Читать онлайн книгу «In Love with John Doe» автора Cindy Kirk

In Love with John Doe
Cindy Kirk
An affair to remember?Potent sex appeal, smarts, irresistible charm…the patient assigned to social worker Lexi Brennan’s care had everything – except any idea who he was! With no ID and no memory after an avalanche hit his ski slope, John Doe was forced to stay in town to recuperate.And Lexi, who once believed she was better off single, was suddenly having second thoughts. The instant Lexi entered his hospital room, John Doe – a.k.a. Dallas attorney Nick Delacorte – was drawn to her wit and warmth. But what if the memory he was trying to recover proved he had other ties?His heart had made room for Lexi and her adorable little girl. Now all he wanted was to make a place for them in his life!



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His gaze locked with hers.
Suddenly, without warning, the world stood still. Lexi found herself drowning in the chocolate depths of his eyes. And when his gaze settled on her lips, they began to tingle.
What would it be like to kiss him, she wondered? To have those perfectly sculpted lips pressed against hers …
He took a step closer and when his hand touched her hair, desire rose inside her.
Married.
The word slammed like a shovel against the side of her head. Reality had finally clawed its way through the haze of desire.
This man could be married.
Lexi took a step back.
His hand dropped to his side.
Dear Reader,
I admit it. I’m a sucker for an amnesia story. This story came to me when I was in Jackson Hole, riding the tram up to the top of the ski slope. The tram operator was telling me about skiers who venture into the “back country” and how the patrol isn’t even required to rescue them. My writer’s brain started to think—what if someone did just that? What if he got caught in an avalanche? And my favorite part—what if when they found him he had no identity and no memory?
This book is special to me because it has its own song. Sometimes when I’m writing I’ll hear a song on the radio and it will fit the story. While I’m writing I will play the song repeatedly. This book’s special song was “Come Back to Me” by David Cook.
After you’ve read the book, listen to the song, especially to the words. Then, if you have the time, e-mail me and let me know if you think the song is a good fit. I can be reached at cindy@cindykirk.com.
Warmest regards,
Cindy

About the Author
CINDY KIRK has loved to read for as long as she can remember. In first grade she received an award for reading one hundred books. Growing up, summers were her favorite time of year. Nothing beat going to the library, then coming home and curling up in front of the window air conditioner with a good book. Often the novels she read would spur ideas, and she’d make up her own story (always with a happy ending). When she’d go to bed at night, instead of counting sheep, she’d make up more stories in her head. Since selling her first story to Mills & Boon in 1999, Cindy has been forced to juggle her love of reading with her passion for creating stories of her own … but she doesn’t mind. Writing for Mills & Boon
Cherish™ is a dream come true. She only hopes you have as much fun reading her books as she has writing them!
Cindy invites you to visit her website at www.cindykirk.com.

In Love with John Doe
Cindy Kirk


www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


To my fabulous critique partners,
Louise Foster and Renee Ryan.
This wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without you!

Chapter One
“Five bucks says he’s an undercover prince.”
Lexi Brennan stood back and watched the older nurse pull a crumpled bill from her uniform pocket and slap it on the counter.
“He’s handsome enough,” another RN said. “But I say he’s a politician’s son. God knows we get our share of them in Teton County.”
“Put me down for the undercover prince,” charge nurse Rachel Milligan said. “Then we’d better get to work.”
The staff scattered, leaving Lexi, one of the hospital’s social workers, alone at the nurse’s station with Rachel and a nurse’s aide. During the five years Lexi had been working at the Jackson Hole hospital, she’d lost a lot of money on these friendly wagers. Last month she’d vowed not to participate in another. Still, she was curious. “What are you betting on this time?”
“Our new patient, John Doe,” Rachel said. “He’s been the topic of conversation since the rescue team brought him in yesterday.”
“He is super cute,” the aide gushed.
“Mr. Landers’s call light is on.” Rachel kept her gaze focused on the young girl while handing Lexi John Doe’s chart. “Would you mind seeing what he needs?”
As the aide hurried off, Lexi flipped through the handful of pages. “Not much here.”
Rachel smiled. “When a patient doesn’t remember his name or any of his history, it makes for a pretty sparse medical record.”
Lexi recognized Rachel’s handwriting on the initial documentation. “Looks like you were working in the E.R. yesterday when they brought him in from Teton Village.”
“He was lucky,” Rachel said, her blue eyes suddenly serious. “He might have lost his memory, but another few minutes under that snow and he’d have lost his life.”
“Why skiers venture into the back country is beyond me.” Lexi wasn’t sure why she found the man’s recklessness so disturbing. He certainly wasn’t the first hotshot skier to take advantage of the mountain’s “open gate” policy. “Anyone who goes through that gate knows they’re taking a big risk.”
Rachel’s gaze took on a sad, faraway look. “Young men in that late-twenty, early-thirty range think they’re invincible.”
Lexi wondered if Rachel was thinking about her husband who’d been killed several years ago trying to protect a clerk during a convenience store robbery.
“Medically, John Doe is stable,” Rachel said after a long moment. “Once you find him a place to stay, he’s ready to be dismissed.”
Raising a finger to her lips, Lexi considered the available options. “There aren’t many motels that will take a man with no money.”
“He’s got money,” Rachel said. “He had a couple thousand dollars on him.”
A couple thousand dollars? Lexi had twenty-seven dollars in her pocket and that had to last until payday. She pulled her brows together. “Did they find drugs on him?”
“Nope.” Rachel laughed. “And his tox screen came back negative. My guess is he’s just some rich guy who ran into trouble on the back side of the mountain.”
“Well, the money will make it easier to find him a place to live,” Lexi said, her mind already flipping through the options. She gathered the chart in her hand and walked the few steps to the patient’s room. “I guess it’s time to meet Mr. John Doe.”
“Prepare to be dazzled.”
Lexi paused. “What are you talking about?”
“I forgot to mention the most important part,” Rachel said. “Not only does he have money, he’s gorgeous. That’s why my bet is undercover prince.”
Gorgeous. Undercover prince.
Lexi pushed open the door. John Doe’s money and looks weren’t going to help him get a room. That would take luck and a lot of phone calls. And if the weather reports were accurate, a late spring blizzard was bearing down on Jackson Hole. That meant her focus needed to be on finding this man without a memory a place to stay sooner rather than later.
John had just pulled on his ski pants and had a shirt in hand when a knock sounded at his hospital room door. “Come in.”
He didn’t bother to look when the door opened, knowing his visitor would be another nurse, wanting to check his pupils and blood pressure. But at the click of heels on the tile, he turned.
The woman striding into his room didn’t have on scrubs. Instead she wore a stylish green-and-brown dress with a short green sweater. Her dark hair hung loose to her shoulders in a sleek bob, and her amber-colored eyes were focused on the chart in her hand.
When she finally looked up, her eyes widened. “I’m sorry,” she stammered, stepping back. “I didn’t realize you were dressing. I’ll come back later.”
