How to Romance a Stranger
Page 12
Still, he and Lexi kept displays of affection in front of her to hand-holding and a kiss on the cheek. And he didn’t spend the night.
Today he’d finished his chores around the lodge and had caught a ride with the van driver into town. It had been exactly a month since he’d first met Lexi and he wanted to surprise her for lunch. He knew she didn’t have plans because she’d told him she’d be using the time to go through her mail and do her bills.
He was banking on the fact that the bills could wait until tonight. After checking on her whereabouts with the hospital receptionist, he headed to the emergency room. She was just coming out of a room when he got there. His heart flip-flopped when he saw her. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Jack.” Her lips widened into a welcoming smile before worry filled her gaze. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is wonderful. The sun is shining. The temperature is supposed to hit seventy today. And I’m here to take my best girl to lunch. That is, if you’re available?”
“I am,” she said. “Except we’ll have to eat in the cafeteria.”
“Works for me.”
A doctor in a white lab coat followed by a nurse emerged from one of the exam rooms. It amazed Jack that less than a month ago these two were strangers to him. Now they were friends. “David. Rachel.”
“What brings you by the hospital today?” David cast a sideways glance at Lexi. “As if I didn’t know.”
“I came by to take Lexi to lunch.”
“That’s sweet.” Rachel smiled. “Where are you going?”
“We’re eating in the hospital cafeteria,” Lexi said.
“Oh,” David said. “Good luck to you.”
“I heard a rumor that you’re the new handyman at Wildwoods,” Rachel said.
“It’s true,” Jack said. “My money ran out and Coraline was gracious enough to allow me to work for my room and board.”
“What does she have you doing?” Rachel asked.
“Changing lightbulbs, keeping the parking lot and the common areas clean, stuff like that.” Jack didn’t feel challenged by the work, but he wasn’t about to complain.
“I bet you’re hoping you remember who you are soon,” Rachel said. “Or that a family member or friend shows up to ID you.”
“I saw they ran your story again in the Jackson Hole News,” David said. “It was up on the town’s official Facebook page.”
“The nurses upstairs shared it and encouraged their friends to do the same.” Lexi’s expression gave nothing away.
“Well, so far no phone calls.” Jack wished they were alone so that he could reassure Lexi again that whoever he was before didn’t matter. “The sheriff said he’d call if he got any response.”
Lexi glanced down at her watch. “I have a meeting with a family of an intensive-care patient at two, so if we’re having lunch we better go now.”
Though Jack couldn’t put his finger on it, there was something different about Lexi today. Something was troubling her but he couldn’t tell if it was work-related or personal. He tried to take her hand on their walk to the cafeteria, but she pretended not to notice.
A rock settled in the pit of his stomach. This had to be related to the conversation in the E.R. Though the last thing he wanted to bring up over lunch was the possibility of him leaving, once they’d sat down with the food, he didn’t see that he had a choice. “Finding out who I am isn’t going to change how I feel about you.”
“I know you think that.” Lexi dipped her spoon into the yogurt but made no attempt to pull it out. Instead she leaned forward, resting both her arms on the table, her expression earnest. “What if your family doesn’t like me? Or like the fact that I have a child and have never been married?”
“All that matters are our feelings.” This wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation. But he was willing to have it a hundred times a day if it would allay her fears.
A smile lifted her lips. “You’re right. I don’t know why I feel so anxious. Maybe it’s because my day started off badly and I’ve had this uneasy feeling, like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“What happened this morning?” he asked, curious but not overly concerned. If it had something to do with Addie, he knew Lexi would have called him.
“Mimi called,” she said. “From Hawaii.”
Jack cocked his head. “Mimi? As in Hank and Mimi?”
“The same. Except there is no more Hank and Mimi.” Lexi’s lips twisted. “Now it’s Mimi and Kyle.”
Jack straightened in his chair. “Who’s Kyle?”
“Her Pilates instructor,” Lexi said. “They eloped.”
“Wow.” Jack wasn’t sure how to respond. After all, Mimi was Lexi’s friend. He took a sip of iced tea. “How did Hank take the news?”
“Apparently he went out and got drunk with his buddies.”
“I bet you’re disappointed that you don’t get to wear that gorgeous bridesmaid’s dress.”
Lexi laughed. “Yeah, I’m crushed.”
“It’s not all bad,” Jack said, trying to find the silver lining. “At least she’ll get the flower deposit back.”
“She made me take out the clause,” Lexi said. “So now she—or rather she and Kyle—will have to pay all that money for flowers she’ll never use.”
Jack shook his head. “You put in so much work on her wedding.”
“And it’s not over yet,” Lexi said with a rueful smile. “She asked me to forward her mail to her.”
“Forward her mail?”
“She and Hank were looking for a place to live once they married. Apparently his current apartment didn’t meet her high standards.” Lexi rolled her eyes. “Because she was in such a state of transition—her words, not mine—she gave the wedding vendors my address. I can tell you I’m getting rid of those suckers right away. In fact…”
Lexi’s gaze dropped to her purse. She reached inside her large bag and pulled out a small stack of envelopes. “I bet some of these are hers.”
