Page 39 of Texas Temptation

She looked at her son, her heart swelling in love. The bandages were due to be removed next week. The prognosis was outstanding. She knew Amelia and Rosita loved watching him. Even so, it was a lot to ask of a mother who had never spent the night away from him before his hospital stay.

“A couple of days at most. He’ll be fine.”

“Now dear, don’t worry about Caleb. We’ll watch him like he was our own,” Amelia said, rising and brushing down the flowing skirt of her soft peach dress. Her white hair was neat even after a day of watching a mischievous four-year-old. She smiled at Caleb.

“We’ll have fun while your mom is away, won’t we?”

“Where are you going?”

A hint of panic touched her son's voice.

“On a business trip to Los Angeles,” Cade said, his gaze never leaving Jordan. “I’ll tell you what, Caleb. If you’re good, I’ll have Joe bring in one dog so you can see him while we’re gone?”

“Every day?”

Jordan hid a smile and felt a small pang. Her son was not above negotiating. She wasn’t sure how to feel knowing a dog would make up for her being gone.

“Every day.”

“Okay. Bring me back a present,” he loftily commanded his mother.

“We’ll see. Nothing’s been decided,” she said.

“I know it’s short notice. Penny always keeps a suitcase packed for just such sudden trips. Can you be ready by morning?” Cade asked.

Jordan shook her head.

“I don’t have any clothes that would be appropriate. All I brought were jeans and shorts—and only enough for a few days. I didn’t know at the time I’d be here so long.”

It seemed another lifetime that she’d arrived and been so disappointed not to find Caleb’s father. Now she had a difficult time even remembering what he looked like or what appeal he’d had for her five years ago.

“You can pick up some things once we get there. I booked us on the nine am. flight. We have reservations for a suite at the Innsbrook on Wilshire Boulevard. With any luck, we’ll finish in two days and home that night.”

Jordan had a hard time concentrating on anything after the word suite. It conjured up memories of the last suite they shared—with Amelia. Only this time, it would be only the two of them. When she realized Cade and Amelia were both looking at her oddly, she nodded.

“Fine. I’ll be ready first thing tomorrow.”

Afraid to give away her thoughts, she turned to head for her room with a murmured “see you in a bit” for Caleb.

Cade stopped her before she reached the door.

“Jordan?”

She stopped, turned. He came closer until she breathed in the scent of his aftershave mingled with the masculine scent that was Cade’s own. Heat from his body enveloped her and she tried desperately to remember he was her boss, nothing more.

“You are not worried about traveling with me, are you?” he asked.

“Should I be?”

Her heart was pounding. She hoped he couldn’t tell. Feeling much like a schoolgirl with a first crush, she tried to compose her thoughts and her features to hide any sign. How embarrassing for both of them if Cade ever suspected how she felt about him.

“No. I had Jasmine reserve a suite for convenience. You’ll have your privacy and I’ll have mine. But if I need work done late at night, then it would be better for both of us to be readily available.”

“I understand.”

She waited a moment, but he said nothing further.

“I’ll see you at dinner,” she said and escaped into the bedroom.

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