Texas Temptation (Making a Family #1)

Chapter Three

“Not much,” Jordan said, surprised at the question. Waiting tables was nothing like working in an office.

“Can you type, answer the phones?” he persisted.

She thought about the hours she’s spent on the Internet searching for Caleb’s father while Caleb enjoyed storybook time in the library. About the endless letters she’d typed on the library computers and sent out—always searching.

“I can type, but not fast. And anyone can answer a phone.”

“I need clerical help,” he said. “Penny, my personal assistant, had to leave on a family emergency a few days ago. I’ve had two incompetent women in since then, and the office is in more chaos than if I had had no one.”

“I have a job waiting for me in South Beach,” Jordan said.

“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll make up the difference for Caleb’s surgery and he can have the operation in Dallas. In exchange, you work for me until Penny returns.”

That would solve the problem of a temp leaving in a huff.

Jordan stared at the man. He would pay for the surgery for a total stranger? What was the catch?

“How long is Penny going to be gone?”

“I do not know, a couple of weeks, a couple of months. She’s supposed to let me know when she has a better handle on things at her end. Do we have a deal?”

Jordan bit her lip, hope flooding. Did he mean it? He’d pay the balance for Caleb’s surgery if she worked in his office until Penny returned? Could she get Joe to hold her job until she got back to Florida?

Did she even care about that job if she got Caleb’s surgery taken care of? Good waitresses weren’t as plentiful as people thought. She’d be able to get another job if Joe wouldn’t take her back.

The thought of having Caleb’s eyes fixed before he started school made her almost giddy.

“Just office work?” she clarified. He wasn’t expecting anything else, was he? Not that she was some femme fatale, but his offer seemed too generous for mere clerical work—especially for someone who had no office experience.

His PA could return before the surgery was even scheduled. Then what?

“I have a housekeeper. I don’t need another one. And Amelia doubles as hostess when I have a need for one for business events. I only need help with office work,” Cade replied.

“I won’t be fast or as efficient as a trained office worker,” she warned.

Was she an idiot? She should snap up his offer in a heartbeat.

The offer seemed too good to be true. There had to be a hidden string attached somewhere. But Jordan didn’t care. The fact Caleb would have his operation was all that mattered to her.

“I have several thousand dollars saved up. I’ll have my bank transfer it out here,” she said. “I don’t need the entire operation paid for, just the difference from what I have saved.”

“I said I’d take care of the bill. You keep your money,” Cade said. “We can settle all that after the operation. Are you up to starting now?”

“I can’t believe you’d offer to do this for me. For Caleb.”

Cade narrowed his gaze as he looked at her.

After a long moment, he said, “I’m doing it for Vicki.”

The phone rang.

Jordan looked at it, then at him.

“I start now?”

He hesitated, studying her pale features.

“Work until lunch, then rest up this afternoon. Time enough tomorrow to put in a full day.” He nodded toward the phone, “Answer it—Everett Enterprises.”

She picked up the phone, her voice rich and firm as she identified the business. She had seen enough television to know how topnotch professionals acted. Too bad her faded jeans and loose top weren’t sophisticated apparel. That definitely ruined any competent image she could hope to give.

She covered the receiver.

“A Mr. Baker from a bank.”

“I’ll take it in my office.”

Jordan held the receiver to her ear until she heard Cade pick up, then hung up her phone. The vast array of buttons and numbers on the console phone had her confused.

Of course, a business office would have several phone lines. Was there an instruction booklet somewhere to give her a clue on how to use the thing?

She sat back down, feeling breathless and excited. Cade Everett was going to see to Caleb’s operation. Her son’s eyes would be completely normal within weeks.

It felt as if an enormous weight lifted from her shoulders at the generosity of one man.

But why was he doing this? Surely he could hire help with no trouble. Why pay what would be the equivalent of an exorbitant fee for the length of time she’d be working?

And where was she going to live in the meantime? Who’d take care of Caleb while she worked? He couldn’t run wild around the ranch.

She had to call Joe. She needed to call Julie, her best friend, to tell her where she was, all that had happened. Maybe listen to a word of warning.

Jordan knew Vicki had been Cade’s daughter. Amelia had regaled her with enough stories about the little girl that Jordan felt she’d known her.

