A SWEETHEART FOR JUDE FORTUNE

by Cindy Kirk

  Initially prepared to change the subject, Gabi reminded herself—again—that talking about things that mattered was the only way she and Jude would get to know each other.

  “She was my best friend,” Gabi said simply, meeting his gaze. “I could go to her with my worries and know she’d understand. We were two women surrounded by a sea of testosterone.”

  His eyes searched hers as they swayed to a Michael Bublé classic. “How did she die?”

  “Cancer.” The word was bitter on her tongue. “We had time to say our goodbyes. I guess that was something....”

  His hand tightened on hers. “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” Gabi fought the dark cloud trying to settle over her by reminding herself she’d been lucky to have such a mother. Not to mention a very happy childhood.

  Until my freshman year in college. An unexpected chill stole over her and she shivered.

  “Don’t tell me you’re cold.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms.

  The ding from the stove made any response unnecessary.

  “I’ve wowed you with my dancing prowess.” Jude tugged her to the already-set table. “Now prepare to be impressed by my superb culinary skills.”

  A half hour later, Gabi had to admit that Jude’s “Rush Hour Stew” was delicious. Best of all, the no-salt-added vegetables fulfilled her daily vitamin requirements.

  “I didn’t think about dessert,” he admitted.

  “That’s okay.” She took a sip of the ice-cold skim milk she’d chosen to drink with her meal. “I’m not much for sweets.”

  “I’ve noticed.” Jude smiled lazily. “You’re extremely health conscious.”

  He’d given her the perfect opportunity to tell him about her transplant. They were alone, relaxed, and there was plenty of time before their meeting with Steve. Gabi wasn’t sure why she’d held back the information. After all, it couldn’t remain a secret forever. “I believe in taking care of my body. I—”

  Her phone rang. She stifled a curse.

  “Ignore it,” Jude urged.

  “I can’t.” She pushed up from the table and retrieved her cell phone from the counter. “It might be the rehab center.”

  She glanced at the unfamiliar number on the readout and her stomach contracted.

  “This is Gabriella Mendoza.” She listened for a moment and felt the knot in her stomach melt away. “No. I don’t mind. I can stop by the shelter tomorrow and speak with the supervisor.”

  “Who was it?” Jude asked when she slipped the phone into her pocket.

  “Steve.” Gabi shrugged. “Tonight’s meeting is off. Something came up.”

  “You don’t seem upset.”

  “That’s because I’m not. Now we don’t have to rush off to meet with him.” Gabi glanced at the table and the sink filled with dirty dishes. “Since you cooked, I’ll clean up.”

  “Hold off for a minute.” Jude sprang to his feet and held out a hand. “Since we have time, sit on the sofa with me. Take a few minutes to relax.”

  “Relax?” His innocent expression didn’t fool her a bit. “You want to just...relax?”

  Jude held up his hands, palms out. “If you find me irresistible and choose to kiss me, well, that’s your choice.”

  Gabi laughed and shook her head. The guy was likable. Not to mention...irresistible.

  For that reason alone she should package up the last of the stew and send him on his way. But the second the thought of fleeing crossed her mind, she squelched it. Wasn’t this closeness what she’d wanted? Hadn’t she told him they had to be friends before she could sleep with him?

  Now that she found herself flooded with feelings of...friendship, sending him away made no sense at all. “Let me at least clear the table. Then we can relax.”

  To her surprise, Jude pitched in without being asked. It was another positive factoid to add to her growing Jude Fortune Jones book of knowledge. “You’ll make some woman a good husband.”

  “Glad to know I’ve impressed you again,” he said, an engaging twinkle in his eyes.

  “Since I’ll be leaving town shortly, if any woman needs someone to vouch for your positive attributes, you can give them my number.” The simple realization that the woman who would one day capture Jude’s heart wouldn’t be her brought a sharp, slicing pain.

