and among viewers who are going to go out and buy their products, all in return for delivering a big check to the winner's chosen sports program. For example, Bobby, you could play for football programs. Jesse could play for golf programs. Whoever wins, wins for their particular activity."

"And whoever loses?" Bobby persisted with a chuckle. "What happens to him?"

"Second place will get money as well, just not as much. A win-win for everyone!"

Kate glanced at Jesse, who sat back. He hadn't agreed, but he hadn't said no, either. Optimistically, she plunged ahead.

"It won't be anything fancy, and it will have to be soon since I think it has to be done in the summer to highlight summer sports programs. If you agree, I'll start making plans immediately. I'm sure I can get the El Paso Country Club to let us use the course. It will be great!"

"I like it," Bobby pronounced. "What do you say, Jesse?"

Jesse stared not at Bobby but at her with an unfathomable darkness. "I don't know how I can say no."

"Then it's settled," Bobby stated, and pushed up from his chair. "Let's go back to my office and start working out the details."

Jesse stood up as well and shook Bobby's hand. "Can't. I've got to go. But thanks for lunch."

Bobby slapped him on the back. "I'm going to give you a run for your money, my friend."

With a tight smile, and without a single glance at Kate, Jesse started to leave.

"Jesse?"

He turned back, his eyes blazing. But after a second he relaxed, and his smile grew genuine. "You have plans to make. I'll see you later."

Then he was gone.

To: Katherine Bloom Chloe Sinclair From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: Fabulous!

Kate, so sorry that I had to pressure you for details regarding your idea. But, alas, the auditors needed more than my word. I completely respect that you didn't want to tell me yet, that everything wasn't pinned down, but I'm so thrilled that you let me know what you're putting together. A golf-off is inspired. I read your proposal this morning, and it's utterly dee-lish. The auditors are impressed as well. Jesse v. Bobby Mac. I knew I could count on you not to let me down. But two weeks? How can we put this together in two weeks?

xo, j To: Julia Boudreaux Katherine Bloom From: Chloe Sinclair Subject: In agreement I have to agree with Julia on this one, Kate. Great idea, but not enough time to implement. How about we do it in September? I'm sure I can get the auditors to give us that much time.

Congrats! Chloe Chloe Sinclair Station Manager Award-winning KTEXTV To: Julia Boudreaux Chloe Sinclair From: Katherine Bloom Subject: Golf-Off September is too late! We have to pull this together in two weeks, because I want to showcase Travis and the kids at the golf camp. And camp will be well over by September.

Given that, we need to move into high gear. Chloe, you're the best, I know you can put it together. Advertising should be a cinch since every local sponsor in town will want in on this. And with publicity spots running on heavy rotation between now and then, we'll have no trouble getting local companies to donate money for both the winner and the runner-up. Not only will they get free publicity, but the money they donate is a tax write-off. Plus, we need only one camera crew since the whole show is Jesse and Bobby Mac.

The good news is I already have the golf course for the event. It's going to be a ratings smash!

Kate To: Katherine Bloom Julia Boudreaux From: Chloe Sinclair Subject: Fine I say we go for it. I've jumped through hoops before, and I can do it again to get everyone assigned. What do you say, Julia?

To: Katherine Bloom Chloe Sinclair From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: re: Fine I say we have a golf-off to produce. But we can't afford any mistakes.

xoxo, j To: Julia Boudreaux Chloe Sinclair From: Katherine Bloom Subject: Not to worry Everything is going to be great! Nothing's going to go wrong!

I'll keep you posted.

Kate To: Vern Leeper From: Katherine Bloom Subject: Westchester golf tournament

Dear Vern:

Sorry I didn't get by your office, but have you found any footage of the Westchester Open yet?

I'd really like to see anything you can find ASAP.

Best, Kate

To: Katherine Bloom From: Vern Leeper Subject: re: Westchester golf tournament Dear Kate: The tournament was not covered nationally. However, I have a call in to the local affiliate who must have some footage for highlights to use on their news. As soon as I hear anything, I'll let you know.

Vernon Leeper Sports Director, KTEX TV West Texas

TWENTY.

Nothing's going to go wrong might have been a tad optimistic. And she hated that she'd had to show her hand to Julia before she was certain that all was okay with Jesse. Sure, he had agreed to do it at Bobby's Place, but she couldn't deny that she was worried.

To compound her concern, Jesse had avoided her for the last two weeks as she worked on the Public Programs Golf-Off. Arranging something of this magnitude would have been challenging under the best of circumstances. Doing it so quickly really kept her on her toes.

