes found hers.

  Averting her gaze, Lexa stared blindly at the paper in her hands. Sam had a unique way of making each volunteer feel valued. He shared an easygoing camaraderie with the men that commanded their respect. But he also possessed the uncanny ability to see straight into a person’s soul. It was as wonderful as it was unnerving.

  When he spoke next, the words were quiet. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your willingness to help this summer. We’ve got a terrific group of people. I trust when we leave at the end of the work camp, we’ll consider ourselves a family. Not just the family of Christ, but people who love and care for one another. Not because we feel we have to, but because we want to.” Sam nodded. “That, my friends, is what TeamWork is all about.”

  Those assembled broke into spontaneous applause. The men slapped each other on the back as they filed out of the office, laughing and talking. The director stood at the door, shaking hands and answering a few lingering questions.

  Hoping Sam might want a word alone with her, Lexa hung around until the others all departed. By this time, he was once again seated behind his desk, the glasses in place, busy reading some report or other. According to Rebekah, Sam’s intense concentration was legendary. That must be the case now, and she hoped he wasn’t purposely ignoring her. Not wanting to disturb him, feeling awkward, Lexa turned to go. A creaking floorboard alerted Sam to her presence as she crossed the office. Darting a glance in his direction, she saw him look up.

  A slow grin spread across that way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good face. “Well, hello there, Lexa Clarke.” Those smile lin
es captivated.

  “Hi.” She couldn’t help returning the infectious grin. From anyone else, it might irritate her that he kept calling her by both her first and last name. “I was wondering if your offer of dessert and the Riverwalk was still open.” Where she found the boldness to ask that question, Lexa didn’t know. But she had, so now she had to face the consequences.

  Leaning back in his chair, Sam plopped his boot-covered feet on top of the desk and crossed his arms behind his head. The smile never left his face. “It sure is. We can go tonight during the bonfire time, if you’d like. Does that suit you?” His tone was flirtatious, teasing. Stinker.

  “Fine. I think I can fit it into my busy social calendar.” Lexa sidled to the door, feeling as self-conscious as a tiny ballerina at her first dance recital. Sam watched as she moved across the room. Caught in a paradox, she both loved and hated it. Turning back to face him, she refused to give into the grin threatening the corners of her mouth. “Please stop staring. Didn’t your mother ever tell you it’s not polite to stare?”

  The glint of amusement shone in those incredible eyes. “I thought you rather liked it, Lexa.”

  She liked the way he said her name. She liked his voice with its deep, native Texas drawl. She liked him. Sam possessed an inner strength and conviction she’d never known in any other man.

  Lexa paused, one hand on the doorknob. “Sam, tell me something. Did yesterday really happen?”

  He chuckled. Removing his glasses, he rose to his feet. “If you’re referring to the armadillo incident, it most certainly did. I saw him, too. Like I said, you seem to have an uncanny knack for attracting all kinds of creatures.”

  Lexa wondered if Sam included himself in that assessment. Judging by the look on his face, it was a fair assumption. Moving around the desk, Sam inched toward her, his steps slow, purposeful. Lexa’s heart quickened with every step of those dust-covered boots. “That’s not what I’m talking about it, and you know it.”

  Sam loomed above Lexa, his eyes never leaving hers. “If you’re talking about the fact that you fell from the top beam of one of the houses and I came to your rescue—yes, it also happened, Miss Clarke. I actually have the beginnings of a few bruises to prove it. Wanna see?” he teased, starting to lift his shirt.

  “Nope.” Lexa shook her head. Put that shirt back down.

  Grasping her chin with a firm hand, Sam studied her face as though memorizing every detail. Thank goodness he didn’t feel the need to point out her obvious sunburn, a glaring reminder of her foolishness. His gaze swept from her eyes, down to her nose, and lingered on her mouth. Lexa’s breath caught in her throat, lost in his smile.

  “Okay, then.” Sam leaned near, his face only an inch from hers. “If you’re talking about the fact that I kissed you, you’re absolutely, positively out of your mind. Raving lunatic. Never happened.” He released her, his grin entirely too smug.

  “You!” Lexa cried, stomping out the door after first slamming it in Sam’s face. “And stop staring!” she yelled in mock disgust, laughing all the while as she scurried back across the campsite to the women’s dorm.

  The TeamWork director’s laughter followed her all the way.

  I could get used to this.

  Chapter 12

  Lexa shifted from one foot to the other. She waited for Sam in the dorm, as giddy as a shy teenager on a first date. It proved frustrating to choose something to wear considering her TeamWork wardrobe consisted primarily of shorts and coordinating tops or T-shirts. She finally chose a khaki skort since it was the closest thing she had to a real skirt, and topped it with her dressiest pale pink knit top.

  Even though her roommates acted curious, none asked any questions as they headed out the door to the bonfire. Throwing a wave over one shoulder, Rebekah called to her to have a nice evening. The grin on her face was interesting. Josh’s comment tipped Lexa off that he and Rebecca knew she’d been at the worksite. Which meant they probably knew Sam came after her, too. But their TeamWork director didn’t seem like a kiss-and-tell kind of guy.

  A light rap on the door startled her. She saw the outline of Sam standing on the opposite side of the screen door. “Excuse me, but do you know where I might find a lovely lady by the name of Alexis Clarke?”