Jack took a bite of hamburger and chewed while Lexi flipped through the stack. She stopped and an odd look crossed her face. “The return address on this envelope is a law firm in Columbus, Ohio.”
“Does Mimi know someone in Ohio?”
“No, but I do.” Lexi lifted her gaze to meet his. “That’s where Addie’s dad lives.”
“Didn’t you tell me you’d asked him to relinquish all claim to her?” Jack said in a matter-of-fact tone. He didn’t like seeing Lexi so upset over something that was probably nothing. “I bet he had an attorney draw something up and send it to you.”
“You’re probably right.”
“I know I’m right. Open it and see.”
“Lexi Brennan, report to intensive care. Lexi Brennan, please report to intensive care immediately,” the voice over the loudspeaker said in a monotone.
Lexi heaved a sigh and rose to her feet.
“Aren’t you going to open it?”
“No time.” Lexi dropped the envelopes back into her bag. “Looks like my two o’clock appointment came early. I’ll open it when I get home. I’m sure you’re right. It’s probably nothing.”
* * *
When Jack got to Lexi’s house shortly before six, he expected to see the grill fired up and ready for the steaks he’d brought over. Thankfully Lexi liked red meat as much as he did. But the grill cover was still on and the deck was deserted.
He knocked on the door, wondering if somehow they’d gotten their signals crossed. “Lexi. Addie.”
The door slowly opened and Addie peered around it. “Shh.” The child brought a small finger to her lips. “We have to be quiet. Mommy doesn’t feel good.”
Jack stepped inside the silent, dark house. “What’s the matter?”
He kept his voice casual and offhand, not wanting to worry Addie. But he was worried. Lexi had been fine at lunch.
“She has a migraine.” Addie’s brows drew together. “And maybe her tummy hurts, too.”
Addie nodded solemnly. She started toward the kitchen then turned back. “Mommy is going to be okay, isn’t she?”
“She’s going to be just fine.” But even as Jack hurried down the hall, an uneasy feeling slithered up his spine. As his hand closed over the doorknob to her room, he found himself praying that whatever was wrong was something that could be easily fixed.
* * *
Lexi knew she needed to get up and make Addie some dinner, but she couldn’t make her limbs move. Instead she lay on her bed in pitch darkness staring up at the ceiling, her head pounding.
She’d worried that this day would come, but had never really believed it would. For someone who prided herself on addressing every issue head-on, this time she felt like pulling the covers over her head in the hopes that it would go away.
She heard the door open. “I’ll be up and make you something to eat in a minute, sweetheart.”
“Are you okay? Is there anything I can get you?”
Jack. She’d forgotten they’d made plans to grill out.
“I forgot to call you.” Tears welled up in her eyes and filled her voice. “That wasn’t very nice.”
“Don’t cry.” He sat on the bed and brushed the tears from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“It’s just a migraine,” she murmured, the meds making her tongue thick and clumsy in her mouth. “I haven’t had one in a long time. It’s partially hormonal, mostly stress.”
“Was it this thing with Mimi?” he asked. “Is that what brought this on?”
Lexi choked back a hysterical giggle. “Mimi is the least of my worries.”
“What can I do to make it better?”
“There’s nothing you can do,” Lexi said, welcoming the inky darkness that was rapidly closing over her. “I’m afraid there’s nothing anyone can do.”
Chapter Thirteen
There’s nothing anyone can do.
The words played over and over in Jack’s mind. While Lexi slept, he and Addie ate a simple dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup and a big glass of milk.
After dinner he helped Addie with her homework, said prayers with her at bedside and then tucked her in. When he returned to the living room he tried to watch television but found it difficult to concentrate. Despite knowing she needed her sleep, he was seriously tempted to wake Lexi. He didn’t like it that she was distressed yet he didn’t know enough to be able to fix whatever bothered her.
Opening the refrigerator door, Jack pulled out the cola he’d been craving since he’d walked through the door. He’d barely taken a sip when he heard a bedroom door open. His lips lifted in a wry smile. It figured Addie would get up just when he’d grabbed a soda.
He turned, hiding the can behind his back. But it wasn’t Addie who ambled into the room but a very rumpled Lexi. She’d changed into an obviously much loved pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved green shirt that didn’t show any skin. Her dark hair stuck out in the back and there was a criss-cross pattern on her cheek from a blanket. But when her eyes brightened and a smile lifted her lips, Jack’s heart answered with a rush of love.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Better.” She rubbed the back of her neck with one hand. “The headache is almost gone.” She glanced around the room. “Where’s Addie?”
“In bed.”
“So early?”
“It’s after nine.”
Alarm skittered across Lexi’s face. “Ohmigosh, she has to be starving.”
When she turned toward the girl’s bedroom, Jack touched her arm. “Relax. She’s already eaten.”
Confusion blanketed Lexi’s face. “But how?”
“I may not have a memory, but I am not without talent.” Jack shot her a wink. “We had soup, a sandwich and milk. Lots and lots of milk.”