But the sheer amount of logistics and arrangements wasn't what gave Kate nightmares. Since the day Travis had arrived in El Paso, Jesse had put the boy first. Now, with the golf-off looming, Jesse had shifted his entire focus onto his game. She felt bad for Travis. And she couldn't help but wonder why Jesse was avoiding her.

Because he now saw her as nothing more than a reporter who wanted something from him?

She was concerned that it was something more. Something bigger that she was missing. But when she tried to talk to him, he was busy, on the cell phone, just leaving, or, more than once, simply hadn't answered the door. No discussions, no more shared meals. But most of all, no more talk or even hint of sex. She hated how that bothered her the most.

One night she woke and was surprised to find Jesse asleep in the chair beside her bed, that old photo album open on his lap. Getting out of bed, she had quietly knelt before him, allowing herself to trace the tired lines of his face. He didn't wake when she pulled the album away. She waited for him to stir while she sat on the floor next to his chair, looking at pictures of them growing up. His family and hers. Jesse, young and laughing, his mother next to him, smiling and clearly proud. Then another of him with his father, years later, standing in front of their house, Derek caught standing off to the side, left out. Or was it that Derek wanted no part of his father's and brother's escapades?

After Mrs. Chapman died it was like Carlen Chapman had needed Jesse-sort of like how Kate's mother had needed her. But in her case, the child had become the parent, while in Jesse's case, the child had become a buddy.

When she got to the end of the photos, Jesse was still asleep, as if he hadn't slept in weeks. Finally, she

covered him with a blanket, then went back to bed.

He was gone in the morning, the blanket tucked around her. He was drawn to her, but avoiding her as well, she realized. It made her feel both hopeful and despairing of ever breaking through those walls of his.

The day before the golf-off, with a West Texas summer storm brewing, huge billowing clouds starting to fill the sky, all of El Paso was buzzing about the event. Travis sat in the kitchen, elbows on the table, face in his palms, staring at the TV that wasn't turned on.

Kate came inside the house through the back door. She tossed her keys and purse on the counter.

"Hey, kiddo."

"Hi." He didn't look over at her. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"Aren't you supposed to be next door with Suzanne until the golf van shows up?"

That got a half smile out of him, a smile so like his father's that Kate felt her heart twist.

"Yeah. But Suzanne is 'shampooing' her hair and said she'd call when she was done. Though she's really dyeing it and thinks I'm clueless and couldn't tell the difference. She said you've left every emergency phone number known to man so I'd be safe for the few hours it would take to do her hair. Plus, I'm going over to Lena's in a few minutes to help her with some stuff."

"Is her mom at home?"

"Yeah. And I swear we won't look at a single golf magazine."

The looked at each other, then started to laugh.

"So what's your excuse for being here?" he asked.

She shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "I was over at the golf course, making sure everything was in

order for the big day tomorrow."

"You were looking for Jesse, huh?"

Her hand went still in the middle of pouring a glass of orange juice. Then she rolled her eyes. "Am I so

transparent?"

"Yeah. But that's okay."

He turned back to face the empty screen. "Is everything okay with my dad?"

Kate's pulse leaped with anxiety. Travis had been so excited when he learned about the event.

She busied herself putting the carton back in the refrigerator. "Sure, he's fine."

She wished she was as certain as she sounded. Had she been so focused on her own concerns that she hadn't given enough attention to the warning signs that had been there all along? His return to El Paso?

Diving into the tree house project instead of playing golf when he had the biggest tournament of his life coming up?

And what had Tommy Davis meant when he'd said, "You are a hero, aren't you, Jesse?"

When she thought about it, she realized there had been an odd tone in the reporter's voice. A question.

Wheels on gravel caught Kate's and Travis's attention. They stared at each other in hope, neither

realizing they were holding their breath until they saw the black Jeep and they exhaled in a rush.

"It's him."

"He's here."

She had to force herself not to fly out the back door right behind Travis. Instead, she stood at the

kitchen sink, praying for calm. Praying that she was wrong and Jesse was all right.

"Hey, Jesse!" the twelve-year-old called when he came through the back gate.

Jesse stopped and looked toward the house. "Travis," he acknowledged.

Kate could see him through the window. He pulled off his golf cap, his hair matted from sweat, a bright

white stripe across his forehead making the burn on his face more apparent. His expression was as dark as the gloomy sky.

Travis raced across the yard to see him.

Kate could make out only a few of the words that carried on the wind that began to stir through the leaves. Travis must have said something about the unfinished tree house because they both looked up.