He dropped his gaze to his bare chest then back to the two bright spots of pink dotting her cheeks.
No, he decided, this one was definitely not a nurse.
Her hand reached behind her for the doorknob.
“Don’t leave.” With one quick movement he pulled the turtleneck over his head, ignoring the fierce ache in his neck and shoulders. That pain, the doctor told him, was to be expected. “There. I’m dressed and ready for visitors.”
The woman dropped her hand to her side. She smiled, showing a mouthful of perfect white teeth. “I’m Lexi Brennan, one of the hospital social workers and part of the discharge planning team.”
She crossed the room. When she drew close and extended her hand, he inhaled the light floral scent of her perfume.
The grip was firm, her gaze direct. He found himself glancing at her hand—as if it had been his habit—and noted she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.
“Mr…. Doe. I’ve been charged with finding you a place to live.” Her expression was serious and all business. “Somewhere you can stay until you regain your memory.”
He thought of a dozen quips that might make her smile again. The trouble was he didn’t feel like joking.
This darkness in his head annoyed him. Okay, it had him worried. His rescuers had reported that when they’d pulled him out from under the snow, he’d been talking and joking. It wasn’t until they’d taken him to the clinic at the bottom of the hill that they’d realized he didn’t know who he was … or even if he’d been skiing alone. Only the news that his transceiver had been the only one emitting signals reassured him.
Still, he wished he knew for certain. “Has anyone showed up?”
A look of confusion settled on the social worker’s pretty face. “Showed up?”
“You know … family, friends.”
Lexi could see the frustration on his face and hear it in his tone. She offered a sympathetic smile. “They probably haven’t heard the news yet. Your ordeal was on local television news last night. My understanding is they plan to run the piece again today. And the hospital is putting together a press release that will be sent out if no one comes forth by tomorrow.”
He began to pace, finally stopping at a window overlooking the Elk Refuge. “What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
Lexi didn’t have an answer. She placed her leather portfolio on the closest table and moved to his side. The endless sky had turned cloudy as if picking up on the mood inside the hospital room.
“The forecasters are predicting a blizzard.” Lexi held to the tenet that when in doubt talk about the weather. “We don’t get many this late in April.”
Lexi felt his gaze on her and her body prickled with awareness. He smelled clean, like soap and some other indefinable male scent. Rachel had been right. He was dazzling. Standing just over six feet with a lean muscular build and dark hair brushing his collar, he was just the size she liked. Coupled with a face that could easily grace the cover of any magazine, he was one potent package.
“When is it supposed to hit?” he asked.
Lexi faced him. “It’s supposed to start snowing this afternoon and continue throughout the night.”
“The doctors say there’s nothing more they can do for me.”
His tone gave little away and if Lexi hadn’t been looking directly at him, she’d have missed the momentary flash of fear in his brown eyes.
She offered him a reassuring smile. “Look at this move as the next step on the journey back to your old life.”
“I’m certainly not remembering my past by sitting and looking at these four walls.” He glanced around the hospital room. “I’m ready to get out of here.”
Lexi wondered if he was trying to reassure her or himself. She couldn’t begin to imagine how scary it would be to think of going out into the world with no memory. Her heart softened. “I’ll make some calls to hotels in the area. See what they have available.”
“Can I help? I mean, it’s not like I have anything else to do.” He flashed a smile. “Besides, this is my problem, not yours.”
Lexi steeled herself against the mesmerizing warmth of those chocolate-brown eyes. “That’s kind of you. But finding you a place to stay is my job. And I’m hoping to get you the special pricing the hospital has for patients and their relatives.”
“The E.R. doctor said I had a couple thousand dollars on me when I was found.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Money isn’t an issue.”
“It won’t be if your family or friends come forward.” Lexi chose her words carefully, not wanting to dash his hopes. “But if they take a while, or if your memory comes back more slowly than anticipated, you could run out of money. Then—”
“I understand,” he said. “I could end up on the street and out of money. That certainly isn’t where I want to be.” He grinned and pretended to shiver. “Not with snow on the ground.”
Lexi returned his smile, admiring the way he kept his spirits up with such a heavy weight on his shoulders. John Doe was definitely one of a kind.
While she was immune to his physical perfection, the humor, the smarts, and the level-headed attitude—those attributes were much harder for her to resist. But resist she would. Because there was no room in her life for a man, even one as handsome and charming as John Doe.
Thirty minutes later, Lexi sat back, frustration coursing through her veins. “How can they all be full?”
The words had barely left her lips when Rachel breezed into the room. Her gaze slid from Lexi to John. “What’s the verdict? Where’s your new home?”
“It’s seems,” John said, bestowing that hundred-watt smile on the pretty nurse, “that there are no rooms at any of the inns.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. She turned to Lexi. “Seriously?”
Lexi raked a weary hand through her hair. “It’s the storm. Travelers who were going to move on decided to stay. Others who were passing through stopped and got their rooms early.”
Rachel’s cornflower-blue eyes began to dance. “Surely there has to be some place that wants him.”
“Hey, I’m right here in the room,” John shot back. “Thanks for making me feel like a loser.”
The two laughed and Lexi felt a twinge of something that felt an awful lot like jealousy, but couldn’t be.
Still, the nurse looked especially pretty today. Lexi wondered if John preferred blondes. Not that his taste in women mattered to her. Besides, for all anyone knew he could be married with a couple of kids.
“I’ve got an idea.” Rachel turned to Lexi. “What about Wildwoods?”
Lexi shook her head. “When I left for work this morning, all the rooms and cabins were full.”
“Mrs. Landers had been staying in the lodge while her husband was here,” Rachel said. “The doctor dismissed him early this morning and they headed for home.”
“Wildwoods?” John cocked his head.
“It’s the B and B where Lexi lives,” Rachel said. “Just outside of Wilson. About ten miles from here.”
John’s brows pulled together. He shifted his gaze to Lexi. “You live at a bed-and-breakfast?”
“That’s right,” Lexi said easily. “And I cook there on the weekends, too.”
When she’d been a little girl standing on a stepstool helping her mother prepare meals, she’d never imagined the skills she’d learned would come in so handy. In exchange for low rent she prepared gourmet meals on weekends and holidays. It cost a lot to live in Jackson Hole and a social worker’s salary only went so far.
“Sounds like you’re a busy woman.” John’s gaze lingered. Instead of pity or condescension she saw admiration and something else. The pure masculine appreciation lighting his dark eyes took her by surprise. It had been a long time since a man had looked at her that way.
“So, are you going to call Coraline?” Rachel asked.
“Right now,” Lexi said.
Coraline Coufal, the owner and proprietor, answered on the second ring. Lexi explained the situation and then held her breath. She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or distressed when she learned there was one room still available.
“We’ll take it.” Lexi flipped her phone shut and smiled at John. “Congratulations. Somebody wants you after all.”