  “I appreciate the offer, darlin’—” The words flowed easily from his lips. “But I’m not looking at other women.”

  “Maybe not right now,” she said lightly. “But you will be eventually.”

  His eyes met hers and Gabi’s heart gave three hard thumps.

  Jude opened his mouth, closed it without speaking then drew her to the sofa. When they were settled, he looped an arm around Gabi’s shoulder, his gaze focused on her mouth. “I have a question for you.”

  “Yes.” She flashed a smile. “You may now kiss me.”

  “Ah, great, but that wasn’t my question.” The normally confident cowboy looked oddly flustered. “Friday is Valentine’s Day.”

  “Really?” The knowledge made her feel slightly ill. When she’d taken her leave from the bank, she’d calculated that between vacation and sick days she had enough time built up to take her to the middle of February. Which meant she’d receive one more paycheck before the money stopped....

  “Do you have plans?”

  “Pardon?”

  “Plans. Do you have plans for dinner on Valentine’s Day?”

  “I hadn’t given it much thought.” Gabi gave a little laugh. “I’ll probably do something really romantic, like pig out with my dad on red Jell-O in the rehab dining room, then come home and go to bed. What about you?”

  “While your current plan sounds like tons of fun, I have an alternative suggestion.” He toyed with a piece of her hair, sliding the silky strands between his fingers. “Though it’s hard to compete with Jell-O.”

  “Almost impossible,” she conceded, a smile hovering at the corners of her lips. “Cherry is my absolute favorite.”

  “There’s a new restaurant in Vicker’s Corners,” Jude said casually. “They have a diverse menu, so you should be able to find something you like, though I doubt red Jell-O is on the menu.”

  They exchanged a smile.

  “There’s a small dance floor,” he continued in a persuasive tone, “which would give us a chance to show off the moves we perfected this evening.”

  Gabi tried to ignore the heavy pounding of her heart. In her mind, she’d always thought of Valentine’s Day as a special day—one for couples in love, or who were thinking about being in love. Perhaps she should add couples considering making love to the list. Regardless, she found herself oddly touched by the offer. “Are you asking me out on a real date, Mr. Fortune Jones?”

  “We’ve been on dates before.” He lifted a fist, counting off the events by raising a finger. “The barbecue.”

  “That wasn’t a date,” she scoffed. “That was the night we were introduced.”

  He simply smiled and continued. “The trail ride. The poker game. The soup supper. After tonight’s meal, I’ll have to move to my other hand.”

  “Those weren’t dates,” she argued.

  “Semantics.” Jude’s fingers closed around hers. “Say you’ll come. You know we’ll have a great time. We always do.”

  Gabi brought a finger to her lips. “I’d need to speak with my dad first to make sure he hasn’t made any plans that involve me. Since I can’t say yes right now, if you want to ask someone else—”

  “There isn’t anyone but you.” He trailed a finger down her cheek, his blue eyes focused intently on her.

  Gabi’s breath caught in her throat.

  “I want you,” he said in a soft, low tone as his hand slid over hers, engulfing it with gentle pressure. He planted a kiss
to the side of her lips, his mouth warm against her skin. “Only you.”

  His arms were around her, clasping her against a wall of muscle before he focused on scattering little love bites along her jaw. “The fact that you’re always so covered drives me wild.”

  She laid her lips against his cheek, found the slightly rough texture arousing. “Oh, Jude.”

  His fingers raked through her hair, and his lips pressed to hers in an intoxicatingly sweet kiss that seemed to last forever. Yet, not nearly long enough.

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, wanting the closeness, the connection, to continue.

  As if he understood, Jude took it slow, his mouth moving from her lips then back again in unhurried caresses that only stoked the fire flowing through her veins.

  His hands roamed then lingered over her breasts, his fingers teasing her nipples to points through the thin cotton of her shirt and bra.

  Gabi’s breath quickened as the kisses and touching continued—soft, urgent, relentless. Her control became a thin thread stretched further by each kiss, each touch, each caress. When his tongue swept her lips and slipped inside, the last strand snapped.

