* * *
Holly walked into the kitchen to collect her purse.
"I'm impressed," Louise said, strolling behind her. "You worked a miracle."
"It wasn't very difficult." Holly smiled at the house keeper and hoped her trembling wasn't obvious. Touching Jordan to see if he had a fever was one thing. She could ignore the fact that he was handsome, charming and very close to naked. But when he'd taken her hand and smiled at her, she'd thought she was going to faint.
She drew in a deep breath. It wasn't fair that one man should have so many good qualities. They should be spread around among several men. Then she wouldn't have to worry about making a fool of herself in his presence.
"Maybe it wasn't hard for you," Louise said, "but I can't get a lick of cooperation out of that boy. I don't suppose you'd consider coming here full-time until he's healed."
Holly grinned. "Sorry, I've got a business to run."
"Just my luck. Guess I'm stuck with him." She rolled her eyes. "He forgot himself and was nearly pleasant to me tonight. I'm sure I'll pay for that in the morning."
"I don't understand why he acts like that."
Louise touched her right earring, separating the dangling silver moon and stars. "Could be any number of things. He's never come out and said. Glenwood is a small town. People know each other's business. But he's carried his anger for a long time. I suppose one day I'll have to have it out with him, but not tonight." She smiled brightly. "You coming back tomorrow?"
"You really think I should?"
"Of course. If nothing else, I could use a break from his bad temper."
"I know it's difficult. My mother was sick for nearly ten years. When she was feeling good, she was fun and easy to be around, but after days of being in pain she got—" Holly hesitated.
"Cranky?" Louise offered.
Holly smiled. "That's as good a word as any."
She glanced back toward the study. Jordan had asked her to come back, and she really would like to spend some more time with him. Tonight had been great fun. Talking with another person was much better than spending the evening alone.
"So you'll be here?" Louise asked.
Holly started toward the front door with the housekeeper following behind. "Yes. I'd like that very much."
"Good. I look forward to it, and I'm sure Jordan does, too." She held the door open.
Holly stepped onto the porch and waved. "Good night."
It was just dinner and conversation, she reasoned as she started her car and backed down the driveway. It wasn't really like a date. So what if Jordan was funny, charming and handsome? She was being neighborly. Besides, she'd been so busy getting her business started, she hadn't had time to meet anyone. Jordan could be her first friend. And Louise, too, although the thought of seeing Louise again wasn't quite as exciting.
If nothing else, the visit would get her out of the store. Since she'd lost her apartment, she'd been sleeping in the shop. There were plenty of sofas to bunk on. They weren't that comfortable – but it was only for a few weeks. Stocking her store with inventory for Christmas had taken every last penny she had. When the storm had struck, she'd lost all her furniture and most of her clothes. She couldn't afford to replace everything, let alone come up with first and last months' rent. But if she had a good holiday season, she would be fine come January first. Then she would find a new apartment and buy a few things. In the meantime she had the store, and that was enough.
That night, as she stretched out in her sleeping bag on one of the more comfortable sofas, she thought about her evening with Jordan and smiled in the darkness. Her pleasure wasn't just about how he looked, even though his smile took her breath away. It was that he really took the time to listen to her. No one had ever done that before. She shifted, and Mistletoe meowed in protest. The cat was using her feet as a pillow. Holly could feel the vibration of Mistletoe's purring through the sleeping bag. The familiar sensation relaxed her.
"Maybe I'll take you to meet him," she murmured. "Then you can thank him in person."
Mistletoe yawned, obviously not impressed.
* * *
Three days later Louise opened the front door as Holly climbed the stairs.
"Right on time," Louise said.
"There weren't any customers in the store, so I closed exactly at five." She stepped inside, then set the large basket she was carrying on the floor. "I hope you don't mind, but I brought Mistletoe."
Louise eyed the basket. "Is she the cat responsible for Jordan's injuries?"
"Yes. She's really very sweet, but she got scared by everything going on."