Chapter Two
By the time Lexi clocked out at noon, thousands of tiny snowflakes filled the air. John stood with Rachel under the front entrance overhang while Lexi retrieved her car from the nearby employee lot.
John shifted from one foot to the other, feeling useless. Though his past was still blank, something told him Lexi wasn’t the only one who liked to keep busy. “I could have gone with her.”
“If you did, I’d be in trouble. Hospital policy dictates you get picked up here.” A brisk north wind slapped them in the face. Rachel shoved her hands into her coat pockets and shivered. “There’s her car now.”
An older model Subaru pulled up and stopped. The nurse reached for the door handle, but he’d had enough coddling the past twenty-four hours to last a lifetime.
“I’ve got it.” He opened the back hatch and tossed his duffel bag inside before shifting his attention back to Rachel. He held out his hand. “Thanks for everything.”
“Four words of advice.” Her mittened hand closed around his. “No more back country.”
“Don’t worry.” John laughed. “I learned my lesson.”
He opened the car door and slid into the front seat.
Lexi cast him a curious glance. “What did Rachel say that was so funny?”
“She told me no more open gates.” He snapped his seat belt in place. “No worries on that account. It was my first time and it will definitely be my last.”
The moment the words left his lips, he paused.
Lexi pulled out onto the street in front of the hospital and cast him a sideways glance. “You remember going through the gate?”
He nodded as the memory unfurled. “I stopped and read the sign.”
“Was anyone with you?”
“I don’t know.” He leaned against the seat and closed his eyes against the sudden pain in his head.
Memories were there—fragmented images that made little sense and gave no insight into his past, hovering just out of reach, taunting him.
“The memory may not be as much as you hoped for,” Lexi said, almost as if she’d read his mind and sensed his frustration. “But it’s definitely a start. My father used to say that sometimes you have to start with baby steps to reach a goal.”
John latched on to the change in topic. At this point trying to pluck anything from the inky darkness of his mind was pointless. “Your father sounds like a wise man.”
“A wonderfully wise man.” Lexi’s lips lifted into a smile that lit up her entire face.
“Tell me about him,” John urged.
“Why?”
He glanced out the window. Snow already covered the sidewalks and streets in a thin blanket of white. “Perhaps hearing stories about your father will jog some memories of my own family.”
“My mother died of cancer when I was twelve.” Lexi kept her eyes on the highway and the blowing snow. “I was an only child and we were very close. I didn’t know how I could go on without her.”
He could almost feel her pain. Had he ever experienced such a devastating loss? It didn’t feel like it, though he couldn’t be sure.
“After the funeral, I didn’t want to get out of bed,” Lexi continued, her eyes hooded. “But my father told me we’d get through this together. We’d take it one day at a time. He made me attend school. He forced himself to work. We went through the motions until we both felt like living again.”
“Sounds like a great guy.”
She sighed. “He was.”
Perhaps it was simply an error, but he noticed she’d used the past tense. “Was?”
“He was killed in a car accident five years ago.” Lexi’s voice was matter-of-fact but her fingers had the steering wheel in a death grip. “Icy roads.”
“Did it happen around here?”
“In Ohio.” Lexi shook her head. “That’s where I’m from originally.”
“Jackson Hole is a long ways from Ohio.” John kept his tone light. “How’d you end up here?”
“The job brought me here. I’d never been to Wyoming, but once my dad was gone there was nothing keeping me in Ohio.” Lexi smiled. “Enough about me. Tell me what you remember about your family.”
“Absolutely nothing.” He leaned back in his seat and massaged the bridge of his nose with two fingers.
Lexi slanted him a sideways glance. “Headache?”
He shrugged. “Comes and goes.”
“It’s not much farther,” Lexi said. “You look so good it’s easy to forget what you’ve been through.”
She thinks I look good. For some reason the thought buoyed his flagging spirits.
Lexi turned the car onto a graveled drive and John’s gaze was drawn to the large log home at the base of the mountain, tucked away in a forest of trees.
“Is that Wildwoods?”
Lexi smiled. “Home sweet home.”
“It’s huge,” John said.
“It’s pretty big.” A smile tipped the corners of Lexi’s lips. “Last summer we began doing weddings.”
“Weddings?” Unexpectedly and without warning, an image of him in a tux standing in front of an altar filled with flowers surfaced. But it was gone so quickly he couldn’t be sure it ever existed.
“Destination weddings are all the rage and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful venue,” she said. “In the summer the wildflower garden is perfect for outdoor ceremonies. We also do quite a few inside in the great hall. Most of those couples exchange vows in front of the stone fireplace.”
Her expression turned dreamy and the attraction he’d felt at the hospital slammed into him with all the subtlety of a ton of bricks. However, for all he knew this woman he found so attractive could have a boyfriend or be married. And … so could he.
“How does your husband like living at a bed-and-breakfast?” he asked in a casual tone.
“I’m not married.”
“Divorced?”
“Never married.”
“I’m surprised.” He was also relieved, but saw no reason to mention that fact. “A woman as pretty as you … I’d have thought you’d have been snatched up long ago.”
“I’m too busy to date.” Lexi pulled the car to a stop in a small parking lot adjacent to the side of the house.
John glanced out the window, but the blowing snow made it difficult to see much. “Looks like we got here just in time.”
“I’m glad I got off at noon.” Two lines of worry appeared between her brows. “If it continues falling at this pace, we’re going to have a real blizzard on our hands.”
“I guess that means we better get inside.” He leaned over the seat and grabbed the bag stuffed with underwear, jeans, shirts, sweaters … and all the necessary toiletries.
He’d tried to give the older woman who’d brought the bag to his room some money for the items. She’d refused to take anything from him, but her warm generosity wouldn’t be forgotten. He’d find a way to repay the hospital auxiliary for their kindness.
Lexi secured the top button on her coat and pushed open the door. “Race you to the front door.”
John shoved open his own door and ducked his head. The wind blew sideways with such force it made walking difficult and running impossible. Though he didn’t want to overstep, when Lexi slipped and almost fell, he took her arm. The heels she wore were more suited to a night on the town than a slick walkway.
She smiled her thanks and he tightened his hold as together they climbed the steps of the massive porch. They’d barely reached the front door when it flew open.
A middle-aged woman with salt-and-pepper hair and a worried expression motioned them inside. “I’m so glad you left when you did. They just announced on the radio that the roads in and out of Jackson have been closed.”
“The snow isn’t the only problem,” Lexi said. “It’s the ice under the snow and the visibility that makes driving treacherous.”
The woman hung their coats on an elaborately carved coat-tree in the spacious foyer and she and Lexi spent a couple more minutes discussing the weather. John lifted his gaze, taking in the high open ceilings and the large windows.
“How’s Addie?” Lexi asked.
“Much better,” Coraline said. “Whatever she had must have been one of those twenty-four-hour bugs.”
John wondered if Addie was yet another patient from the hospital. Whoever she was, by the look of relief on Lexi’s face, it was apparent she’d been worried about her.
