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  Lexa’s eyes widened as she looked up at him, but not before Sam glimpsed her obvious relief. She might not say it, but the woman was grateful. All he wanted to do was pull her close and tell her all was okay with the world. Punks. He’d show them.

  Sam glared down on the group. Being so tall came in handy sometimes, and no more so than when saving a damsel in distress. Not that he didn’t think Lexa couldn’t take care of these kids all on her own by virtue of sheer stubbornness. But that didn’t change the fact that she could use his help now. She needed him even though she’d probably never admit it.

  “Is there a problem, boys?”

  “We’re just talkin’ to her. Buzz off, jerk.”

  Sam’s jaw tightened and his fists clenched. He never liked fighting, but he’d do it, if needed. As much as anything else, Lexa was one of his TeamWork volunteers and needed help. He’d do it for any one of them—although most wouldn’t find themselves in a similar situation.

  “I’m going to ask you nicely to leave. You’re not going to get another chance.” Strolling toward the instigator, Sam poked a long finger into the middle of his chest. “You don’t want to mess with me. You can trust me on that one.”

  The spokesman punk snorted. “Yeah, right. Dirty Harry’s here to save the world.” He motioned with one hand for the others to follow. “Relax. We’re leaving. If I were you, though,” he called back over his shoulder, “I’d watch out for my woman a little better. She shouldn’t be walkin’ out here all by herself, if you know what I mean. Things can happen to a woman like that in this part of town.” His leering stare raked Lexa up and down in an invasive manner.

  Even under the cover of darkness, Sam saw the slow flush of color creeping into her cheeks. No doubt it ran all the way down to her toes. Lexa swayed, and her knees started to buckle.

  “Whoa!” He rushed to her side and swept her into his arms. She couldn’t weigh much more than a hundred pounds.

  “Shall we try this again?” This was ridiculous, standing in the middle of the deserted street, holding the most defiant woman he’d ever met. And the prettiest. One hand splayed against his chest like out at the worksite. Her eyes searched his for the briefest of seconds before she snatched her hand away as though touching a burning flame.

  The urge to kiss her seized Sam all over again. At the moment, she looked small, vulnerable. Don’t do it. Talk about a flame. That little voice inside him warned he might get his face slapped if he dared press his lips to hers. He restrained himself. It wasn’t the time. From the cradle of his arms, Lexa’s expression was dazed, indecipherable. Feeling her tremble, he tightened his hold.

  “For once, I honestly don’t know what to say.”

  That was difficult to believe. The woman could probably engage a mime in animated conversation. “Yeah, well, thank you might be a good place to start.” With her still in his arms, Sam marched over to the car. It surprised him that she didn’t squirm to escape his hold, didn’t move. Those warm, small hands of hers inched around his neck, burning a path the entire way. Lord help him now.

  “Can you stand up on your own long enough to get in?” His voice was gruff, but he couldn’t help himself. He avoided looking at those full lips in case they pouted and wore down his defenses even more. It wouldn’t be a hard thing to do at this point. Irritant or not, the woman entranced him.

  Lexa nodded. “I think so.”

  “Good.” Depositing her on the ground, Sam opened the car door. When she stood there for a moment, still not moving, he grunted. “Look, you’d better get in if you’re going to because I don’t know how much longer this old car is going to last. No more games, no more anger.” His voice was thick with exhaustion. They’d both had enough.

  Hopping in, she sniffled, slamming the car door before he could reach it.

  “I’m getting a sense of déjà vu, Miss Clarke. I do believe trouble follows you.” Sam was beginning to think he’d need to take out an individual liability policy on her alone while she was on this TeamWork assignment. Climbing back into the car, he closed his door, being careful not to slam it. He hoped she’d get the point. Grabbing a lightweight jacket off the backseat, he handed it to her. “Here. Put this on. You’re shaking, and I suspect it’s not from the temperature.”

  Lexa accepted the jacket without looking over at him and tugged it around her slender shoulders. “I didn’t need you and your big old white horse to come rescue me, you know.” Her voice was quiet, and she didn’t sound so combative now. Her hands twisted together where they rested on her lap.

