The old Dodge four-by-four was battered. There were deep gouges in both doors, and the once red paint had faded some from long days in the sun. But despite the cosmetic problems, the truck had never once failed or left him stranded. His father had always told him to take care of his equipment and it would take care of him.
Jack frowned at the memory. He didn’t usually allow himself to think about his father. Russell Darby had walked out on his family eighteen years ago and had never once looked back. He’d not been in touch with any of his children, not to mention his wife. Hell of a legacy, Jack thought grimly.
A small sound caught his attention. He turned toward the noise, grateful for the interruption. Long ago he’d taught himself to avoid any thoughts of his father, and he didn’t want to break the habit now. He saw a boy standing just inside the open double doors of the oversize garage. Even without the sunlight glinting off wire-rimmed glasses, he would have recognized the child.
Shane Fitzgerald had the look of the Fitzgerald family about him. Blond hair, blue eyes, stubborn chin. Aaron’s chin. Jack could also see Katie in the boy-Katie and someone else. The boy’s father.
“Hello, Shane,” Jack said pleasantly.
Shane took a step closer to him. “Mom says I’m supposed to stay out of the way. She’s up at the house helpin’ Mrs. Darby.”
“I know.”
There was something tentative about the boy. An air of caution that made him seem smaller and younger. Normally Jack didn’t make much time for children-they weren’t a part of his world. But for some reason he found himself wanting to make Shane feel comfortable.
“I’m changing the oil in the truck,” Jack said. “You’re welcome to stay and watch. Or you can help me.”
Shane took another step forward. He wore a long-sleeved shirt tucked into jeans. He was skinny-the belt around his waist was the only thing that kept his pants in place. The boy pushed up his glasses in a nervous gesture.
“I don’t know anything about cars and trucks.” His shoulders hunched as if he expected Jack to yell at him. “I watch the men change the oil in Mom’s car when she takes it in, but they’re underground and it’s hard to see anything.”
“I know what you mean,” Jack said. He studied the child. He wasn’t a strapping boy, and he hadn’t been raised on a ranch. He was obviously interested in his surroundings, but also frightened of them. Was Aaron taking the time to make the child feel at home? Jack had his doubts.
“Come here,” Jack said, motioning to the truck. “I’ll give you a lift up so you can see the engine, then I’ll tell you what all the parts are.”
Shane’s expression turned eager. He moved closer until Jack could loop one arm around the boy’s slender waist and hoist him to the bumper. Shane stood there, leaning against Jack. The kid didn’t weigh much more than the ranch dogs, he thought with some surprise.
“We put the oil in there,” Jack said, pointing. “I’m draining the dirty oil now. Then I’ll replace the oil filter and put in new oil.”
He patiently explained the various parts of the engine and how they helped make the truck go. Next he grabbed a second dolly so Shane could slide under the truck with him.
“Careful of that oil,” he instructed as Shane scooted next to him. “You get it on your clothes, your mom’ll kill me. You get it in your eye and Doc Remington’ll do it to me, instead.”
Shane giggled. He pushed on the bridge of his glasses. “These will keep me safe.”
“Not from your mom.”
Shane watched as Jack loosened the oil filter and pulled it free. He showed the boy the clean replacement, and they compared them.
“Now we put a drop of clean oil around the seal at the top.”
“To make it stick?” Shane asked eagerly.
“That’s right. You catch on fast.”
The simple compliment made the kid glow. Jack found himself wanting to say other nice things to Shane, although he wasn’t sure what.
“How do you like living in Lone Star Canyon?” he asked.
Shane shrugged. He rested his heels against the concrete and rolled himself back and forth a couple of inches. “It’s okay.”
Something in the boy’s voice alerted Jack to the fact that there was more to his answer. He waited patiently. Shane continued to roll on the dolly. Finally he took a deep breath.
“I always liked my grandpa’s ranch, so I was happy when Mom said we were moving there. Except it’s different living there. It’s bigger and kinda scary. And I miss my friends in Dallas, only I can’t tell my mom ’cause I don’t want her to worry more than she does. And Grandpa’s real loud.”
Jack wasn’t sure what to do with all that information. He decided to start with something easy. “Have you started making friends here?”
Another shrug. “I guess. Some. The boys are different. They all ride and stuff. I like computers.”
“You’ll find boys who share your interests. Even if you don’t, you can still be friends. Come on. We’re done under here.”
They slid from under the truck. Jack stood, then held out his hand to help the boy scramble to his feet. Shane shifted his weight from foot to foot.
“What if they don’t like me?” he asked without looking at Jack. “My mom’s boyfriend didn’t like me much. He never said anything, but I could tell.” He glanced up, his eyes bigger than usual, his expression troubled. “I think that’s why we moved away. And now that we’re here, I don’t think Grandpa likes me very much, either.”
Jack’s chest tightened, but he didn’t have any words of wisdom to offer. Instead he put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and squeezed.
“Shane, there you are.”
They both glanced up and saw Katie standing in the entrance to the garage. She looked at them, then at the truck.
“So what have you two been getting into?” she asked with a smile.
“Shane’s been helping me change the oil. He’s really good with engines,” Jack said, earning a quick smile from the boy.
“Is he? I’m not surprised. Shane is bright and generally successful at whatever he tries.”
She stood with the light behind her so it was impossible to read her expression. Probably a good thing. Her body was distraction enough. Jack told himself that he wasn’t interested in women in general and Katie in particular. He told himself that the thrust of her breasts and the roundness of her hips didn’t interest him. He told himself that the fact that he knew she kissed hotter than any other woman he’d ever known was meaningless.
He lied.
As much as he didn’t want to acknowledge the truth, he couldn’t help the fire that seemed to spring up from nowhere and settle in his groin. He’d managed to ignore it the past couple of times he’d seen her, but now it threatened to consume him. It was just desire, he told himself. A lust for sex didn’t much matter. It was only biology. At least she no longer engaged his heart.
Misty, the Lab-shepherd mix ranch dog, trotted into the barn. She went up to Shane, sniffed him once then licked his hand. The boy giggled and, when she ran out of the barn, he chased after her.
“Was he a bother?” Katie asked when they were alone.
“No. I meant what I said. He was a help.”
She smiled. Again he noticed how time had changed her face, age adding beauty by defining her bone structure more clearly. Experience and wisdom darkened her eyes, making him wonder about the years she’d been away. What lessons had she learned and how had they made her different?
Wait a minute, he told himself firmly. He was not interested in Katie in any way and he didn’t want to know about her personal life-changes or no changes.
“I doubt he did more than get in the way,” she said, “but thank you for being kind.”
“I wasn’t. I like him. He’s a good kid. You’ve done a great job.”
“You think so?” She tucked her hands into the pockets of her tailored slacks. Even in her low-heeled pumps she barely came to his shoulder. “My father wouldn’t agree. He thinks Shane isn’t man enough.” She hesitated, then looked at him. “I heard what Shane said. About Aaron not liking him.”