“By the way, I’m Coraline Coufal.” The older woman held out her hand. “Welcome to Wildwoods.”
“I’m Jack,” he improvised, taking her hand. “Jack Snow.”
Lexi raised a brow but didn’t say a word.
“Well, Mr. Snow. It’s a pleasure having you with us.” Her gaze was curious but she asked no questions. “I’ll get your key then show you to your room.”
As she hurried off, Lexi leaned close. “Jack Snow?”
“Better than John Doe.” He inhaled the intoxicating scent of her perfume. “Snow seemed appropriate given the current weather conditions.”
“We’re in business.” Coraline swept into the foyer holding up a large brass key.
“Nice meeting you, Jack.” Lexi held out her hand.
His fingers had barely closed around hers when a dark-haired child in a flannel nightgown bounded down the stairs and flung her arms around Lexi. “Mommy. Mommy.”
Lexi released his hand and her lips lifted in a smile. She lifted the child off her feet and spun her around. “I’m so happy to hear my girl is feeling better.”
“Your girl?” Jack sputtered.
Lexi planted a kiss on Addie’s hair then turned the child in her arms to face him. “Jack Snow, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Miss Addison Brennan.”
Lexi hadn’t been sure how John, er, Jack, would react to the news she had a daughter, but he merely blinked then extended his hand to the seven-year-old.
“Addison is a beautiful name.” He took her small hand in his. “For a very beautiful girl.”
Addie giggled. “What’s your name?”
“Jack Snow.”
The child giggled again. “That’s a funny name.”
“Yes, it is,” Jack said easily before Lexi could reprimand her daughter. “How old are you, Addie?”
“Seven,” she said proudly. “I’m in second grade.”
“That’s cool.”
“My teacher is Mrs. Kohtz,” Addie said. “She told my mommy I’m a smart girl.”
“Too smart,” Lexi murmured under her breath.
Jack tilted his head. “I heard you’ve been sick.”
“I had a cold.” Addie twirled in place. “But I’m all better now.”
“I see that.” His gaze dropped to her feet. “I like your bunny slippers.”
“Mommy got them for me.” Addie quit spinning. She lifted one foot and shook it, making the ears flop.
Lexi listened to the conversation in amazement.
Addie hadn’t been around many men. But she was blossoming under Jack’s undivided attention.
“Lexi?”
Coraline’s voice pulled Lexi from her reverie. She glanced up to find not only her friend staring, but Addie and Jack, as well.
“I was asking if once Jack gets unpacked the three of you would like to join me for lunch later in the kitchen?”
Lexi’s first impulse was to say no. She’d done her job. She’d found Jack a place to live. Heck, she’d driven him right to the door. Her obligation as a hospital social worker had been fulfilled. No one would fault her if she said no.
“Can we eat with Mr. Snow?” Addie begged. “Pretty please?”
Jack remained silent, but the hopeful look in his eyes tugged at her heartstrings. He’d lost his past. He’d almost lost his life. If she were in his place, she’d hope someone would go beyond the call of duty and show some compassion. “I’d love some lunch.”
A look of relief crossed Jack’s face and Addie gave a whoop.
“I’ll show Jack to his room so he can get settled,” Coraline said. “Let’s plan to meet in the kitchen in a half hour.”
“While you do that I’ll take Addie upstairs so she can get dressed,” Lexi said.
“But I want to wear my bunny slippers,” Addie whined.
“You may wear the slippers,” Lexi said to her daughter. “But this isn’t our home and you aren’t going to run around the lodge in your nightie.”
Addie opened her mouth to protest, but Jack spoke first.
“You said you lived in a cabin,” Jack said smoothly. “Is it far from the main lodge?”
Addie vigorously nodded her head. “It’s a long, long ways.”
“Not quite that far.” Lexi smiled at her daughter before returning attention to Jack. “But I’m sure not looking forward to braving the wind and snow.”
“Why don’t you and Addie take my room tonight?” he offered. “I can sleep on a sofa somewhere.”
“No need,” Coraline said. “Lexi and Addie will stay with me. My suite has an extra bedroom.”
“What about the people in the other cabins?” Jack asked. “Will they be safe in this storm?”
Lexi realized he wasn’t merely making conversation. She’d noticed the man had an insatiable curiosity about, well, practically everything.
“The cabins have fully stocked kitchens and fireplaces,” Coraline said. “The guests who stay in them do so for the privacy and for the outdoor experience.”
“The ski patrol thought I might have been living in a cabin in the Teton Village area,” Jack murmured almost to himself. His brows furrowed as though the conversation had raised even more questions in his mind. Lexi decided to give him a break.
“C’mon, sweetie.” She laid a hand on her daughter’s shoulders. “Let’s go upstairs and get you dressed so we can eat. I’m starving.”
“I’m starving, too.” Addie turned and looked expectantly at Jack.
“I’m starving three,” he said, focused once more on the conversation.
Addie giggled.
Lexi laughed even as warning flags popped up. Smart, charming and handsome. There was no room at her inn for such a man. No room at all.

Chapter Three
Unpacking didn’t take much time. Not when all Jack’s worldly possessions fit inside a duffel bag.
Still, he wasn’t complaining. The avalanche that had stolen his memory could easily have taken his life. He might not remember anything before yesterday but he had clothes to wear, a roof over his head and in a few minutes he was going to have lunch with a beautiful woman and her adorable daughter.
Lexi continued to surprise him. When she’d blushed at the sight of his bare chest, he’d concluded she was an innocent. One of those pretty women that, for whatever reason, didn’t have much experience with men. Then he’d discovered she had a precocious seven-year-old daughter. A little girl who was the spitting image of her lovely mother.
Jack gazed out the window at the falling snow. He’d enjoyed talking to Addie. The conversation had flowed naturally and he’d felt comfortable around the child. It appeared that he was used to being around children. Did he have a daughter? Or a son? He dropped his gaze to his ringless left finger. Did he have a wife?
Leaning forward, he placed both hands on the windowsill and rested his forehead against the double-plated glass. He closed his eyes and willed himself to remember.
But no memories came forward. It was as if his life had started when the ski patrol had plucked him from the snow.
Reluctantly he straightened. The psychiatrist who’d seen him at the hospital had said that he shouldn’t try to force his recovery. He was supposed to keep his mind open and let the memories come to him.
The trouble was his mind was wide open and nothing was knocking at the door.
Give it time, he told himself. There might be a good reason you’re not remembering. Of all the things the doctor had told him, that comment had concerned him the most. At first he’d worried he’d been skiing with someone—a friend, a wife, a child—and they hadn’t survived.
But when the head of the ski patrol had stopped by the hospital to check on him, the guy had insisted there hadn’t been any other transceiver signals in the area. That seemed to confirm he’d been skiing alone. But why? Especially in such a dangerous area?
Had something happened in his life the day he’d gone to the slopes? Had he fought with a wife or girlfriend? Walked away from his family? Dissed his friends? Was he a jerk? Is that why no one had been with him? Why no one had come forward?
