by Kirk, Cindy
She leaned her head into his caress and his heart filled with an emotion that was new, yet at the same time familiar.
“Mommy?” a sleepy voice sounded from the backseat.
Jack dropped his hand and pulled back.
“Are we home?” Addie straightened in the backseat, not bothering to cover her yawn.
“Yes, we are.” Lexi pulled into the darkened garage and flicked off the ignition. “I should never have kept you out so late on a school night.”
“’s okay, Mommy.” Addie yawned again. “We don’t have much going on tomorrow except for a math test.”
Jack stifled a grin at Lexi’s groan.
“I’ve got an idea.” He twisted in his seat so he could see both Addie and Lexi. “How about I get up early and eat breakfast with Addie? That way I can help her review for the test before the school bus comes.”
“Cool,” Addie said, then a frown furrowed her brow. “Do you remember how to do fractions?”
“If I don’t, you can teach me.” Jack shot the girl a wink.
Addie giggled and shifted her gaze to her mother. “See, Mommy. It’s going to be okay. Jack’s going to help me study.”
“I heard that.” When Lexi shifted her gaze to meet his, the depth of emotion in her eyes surprised him. “Thank you.”
Jack didn’t understand the big deal. He certainly had the time. Besides, he liked Addie and wanted her to do her best on the test. And, after all Lexi had done for him, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her.
His heart skipped a beat when she reached over and gave his hand a squeeze.
No, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for this woman.
* * *
“How’s the undercover prince adjusting to life in Jackson Hole?” Rachel Milligan, the E.R. nurse who’d been on duty when Jack had been brought in from Teton Village, gazed up at Lexi from the medication cart she was stocking.
“The prince is doing quite well.” Lexi smiled, remembering the bet she’d made with the nurses the day Jack was brought into the E.R. “He sends his regards to the commoners at the hospital.”
During most workdays, Lexi barely had a chance to catch her breath much less gossip with the staff. But this Friday the E.R. had been virtually deserted. That didn’t happen very often. Lexi welcomed the break.
Rachel smiled then her expression turned serious. “By virtue of the fact that he’s still in Jackson Hole, I take it he hasn’t gotten his memory back.”
Lexi leaned back against a counter that smelled faintly of disinfectant. “Not yet. Hopefully his friends or family will come through.”
Rachel’s blonde brows pulled together. “I’ve been scanning social media but I haven’t seen a word about a Wyoming John Doe. “
Lexi pressed her lips together. Jack had been right. His story hadn’t stood a chance. “Between the changing weather conditions and the attack at the water treatment plant--
“His story obviously got pushed to the side.” Rachel shook her head. “You know, I’m beginning to think if Jack Snow didn’t have bad luck, he’d have no luck at all.”
Lexi straightened. She pushed away from the counter. Her heart pounded against her ribs. “That’s not true. Jack survived an avalanche that could have easily killed him. He’s got a great place to live and friends who care about him.”
“Lex, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”
“You didn’t. It’s just sometimes when I think of what could have happened to him…” She took a deep breath and fought for control of her rioting emotions. “He was lucky. Very lucky.”
Rachel’s blue eyes softened. “He’s fortunate to have you as a friend.”
“You two are looking awfully serious.” Dr. Wahl dropped into a chair behind the nurse’s station.
“We were talking about Jack Snow and how lucky he is to have Lexi for a friend,” Rachel said, ignoring the censuring look the social worker shot her.
“He’s a good guy.” David shifted his gaze to Lexi. “July and I want to have you two over for dinner sometime.”
“Sounds like you and the undercover prince are an item,” Rachel teased.
David raised a brow. “Undercover prince?”
Lexi ignored the question. The doctors didn’t need to know about the wagers the nurses had made. “I’ve been trying to expose Jack to new situations as much as possible. I’m hoping something he sees or hears will jog his memory.”
“That’s smart.” David’s gaze dropped to the PDA in his hand. He studied the screen for a long moment. “I don’t think it’ll be long.”