The tenseness which had gripped Lexi’s shoulders eased. “Thank you.”
“It was no trouble.” Jack waved a dismissive hand. “She’s a nice little girl. You’ve done a good job raising her.”
Lexi thought about the letter and a wave of despair washed over her. “That may not matter.”
Jack sat his soda on the table, took her hand and led her to the sofa. Once she’d sat down, he took a seat beside her.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” His warm brown eyes invited confidences.
Lexi’s gaze drifted to the side table where her purse sat, the letter peeking out from the side pocket. It was hard to believe that one minute everything could be wonderful and the next…
She shuddered and swallowed the sob that rose to her throat.
Jack’s arm closed around her shoulder. He tugged her close. “Talk to me, sweetheart. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.”
How long had it been since she’d had someone to lean on? Someone to share her burdens? Ever since her father had died she’d been on her own. Lexi brushed the tears from her cheeks with the pads of her fingertips. “There’s nothing you—or I—can do. Drew has money on his side.”
“Drew? Your ex?” Jack’s gaze turned sharp and assessing.
Lexi took a deep breath. “Remember when I told you I’d written to him several months ago asking him to relinquish all claim to Addie and he hadn’t written back?”
A knowing look filled his eyes. “Is this about the letter you received from the law firm in Ohio?”
Not trusting her voice, Lexi pressed her lips together and nodded. Her emotions were raw. If they were any closer to the surface she’d be bleeding.
“So he’s not interested in your proposal,” Jack said. “That’s okay. It doesn’t change anything.”
“He wants custody of Addie,” Lexi blurted out.
The shock on Jack’s face would have been funny at any other time. “Beg pardon?”
“Apparently Drew has decided he wants to be a dad after all.” To Lexi’s surprise, though she was quaking inside, her voice didn’t waver. “He’s got the money to make that happen.”
“He’s been out of her life since she was born.” After his initial surprise, Jack didn’t seem all that concerned. “That won’t look good to the court. Has he been paying child support?”
Lexi shook her head. “He never offered. I never asked.”
“That’s another black mark against him.” Jack met her gaze. “May I see the letter?”
“Of course.” Lexi jumped up but stilled when the room spun. She waited, giving the room a chance to right itself. “The pills make me a little dizzy.”
“You sit back down.” He rose and put his arm around her waist. “Tell me where it is and I’ll get it.”
“It’s in my purse.” Lexi gestured with a flick of her head. “It’s that piece of paper sticking out of the side pocket.”
Though she tried for matter-of-fact, the tremble in her voice gave her away.
Jack pulled her closer to him. “This will be okay.”
“I wish I shared your optimism.” Her attempt at a laugh fell flat. She disentangled herself from his arms and collapsed onto the soft cushions.
When Jack crossed the room to get the letter, Lexi rested her head against the back of the sofa and closed her eyes. If only she could go to sleep and wake up to find this had only been a bad dream.
“While I’m up can I get you something to eat or drink?”
Lexi slowly opened her eyes.
“Piece of toast? Some crackers?”
“I’m not all that hungry.” She rubbed a hand across her face, incredibly weary. “Could you bring the letter over here? I’d like to read it again.”
“You’re the client,” he said, then paused. “I mean, it’s your letter.”
Jack returned to the sofa, but only after pulling a sleeve of soda crackers from a drawer in the kitchen. He settled beside her and handed her the crackers. “Even if you don
’t feel like eating, I want you to try at least one,” he said softly. “Please.”
Lexi pulled a couple of squares from the already opened sleeve. “If it will make you happy, I’ll do it.”
He responded to her teasing tone with a brilliant smile. “It makes me happy. You make me happy.”
She smiled and took a bite of cracker.
As if satisfied, Jack’s gaze dropped to the letter in his hand.
Lexi’s heart clenched as he unfolded the vellum sheet and began to read. She dropped her gaze to the paper and followed along. But she really didn’t need to read it again. She’d reviewed it so many times she had each word memorized.
Jack’s lips tipped upward when he was about two-thirds of the way through the letter. She couldn’t figure out what he found so amusing in a letter that threatened to rock her world.
“No worries.” His gaze lifted. “This letter is nothing more than an intimidation tactic.”
He made it sound like that was a good thing. Lexi’s spirits cautiously rose. “I don’t understand.”
“By sending this to you on a law firm’s stationary, they’re trying to throw their weight around and make you believe you’re at their mercy. The truth is you’re in control.”
He sounded so confident, so certain. Still…
“Are you telling me Drew doesn’t have a leg to stand on?” The fear that had gripped her since she’d first read the letter began to ease.
“I wouldn’t exactly say that.” Jack’s businesslike tone softened at her sound of distress. “He is Addie’s father. And by writing the letter and making that request you, in essence, established paternity.”
“Are you saying this is my fault?” Lexi jumped to her feet, her headache flaring. “That I’m going to lose my daughter because of a stupid letter I wrote?”
The mere thought that something she did could result in Addie having to live with a man who never wanted her to be born broke Lexi’s heart…and made her angry.