"Don't make excuses. I like her already." Louise bent down and opened the basket. Mistletoe was curled up inside. Her long gray fur fluffed out around her. Big green eyes stared at Louise. The housekeeper let Mistletoe smell her hand, then scratched behind her ears. The cat purred in ecstasy.
"She's beautiful," Louise said.
"A purebred Persian, and she doesn't hesitate to remind people that she's special."
Louise stood up. Mistletoe sniffed the air, then stepped out of the basket. Her round belly hung low.
"Has she been eating too many table scraps or is she pregnant?"
"Pregnant," Holly said. "It's only a couple of weeks until she's due. I've been coming here every night, and I didn't want to keep leaving her alone. You're not allergic, are you?"
"Not at all." Louise bent over and petted the cat. "Aren't you a pretty girl? Now, you go bother Jordan. There's a sweet cat. Yes, you go shed cat hair all over his sheets." Mistletoe arched into the caresses. When Louise straightened, the animal began to explore the foyer.
Holly took a deep breath. "Something smells wonderful. What is it tonight?"
"Spaghetti. I had some frozen sauce. I just defrosted it in the refrigerator, then started heating it about twenty minutes ago."
In the past three days they'd settled into a routine. For some reason Jordan continued to complain about Louise's cooking. So Holly took credit for the evening meal, even though she didn't prepare it. It made Jordan happy, and Louise didn't mind.
The housekeeper disappeared each evening. Some nights she was at the local college taking courses. Other times she was baby-sitting or studying in the library. Holly privately thought she simply left to get away from Jordan.
"I don't understand why he's so stubborn," Holly said as she followed Louise into the kitchen.
As usual the housekeeper dressed to attract attention. This evening she wore a brilliant orange long-sleeved silk blouse tucked into black jeans. A gold belt circled her small waist. Her dangling earrings – a teapot twirling from one ear, a cup and saucer hanging from the other – swayed with her movements.
Holly admired her sense of style even if it wasn't what she would have chosen for herself. For the shop Holly favored ruffly blouses and long, flowing skirts. They reflected the era of the store but allowed her to be mobile. Fortunately she'd kept her work clothes at the store, preferring to change into jeans before she went home. She'd lost a lot of casual wear but could still be dressed appropriately at work.
"You really don't think he's caught on?" she asked as she leaned against the kitchen counter. The old-fashioned room hadn't been updated since the early fifties. The counter tiles were alternating light and dark green. The big stove had rounded corners and a storage area on one side. The only modern appliance was the microwave on the counter.
"Even if he has, why would he want to admit it?" Louise bent over and pulled out a large pot. "This should do for the pasta. The sauce is simmering on that back burner. Just give it a stir every fifteen minutes or so. The longer it cooks, the tastier it will be."
She motioned to a loaf of bread by the sink. "I picked that up fresh this afternoon." She winked at Holly. "I think he suspects I'm doing the cooking, but he likes pretending you're doing it instead. He gets to growl at me and have you keep him company every night. What's not to like?"
"I suppose. I guess I feel a little guilty clai
ming credit for all your wonderful meals."
"If it makes him feel better to think he's eating your food and not mine, let him. The faster he's feeling better, the quicker I can get out of here."
"How's he doing today?"
Louise grimaced. "Pretty bad. The fool got up this morning. The doctor told him to relax. Anyway, he overdid it and spiked a fever this afternoon. I finally convinced him to take an over-the-counter painkiller, and last time I checked, he was sleeping. You might want to look in on him. I think he'll wake up on his own in an hour or so."
"That's fine." Holly brushed her hands against her skirt, then stared at Louise. "I have another favor to ask."
"Sure, what?"
She cleared her throat. "Could I use the shower?" She felt her cheeks getting hot, but plunged on before she lost her nerve. "I've been living at the store since the fire. There's a bathroom with a sink but no shower. I've been bathing piecemeal, and I really want to be able to wash my hair without having to bend over that tiny sink."
