Page 32 of Texas Temptation

“What plans?”

“I’m taking Jordan to Dallas tomorrow. Her son’s having surgery and I need to be there.”

Chapter Six

Jordan almost dropped her jaw. Cade was telling Gloria he needed to be with her when Caleb had his surgery? She was stunned. Though not as surprised as Gloria seemed when she spun around to glare at Jordan.

“You’re going to the hospital with her? She has a child and you’re involved? What happened to your famous vow to stay away from entanglements and from all children?” she asked, hands on hips, glaring at Cade.

Jordan felt a small spurt of pleasure to see the anger on the woman’s face. She studied Cade. He didn’t seem very perturbed to have Gloria angry at him.

“I’ve been waiting for two years for you to loosen up a little. Here’s a perfect opportunity to get back in the swing of things, and you’re going to some hospital with a stranger?” Gloria almost shouted.

“I don’t know what you mean about waiting, but I’m driving Jordan in tomorrow morning early and I don’t know when we’ll be back, but not tomorrow night. We’re staying in a hotel in town close to the hospital,” Cade said, his eyes narrowed as he regarded his neighbor warily.

If looks could injure, Gloria’s venomous expression would have shriveled Jordan right up.

She wanted to protest she knew nothing about Cade’s plans, but loyalty kept her quiet. And curious.

What was he doing telling her such a tall tale? Amelia was going with her. Granted, they’d discussed staying at the hotel closest to the hospital together, but no mention of Cade had been made. Jordan thought he was needed with the cattle roundup or something.

“Call me when you finish playing nursemaid,” Gloria said, stalking out.

They heard the car door slam. When the wheels spun and squealed, Jordan dared a glance at Cade. He was watching her.

“She has a bit of a temper,” he said.

Wisely, Jordan decided not to respond to that.

“I didn’t expect you back until later.”

“My horse threw a shoe. We didn’t have a replacement with us, so I brought him in to have it fixed.”

She purposely didn’t bring up his startling comment he was going into Dallas with her, but she wanted to. Would he? Or was that just an excuse for the pushy Gloria? What exactly was their relationship? Not that it mattered, Jordan tried to convince herself. She and Cade were not involved.

“Anything crucial? Or do I have time to go get cleaned up before dinner?” he asked.

“There were two phone calls I referred to the Dallas office. The rest said they could wait until Monday. Hank sent you a long report that I printed, and you got two others that were single sheets.”

She couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer.

“Did you mean it when you said you’re driving us into Dallas, or was that just an excuse for Gloria?”

“I meant it.”

He turned and headed toward the house to shower and change before dinner.

Jordan watched him walk away. Had something happened she didn’t know about? Why was he involving himself in her problem after saying he wanted to keep his distance?

Amelia said he never took part in family events anymore. Why would he do something for her—a stranger?

Gloria had been right. From what had happened to his family, helping Jordan out seemed to be the last thing he’d want to do. Yet she was sure she’d just heard him say he was accompanying them tomorrow.

Amelia was as surprised as Jordan to learn of Cade’s change of plans. She’d reserved a suite at the hotel closest to the hospital, thinking she and Jordan would need some time and space to be rested for Caleb.

If Cade accompanied them, they’d have to share the suite—or he’d have to get his own room. She watched Cade throughout dinner, trying to divine what had happened to the man. He appeared unconcerned, but Amelia knew something was up. He hadn’t been interested in anything except work for months.

Speculatively, she glanced at Jordan and then Caleb, then back to her nephew.

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