Lexi’s heart skipped a beat. “You really think Jack will regain his memory soon?”
David looked up and blinked. “I was referring to Mr. Brown in room five. His son and wife should be here shortly to pick him up.”
“Of course,” Lexi said, feeling her face warm. “I’ll talk to them when they arrive and see if they have any needs.”
“As far as Jack Snow goes, there’s no way to predict how long it will take for him to remember his past,” David said. “It could be today or tomorrow. It could be ten years from now.”
Lexi’s jaw dropped. “You told him the memory loss would be short-term.”
“I said the vast majority are resolved in short order,” David clarified. “But his best hope is that someone comes forth and identifies him.”
Lexi exchanged a look with Rachel. Unless Jack’s story went viral, the odds of someone identifying him weren’t good. Not good at all.
* * *
Late the next week Lexi wheeled her car into a popular Jackson brewery’s parking lot and pulled to a stop. “Are you sure you don’t mind spending your Thursday night with a bunch of Hank and Mimi’s relatives and friends?”
“I’m actually looking forward to it,” Jack said. “So far I’ve liked all your friends. There shouldn’t be any reason I won’t like this group, as well.”
Lexi bit her lip. How could she tell him that Mimi and Hank weren’t exactly like her other friends? Perhaps it was best to let him meet them and make up his own mind.
Tonight’s event was a belated engagement party for the betrothed couple. Hank had wanted the party to be held at Yellowstone. Mimi had wanted the Spring Gulch Country Club. With Lexi’s nudging they’d compromised on a party room at a local brewery.
As a member of the wedding party, Lexi’s presence was mandatory. If she was being honest she’d have to admit she’d been dreading the event. The maid of honor as well as the five other bridesmaids were all Mimi’s friends from high school. Lexi had tried to get to know them, but they hadn’t seemed interested in getting to know her in return.
While Lexi was also single, she was a mother. Almost a decade—and a world of experience—separated them. Somehow, whenever she was with them, she ended up feeling like a maiden aunt who wasn’t all that interesting.
“Lexi?” Jack’s touch on her arm pulled her from her reverie. “Would you prefer I not come?”
She shook her head and curved her fingers around his arm. “I want you to come with me. If you aren’t there, who will I talk to?”
A look of confusion crossed his face. “I thought you said all of Mimi and Hank’s friends will be there.”
“They will.” Not wanting to diss Mimi or her friends, she chose her words carefully. “Mimi is only twenty-three. Her friends are also in their early twenties. While they’re all very nice, we don’t have a lot in common. Around them I feel old and well, stodgy.”
Jack’s cough sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
“I do,” Lexi protested.
“Ah, Lexi.” Jack shook his head and let his gaze linger. Although the party was casual, Lexi had dressed up her navy sweater with a beaded necklace. Her hair hung loose to her shoulders, the way he liked it. Old and stodgy? Not this lovely creature. “I’ve never seen Mimi. But there’s no doubt in my mind that you, Miss Stodgy, will be the most beautiful woman at this party.”
Lexi’s red lips tipped into
a smile. “Have I ever told you how good you are for my ego?”
“Just being honest.” Jack couldn’t help giving her compliments. There was just so much about her he liked. So much about her that he…loved?
The thought brought a frown to his forehead. Love? No way. He couldn’t be in love with her. Not possible. He’d only known her a couple weeks.
“Is something wrong?”
Jack brushed away the troublesome thought. He’d been looking forward to this evening ever since Lexi had invited him earlier in the week. Since Sarah and her parents would be heading home tomorrow, Addie was spending the night with her friend. That meant he and Lexi had the night to themselves.
“Everything is fine.” He gazed into the most beautiful amber eyes he’d ever seen. “In fact, it couldn’t be better.”
* * *
“You are really super cute,” Mimi said to Jack, her words coming out in a slur, her eyes glittery. “Have I told you that?”
