Follow A Wild Heart (romance,) Read Free Page B

cotton shirt, step over the narrow barrier and wrap it protectively around the blond woman. But she was already stepping back onto that infernal log with her massive opponent, and at the announcer's signal, Karena instantly rolled the log forward as hard and as fast as she could, then gave it an immense spin back, and in an instant, Sara Wise landed in the pool on her back, her bulk sending sheets of water cascading over Logan and the twins.
    "Yea, well done," Logan roared, oblivious to the dousing and entirely forgetting the inch of coffee still in his cup when he clapped his hands. The liquid shot up and landed on his own pants this time, and Liz gave him an exasperated, reproachful lecture as she searched for more Kleenex.
    Then, not wanting to believe it was happening, Logan distinctly heard a young voice directly behind him holler exuberantly, "Hurray, way to go, Mom. Once more, Mom, you can do it."
    For an instant, Logan prayed fervently that the encouragement was directed at someone else, anyone other than Karena. But there was no mistaking the identity of "Mom" as Karena turned toward the stands for the first time and acknowledged the words with a flashing white smile and a wave, and Logan felt disappointment roll over him like sudden, sick fever.
    So that was that.
    It hadn't even occurred to him to wonder whether she might be married, fool that he was. But she was entirely lovely, and of course some man had recognized it and won her long ago.
    A knot of regret squeezed his heart like a fist, and he sighed deeply and turned to the twins. "You guys ready to leave now?" he inquired listlessly.
    What was the point of fantasizing over a married woman, regardless of how attractive?
    But they stubbornly shook their heads and settled down to watch the next heat, and Logan frowned irritably and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees despondently.
    That sun wasn't delightfully warm anymore. It was downright hot. And was that a headache building behind his eyes?
    "This is the tiebreaker, ladies and gentlemen. One, two, three, go!"
    The action was fast and furious. Despite himself, Logan was drawn again by the flying feet and precarious balance of the women on the log, and he let out a roar of approval when Sara finally wavered and slipped into the water. Karena had won.
    The young voice making Logan's eardrums ring was jubilant.
    "Way to go, Mom, I knew you'd do it. I knew it, I told you so," he was bellowing, and Alexander twisted around to get a look at him. Lizzie turned as well.
    "Is that lady really your mother?" Alex inquired curiously.
    Logan heard Lizzie give a groan at what she considered a stupid question, but the raucous voice directly behind Logan said proudly, "Yep, that's my mom, and I bet she's gonna win the grand championship tomorrow, too. She's the best."
    Liz waved at the arena where preparations were in full swing to begin the men's team competitions.
    "Which one's your dad?" she inquired logically, and Logan found himself waiting tensely for the answer. He wasn't sure he wanted to even see the guy. Paul Bunyan himself wasn't good enough for Karena, that was certain.
    There was a tiny pause in the conversation and then the boy's voice announced, elaborately casual, "Oh, my dad died when I was a little baby. There's just Mom and me, and I've got a friend called Gabe. And then there's Grampa." Logan suddenly became intensely interested in this conversation. He twisted around to take a good look at this nice kid who called Karena mom.
    Alexander asked, "How old are you?"
    "Twelve next Thursday, July ninth. If Mom wins, she's gonna buy me the whole set of World of Nature wildlife encyclopedias. How old are you?"
    He was white blond just like his mother, a thin boy with long limbs, ungainly and awkward, his features already too large for his face in the way nature had of marking boys who would grow into huge, handsome men. His expression was animated and friendly, his nose was peeling and he needed a