  “She’s right here.” Lexa pulled her purse over one shoulder and stepped outside. Sam was clean-shaven and wore khaki pants with a red polo which brought out the intensity of his eyes. The thick, dark hair was combed back neatly with no black Stetson. Her eyes traveled to his feet and she tried not to laugh. At least he’d polished the work boots as best he could. Goodness, did this man ever clean up well. Lexa accepted his proffered arm with a shy smile. As they began walking, she caught a whiff of cologne. That surprised her somewhat.

  “I like your hair that way.”

  Lexa tucked the compliment in her heart, pleased he’d noticed. It took nearly a half hour to add a few curls to the ends of her stubborn, straight hair. She’d thrown the curling iron in her suitcase as a last minute afterthought. Kind of like her dad’s old police union newsletter. It didn’t really make any sense at the time, but now it did.

  Maybe Sam meant he liked her hair down since he’d only seen the braid. She needed to stop second-guessing everything. It was time to enjoy a relaxing evening with a nice man. An incredibly handsome man. Lexa willed her pulse to slow down, but it was a lost cause. When she glanced his way, she caught his smile.

  A few volunteers passed by, tossing curious stares their way. No doubt they’d be a hot topic of discussion and speculation. People liked to talk, even in a TeamWork camp. She reached for the car door.

  “Allow me.” Sam hastened to open it for her.

  She’d been doing it for herself so long, Lexa reminded herself to allow Sam to play the gentleman. It was nice to be pampered and treated like a lady. “If you’re trying to impress me, it’s working. You TeamWork directors are quite mannerly.” She climbed into the car and lowered her gaze.

  Sam pulled his long frame into the car beside her. “I have to do my best to correct your impression of me. I’m not usually so . . . impetuous.”

  “It’s good you can take a night off every now and then. I hope we don’t have any car mishaps this time.”

  “Or run-ins with animals. Kind of gives new meaning to animal magnetism.” Sam laughed when she smirked. “Sorry. I can be pretty corny sometimes.”

  “At least I know what a tire iron is now.” Lexa frowned at her slightly swollen thumb. “I just have to be careful with tools—especially hammers.”

  “Does it still hurt?” He sounded concerned. Then again, maybe he wanted to kiss it and make it all better.

  “A little.” She could literally feel the color creeping into her cheeks again. They always betrayed her.

  “If it’s any consolation, you’re doing a great job out at the worksite.”

  Lexa smiled, pleased by the unexpected compliment. It was too hot and stifling in the car to ride without the windows down. Three minutes down the road, her hair was straight again. Even at the relatively slow speed of the station wagon, and at this hour of the evening, it was still extremely hot and windy.

  In stark contrast to the first time they’d been in the car together, Sam didn’t initiate conversation. But it didn’t feel awkward. The countryside wasn’t so bland and uninteresting as it had been a couple of days ago when he picked her up at the bus station. She looked at everything with a fresh, new perspective.

  She was falling hard for Sam Lewis. Lexa tried to push the thought from her mind. Her imagination sure was fanciful since coming to the TeamWork camp. All those romance novels must finally be infiltrating her brain. Still, she was on a date with the man. And, in her heart, there was nowhere she’d rather be.

  ~~**~~

  “Not much to look at, is there?” Something about Lexa brought out Sam’s teasing nature. Other than his little sister, Caty, and sometimes Beck, he rarely teased a woman. It seemed too intimate and familiar. Shelby didn’t l
ike teasing. Then again, her temperament was as opposite from Lexa’s as night and day. But Lexa—well, Lexa was different. He liked teasing her.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” The way Lexa scrunched her nose and her cheeks turned pink was adorable and could get addictive. The woman was witty. She didn’t miss a beat and could probably meet him at every turn in conversation. Keeping up with her was a challenge he welcomed. Lost in thought, Sam drove them onto the main road leading into town. From the corner of his eye, he saw Lexa shift her position to turn toward him. She anchored one hand on the open window.

  “Sam, should we maybe talk about that kiss?”

  It was hard to hear with the rumbling of the engine, but he heard her question. Maybe he didn’t have a decent answer. He opened his mouth and then closed it. What was there to talk about? Why did women always have to talk about these things? The kiss was better than good. It was so great, it actually blew his mind. Lexa must feel the same way. She was sitting beside him in the car, wasn’t she?

  He cleared his throat and hoped for the best. “I think that’s one of the reasons we’re sitting here in the car together right now. Before you can ask the question, yes, it really happened. I won’t deny it this time. If you’re asking me if I want to try it again sometime . . .”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  Sam knew he’d have to avoid looking at Lexa if he didn’t want to get distracted while driving. His senses—all of them—were reacting to her. He needed to be in full control of his faculties. “Just tell me what you’re thinking, Lexa.”

  “Aren’t there TeamWork rules against such things?”

  “Not specifically, no. Granted, there are plenty of rules, but none that prevent kissing.” A vision of Shelby popped into his mind, but he pushed it to the back of his mind, wanting to bury it so deep it wouldn’t resurface. Not while he was with Lexa. Shelby was long gone, but Lexa was here, flesh and blood, sitting beside him. Looking all pretty and sweet, but still feisty as ever. He liked that about her. He liked her independence. Her intelligence was obvious. He liked flirting with her. Especially liked that shy little smile that surfaced every now and then.