Free Secrets & Seductions by Pamela Toth Page A

explained. “I drove him to the walk-in clinic in Sisters. It’s about fifteen miles from here.”
    Some of the others had talked about the town one night at the campfire. Emma remembered someone saying that it had a quaint western ambience.
    â€œDid they use regular thread to sew him up?” asked one of the boys she was helping.
    â€œThat’s gross!” exclaimed another. “Do you think he’ll let us see it?”
    â€œI guess you’ll have to ask Mo about all that later,” Morgan replied, folding his arms across his wide chest. “He came back with me, but right now he’s resting.”
    Morgan wore baggy gray shorts and a royal-blue polo shirt that matched his eyes. His muscular legs had the same golden tan as his face and arms.
    After seeing him dressed this way for more than a week, it was getting more difficult for Emma to conjure up the image from her first meeting with his alter ego in the suit and tie.
    Her frustration at that meeting was much easier for her to recall. When she thought about him, which seemed to be most of the time, that frustration was what she needed to remember—not how great he looked.
    While the boys continued to hash over the idea of getting their skin pierced with a sewing needle, Morgan switched his attention to Emma.
    â€œThere’s something I need to discuss with you,” he said, flashing his white teeth. “Think you could leave these ruffians alone for a minute?”
    Her heart began to thump as she got up from the table. “Sure, I g-guess so,” she stammered.
    Her physical attraction to him was as unwanted as it was unexpected. She had to stay focused. With a slight feeling of trepidation, she followed him as he put several feet between them and the table.
    â€œIs there a problem?” she asked, glancing down at the ground, covered with dry needles. “Something I’ve done wrong?”
    â€œWhat? Oh, no, not at all. You’ve been doing a terrific job.” Morgan must have seen the concern on herface, because he gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. “Especially for a city slicker,” he added teasingly.
    His words eased away her sudden tension and her shoulder tingled pleasantly from his touch.
    â€œI’m glad to hear that.” She laced the fingers of both hands together. “What’s on your mind?”
    â€œI need a favor,” he said gravely.
    Something sparked inside her. She had to swallow the word anything before it could pop out of her mouth.
    â€œWhat’s that?” she asked, cheeks flushing.
    â€œYou work so hard as it is,” he continued, apparently oblivious to her stumbling response. “If we shuffle your duties around, could you fill in for Mo? It’s just for a couple of days until another volunteer can get here.”
    â€œYou want me to sleep with the boys in Falcon?” she asked, using the group name they had chosen. Mohammed’s group was in their early teens and she had noticed a couple of them ogling her when they thought she wasn’t looking.
    Morgan looked startled. “No, no. I wouldn’t ask that of you. Mo will continue to supervise Falcon, but he’s not supposed to get his hand wet, so he can’t help Cookie. I know you’re doing a lot of the KP already, but Sarah and Franny are working with the girls on the final skit, or I’d ask them.”
    Emma’s flush deepened. She’d been so busy gawking at Morgan like a girl with a crush that shehad leaped ahead. “I get along great with Cookie. Of course I’ll be happy to do whatever I can.”
    â€œGreat, thanks. Cookie’s got lunch under control, but he’ll talk to you about supper, okay?” Morgan backed away. “I’ve got a lot to do, so I’ll see you later.”
    Â 
    After two days of helping out with meals as well as fulfilling her counselor duties, not only was Emma bone-deep exhausted, but she’d had no