Page 11 of Texas Temptation

“Mommy!”

Caleb brightened instantly and ran to her.

The phone rang.

“Caleb.”

She swung him up into her arms, hugging him close.

“Are you all better?” he asked.

“Everett,” Cade said into the phone, watching Jordan and her son. The images blurred and he saw Marissa swing up their daughter. She’d adored Vicki. He’d loved them both so much. Missed them every day.

He turned away, forcing his gaze to move to the folder, ignoring the scene unfolding near the office door. He had work to do and the sooner he became involved, the sooner the piercing pain would fade.

“Cade says I can’t ride. Can you get me a horse?” Caleb asked his mother.

Conscious of her reluctant host on the phone, she stepped into the outer office.

“Shh, he’s busy. No, we can’t get a horse. We need to get back home. Joe’s going to be mad as it is. I’m already late returning to work and haven’t even let him know we’re still in Texas.”

“I like it here.”

“Home is best,” Jordan said, relishing the feel of her little boy.

He struggled to get down. She never got to hold him as long as she wanted anymore. He was growing up too fast.

Glancing around, Jordan was amazed at the high-tech feel to the office. Amelia’s rambles had included information about Cade, and every other person in a twenty-five-mile radius, she suspected.

But it was the newly gained knowledge that Cade ran the family holdings that had fascinated her. She’d thought he was a rancher, and while Amelia assured her he lived for part of the year on the ranch, he also had penthouse apartments in Los Angeles, New York and Dallas. According to Amelia, it was nothing unusual for Cade and his personal assistant to take off on short notice for one or the other city when business demanded.

“Want to come see the horses, Mommy?” Caleb asked, struggling to be let down.

She put him on his feet and brushed his cheek. Leaning against the desk, she shook her head.

“Not just yet. I want to talk to Mr. Everett.”

She glanced through the opened door and wondered how long he’d be on the phone. She felt embarrassed to have stayed so long in his house. While she still felt a little shaky, she knew she’d infringed on his hospitality long enough. After thanking him, she’d pack Caleb’s things and head back for Florida. Her suitcase was all ready to go.

“Can I go see the horses?” Caleb asked. “Mr. Murray said it’s okay as long as I stay out of the corral. I just climb up the fence. I never go inside the corral.”

“Is that what you’ve been doing while I was sick?” Jordan asked, brushing back his hair.

How could she have been unaware of the passage of four days?

He nodded, his eyes shining.

“Okay, then, if it’s all right with those in charge. But we aren’t staying long. We have to get back home. As soon as I speak with Mr. Everett, we’ll be on our way.”

His face fell. “Do we have to? I love it here. They’ve got horses and cows and dogs and even a cat in the barn, but I can’t pat her because she doesn’t much cotton to people.”

Jordan almost laughed at Caleb’s phrasing. Who had he been talking to?

“Then run along and say your goodbyes.”

Jordan watched Caleb scamper away. Hearing Cade’s voice in the background, she suspected his call would last a few minutes. Tired, she moved to sit in the chair behind the desk. She still felt weak.

And mortified that she’d been four days imposing on these kind people. How could she have been so sick?

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