That McCloud Woman by Peggy Moreland Page A

and forced a smile to her
lips before looking at Jack again. "But I'll manage. The children's
happiness is what is most important. Until the time arrives when they leave me,
I'll fulfill their needs as best I can."
    Jack
propped the bear on the coffee table, then turned, angling a leg onto the sofa
between them. He stretched an arm behind Alayna on the sofa's back, his brown
eyes fixed on her. "And what about your happiness? Your needs?"
    Alayna
kept the smile in place, though it was difficult. "I'm a big girl. I don't
need anyone to look out for me."
    "You'll
miss them."
    The
tears were close, but she stubbornly kept them at bay. "Yes, but there
will be other children who'll need my care."
    "But
you'll still miss them."
    A
tear leaked out and ran down her cheek. She swiped at it with the towel, hoping
Jack hadn't seen it, then knotted the towel in her hands. "Yes, I'll miss
them."
    "You've
got a big heart, Alayna. The kids are lucky to have you."
    His
kindness brought the tears closer. They burned her throat and stung her eyes.
She opened her mouth to form a glib reply, one that wouldn't reveal the fears
and doubts that lurked inside her … then quickly closed it, swallowing the sob
that rose instead.
    Jack
leaned closer, placing a finger beneath her chin and forcing her face to his.
"Alayna?"
    She
saw something in his eyes that she had never seen before, something she'd never
expected to see. Compassion. She crumpled in the face of it.
    "Oh,
Jack," she cried, giving in to the tears, her fears. "I want so badly
to help them, to provide a good home for them."
    "You're
doing fine," he assured her.
    "Am
I?" She didn't wait for an answer, didn't seem to want one. "You
handled the problem with Billy today so much better than I ever could. I'm not
even sure how I would have handled it if I'd been the one who had caught him
smoking."
    Jack
already had one arm open, resting on the sofa behind her. It seemed only
natural to open the other one, too, and offer her a shoulder, the one solid
thing he had to give her. When he did, she melted against him on a sob. He
stiffened immediately as her body met his, realizing too late that in opening
his arms, he'd exposed his chest … his heart.
    Slowly
he gathered her into his arms, tucking her face into the curve of his neck, and
let her cry. Her tears were hot and wet against his bare skin, slowly melting
his resistance. He gathered her closer, holding her, murmuring senseless words
to soothe her. He understood her tears as few other men could. He'd experienced
the grief firsthand. He'd already faced the day where he'd had to say goodbye.
    He
felt a shudder move through her and dipped his head to look down at her. Her
hair formed a golden halo against his bare chest. An angel, he remembered
thinking that afternoon when he'd first seen her. Her actions since had only
confirmed that first impression. Her care for the children. The kindnesses
she'd shown him. The sunny smile with which she greeted every new day. Unable
to resist, he pressed his lips against her hair. She forged closer and he felt
her breast flatten against his ribs. Their heartbeats became one, beating a
single rhythm of shared pain.
    Jack
sat as still as a statue, giving Alayna the shoulder she needed, the comfort
that she deserved, until the muscles in his arm cramped and started to burn.
    But
he never once moved.
    After
what seemed like an eternity, a shudder moved through her and vibrated through
him. He glanced down, praying that the well had at last run dry.
    But
looking at her was a mistake. With her face buried in the curve of his neck,
her hand curled against his chest, she looked so fragile, so vulnerable, so
needy … and somehow so damn right huddled there against him.
    Another
shudder vibrated through him … but this time it was his own.
    He
focused on the hand curled against his chest. It was the hand of a lady—long
graceful fingers and manicured nails. Yet he knew the strength in those
fingers, their