  A moan escaped her lips. A desperate ache rose low in her belly. She pressed against him, offering herself to him, wanting him to give her the same pleasure he’d given her by the pond.

  She gasped in protest when he pulled back without warning and strode to the window. Gabi watched in stunned disbelief as he pushed back the curtains and stared out into the darkness, his hands braced on the windowsill.

  Gabi would have moved to him, but her trembling knees wouldn’t support her. “What’s wrong?”

  He turned, his eyes dark.

  “I want you, Gabi. I’ve never wanted anyone more.” Jude rubbed his neck and scowled. “But not here. Not in your father’s house. I can’t make love to his daughter under his roof while he’s in the hospital.”

  She supposed she could have denied they were on the verge of making love, told him there was nothing wrong with kissing on the living room sofa. But the raw need that still held her in its grip told a different story.

  So Gabi didn’t argue. She let him take her hand and even gave him one quick kiss before he walked out the door. The ache she felt when he got in his truck and drove off was only a prelude, she realized, to the devastation she would feel when he walked out of her life for good.

  Chapter Eleven

  After receiving her father’s reluctant blessing and leaving the rehab center at two, Gabi spent the rest of Friday afternoon getting ready for her date with Jude. It had been a long time since she’d indulged herself, so she took a long bath then brought out her favorite pear-scented lotion. She smoothed it over her body, the pads of her fingers tracing the raised scar than ran down the front of her chest, between her breasts.

  My battle scar, she thought to herself, then sent up a prayer of thanks to the young man who’d died and whose family had generously donated his organs.

  The heart that now beat strong and sure had been a great gift, one she didn’t take for granted. Though she knew the scar wasn’t pretty, she still didn’t understand the horrified looks on the faces of those at the pool party, and the memory still stung every time she caught her reflection.

  Their reaction made her wonder what Jude would think when he saw it. Would he be shocked? Disgusted? Or would he view the scar as she did, as a symbol of a life-giving act?

  She didn’t need to worry about that now, because she didn’t plan on letting him see it. Not yet. Perhaps never. Even if things went as she anticipated tonight and they made love, she could hide it by insisting the room be dark. If he felt the ridges of the scar on her skin, she’d simply tell him she had heart surgery. In a few weeks, she’d return to Miami and her life there.

  Instead of excitement, the thought of leaving made her sad. She liked Horseback Hollow. The people were friendly and the pace suited her. She wished she could be here when the flowers were in bloom and the leaves had sprouted on the trees.

  Gabi imagined herself attending parties, barbecues and picnics. It wouldn’t be long before she knew everyone in town and they knew her.

  If she and her father were in the same town, she could meet him for lunch, or invite him over for the evening. She and Jude...

  Like a movie in slow motion, images played in her mind. She and Jude riding horses across windblown pastures, swaying to romantic songs with melodies that wrapped around them like a pretty ribbon, walking down Main Street with fingers entwined...

  Stop, she told herself, stop the madness.

  For too many reasons to count there could be no her and Jude. Whatever was between them was transient. Which made the possibility of her staying in Horseback Hollow simply wishful thinking.

  If Gabi made the small Texas town her home, she’d have to sit back while Jude met another woman, fell in love and raised children. Despite wanting what was best for him, she couldn’t bear to watch the man she loved build a life with someone else.

  Man she loved?

  Gabi’s heart stuttered. She couldn’t be in love with Jude. Love took time to develop—months, often years.

  She respected Jude, admired his caring, compassionate nature and enjoyed spending time with him. She...

  Gabi sighed. What was the point in lying to herself? She loved him. But the fact that he now had her heart changed nothing. The doctor had warned her it wouldn’t be wise for her to bear children. Nor could she guarantee, despite her best efforts, she’d stay healthy. Heck, she couldn’t guarantee she’d be around to celebrate a single anniversary.

