“It’s only me,” Skip grinned. “Go right ahead. Far be it from me to interrupt adoration.”

Kelsey couldn’t help but smile. “It’d take me years to admire everything. I’ve never seen so much stuff. All for swimming?”

“Yeah.” Skip threw himself down across his waterbed. “And a few lifesaving awards for good measure.”

“You mean you really have saved somebody?”

“Three somebodies, if you please.”

“You’re quite the hero.”

“Aren’t I though?” His grin widened. “You know of some body that needs saving?”

Kelsey tried not to blush and turned back to the trophies. “Your dad must be so proud of you.”

There was no answer, and after a few seconds, Kelsey looked back at him, surprised by the scowl on his face.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Not at all. Let me escort you personally around my humble abode.” He jumped up again, his mood changed so abruptly that Kelsey regarded him in amazement. He linked his arm through hers and began walking her around the room. “My kitchen, Madame. Very helpful on the cook’s night out. You see here the microwave, the refrigerator tucked discreetly beneath my dining table? Ah, yes, and here we have my wardrobe—” he flung open folding doors to reveal a closet as big as Kelsey’s living room at home—“all color coordinated and custom designed, and—as you can see by my current and favorite attire of ragged jeans and torn T-shirt—positively useless. Now! Here we have the bath—sunken tub, separate shower, gold faucets, and—watch your step, my dear—out onto this very private deck, a Jacuzzi of my very own. Impressed? No? Well, well, come right this way and see my darkroom…and my personal computer system…and my larger-than-life viewing screen for TV and VCR…and—”

“And there’s not going to be any food left if we don’t get downstairs!” Donna’s voice came authoritatively from the hall, and Kelsey laughed as Skip looked askance.

“My God, she caught us! Now it’s blackmail for sure!” He swung an arm around each of them while Donna tried to look disapproving. “All right, ladies, to the pool it is!”

Kelsey stood for a moment on the wide patio, surveying the gigantic swimming pool banked with flowers and ferns, the wooden gazebo, the lattice-covered porch with its bar and stereo and barbecue pit large enough to roast a whole cow. She felt like the newest member of a country club.

“Aren’t you eating?”

Kelsey looked up as Justin handed her a paper plate of food. She hadn’t realized till now how really hungry she was, and she took the plate, smiling.

“Thanks. It looks wonderful”

“And you look tired.” He studied her, worry in his blue eyes. “Feel like sitting down?”

“That would be nice.”

He led her to a small table and pulled his chair closer to hers.

“I…I’ve been trying to think of how to thank you.”

Kelsey’s eyes widened. “Thank me for what?”

“For last night. For telling me you were there.”

“Justin, I didn’t do anything.”

A hint of a smile touched his lips. “You cared. Thank you for caring.”