“Only about a thousand times,” Lexi said through gritted teeth. She pried Mimi’s fingers from Jack’s forearm. All evening Jack had done his best to keep his distance from the bride-to-be, but she wouldn’t leave him alone. Lexi had finally had enough. “Hank is looking for you.”
Mimi tilted her head. A look of confusion furrowed her brow. “Who?”
“Hank.” Lexi somehow managed to keep a smile on her lips. “Your fiancé?”
“Oh, Hank.” Mimi snorted. “I thought you said tank.”
Apparently finding the thought incredibly funny, Mimi started laughing. Once she started, she didn’t stop.
Lexi exchanged a look with Jack.
“Drunk,” he mouthed.
Lexi nodded and with a resigned sigh turned back to the young woman who now had tears of laughter streaming down her cheeks.
“Mimi, this is your engagement party. Why don’t you spend some time with your fiancé?” Lexi gestured to the other end of the bar where Hank stood drinking shots with a couple of his ranger buddies. “He looks lonely.”
Mimi wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes and glanced in the direction Lexi had indicated. Something that looked almost like a snarl lifted her lips. “He cares more about animals and trees and drinking with his friends than he does about me.”
Under the bitterness, Lexi swore she heard a hint of hurt in Mimi’s voice. “I’m sure that’s not true—”
“I want to go to Hawaii on my honeymoon. Everyone goes to Hawaii.” Mimi’s voice grew louder with each word. “But Mr. Park Ranger refuses to leave his precious park during high season.”
Despite the noise in the room, Mimi’s voice rang out above the din.
Hank slammed the shot glass on the bar and turned. His expression darkened and the glitter in his eyes told Lexi that Mimi wasn’t the only one who’d had too much to drink this evening. “It’s not just the job. We don’t have the money to go to Hawaii,” he bellowed. “You’d understand if you’d ever shut your mouth and listen.”
The room took on a hushed chill.
Mimi didn’t appear to notice. Her entire attention was now focused on her fiancé.
“I’m through listening to you, Hank. If you can’t understand that a girl only gets married once, if you don’t want to do everything in your power to make me happy, you’re not the man for me.” Mimi tugged the ring off her finger and threw it on the shiny mahogany bar. Then with a toss of her long blond hair, she flounced out of the room.
Lexi waited for Hank to follow. Instead he scooped up the ring and dropped it into his pocket. Then with a grim expression he turned back to his friends and downed another shot.
“Do you think I should go after her?” Lexi asked Jack, who—like the rest of the room—had watched the scene unfold.
“If you think you should, then go. Don’t worry about me.” A thoughtful look settled on his face. “Though it might be a good idea to give Mimi some space. Throwing the ring at him was probably just an impulse. But this is the time for her to consider if she really wants this wedding to go on as scheduled. If Hank isn’t the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with, it’s best to end it now.”
For the past several weeks Lexi had begun to have a bad feeling about Mimi and Hank’s upcoming nuptials. The events tonight confirmed her worst fears. “You’re right. If she and Hank are going to break up, it’s better to do it before they walk down the aisle.”
Jack frowned. “Otherwise he might leave her at the altar.”
It was an odd comment. But then there was an odd look in Jack’s eyes. As if he’d remembered something…
Lexi grabbed the sleeve of his sweater and pulled him into a little alcove, away from prying eyes and ears.
“If you want us to be alone, you just had to say the word,” Jack teased, though the distant look remained in his brown eyes.
“You remembered something.” She pinned him with her gaze. “What was it?”
“You know me too well,” he said in a flip tone.
“Considering I don’t even know your real name, I hardly think so.” Lexi wasn’t about to let him change the subject. “C’mon, spill.”
Still he hesitated.
“Jack, you have to know by now that there’s nothing you can’t tell me.” She leaned close, the clean, fresh scent she’d come to associate with him teasing her nostrils. “I won’t judge you. But I can’t help unless I know what’s happening in that head of yours.”