Jack stared out the window at the falling flakes, adding and discarding possibilities until his head began to ache. He massaged the back of his neck trying to ease the tightness. All he had were questions. Not a single answer.
He wasn’t sure how long he stood there. It took the loud growling of his stomach to pull him from his reverie. When it continued to rumble, Jack remembered Coraline’s invitation.
His lips tipped upward. Finally, a problem with an easy solution. Grinning, Jack headed to the kitchen.
“That was excellent.” Jack sat back from the oval wooden table and heaved a contented sigh. “I can’t remember a better meal.”
Lexi exchanged a glance with Coraline. She tried but couldn’t keep her lips from twitching.
“Go ahead and laugh. I’m well aware this is my first meal outside of the hospital.” Jack’s brown eyes danced with good humor. “Yet, even without anything to compare against, I know good food when I taste it.”
“Thank you, Jack. I’m happy you enjoyed it.” Coraline rose to her feet. “Believe it or not, it’s time for me to start getting ready for dinner.”
“I’ll help.” Lexi started to rise but Coraline put a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down.
“Absolutely not.” Coraline’s smile softened her words. “This is your opportunity to relax and spend time with your little girl.”
“But I want to play checkers with Sarah.” Addie tugged her mother’s sleeve. “You promised if I was better today, we could play. You promised. You—”
“Addison, cut the whine,” Lexi said firmly before turning her gaze to a clearly curious Jack. “Sarah is Addie’s age. Her father is in Jackson on business and she and her mother came with him on this trip.” Lexi settled her gaze on her daughter. “You may play with Sarah until dinnertime. After that you’re stuck with me.”
Addie popped up from the table like a jack-in-the-box. “Can I go now?”
The child danced from one foot to the other, her voice quivering with excitement.
Lexi’s heart overflowed with love for her exuberant child. It was hard to believe she’d once prayed that the positive pregnancy test was a mistake. Now she couldn’t imagine her life without Addie in it. “What do you tell Coraline?”
The child stopped hopping. Her smile disappeared. Confusion blanketed her face.
“Thank you.” Jack spoke behind his hand in an elaborate stage whisper.
Addie’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Thank you, Coraline.” Addie flung her arms around the woman. “Lunch was fabulicious.”
“A compliment doesn’t get much better than that,” Coraline said with a smile.
Addie turned back to her mother. “Can I go now?”
“May I go now,” Lexi gently corrected. “And yes, you may.”
“Yippee.” Addie raced from the kitchen without a backward glance.
“Slow down,” Lexi called out.
Before the child had even disappeared from sight, Coraline started clearing the table.
Though Coraline had insisted she didn’t want help, Lexi wasn’t about to sit around and let her do all the work. She’d barely started to rise when Jack appeared behind her, pulling back her chair.
“Allow me,” he said smoothly.
Lexi smiled, impressed by the chivalrous gesture. “You’re quite the gentleman.”
“I guess I am,” he said after a long moment. “I hope so, anyway.”
Lexi’s heart went out to him. She couldn’t imagine what it’d be like to be a stranger in your own body.
Ignoring Coraline’s protests, Lexi gathered up the glasses and Jack scooped up the silverware. While they finished clearing the table, Coraline began loading the dishwasher.
Lexi had just started teasing Jack that if he wasn’t careful Coraline would be putting him to work fulltime, when the older woman cleared her throat.
“I don’t mean to kick you out.” She glanced down at her watch. “But—”
“You need to start dinner,” Lexi said with a grin. She knew better than to offer assistance again. The older woman had already made it clear that Lexi was off-duty tonight. “Jack and I will find something to keep us busy.”
Once they were in the hall, Jack stopped her. “You don’t have to babysit me. I’m sure you have your own stuff to do.”
Even though less than an hour before she’d been hoping for an out, her heart gave a little ping. “If you’ve had enough together time, I understand.” Lexi met his gaze. “But if you’re worried about imposing, don’t be. If I had something to do, or somewhere else to be, I’d tell you.”
“You’re as spunky as your daughter.” The admiration took any sting from his words.
“I guess Addie comes by it honestly.” Lexi twisted her lips in a wry smile. “But if I start twirling around, stop me, please.”
He laughed. “What do you propose we do now that twirling is off the table?”
His gaze locked with hers and suddenly, without warning, the world stood still. The chatter from the housebound guests in the great hall faded and Lexi found herself drowning in the dark depths of his eyes. And when his gaze settled on her lips, they began to tingle.
What would it be like to kiss him, she wondered? To have those perfectly sculpted lips pressed against hers …
He took a step closer and when his hand touched her hair, desire rose inside her.
Married.
The word slammed like a snow shovel against the side of her head.
He could be married.
Lexi took a step back.
His hand dropped to his side.
“We’ve got a couple hours,” Lexi said when she finally found her voice. “What would you like to do?”
“I’m game for anything that will help me remember.”
Though his tone was joking, Lexi knew he was serious. She pondered the possibilities as they continued down the hall into the Great Room. Because of the weather, their options were limited. “I’ve an idea. You know those getting-to-know-you playing cards that were all the rage a couple years ago?”
He tilted his head. A smile played at the corners of his lips. “Do you really think I’d remember something like that when I can’t even remember my name?”
Lexi chuckled. “Good point.”
“Tell me about the cards.” Jack turned to the roaring fire and held his hands out to the warmth.
“It’s a deck of cards with questions that each player answers.” Lexi paused, trying to think of the best way to explain the process. “The questions are designed to delve into a person’s inner psyche and reveal their beliefs. I’ve played it with girlfriends several times and it’s amazing what you learn about each other. And yourself.”
“Sounds interesting,” he said. “I can wait here while you get the cards.”
“Oh-oh.”
“Problem?”
“The cards are in my cabin.”
“I guess we can scratch that plan.” He took a step closer. “Do you have a Plan B?”
He stood so near that Lexi realized if she turned even the tiniest little bit she’d be in his arms.
We could spend the time in bed.
A light flared in his eyes and for a second Lexi feared she’d spoken aloud.
“You’ve thought of something,” he said, his voice deep and low. “I can see it in your eyes.”
Her heart skipped a beat and she swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat. What was it he saw on her face? Desire? Guilt? A combination of the two?
He could be married, she reminded herself, more firmly this time. Even if he hadn’t walked down the aisle, he could be engaged. At the very least—handsome as he was—he had to be dating someone.
“Well,” he prompted. “What is it?”
Her mind searched for something that didn’t involve getting naked. She kept coming up empty until it hit her that she had plans for the evening that preceded Jack Snow and the unexpected blizzard. “Would you like to help me pick out wedding invitations?”
Jack stilled, hoping his shock didn’t show on his face. He’d sworn Lexi had told him she wasn’t engaged or even dating anyone. Or had he just imagined that conversation? “When’s the happy day?”
“Oh, these aren’t for me,” Lexi said with a dismissive wave. “They’re for my friend Mimi.”
