Read Online Jenny Cussler's Last Stand by Bess McBride - Free Book Online Page A

thinking.” He stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets, and his angular chin took on that mulish look she’d already seen. “I guess I wasn’t thinking at all.”
    Jenny chided herself for her surly behavior. He’d read her right. She had wanted to be in his group. It was unfair to lie to him...or to herself.
    She touched his arm for a brief instant before dropping her hand.
    “I’m sorry, Clint. I’m being dishonest. I did want to be in your group. Thank you.”
    Clint pulled his hands from his pockets and grinned. His jaw relaxed, and his eyes softened.
    “Good, I’m glad. I thought I’d blown it for a minute.”
    Jenny returned his smile and cocked her head. “So, what did you say to them?” she nodded in the direction of John Glover and Auntie Sara.
    Clint dropped his eyes and shuffled his feet.
    “Ummm...I told them you were extremely shy and had to be with your best friend...Kate, is it? I know that’s not true, but there was a look in your eyes when she walked off...”
    Jenny crossed her arms and shook her head. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. One thing was certain. He didn’t miss much, this man. A thrill ran up her spine at the thought that he’d watched her that closely.
    “You’re actually not far off the mark, Clint. I know Kate only briefly from the VA, but believe it or not, I am shy.”
    He searched her face with his dark, velvety, almond-shaped eyes. Jenny’s heart skipped a beat.
    “I wouldn’t have guessed,” he said. “I’ll keep that in mind when I call on you to tell your life story in family.” He nodded toward the group where Auntie Martha chatted. “I’d better get back. Come on.” He led the way toward the group, where Kate fixed her with a narrow-eyed stare.
    “Well, it took you long enough. You sure are in slow motion.” Kate grabbed her hand. “I’m not sure what happened over there, but I think I see what’s going on.” She grinned, bent near, and whispered in Jenny’s ear. “I’m still going to fight you for him.”
    Jenny tried to keep from beaming. “Don’t you already have a husband or something, Kate?”
    Kate grinned, tossed her hair, and affected a mock sigh. “Yes, I do, as a matter of fact. The love of my heart. I was just trying to get your goat.”
    “Twit,” Jenny responded with a half smile. She huddled near Kate at the edge of the crowd and diverted her eyes from Clint while she tried to imagine the implications of being in his group. Her life story? In front of the group? He was kidding, right?
    “Come on, let’s go meet Auntie Martha. She looks like a sweetie!” Kate pulled Jenny from the rear of the group and made her way forward with several businesslike and insincere excuse me’ s. They came to a halt in front of the tiny, plump woman, who nodded pleasantly. Clint stood next to her in a somewhat protective stance. Kate stuck out her hand, and Auntie Martha looked at it for a moment, as Auntie Sara had done earlier with Jenny, and took the tips in her fingers.
    “Hi, I’m Kate, and this is Jenny. It’s nice to meet you.”
    Acutely aware of Clint’s eyes on her, Jenny nodded but did not extend her hand. She already had the distinct impression that the women at camp did not normally shake hands, and she made herself a mental note to ask Clint about that at some point.
    “Hello, Kate and Jenny. Welcome to Camp Chaparral.”
    “We’re from the Boise VA. So are you from Idaho? I mean, do you live on the reservation there?”
    Auntie Martha beamed and nodded. “Yes, I teach at the elementary school in Lapwai.”
    “I’ve driven through Lapwai on my way to northern Idaho. Beautiful country. Nice and green,” Kate said.
    “It is, isn’t it?”
    “Clint, what time do we start group in the morning?”
    Jenny heard Celia’s sultry voice for the first time and turned her attention toward the beauty on Clint’s left. She studied the tall, slim blonde who most definitely had a crush on Clint. Jenny recognized the signs.