“I think—” he took a step back and raked a hand through his hair “—that I left someone at the altar.”
When Lexi had been Addie’s age, she’d fallen off her bicycle. She’d hit the ground so hard that all the air had been knocked from her lungs. She remembered that feeling. She felt the same way now.
However, underneath the shock and the breathlessness, joy sliced through her veins. Jack isn’t married. Jack isn’t married. Jack isn’t married.
“You remember leaving a woman at the altar?” Lexi asked when she could finally speak again.
“I remembered the wedding,” he said. “Just like before. But this time, I heard myself telling a guy in a tux that I couldn’t do this. I needed to be absolutely sure she was the one for me before I took this step and I wasn’t sure.”
“What happened then?”
“I walked out of the church into the sunlight. I remember looking down at my left hand and being so happy there wasn’t a wedding band on it. I liked Ellen. I cared about her. But I couldn’t marry her.”
“Ellen who?”
Jack blinked a couple of times. “Ellen?”
“You said ‘I liked Ellen,’” Lexi reminded him. “What was Ellen’s last name?”
Jack’s brows pulled together in thought. After a long moment he shook his head.
“Where were you? Do you remember the state? The town?” Lexi pressed, though her heart had resumed beating the mantra Jack isn’t married, Jack isn’t married.
“I don’t know.” Jack rubbed a hand across his forehead. “That’s all I remember. I know it’s not much—”
“Not much? It’s huge.” Lexi grabbed his arm, her voice trembling with excitement. “Don’t you realize the significance? You’re not married. I, I mean we, don’t have to feel guilty anymore about the kiss we shared.”
A light flashed in his eyes. She saw the moment he made the connection because a smile lifted his lip. “That means it’s also okay for me to do this—”
In a single heartbeat, he pulled her close and his lips covered hers. Lexi wrapped her arms around his neck and slid her fingers into his hair. Her mouth opened to his probing tongue and she lost herself in the sensations coursing through her body like an awakened river. This time there was no hesitation. On his side or on hers.
The chatter, the laughter, the chinking of glasses faded away. Lost in the kisses, she was barely conscious of him maneuvering them farther into the alcove, until she felt the wall behind her back. Still he continued to kiss her, long kisses that made her body ache with need and want.
&
nbsp; His hand slipped under her sweater and skimmed up her side. Her breasts tingled with anticipation as his hand moved to the clasp of her bra.
Without warning his body slammed into hers.
“Watch where you’re going,” Jack growled as beer dribbled down his shoulder.
The burly outdoorsman who’d bumped into him stopped to survey the damage. He gave a snort of disgust at his now half-empty glass before shifting to Lexi. He appeared to take in her disheveled hair and swollen lips before dropping to Jack’s proprietary hand on her waist. A smile split his lips before he chugged the last of the beer in his glass. Then he belched loudly. “You two should think about getting yourself a room.”
Without another word he continued down the hall.
Get a room.
Jack met her gaze. “An interesting suggestion.”
Lexi wasn’t fooled by the casual tone. The heat in his eyes told her that the desire that held her in a stranglehold gripped him, too.
She’d never been into casual sex. At thirty-two, she’d only slept with two men—her high school boyfriend and Drew, Addie’s father.
But what she felt for Jack was more than casual. She liked him. She admired him. And she wanted him with a passion that shocked her with its intensity. “No motel.”
The light in his eyes dimmed but he didn’t argue. “I understand. We haven’t known each other—”
“It’s not that.” Lexi leaned forward and brushed her lips across his. “Addie’s spending the night with Sarah.”
His eyes never left her face. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Lexi smiled. “There’s absolutely no reason to spend money on a motel when we can sleep in my bed.”
Jack’s eyes gleamed. “I don’t think either of us is going to get much sleep tonight.”
Lexi smiled and kissed him again. “I hope not,” she murmured against his lips. “That would be a waste of a perfectly fine bed.”