Louise stared at her for several seconds. "Child, you don't even have to ask. Why didn't you say something sooner? There's five bathrooms in this house, and Jordan's only using one of them. Come right this way."
Louise marched out of the kitchen. Holly followed on her heels. She was quickly shown the downstairs bathroom, the closet with fresh towels, then handed a thick terry-cloth robe.
"The boy never uses it, so it's practically new."
Holly hugged the robe to her chest. She'd brought shampoo and other toiletries, but she hadn't thought of a robe. "Thanks. I appreciate this."
Louise shook her blond head. "I'm the one in your debt. You're giving me a break by staying with him." She glanced at her watch. "I've got to get going or I'll be late. I can't have a tardy on my attendance record. I've never been late once this whole semester. Oh, and I might not get home right on time. Several of us are going out to coffee with the professor after class."
Holly stared at her. "The one so young he doesn't have to shave every day?"
Louise shrugged. "Oh, Richard isn't all that young. He's nearly thirty-five. He just looks young."
"You call him Richard?"
Louise cleared her throat. "Did I say Richard? I meant Professor Wilson. That's his name. I'm out of here. Have fun."
With that, the housekeeper left the bathroom and walked down the hall. Holly stared after her and shook her head. Too much had happened too fast.
She set the robe on a hook behind the bathroom door, then went to collect her toiletries. Once in the foyer, she moved Mistletoe's basket to one side and picked up her oversize purse. Her cat raced down the stairs and came over to be petted.
"Are you enjoying all this new stuff to sniff?" Holly asked.
Mistletoe purred in response.
When Holly straightened, the cat took off to explore another part of the house. Holly moved through the library, then tiptoed into the study.
Jordan was sprawled out on the rented hospital bed. One dark lock of hair tumbled across his forehead. While he was asleep, he appeared a little younger, although just as good-looking. Her heart did its usual rapid patter against her ribs, but she was learning to accept the fluttery sensation. It was just part of the price she paid to spend time with him.
She reached out and touched his face. He was warm but not hot. If he'd spiked a fever, it seemed to have faded. Also, he was sleeping soundly without the restlessness that accompanies fever.
She studied him for a few minutes, examining the strong line of his jaw, his straight nose, the faint stubble on his chin. Sometimes while they were talking, she had the oddest sensation of being part of a play or a movie. It didn't feel real. What was she doing here?
But she didn't dare question her good fortune. Even though she'd never had much opportunity to spend time with men, she'd always dreamed about what it would be like to know one. Jordan was everything she'd imagined the perfect man would be. He was kind, funny, charming and when he looked at her a certain way, she could feel her bones melting. It would be easy to have a crush on him … or worse.
But she wouldn't. First of all, she'd heard a little about the Haynes brothers from people in town. They had a reputation for being heartbreakers. She might as well try to learn ice skating at a U.S. Olympic team workout. She was completely out of her league. Not only was she a virgin, but she hadn't kissed a single male since she was fifteen. Talk about being out of the loop.
The second reason she wouldn't dare fall for Jordan Haynes was that as much as she might daydream about a man, even marriage, she knew it wasn't in the cards for her. Not because no one would love her. She liked to think that one or two people might think she was special. The real reason was that love required trust, and she'd been let down too many times. She couldn't imagine ever trusting anyone again.
She pulled the sheet higher up his bare chest, then left the room and hurried down the hallway toward the bathroom. She'd spent the past three days longing for a shower and she was going to enjoy every minute of this one.
* * *
A hideous howling broke through Jordan's dream and jerked him into consciousness. He sat up in bed, then groaned as pain ripped through his muscles. He shouldn't have gotten up earlier, as Louise had told him gleefully.
