Page 30 of Westbound Awakening

Mae peered in, her face flushed. Her eyes flew to his legs. "You're standing on it." She moved with measured slowness toward him with her hands out as if to catch him if he fell. "Are you in pain?"

"I'm fine." He snapped without looking at her for fear he'd see worry or apprehension. Or worse yet, pity. He'd already made up his mind to work on her ranch through the spring to repay for her taking in him and Wesley. By end of summer he'd find a place of his own where he and his son could live.

"Hmm," Mae's eyebrows drew together and she crossed her arms. "It certainly doesn't improve your disposition much." She turned her attention to the doctor. "Thank you Doctor Kennedy. Any instructions?" As always she was brisk to the task at hand, not letting him get the best of her. He slid a glance at the proud woman who now pointedly ignored him.

The doctor's lips curved and his eyes warmed when he stood to speak to her. The older man was always respectful toward Mae, yet his eyes seemed to drink her in and John didn't begrudge him, after all Mae had such an effect on men. The fact he still felt the urge to growl in frustration when men noticed her beauty annoyed him.

He had no rights to her. It was only a natural reaction. Mae was after all a breathtaking woman.

"Don't overdo it John. If you spend too many hours on the leg one day, you'll pay for it the next. Ease into it. Now take a few more steps and let me see if I need to make any more adjustments. If it's misaligned and you get a sore, it could bring another infection," the doctor instructed.

"I won't Doc. Not in a hurry to see you again, no offense." John took several more assured steps while attempting to disregard Mae's watchful eye.

The next evening, John sat in the kitchen at the table and wondered why suppertime seemed like a festive occasion. Joshua came for dinner and even the usually dour Alan participated in the animated conversation about the upcoming spring festivities in town. Mae and Elma had outdone themselves that night. The table was laden with aromatic food, a roast accompanied by root vegetables flanked by crusty bread and freshly churned butter all smelled and tasted delicious.

When Mae's eyes met his across the table, a ripple of heat traveled down from his chest. He frowned at feeling heat rise to his face. What was wrong with him? How could one look from her affect him so?

Her lips curved knowingly when he grumbled under his breath and adjusted his seat.

"Now for something special," her husky voice did little to settle his already altered state. Mae got up and opened a cupboard to produce a large cake. The dish in hand, she moved with care toward the table, her eyes on him.

Her soft smile made his stomach flip, so he focused on the cake instead. Each day around Mae and able to touch her and share the closeness they once had when on the road. The sooner he and Wesley moved on the better. A man could only resist so long.

Her eyes twinkling, she placed the cake in front of him. "Happy Birthday John."

"What?" He looked around the room and was taken aback. Every set of eyes looked at him with expectation.

"Happy birthday Senor McClain," Elma exclaimed with a broad smile. "Wesley, Senorita Mae and I worked hard on the cake. Hope you like it." She prodded Wesley who tore his eyes from the dessert and looked up at him.

"Hap bird-day Da." The little boy clapped and bounced, his eyes once again glued to the cake.

The changes in Wesley over the last few weeks were astonishing. He'd blossomed into a bright and happy boy. While recovering and unable to leave his room, John heard his son's laughter when the child played in the house. Through the window he often caught sight of the boy running circles around Elma while she worked on the garden or hung clothes on the line. Other times the little boy skipped along hand-in-hand with Mae. Wesley was happy here. How would he react to leaving? John shook the thoughts away and forced a smile. "Thank you. I'd forgotten I told Mae my birthdate when we traveled here."

"Well let's cut it. I can't wait to try it." Mae's face brightened with joy giving him the first glimpse of a different side of her. Jovial and relaxed, she let out a loud laugh when Wesley stood up on his chair and clapped.

The evening progressed, all of them eating too much cake and later each complained about overfilled bellies, but the expressions of cheer contradicted the exaggerated woe filled words. This is what family should be like.

Wesley's eyes began to droop and without haste, he was lifted up by Mae and carried to his room. The child laid his head on her shoulder, his tiny arm around her neck. That she'd taken to the boy was more than evident. John wondered if the separation would be harder on her than on his son.

Life sure had a way of throwing one into strange situations, John pondered. He wouldn't have dreamed of sitting here in a warm kitchen surrounded by people that cared for his child. A child he didn't know up until a few weeks ago. A boy who was now being put to bed by the beautiful woman he fought not to think about every waking moment.

Mae fumbled with the small package, straightening the blue ribbon yet again. She'd meant to give John the gift earlier when the others had presented him with theirs, but for selfish reasons, she'd abstained. Now she felt rather silly at the thought of wanting to be the only one to witness when John opened it. Although it was but a simple handkerchief she'd embroidered with his initials, each stitch was sewn with meticulous care. It had been so long since they'd spent time alone with only each other for company and she missed him very much. She longed for their quiet conversations and his companionship. So tonight she'd planned to visit with him, sit and talk, just be near to him for a few moments this evening.

The night had been a success. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Even John had smiled more than usual when accepting his gifts. A walking stick from Joshua, a shirt Elma had made him and from Wesley, a pair of socks. She walked into the front room expecting to find John there since he made a habit of sitting by the fireplace in the evenings reading, but the room was empty. Maybe the events of the day had proven too much and he'd decided to retire early?

Although highly inappropriate to go to his bedroom, after traveling together for all those days alone, she no longer gave propriety much thought when it came to John.

"John?" Mae knocked at his bedroom door. Other than a shuffling noise, there was no reply. Her heart quickened. "John, are you all right?"

The door swung open so fast, Mae jumped back stifling a gasp.

His gray eyes were almost black when he looked at her. "What is it Mae?" Well, he certainly seemed none to pleased to see her.

The rejection stung. Of course how foolish she was to think he missed her as much. He had a son to worry about, not to mention just recovering from a shocking loss. Yet tears threatened and she looked away so he would not see. "I'm sorry." Mae took a step back. "Nothing important, I'll speak to you in the morning."

She went to turn, but a firm hand on her elbow stopped her. "Look, it's just that..." he seemed at a loss for words, his eyes searching her face, as if it held the answer. When he noticed the gift in her hand, he eyes widened "Christ, I'm sorry Mae. It's just right now is not a good time for you to be alone with me. I was thinking about you and...I and how we..."

Angrier with herself than him, she tried to pull her arm away. "I apologize for intruding on your evening. Good night John."