  She knew her father believed she should tell Jude about the transplant. But the way she viewed the situation, it didn’t make sense to put a damper on their impending fling with all the heavy medical talk and questions that were bound to ensue. And Gabi certainly didn’t want Jude to begin treating her with kid gloves, as if she was fragile.

  Still, she didn’t like keeping this from him....

  When sadness tried to gain a foothold, Gabi firmly reminded herself this was a day for love and romance. Though she might not be able to profess her love, she could show Jude how she felt. Tonight, if everything went as anticipated...she’d give him her body as she’d given him her heart.

  Her lips quirked upward. Before she took off her clothes, she had to put some on. Since she hadn’t been sure how dressy the café would be, Gabi had checked the internet. Thankfully, the management of The Garden appeared firmly grounded in the twenty-first century. She found pictures—both interior and exterior—and a menu online.

  The only comparison between this place and The Horseback Hollow Grill appeared to be that they were both eating establishments in the state of Texas.

  The place looked decidedly upscale, so Gabi decided on a red lace dress with the high neckline she’d purchased in an after-Christmas sale. Expert use of the curling iron turned her normally wavy hair into a mass of tumbled curls. Lipstick, the same shade as her dress, was carefully applied.

  Gabi was happy she’d gone to the extra effort when she opened the door and saw Jude. The man looked positively scrumptious in a suit, a crisp white shirt open at the neck and sleek black oxfords.

  “These are for you.” He offered her a florist’s box tied with a white ribbon with silver threads.

  When she opened it, Gabi found two dozen red roses nestled inside. Their fragrant scent filled the room.

  “They’re lovely.” Gabi swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Thank you. Let me put them in water.”

  She quickly arranged the flowers in a cut-crystal vase and gave them one last look before she got into his truck and they drove to Vicker’s Corners.

  Jude laughed when Gabi mimed her dad’s reaction to the rehab center’s plans to show a romantic comedy in the lounge that evening.

  “The ma
le patients threatened to boycott,” Gabi informed Jude.

  He turned off the highway toward Vicker’s Corners. “Were their demands met?”

  “They most certainly were.” Gabi grinned. “The very romantic Live Free or Die Hard will now be on the screen this evening.”

  Jude chuckled and slowed when they reached the town’s quaint business district. The sidewalks were filled with couples enjoying the warm evening. “I’ll drop you off at the café then look for a parking space.”

  “Absolutely not.” Gabi’s tone brooked no argument. “It’s a beautiful evening. I’d enjoy a stroll.”

  He stopped the truck and waited for a car to back out of a parking spot. “Are you certain you’ll be okay walking several blocks?”

  She gave him a long, penetrating look.

  Turning the wheel sharply, he commandeered the vacated space and grinned. “Message received loud and clear.”

  “I’ve been walking in heels most of my life,” Gabi said when he helped her out of the truck, pleased when she saw his gaze linger on her legs.

  The look he shot her three-inch heels was clearly disbelieving.

  “I could run a marathon in these shoes,” she insisted.

  “I’m not saying a word.” Jude smiled, a boyish sort of smile that sent her stomach into flips and melted her heart.

  The antique streetlights were on, lending a golden glow to the night. Laughter and what sounded like a mix between rock and country music spilled out to the street from several drinking establishments.

  “I heard on the radio the area hit record highs today,” Gabi said conversationally as they walked down the street.

  “A perfect evening.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “With the perfect woman.”

  Gabi laughed self-consciously. “I’m hardly perfect.”

  “C’mon.” He put a hand protectively around her waist when they were forced to navigate through a crowd of casually dressed couples on the sidewalk outside a Tex-Mex cantina. “You even eat right.”

  “That’s something everyone should do,” she pointed out.

  “I try,” Jude admitted. “But it’s my fondness for sweets that gets me in trouble. My mother had to put a padlock on the cookie jar when I was growing up.”