  The muscles in his jaws flexed as he stared with blind eyes out the front window. “Yes, you did, and you know it. And don’t call me Bucko. It’s Sam. Just Sam.” He made sure her seatbelt was on before starting the car and pulling out. He was scared to think what might have happened if he’d arrived on the scene another minute or two later. A shudder ran through him at the thought.

  They drove in silence for a few miles. The car was too noisy for conversation, anyway, and sounded like a roaring lion in stark contrast to the stillness of the night.

  “Thanks for not leaving me out there all alone.”

  When he looked over at Lexa in surprise, Sam couldn’t believe it. Her shoulders were shaking. Was she crying? Pulling the car over to the side of the road, he watched, stunned into silence. Lexa’s sobs were quiet, unlike anything he’d ever seen or heard. At least she wasn’t wailing like some kind of wounded animal.

  Sam didn’t like the feeling of helplessness invading his senses. He didn’t know what she wanted from him, wasn’t sure how to comfort her. If he’d learned anything, Lexa wasn’t like most women. Short of beating on his chest with both fists and shouting a Neanderthal mating cry, Sam wanted to shelter her from the hurts of the outside world. With all the mixed signals he got from her, he didn’t know what to think anymore.

  “I don’t cry often,” Lexa sobbed, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Those tissues sure were coming in handy on this TeamWork mission.

  “Maybe you should try it more.” That suggestion must not have been the right thing to say, judging by her glare. He blew out a sigh. Coping with crying women was an acquired art. He wanted—he needed—to somehow ease her fear.

  “Please don’t cry, Lexa. It makes me hurt to see you cry.” That must have been better since she looked up at him so fast it made his heart jumpstart in his chest.

  “That’s quite possibly the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.” Sniffling, she dabbed daintily at her nose.

  Sam rotated his sore shoulder and leaned back against the seat. “It’s okay to admit you were scared. I’m not afraid of some young punks, but it scares me to think what could have happened. And don’t go thinking I’m so sweet. That wouldn’t be so great for my reputation, for one thing. You’ve only known me a few days.”

  When he glimpsed new tears welling in her eyes, Sam leaned closer, letting Lexa give him the cues she needed. She didn’t disappoint. Scooting closer, she leaned toward him. Without hesitation, Sam bundled her into his arms, cradling her head against his chest. Holding her this close was better than nice. Underneath all the defiance, Lexa Clarke needed comfort. Security. It was his prayer she’d find it in a growing relationship with the Lord. And maybe with him. Only the Lord held the answer, but she sure fit nicely in the curve of his arms. Interesting.

  Her shoulders rocked with more quiet sobs. Bless her heart, those kids scared her more than he’d known. With one hand, he smoothed her long hair and patted her shoulder a few times. Although a bit awkward, the gesture appeared to give her a measure of comfort.

  At least Lexa didn’t swat his hand away, and didn’t seem to find his actions inappropriate. Sam tried to keep his touch gentle but innocuous. He wondered how he’d comfort his youngest sister, Caty, if something similar happened to her. The acute awareness this wasn’t his sister bordered on painful. This was Lexa, a woman to whom he was drawn with each passing moment, his every breath.

  For once, Sam understood
what it meant to get a woman under his skin. With all the conflicted feelings churning inside, he could pen a country song. Perhaps he should—sell it for royalties and pour the money into TeamWork. Maybe get another used Volvo out of the deal.

  How long they sat there, he couldn’t be sure. Waiting until her sobs quieted, Sam pulled back, his gaze melding into hers. The sides of his thumbs brushed gentle arcs over damp cheeks. Lexa’s gaze swept back and forth over his face. He liked seeing her like this, soft and feminine. Vulnerable. Sweet.

  “You don’t always have to be so tough, Lexa.”

  She nodded. “I’ve been doing it too long.”

  “Since you were eight?” It was a guess, but her look told him everything. As much as he wanted to keep this woman at a safe distance, it seemed she was always doing something to get his attention or force him to take some kind of action. For the second time in as many minutes, Sam wondered what God’s plan was in all of this. He also knew it would be revealed sooner or later. He was grateful Lexa was safe. But, for now, he had to get moving or else he’d kiss her again.

