Page 28 of Texas Temptation

“I came to talk to your mother when she’s finished here,” he said gruffly.

“Oh.”

The disappointment was almost tangible.

“But now that Cade’s here, he can help me tuck you in, can’t you?”

Jordan’s glare clearly conveyed her message—help or else.

Cade stepped inside and crossed to the bed.

“Good night,” he said.

“You have to tuck in the covers,” Caleb said.

Cade pulled the covers taut, tucking them around Caleb.

“Sleep well,” he said, stepping back.

Jordan kissed her son and hugged him.

“Tomorrow you can tell Mr. Murray all about your operation.”

“And about getting ice cream when I’m good for the operation,” Caleb added.

“That’s right. I love you, Caleb,” she said, kissing him again.

“Night Mommy. Night Mr. Everett.”

“Call me Cade,” Cade said.

Might as well. The longer name was a mouthful for a little kid.

When they closed the door to the room behind them, Jordan turned.

“What did you want to see me about?” she asked.

He was too close. She could feel the heat of his body envelop her. Was he deliberately invading her space? Slowly, she took a step backward to a safer distance. She almost laughed. He hadn’t kissed her last night, and she doubted he had any plans in that direction tonight. She was letting her imagination take flight.

He didn’t seem to be aware of her discomfort or crazy thoughts. Not about the kiss and not about the fact she wanted to fling herself into his arms and have him tell her everything would be all right.

No one could guarantee that. And he’d probably think her certifiably crazy if she did so.

“I wanted to discuss a few things about work. How about we go out on the veranda? The evening’s still warm,” he suggested.

She nodded, her heart skipping a beat. It had been on the veranda he’d almost kissed her. Hadn’t he?

Not that she would encourage that kind of thing, even if he were interested.

Jordan knew her stay was temporary. She had no more illusions about love and marriage and happily ever after. She’d thought she was in love with the boy she’d met at spring break, but as time had passed, she realized she’d been in love with the illusion of love. With the fantasy of devotion and fun and desire. They had little in common—like honesty and reliability. She knew so little about the man who had fathered Caleb.

She’d grown since then. Now she felt more mature and more discerning. She wanted a lot more than a casual fling, no matter how appealing it might be with Cade.

He gestured toward the rockers to the right of the front door, and Jordan sat in one. She had a view of the rolling hills, fading to black as the night came down.

She could hear the murmur of voices from the bunkhouse. Once in a while a man laughed.

Cade sat in the chair beside her, where he’d been last night when she’d found him.

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