Jack pulled his brows together. The conversation was getting stranger by the minute. “Don’t the bride and groom usually pick out their own invitations?”
“You know your weddings.” Lexi waved to two older women enjoying a cup of tea at the dining room table before shifting her attention back to Jack. “But in this case Mimi and Hank have come to an impasse. Since the invitations need to go out in two weeks, they decided that I should choose.”
“You’re serious.”
Her gaze narrowed. “You don’t approve.”
“It doesn’t matter if I approve or not.” He stepped aside to let another couple pass. “It just seems to me that if two people supposedly in love can’t compromise on invitations they have no business getting married.”
Lexi’s jaw jutted out. “Selecting invitations isn’t an easy process.”
Let it go, he told himself. He didn’t know these people. Who cared if they let a friend—or even a stranger—choose their invitations? But for some reason it did matter.
“You and I just met,” he said in what he hoped was a reasonable tone. “But I bet we could settle on an invitation we both liked.”
Lexi rolled her eyes. “Of course we could. This isn’t our wedding. We’re not emotionally invested in the outcome.”
“Cop-out.”
Lexi’s brows slammed together. “What did you say?”
Oops. Obviously he’d been a bit too direct.
“We’ll pretend it’s real. Enter into a good, honest discussion and see what happens,” he said in a conciliatory tone. “Unless you’re afraid to try.”
Jack expected an outright refusal or at least a strong rebuttal. He didn’t expect her to turn on her heel and head back down the hall.
“Hey,” he called out. “Where are you going?”
“To get Coraline’s laptop.” She tossed the words over her shoulder. “Then you and I are picking out wedding invitations.”
Jack narrowed his gaze. “That one is curvy and way too girly.”
Lexi opened her mouth then shut it and counted to ten. If she’d thought he was going to simply go along with her preferences, she’d been mistaken.
When she’d placed the laptop on the coffee table in the Great Room and pulled up one of the largest sites for online wedding invitations, Lexi had made a conscious decision. She wouldn’t even think about Mimi and Hank’s preferences. Instead she’d do as the bride-to-be had suggested and choose the invitations as if they were for her own wedding.
Unfortunately, now there was a male’s opposing opinion thrown into the mix. The style had been their first argument, er, disagreement. She wanted fancy. He wanted casual. After much back-and-forth discussion, she’d reconsidered. This would be an afternoon wedding. In a wildflower garden. A less formal invitation only made sense. Thankfully there were some very cool casual invitations.
Unfortunately, there were also a gazillion of them. They finally settled on one with a celery-colored flower and brown lettering that they’d both liked.
Then it had taken her almost a half hour to get Jack to see that there was no need to purchase RSVP response cards for the reception. He’d been adamant that they were essential … until she’d given him the statistics from a prominent wedding site on how few people responded even when a stamped envelope was included.
She’d hoped the font discussion would go more quickly, but so far that hadn’t happened.
“The font you’re proposing just doesn’t fit the casual style of our invitations,” Jack said in a reasonable tone that set her teeth on edge.
Lexi traced the curves and swirls of the beautiful font on the sheet of paper she’d printed out. Years ago, back when she’d been waiting for Drew to pop the question, she’d done a little invitation shopping and had fallen in love with this particular font. But Drew had never asked and now the font—which she’d thought might have a second chance—was in danger of being cast aside. Much like she’d been all those years ago.
Unexpected tears stung the back of her lids, but Lexi blinked them back. She cleared her throat. “It’s just that way back when I dreamed of a big wedding, I always pictured my invitations with this font.”
Without warning, Jack’s hand closed over hers. “Then you must have it.”
His generosity brought a lump to her throat. But as much as she wanted to take the offer and run with it, this was a joint effort. “No.”
“No?”
“You’re right. The font is too formal for the invitations and the type of ceremony planned. Besides, it’s supposed to be your wedding, too,” Lexi said. “We’ll find one we both like. One that will be perfect for our fabulous invitations.”
Fifteen minutes later the selections had been completed and invitations ordered using Mimi’s credit card number. Because they needed to be mailed out in two weeks, Lexi chose the rush delivery option.
After writing down the confirmation number, she flipped the laptop lid shut and smiled at Jack. “Thank you. You definitely brought value to the process.”
“I don’t know that I added all that much—”
“You were a natural,” she said. “It was as if you’d been through the process before.”
“Perhaps I have.”
Something in his tone alerted her. Lexi took her time unplugging the laptop. “Did ordering the invitations jog something in your memory banks?”
He shrugged and his eyes refused to meet hers.
“You can be honest with me.”
“I remember a wedding. I wore a tux.” His brows pulled together in a frown. “But there were roses on the altar. Roses. That doesn’t make any sense.”
Lexi wasn’t sure what the point was, though she was sure there was one. “Roses are a common wedding flower. The long-stemmed white ones are a favorite of mine.”
“I detest them. Their sickening sweet smell alone makes me nauseated.”
Lexi forced a light tone. “So either it wasn’t your wedding or the bride refused to compromise on the flowers.”
He didn’t smile back.
“I don’t feel married,” he said slowly, his gaze meeting hers. “Don’t you think if I’d walked down the aisle, I’d remember?”
“I don’t know,” Lexi said honestly. “The psychiatrist would be the one to answer that question.”
“If I did have a wife, wouldn’t she be looking for me?”
“Unless she’s an ex.” Lexi’s spirits lifted at the thought.
A look of desperation filled his eyes. “I want to remember.”
“I know you do.” Lexi placed a hand on his arm. “But you got tossed around pretty badly in that avalanche. Cut yourself a little slack. Your memory will come back. Just give it time.”
Slowly the panic in his eyes receded. “You’re right.” He gave a halfhearted chuckle. “I wonder if I was this impatient in my other life.”
Lexi grinned. “Probably.”
He studied her for a long moment. “You’re a nice person, Lexi. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
When she rose, he scrambled to his feet. “If there’s anything I can do for you, just say the word.”
“Flowers,” she said.
“What?”
“The word is flowers.”
Jack cocked his head. Then a slow smile stole over his face. “I’d love to buy you flowers. What kind do you like?”
“Not for me,” she said. “On Monday I have an appointment with the florist in town to pick out flowers for Mimi and Hank’s wedding.”
“Let me guess,” he said. “You need a male perspective.”
“Why, Mr. Snow.” Lexi batted her lashes and spoke in her best Southern drawl imitation. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were psychic.”
“You may be right, Ms. Brennan.” Jack tapped an index finger against his temple. “Because I already know there’s not going to be any roses.”

Chapter Four
After a night of restful sleep, Jack opened his eyes and was greeted by a blue sky and sunlight streaming in through the window. He stretched then plopped back against the pillows, reluctant to leave the warm cocoon. While the room wasn’t cheap, it was worth every penny.
The king-size four-poster bed boasted both a down mattress pad and comforter and six super-soft pillows. A large window offered a panoramic view of the snowcapped mountains. Last night he’d left the shades open and the falling flakes had lulled him to sleep.
