Hometown Heartbreakers: Holly And Mistletoe Part 11

He waited, wondering what she was going to say. Would she claim to be completely unaffected by him, and if she did, would he believe her? He knew all the tricks, but he didn't use them anymore. But he'd caught Holly staring at him a couple of times. She might not be swooning, but he doubted she was immune.

Finally she flipped her hair off her shoulder and smiled. "What was the question?"

"I'll give you a break," he said. "You don't have to answer it."

"What happened with your parents?"

"They're divorced. My dad's living in Florida with wife number five. I only met numbers two and three, but if she's anything like them, she's about twenty-five with an IQ smaller than her waist. Dad was never much into substance."

"And your mother?"

Jordan didn't want to think about that. "She left when I was in high school. No one knows where she is."

Despite his best efforts, the day came back to him. It had been an afternoon in the spring. Sunny, warm, perfect. He had been there, although neither parent had known. He'd seen everything. He knew the truth.

He shook his head, and memories were banished to a dark place he preferred not to explore.

Holly leaned forward and touched the back of his hand. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."

She was the nurse again. Comforting and impersonal. For reasons he didn't understand, he wanted more. He turned his hand so her fingers grazed his palm. Instantly sparks arced between them. She stiffened. His blood heated. Before she could pull away, he captured her palm in his.

Her eyes widened, and she swallowed. "I, ah, it's really late. I should probably go."

"Thanks for dinner," he said. "It was great." He brushed his thumb against the back of her hand. Her skin was soft and warm.

She rose, but before she could pull away, he gave a quick tug. She resisted for a moment, then settled on the edge of the bed. Her long hair swung around her shoulders, shielding then exposing her face.

He turned his hand slightly and rubbed his thumb against the inside of her wrist. Her pulse was rapid. Her lips parted, and he wondered if she was having trouble breathing. His gaze dipped lower, to her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He wanted her.

Color rose to her cheeks, blending with the freckles. Her pupils dilated. He inhaled the sweet essence of her body. It would be easy to pull her close. Easy to draw her into his arms and kiss her until she forgot where and who she was. He might hate that part of him, but like his brothers, he was every inch a Haynes. He knew how to seduce a woman.

But not Holly, he thought as he gave her hand one last squeeze before releasing her. Not because he didn't like her, but because he did. And because he wanted her to come back again.

She stared dreamily at him, swaying as if propelled by a secret breeze. Then consciousness returned, and she stiffened.

"I should head home," she said again.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

She smiled, then was gone.

After the sound of her car disappearing down the driveway had faded, Jordan stared at the ceiling. Something had happened tonight. Something he didn't want to think about.

Somehow he and Holly had connected. He didn't tell many people about his past, and he suspected she felt the same way. But they'd both shared. He wasn't sure what that meant, but he knew it was dangerous. So was his thinking that she was special and sweet.

He shifted under the sheet, and a tuft of cat hair floated to the floor. Too sweet for that d.a.m.n cat, he thought. And too trusting to be staying alone in the business district at night. Glenwood might not be a hotbed of crime, but bad things had happened here. He would call the sheriff's station and make sure they patrolled the area.

Before he could get up and walk to the phone, Louise returned. As she did every night, she came in and checked on him.

"Holly already gone?" she asked as she leaned against the door frame. She brushed her blond bangs out of her eyes.

"About ten minutes ago."

Louise started to leave.

"Wait," he said. "Holly asked you if she could use the shower."

"Is that a problem?"

"No. I didn't know she was living in her store. I don't think it's safe."

Louise folded her arms over her chest. "I'm sure if she had somewhere else to go, she would."

"She said she couldn't afford an apartment."

Louise reached for her right earring and toyed with the small cup and saucer. "I know what you're thinking Jordan. Your heart is in the right place, but Holly isn't going to accept money from you. Probably not even a loan."

"I figured that."

She gave him a tentative smile. "It was nice of you to be concerned."

He looked away from the older woman. His instinct was to say something rude. The problem was he was warming to her. It didn't matter how much trouble he was, Louise still took care of him. He knew it was about his family and not about him, but that didn't change much. He was torn between feeling guilty for acting like a complete b.a.s.t.a.r.d and anger for what she'd done.

When he reminded himself it was a long time ago, a voice in his head said if it hadn't been for her, everything might have been different. He remembered the lies and the secrets, then he got mad and it was easy not to be polite.

Life was h.e.l.l sometimes.

"You think she'd let me pay her for keeping me company in the evening?" he asked.

"Lord knows I take money for putting up with you, but Holly seems to like you. No accounting for taste."

He turned away so Louise wouldn't see his smile. He liked Holly, too.

"I'll figure out something," he said. "She can't stay there indefinitely. In the meantime would you bring me the portable phone? I want to call the sheriff's office and ask them to patrol that part of town at night."

Louise slowly shook her head. "Mostly you're a pain in the b.u.t.t, Jordan, but sometimes you can be a real nice guy."

"Don't let it get out."

She grinned. "Who would believe me?"

Chapter 5.

W hen Holly arrived the next day, Louise was already gone. The housekeeper had left a note on the front door explaining she was baby-sitting for one of the "friendly" Haynes brothers and for Holly to come on in and make herself comfortable.

Holly tested the front door and found it open, then she stepped inside. The house was silent, and there weren't any smells of cooking. After letting Mistletoe out of her basket, Holly walked into the kitchen, where she found another note telling her that Louise had prepared a ca.s.serole for dinner. It was in the refrigerator and would require forty-five minutes at three hundred and fifty degrees to heat. There was also a salad and a loaf of French bread.