  “It’s getting late. We’d better head back to the camp.” Extracting his arm from around her shoulders, Sam turned over the engine. At least it started. If it hadn’t, he might have released a shout borne of sheer frustration.

  Driving along the quiet road a few minutes later, Sam stole a glance her way. Her shoulders were swallowed by his jacket, and she pulled it tighter about her, snuggling into it. Slumping down further in the seat, Lexa’s arms crossed over her midsection.

  “You’ve got to stop doing that.”

  “Doing what?” Lexa stared out the window. “I thought you promised not to talk.”

  “You’ve got to stop crossing your arms like that. It’s hostile body language. I thought we were making some headway with that. Until tonight.”

  Lexa sniffed. “Maybe you should think about what prompts me to do such a thing in the first place, Mr. Lewis.”

  From her tone, Sam could tell she was teasing this time. Then again, maybe she was half-serious. He hoped for the telltale upturn of her lovely mouth, but it wasn’t there.

  “Oh, trust me, Miss Clarke, you’ve given me plenty to think about tonight.”

  “Good.” Lexa sank even further down in the seat, but not until first uncrossing her arms.

  Chapter 16

  With a start, Lexa awoke a week after her date with Sam in San Antonio. Willing herself to go back to sleep, she tossed and turned for the better part of an hour. Her lips curved in a smile as she remembered her outrage when Sam’s big, warm hands gripped the backs of her legs as he put her in the car. While humiliating, it was not unlike a scene she might read in one of her silly romance novels. Still, let him think what he wanted. She wasn’t giving in that easy.

  While not purposely avoiding Sam, she needed to sort out her feelings. She didn’t measure up to his ideal of the perfect Christian woman. She was embarrassed she needed Sam to rescue her. Ashamed he’d seen her so vulnerable when she cried. But loved it when Sam swept her up in his arms like some kind of brave romantic hero. Adored it when he pulled her in his arms and comforted her.

  Then Lexa remembered how he told her how her tears made him hurt. That statement alone revealed uncommon sensitivity and compassion. His gruff manner masked inner emotions the same as defensiveness masked hers. Oh yes, they were a lot alike.

  Sitting up on the bed, Lexa’s eyes strayed to Sam’s Bible on the end of her bed. She cherished her time alone each day to read new passages. The highlighted portions—and the notes in the margins—were insightful when she could make out his tiny, precise handwriting. She’d also taken the Bible to the bonfire the first few times, but found it too difficult to see. That’s why Sam always read the passages of scripture aloud and encouraged his TeamWork volunteers to read them later.

  For his part, Sam seemed content not to seek her out. He didn’t try and explain himself further, or try to talk with her more about it. That hurt. But that same sparkle was still there whenever he turned her way. Whenever he met her eyes, Lexa’s heart pounded and her breath caught in her throat. There was also a hesitancy in his manner.

  It wasn’t like she encouraged any of the banter, the lighthearted teasing or even the barbs they’d traded during her first week in the camp. Call it what is was, Lexa. Unabashed flirting. She’d never admit it out loud, but she missed it.

  “Are you going anywhere on your weekend off?” Winnie asked as they handed out ice cream sandwiches at the worksite a few days later.

  Lexa frowned. “I haven’t even thought about it. I suppose I could go home to Houston.” But what was waiting for her there? Maybe she could find a church to attend. It hadn’t been a priority for her before, but now she wanted to focus on that aspect of her life. A church with a thriving singles program would be ideal. A place where she could meet more people her own age who shared her interests and lifestyle while learning more about the Lord and deepening her spiritual walk.

  “You’re welcome to come with Amy and me. We’re going to stick around here, maybe go to some of the missions. You know, sightseeing and shopping. It should be fun.”

  Lexa smiled. “Sounds great. Can I let you know tomorrow?”

  “Sure. No rush. We’re flexible.”

  The more she thought about it, the more the idea of staying put around camp and then sightseeing during the day in San Antonio sounded like fun. Until Winnie told her that Sam might be tagging along for part of it. “He’s driving us into town Friday night. He’s got some business to do for TeamWork on Saturday, but he said he’d like to join us when he can.”