He’d desperately needed the rest. Yesterday had been a long, tiring day. After he and Lexi had finished picking out wedding invitations, she’d taken him on a tour of the lodge. He’d seen the fitness center, the wine cellar and a kitchen that was clearly state-of-the-art. But when Lexi had invited him to join her and Addie for a movie in Coraline’s suite after dinner, he hadn’t even been tempted.
His head had started to ache again and it had become increasingly difficult to keep his eyes open. He’d gone back to his room, found the bottle of pills he’d been given on discharge and popped one. Once he showered, he’d crawled under the covers. Watching the snow outside his window was the last thing he remembered.
Though there was no reason he couldn’t sleep for several more hours, Jack flung back the thick comforter and swung his legs to the side of the bed. The cool air turned his skin to goose flesh, rendering him instantly wide-awake. He pushed to his feet and inhaled deeply. This was a new day. A new beginning.
“My name is—” He paused to let the name come out of hiding. But the only one that came to mind was Jack Snow, the name he’d impulsively chosen yesterday.
An expletive burst from his lips. How could a man forget an entire life? A total existence? His own name? People had head injuries every day but they didn’t end up forgetting who they were, for God’s sake.
Anger and frustration surged. Jack crossed the room in several long strides. It felt so good he did it again. And again. He paced until his sense of control returned. Until he could accept the fact that there was no use getting upset or whining about something he couldn’t change. He was just going to have to suck it up and hope either he remembered his past or someone identified him before his money ran out.
At least, there was one upside. Hanging out with Lexi in such beautiful surroundings was an unexpected boon of his memory loss. Not that he could pursue a relationship. Even if he could say for certain that he wasn’t romantically entangled in his past life, Lexi didn’t appear to be a woman who engaged in casual flings. Once his memory returned, he’d be headed back to his old life.
And that needed to happen quickly. An unexpected sense of urgency gripped his chest. Beads of sweat dotted his brow. There was something he needed to do, something pressing. He gripped the rising tension with both hands and pulled it back down. Then he took a deep breath and slowly released it. There was always something pressing, he reminded himself. That’s why he’d needed this vacation.
Vacation?
Jack paused. Now where the heck had that come from?
Several soft melodic dings sounded over the intercom system and interrupted his thoughts. If he’d been sleeping he doubted he’d have heard the tones. It took a moment for him to remember that they signified a meal was being served.
He’d skipped dinner, and from the delicious aromas filling the air, Jack had the feeling this breakfast would be as much of a treat as the lunch he’d enjoyed yesterday. Grabbing a shirt and jeans from the drawer, he quickly dressed. He was almost to the door when the sound of bells filled his head. But these were different than the soft dings. An image of a large stone structure with a huge expanse of lawn appeared in his mind’s eye. The bells continued to ring and the sound became a melody.
The stone building came into sharp focus. So clear he could see the veins in the ivy covering the white stone. But try as he might, he couldn’t make out the words on the sign out front.
The soft dings sounded again and the melodic bells, along with the stone building, vanished. Jack tried to pull the image back but it was gone. Still, he felt encouraged.
Lexi had been right. Getting out of the hospital had been just what he needed to jump-start his memory.
Jack closed his fingers around the doorknob. He couldn’t wait to see Lexi’s expression when he told her the good news.
It had to be the storm, Lexi decided. Saturday mornings were always busy, but this one was crazy.
She dipped another thick slice of brioche into the egg, heavy cream, sugar and ground spices mixture before dropping it onto the large cast-iron griddle. Normally two-thirds of the guests stayed for breakfast on the weekend. But today it appeared everyone had decided to fortify themselves with a hearty helping of her brioche French toast—with fresh berry compote—before venturing out into the wintery weather.
Despite being up and busy before dawn, Lexi had found time while whisking the eggs with heavy cream to think about Jack. She wondered how he’d slept, if the headache that had plagued him last night was gone. But most of all she wondered if he’d had as much fun as she had picking out wedding invitations.
“More French toast, please,” Coraline called out as she pushed open the door between the dining room and the kitchen. “Everyone brought their appetite this morning.”
“I’ve got a batch ready to go.” Lexi put on a mitt and opened the door of the commercial-grade oven. She slid out the baking sheet, removed the foil covering and transferred the warm French toast to the platter in Coraline’s hand.
“They look fabulous, Lexi,” the older woman said. “And the way everyone is raving, they obviously taste as good as they look. Keep ‘em coming, my dear. I’ll definitely be back for more.”
Even at 9 a.m. on a busy Saturday morning the look on Coraline’s face and the lilt in her voice told Lexi and the world that here was a woman who loved her job.
Lexi understood such passion. She felt the same way about her position at the hospital. Initially getting a master’s degree in social work had been something to keep her occupied while Drew finished his MBA. They’d talked about getting married after graduation, but she’d long ago realized that’s all it had been … talk.
Still, there’d been a silver lining. Addie. Lexi dipped another slice of brioche into the egg mixture and dropped it on the griddle. She’d indeed been blessed.
While she might not have a house of her own or a husband to cuddle up with at night, she had a smart, funny, loving daughter and a career where she made a difference every day.
“I thought I’d find you in here.”
Lexi’s heart rate spiked when she heard the deep voice, but it plummeted when she looked up and realized it came from the tall man in his late thirties standing in the doorway. “What can I do for you, Todd?”
A divorced father of two with a receding hairline and an ego the size of the Tetons, Todd Cox was a salesman out of Idaho Falls and a repeat guest at the B and B. Lexi wished he’d just once consider staying at a motel in Jackson. It would be more convenient for his business meetings and most of all, she’d welcome the reprieve.
She had little use for a man who didn’t understand the word no. Todd asked her out every time he was in town. Her answer was always the same, but the persistent salesman was like a dog with a bone. He simply refused to give up.
“Hey, beautiful.” Todd stepped into the room with a swagger that reminded her oddly of Drew. “How’s my girl?”
Jack had been on his way to the kitchen when he saw the guy open the door and call out to Lexi. He clenched his jaw at the familiarity in the man’s tone. The door remained open and Jack stopped just out of sight, curious about Lexi’s response.
“I’m not your girl, Todd.” Lexi’s voice was pleasant but firm. “And I shouldn’t need to remind you that guests aren’t allowed in the kitchen area.”
From where he stood, Jack could see the man lounging against the counter, watching Lexi with an insolent smile. He wondered why Lexi didn’t just tell the man to buzz off. Why was she being so nice?
“Coraline won’t care.” Todd took a step closer, his body between Lexi and the door. “I’m one of her best customers. Not to mention I send a lot of business her way.”
Ahh, now it made sense. Lexi was stuck … and not just in front of the stove. She couldn’t risk offending a repeat customer. Unfortunately the guy was obviously too stupid to pick up on her “not-interested” signals.
“Is there something you need?” Lexi asked politely. “As you can see, I’m kinda busy here.”