He shook his head and tried to figure out what was wrong. His brain was fuzzy, and he couldn't focus on anything. There'd been a sound. A—
The howling came again. Someone or some thing was being tortured. He threw back the sheet and tried to rise to his feet. The floor shifted. Or maybe it was him. He gripped the nightstand with one hand and the table by his bed with the other, then pushed up. As he locked his muscles, he realized he'd made one fatal error of judgment. He'd forgotten the hospital table had wheels.
It shot out from under him and went flying across the room. Jordan lost his balance and tumbled toward the floor. He braced one arm to save himself, but it gave way and he hit the hardwood on his already bruised shoulder.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway.
"Jordan?"
It was Holly. She would be relieved to find out he wasn't naked under his sheet but instead wore shorts over his briefs. Then his eyes closed, and he couldn't think about anything but the pain.
"Jordan, what happened?"
"I heard something. Howling. Tried to get up."
"You fell. Are you hurt?"
He hurt like a son of a bitch. She raised his head to her lap, then stroked his face. He opened his eyes.
For a moment he stared at her, then he blinked, certain he must have hit his head when he fell. She was wearing a white robe and nothing underneath. He knew because the robe had parted, exposing the curve of one breast and the first hint of the rosy skin around her nipple.
He sucked in a breath. Her hair was wet and tumbling around her shoulders. Her eyes darkened with concern, and the fingers on his face were gentle and comforting.
Maybe he was dead. If this was heaven, who was he to complain?
* * *
Chapter 4
« ^ »
"Jordan?" Holly said, her voice laced with concern. "Please say something. Are you hurt?"
"I'm okay." He forced the words through the pain and awareness battling in his body. He couldn't remember hurting this bad before, nor could he remember being this instantly aroused. It was an odd combination that again made him wonder if he had clipped his head on his way down.
"Do you think you can get back into bed?" she asked, then glanced from him to the mattress. "I doubt I can lift you by myself."
"I can manage. Just give me a minute." He continued to stare up at her face. She smelled like shampoo and soap. Her pale skin almost glowed in the early-evening lamplight. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, and the edge of the robe slipped open a little more, exposing a taut nipple and the underside of her breast.
Heat coiled low in his belly. The pain from his injuries and the ache from his groin set up a low-frequency hum that had him holding in a moan. He
couldn't continue to torture himself this way, he thought grimly.
He rolled to his side, then started to push himself up to his knees. Holly scrambled to her feet and bent over, grabbing him around his chest and adding her strength to his. Together they moved slowly to the bed. Jordan dragged himself onto the mattress. Holly lifted his legs into place, then bent over and smoothed the sheet over him.
"Better?" she asked. "Do you want a painkiller?"
He shook his head, which surprisingly only hurt a little. "I'll be fine."
"You sure?" She sat on the bed next to him. Her hip bumped his.
"Yeah," he murmured, trying not to notice that now he could see her other breast.
She bent close and touched his forehead. "You feel a little warm."
"I'm sure it will pass."
She frowned. "I hope you're not spiking another fever."
He glanced at the deep V exposed by the oversize robe. "I'm sure that's not it."
She was so intent on his condition, she didn't notice she was flashing him. He wasn't sure if he should be pleased or insulted. While he appreciated the concern, no man wanted to be considered as sexually interesting as a eunuch.
"How did you end up on the floor?" she asked.
He'd almost forgotten the circumstances that had brought Holly rushing to his side. He rubbed his temple as he tried to remember. "I heard a noise."
"What was it?"
"I can't remember. I was asleep and something woke me. I got up to see what it was."
"Maybe you were dreaming."
"Maybe." He stared at her for a moment, for the first time really taking in the oversize robe and her wet hair. He reached out and fingered a damp strand. "What have you been up to?"
Holly blushed, then turned her head away. "I, ah, was sort of using your shower. I hope you don't mind."
He wanted to say she could use it anytime, but only on the condition he got to watch. Though he figured she wouldn't know he was kidding. Then he realized he wasn't kidding. Had it been that long since he'd been with a woman, or was it specifically that Holly Garrett intrigued him?
HOLLY AND MISTLETOE Page 4
