Page 12 of Texas Temptation

According to Amelia, the doctor had said it was borderline pneumonia. They must think her crazy to show up at their front door so ill. But she’d truly thought it was a cold.

She’d offer to reimburse Cade for their expenses. It’d take even more from the operation fund, but that couldn’t be helped. She wouldn’t be beholden to anyone. Her aunt Maggie had harped on that all the years Jordan lived with her.

Closing her eyes, she rested her head on the back of the chair. As soon as she’d finished with Cade Everett, she’d find a motel in Tumbleweed and stay another day to rest up. By then, she’d be ready for the drive home.

She’d better call Joe and make sure he knew she hadn’t disappeared off the face of the earth. And a quick call to her friend Julie, too. She’d be eager to know the outcome of the trip.

Thinking of all she had to do, Jordan slowly drifted off to sleep.

Cade hung up the phone, satisfied with the conversation. If Jim followed up as he’d promised, Cade wouldn’t have to take a trip to LA anytime soon.

Tossing the folder to the corner of the desk, he reached for the phone to call the temp agency. Tumbleweed wasn’t large enough to support more than one agency, and their selection of potential employees was slim. Too bad. They’d just have to find someone else. The two they’d sent hadn’t worked out.

He heard a chair squeak. Curious, he rose and crossed to the outer office. Jordan Carhart was asleep in Penny’s chair. She was listing slightly to the left, and if she continued her slow slide, she’d fall over.

He reached out and shook her shoulder lightly. When she opened her eyes and looked up at him in sleepy confusion, he felt an odd unfurling deep within.

She looked young, innocent, and unaware of where she was. Her hair was a soft cloud of gold around her face, soft and silky. Her eyes shimmered in silvery lights.

For a moment Cade yearned to touch that hair, to sift it through his fingers and feel its silken weight, let it flow around his hand like gossamer. To stare into the silvery pools of her eyes and forget all of yesterday’s heartaches.

He frowned and jerked his hand away. What was he thinking? She was a troublesome visitor, nothing more. And he wanted nothing to do with any woman. He’d loved his wife. Her death had devastated him. He refused to become involved again, even superficially. Death was too final, a parting too painful.

“I’m sorry,” she said, standing abruptly. “I fell asleep again. You must think I’m crazy. Usually I have tons of energy.”

“You’ve been very sick. Should you even be up today?” he asked, studying her closely.

“I’m fine. Actually, we’ll be leaving soon. I wanted to thank you for all your help. I’m, um, I wanted to reimburse you for any—”

He shook his head and stepped away before her light fragrance muddled his brain.

“No need. I hope you have a pleasant journey home.”

She smiled uncertainly.

“Thank you. If you ever hear of another Cade Cullen Everett, would you let me know? I’ll leave my address and phone number.”

He looked at her for a long moment. What were the chances of there really being another Cade Cullen Everett? Had she come to attempt a scam? If so, why hadn’t she followed through? Nothing had been said, nothing even hinted.

If she was trying to run a con, she sure had a long way to go. Caleb had mentioned getting money for his eyes, but Jordan Carhart had never raised the subject.

Maybe she was just what she said she was, a young mother searching for her child’s father.

“If I ever hear of another man with my name, I’ll let you know.”

Jordan held out her hand.

“Thank you again, Mr. Everett. I appreciate all your hospitality.”

He shook her hand, surprised at the sensation he experienced when he touched her. Her hand was cool, firm in his. She didn’t hold on, never tried to flirt, but the jolt of awareness was real.

“Tell me why you came here, Jordan Carhart,” he said on a impulse. “Caleb said something about an operation for his eyes.”

She nodded, raising her chin slightly.

“I know you’ve seen how they are crossed. The insurance I have doesn’t cover the cost for the operation, so I have been saving almost since he was born to pay for it.” She shrugged. “When I saw the article in the newspaper about your family donating money to the Last Wish Foundation, I thought I’d found Caleb’s father. I thought—”

He waited a moment when she went silent.

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