“I heard through the grapevine that there’s a fund-raising dinner and dance for the local food bank tonight at the Spring Gulch Country Club,” he said. “We could go together.”
“Todd, I’m—”
“I don’t want to hear any excuses about the roads.” Todd raised his hand. “The plows will have the snow cleared off in the next couple hours. We can meet at seven in the lobby.”
His hand was on her arm now and Jack’s blood began to boil. A roaring filled his ears. He didn’t remember entering the kitchen but suddenly he was there, at Lexi’s side.
He slid an arm around her shoulder and brushed a kiss against her cheek. “Hey, Lex. You should have woken me this morning.”
Jack caught the look of startled surprise on her face before he turned to the man behind her. Instead of punching him as he’d have preferred, Jack extended his hand and offered up a friendly smile. “Jack Snow. Lexi’s … significant other. And you are?”
He felt a surge of satisfaction at the shock on the arrogant man’s face.
“Todd Cox.” The man’s gaze shifted from Lexi to Jack. A suspicious gleam replaced the surprise. “Why is it I’ve never met you?”
Beneath his arm, Jack felt Lexi’s shoulders tense. Jack lifted a brow. “Is there some reason we should have met?”
Jack swore he heard a low chuckle come from Lexi’s throat.
“I suppose you’re right.” Todd cast one last look at Lexi before taking a step back. “I’ll see you at the fundraiser tonight.”
Jack waited for Lexi to reply but she merely shrugged.
“I need to check the road conditions.” Todd made a great show of glancing at his watch. “I have a very important meeting in Jackson this morning.”
An important meeting? Jack cocked his head. On Saturday?
Todd started out of the room but stopped in the doorway and turned. His gaze settled on Lexi. “One piece of advice. If you want to keep your job, pay more attention to your cooking and forget about the new boyfriend.”
When Lexi remained silent, the salesman smirked. “Your brioche is burning.”
At the same instant the words left Todd’s lips, the smell of scorched egg hit Jack’s nostrils.
Lexi whirled. With a shriek she scooped the scorched bread off the griddle and onto a large plate. By the time she dumped the whole batch into the trash, Todd had vanished. This surprised Jack. He figured the guy to be the type to stand around and gloat.
“Can I help?” he asked.
“It’s under control,” Lexi said between gritted teeth as she dipped then plopped more brioche on the griddle. “And I can take care of myself.”
A shiver of unease slithered up Jack’s spine. “Don’t you mean you can take care of the brioche yourself?”
She met his gaze. Her eyes flashed amber fire. “No. I mean I can take care of myself. I have for years. I didn’t need you to step in and play the caveman card.”
Her voice trembled with emotion and Jack’s heart sank. His impulsive gesture of support had obviously been misconstrued. “I saw him crowding you. I may have overreacted.”
“You may have overreacted?” Lexi’s voice began to rise but she quickly brought it under control. “You told Todd you were my boyfriend. You implied we were lovers.”
Now Jack was thoroughly confused. “I got the feeling you didn’t like him. If you do, I’ll—”
“I. Don’t. Like. Him,” Lexi said, her voice a harsh whisper. “But I can handle him. And the last thing I need to happen is for rumors to get started about you and me. You’ll eventually leave but I still have to live here. Having people think I sleep around is not the reputation I want to have when I’m raising a daughter.”
Jack swore under his breath. He’d only meant to help her. To protect her. Instead he’d made everything worse. As he gazed into Lexi’s beautiful eyes now filled with hurt and anger, he realized he’d screwed up … big-time. The trouble was he wasn’t sure how to make it right.
Lexi fought to make sense of the myriad of emotions slamming into her body. When Jack had put his arm around her and done his Sir Galahad act, her knees had gone weak. But he wasn’t her boyfriend or her lover. And he never would be. She lived in the real world. She had a daughter. She had to be able to handle what life threw at her, even if that meant dealing with a sleazy salesman like Todd Cox over and over and over again.
“I’m sorry, Lexi.” Jack’s voice was low and filled with contrition. “I see now that I put you in a bad position. That truly wasn’t my intent. I hope you can forgive me.”
As Lexi gazed into his warm brown eyes she could feel her anger begin to fade. She knew she shouldn’t let him off the hook so easily, but he had chased Todd off. And his intentions had been honorable.
“It’ll be okay.” She waved the spatula in the air. “It’s not like he’s going to be talking to anyone about you and me.”
“Still, I should have kept my mouth shut.” Jack gently removed the spatula from her hand and began methodically flipping each piece of bread. When he looked up, regret was written all over his face. “Seriously, you’re the only friend I have. I don’t want to ever do anything to hurt you.”
Maybe it was the lost look in his eyes. Or the genuine contrition he’d shown. Or how approachable he looked in blue jeans. Whatever the reason, Lexi had to fight the urge to take a step closer and console him. Which made absolutely no sense at all.
Instead she took the spatula back and moved the brioche from the griddle onto the cookie sheet with well-practiced ease. Keeping her gaze firmly fixed on the food, she covered the golden-brown slices with foil and put them in the oven.
But when she straightened, Jack was right there, standing beside her with an unnerving glint in his eyes. Her traitorous body immediately reacted to his nearness. The blood in her veins began to flow like an awakened river. Desire pooled deep and low in her belly.
An invisible web of attraction kept her feet firmly planted though she wanted to flee. Okay, maybe wanted was too strong a word. The red flags popping up in her head were telling her to run—not walk—out of the kitchen. But the waves of testosterone coming off him kept her tethered where she stood.
“I think this is the part where you tell me I’m a thoughtless jerk but say you forgive me.” His gaze remained firmly fixed on her face.
“Oh, the kiss-and-make-up part.” Her words sounded slightly breathless even to her own ears.
His eyes turned dark as coal. “Kissing and making up works for me.”
Laugh and say you accept his apology, the voice of reason inside her head urged. Then tell him he needs to leave and let you work.
It was a good plan, but instead of following it, Lexi took a step forward. She’d lectured Addie many times that if you got too close to a fire you could get burned. But wouldn’t a brief brush across the lips just to say “no hard feelings” be on the same level as a warm handshake or a friendly hug between friends?
Lexi took a half step forward and placed her hands on his shoulders. Around his neck would be much too personal.
The heat from his body wrapped around her like a favorite blanket. She let him pull her tight against him, his arms closing around her.
Lexi lifted her face to him. “I’m glad you made it out of that avalanche alive.”
He smiled, his eyes dark. “I’m glad you were the social worker assigned to my case.”
“Me, too,” she choked out, finding it difficult to breathe, much less speak coherently.
“So you forgive me for screwing up things this morning?” He brushed back a strand of hair from her face, his fingers leaving a trail of heat in their wake.
The look of tenderness in his eyes vanquished the last of her irritation. “You meant well.”
“I did and I am sorry.” He leaned forward and brushed an all-too-brief kiss against her lips. “Very sorry.”

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