  “Oh,” Lexa muttered, disgruntled. Did Sam know she might come along, too?

  Winnie eyed her curiously. “Is that a problem?”

  “No,” Lexa protested, perhaps a bit too insistent. “Of course not. Why shouldn’t Sam come along?”

  “Considering he’s our only free transportation around, it’s the best offer we have.”

  “Right. I just hope that old station wagon lasts the rest of the summer,” Lexa commented under her breath, handing an ice cream sandwich to Josh.

  “How are you?” He flashed his brilliant, trademark smile, oozing that all-too-easy charm.

  “Just fine, thanks.” Lexa returned his smile. Josh sat by her in the dining tent as often as possible. Now that she thought of it, he managed to sit beside her at the bonfire a lot. Maybe he flirted with all the women. It was flattering, but she couldn’t take it seriously. Still, if she made the slightest move in his direction, Lexa suspected Josh Grant would be more than willing.

  ~~**~~

  Sam’s eyes strayed over to Lexa as he finished his lunch. He couldn’t stop looking at her. Since their night together in San Antonio, she was more compelling than ever. He’d kept his distance, but witnessed her volunteering for more assignments, growing more comfortable with her surroundings and their work at the camp. It thrilled him to see it.

  She had relaxed more and enjoyed herself in many activities at the camp, getting to know the others. As he led the devotions, Lexa was one of his most avid listeners. She asked thought-provoking questions which clued him in that she was reading and studying her Bible.

  The one thing Sam didn’t like was Josh Grant sitting by her almost every night. His eyes focused in on Lexa as she talked with Josh now. At the bonfire, it was customary for Josh to sit on one side of her with Sheila on the other. Sam liked the fact that the shy, quiet woman was bringing out the caring instincts in Lexa, just as little Margarita brought out Lexa’s innate motherly instincts. He didn’t know what else to call it. He remembered the small boy waving to her from the boat at the Riverwalk. Children gravitated to her. So did grown men. He scowled when Josh touched Lexa’s arm.

  Rebekah tipped him off to the fact that Margarita’s parents paid little heed to their youngest and that the child was drawn to Lexa. In fact, she thrived under her attention and personal instruction. One afternoon, stopping into his office before headi
ng out to the worksite, Sam spied Lexa sitting with Margarita on the ground outside the schoolroom, leaning against the wall. They sat side-by-side and Lexa stroked the girl’s hair as they read together. He watched as Lexa encouraged Margarita to read a passage from the book, waiting patiently as the girl stumbled over the words.

  Sam looked forward to the weekend since Amy told him Lexa planned to go with them into San Antonio. Perhaps then he could tell Lexa he was sorry for the way he’d acted, the way he’d treated her. He shook his head and winced at the memory.

  Maybe Lexa was right when she teased him about being their heartless leader. But Sam knew he had a heart. It pounded every time Lexa smiled, every time she looked his way, every time he thought of her soft lips raised to his, waiting for his kiss.

  He’d acted like a complete and utter fool at the Riverwalk that night, and wanted the opportunity to make it up to her. If only she’d let him. And Sam knew that was a mighty big if. They’d shared a special moment when he’d come to her aid with those young thugs. Then again, she wouldn’t have been in that position if he hadn’t made her run away from him. More than ever, Sam was determined to make it up to Lexa.

  He sighed as he finished his meal and rose to leave. Yes, he’d be on his knees again tonight with some very specific requests to lift up to the Heavenly Father.

  Chapter 17

  The school session dismissed early on Friday afternoon, and Lexa walked to the worksite alongside Amy and Natalie. Of course, it had to be the hottest part of the day. She pulled the brim of her hat down further over her perspiring forehead and kicked up dust with every step.

  “Aren’t we about due for a storm?” She peered up at the sky through narrowed eyes.

  Natalie laughed. “Sounds like you’re really hoping for one.”

  “I am. A good, soaking downpour sounds great about now.”

  Amy laughed. “Be careful what you wish for, Lexa. You might just get it.”