Hot Blooded

shrugged. "I'd miss running wild with Mojo and howling at the moon," he
said with a teasing look. "But I'd miss you more. I'd miss never knowing what
could have been, what could have happened between us." He lowered his eyes. "I
think you might be the one, Jenny."
    The words sank into her heart like warm sunlight. Her throat tightened so
much she could barely force air through, and when she did speak, her voice was
tight with emotion. "I wouldn't ask you to change your life for me, Samuel. This
has to be your decision. Not mine."
    "But…"
    "I think you might be the one, too. I'm not going to walk out of your life
because of what you are. God, what you are is… is what I fell for, you know?"
    He seemed relieved. "You really mean that?"
    There was a tap on the office door. "Doctor, your patient is waiting."
    He licked his lips. "I have to—"
    "I know. Look, at least meet with Mamma Louisa. Amends need to be made
whether she can help you or not, and whether you decide to accept her help or
not. At least talk with her."
    He nodded. "I will."
    "We'll need privacy," Jenny said quickly. "Come to that same spot where you
took me last night. That grove where the Voudons danced. I'll bring Mamma
Louisa. Meet us there."
    "No later than eight," he said. "Before the moon rises."
    "Understood. Eight it is." She started for the door, but he stopped her with
an arm around her waist, pulled her close until her body was pressed to the
front of his and kissed her mouth. It was a hungry kiss; he used his tongue,
probed and delved and tasted. She twined her arms around his neck and kissed him
back just as eagerly.
    The knock at the door came again, and reluctantly, he let her go.
    Â 
    JENNY went back to the plantation and battled the worst case of nerves she'd
ever had in her life. She invented tasks to keep Mike and Toby busy, set Carrie
to work doing more research and tried hard to hide her jittery mood from Dr.
Hinkle, though he behaved like her shadow all afternoon.
    He suspected something—she was sure of it. And the way he stuck to her all
day made her wonder how she would manage to slip away from him tonight.
    By the time Mamma Louisa was serving them all dinner in the formal dining
room, Jenny was ready to climb the walls. She hadn't even managed to let the
woman know about tonight's plans. Every time she got Mamma Louisa alone and
started to talk to her, Dr. Hinkle showed up like some lurking demon. She would
catch a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye, or suddenly feel shivers up
her spine, and turn to find him not far away.
    During the meal, Jenny managed to catch Mamma Louisa's sharp eye, and she
hoped, to send a message, slanting her gaze toward Dr. Hinkle. A moment later,
she knew the message have been received. The large woman bent to set a fresh
pitcher of ice water on the table and tipped it into Hinkle's lap.
    He yelped and jumped to his feet, his pants soaked through. "Damn, woman,
what are you thinking?"
    "I'm so sorry, mister! Eva Lynn, honey, bring towels!"
    Eva Lynn raced in from the kitchen with large white towels in hand. Hinkle
snatched one from her and stomped toward the stairs, with the younger woman on
his heels dabbing at the back of his pant legs, even as Mamma Louisa glanced at
Jenny and inclined her head.
    "I'll help you until Eva Lynn gets back," Jenny said, for the benefit of the
other three at the table, and then she hurried to the kitchen.
    "You wanted to speak to me, yes?" Mamma Louisa said. "Without the old man
listenin' in."
    "Yes." She glanced back toward the closed door. "I spoke to Samuel, and he
admitted he was wrong to have treated you as he did. He wants to apologize, and
he'll be grateful to hear about any help you can give him with his… problem."
    "Mmm. I'm surprised the stubborn fool gave in so easily." She searched
Jenny's eyes. "You're good for him, I think. So? When do we meet him?"
    The woman's instincts were amazing. "Tonight, eight o'clock, at the grove
where I saw you last night."
    Her eyes narrowed. "You think it's safe? To be so close to him at night, when
the moon is still full?"
    "He's fine until moonrise, Mamma Louisa. That won't be until after nine. Is
an hour enough time for you to do… what you need to do? To help him?"
    "If I can't help him in an hour, I can't help him at all. I will go with you,
child. Now go, get back to the table before that nosy man comes snooping again.
He been watching