Suddenly she frowned. She’d have to do the best job she could. She hoped his helping Caleb would ease some of the pain from his daughter’s loss.

Since Cade seemed to spend most of his time on the phone that morning, Jordan had gone through every drawer and file in Penny’s desk by lunchtime, halfway feeling as if she were trespassing.

But Jordan wanted to do the best she could, so tried to learn as much as she could about how the office operated. Even so, she’d never be able to repay Cade Everett for the gift he was giving.

She scrolled through a list of names and numbers she found on the computer, wishing Penny had provided background on each person. Especially the notations that had only first names, like Hank or Sara.

Jordan had excellent recall. She often took the orders from a large group without aid of a notepad. If Cade asked her to call someone, she knew she’d remember if their name had been on the list.

She scrolled through some other files on the computer, getting a feel for how he liked his letters, the kinds of correspondence he had his PA handle.

She didn’t find a booklet to show her how to use the phone. Trial and error would have to suffice, she thought fatalistically when she disconnected a caller.

If Cade Everett wanted her to know how to run the phone, he’d have to show her or let her learn as she went.

A separate phone, a single line, rang. Jordan lifted it.

“Everett Enterprises,” she said brightly.

“Hi, Mommy. Rosita said I could call you to see if you’re coming to lunch. She made tacos and salad and other stuff.”

Jordan glanced at the clock. It was almost one.

“Yes, I could go for some lunch. I’ll be right there.”

The morning hours had flown by.

Cade was on the phone—again. It hadn’t stopped ringing since that first call. She’d found the message pads and carefully wrote the names and numbers. Getting jumbled up on two messages, she figured he’d know what the call was about.

Did she just leave for lunch? Should she let him know she was leaving?

She went to the door to his office, the stack of phone messages in hand. He looked up and covered the receiver with his hand.

“Do you need something?” he asked.

“Caleb called and said Rosita had prepared lunch.”

“Bring me back a plate.”

With that, he resumed his phone conversation.

She placed the stack of notes on his desk and took off.

Jordan savored the warm sunshine as she crossed from the office to the main house. The sky was cloudless. The scent of dried grass and a hint of cattle and horses filled the air. What a difference from the downpour when they arrived.

She could hardly believe all that had transpired since that afternoon. First, Cade had not been the man she was looking for. Then she’d fainted away like some Victorian wimp, which made her feel totally a flake.

Being sick was not deliberate, but she still couldn’t believe the hospitality of the Everetts to put her up for four days. And instead of demanding compensation, Cade was going to pay for Caleb’s surgery. It all seemed like a dream. Would she awaken soon and find she was late for work at Joe’s Fish Tacos?

However, walking up the steps into the house, Jordan felt exhausted. Not that she’d admit that to anyone. She didn’t want Cade to think she wasn’t up to the job and withdraw his offer. She hoped the midday meal would perk her up—maybe even enough to finish the day in the office.

Or it might be better to take Cade up on his offer to take the afternoon off. She had to make plans for their stay in Texas. Hopefully Amelia would suggest a reasonably priced apartment complex. If she didn’t return to work today, she could drive into Tumbleweed and find accommodation.

And a day care center for Caleb.

There were tons of things to do, but none of them seemed insurmountable. After all, her darling little boy would soon have his eyes fixed.

Amelia and Caleb were already seated at the large dining room table when Jordan joined them.

“Cade not coming?” Amelia asked, peering behind Jordan.

“He’s on the phone, asked if I’d bring a plate. Should I take it first?”

“No, dear. Sit down and eat. You look pale. Maybe you should take a long nap this afternoon. You just got up this morning for the first time in four days. My mother always said a woman needed to look after herself because the menfolks surely wouldn’t.”

“Tacos, Mommy,” Caleb said, holding up a crisp corn tortilla filled with meat, lettuce and cheese.

“It looks delicious, sweetie.”

Jordan sat where Amelia indicated and soon had her own plate filled with a delicious taco salad. Rosita had made the traditional tacos for Caleb. Jordan was surprised and touched at the extra effort the housekeeper had gone to for her son.

“Come with me to see the horses after lunch,” Caleb said.

“Your mother needs to rest,” Amelia said emphatically.

“Oh, I can’t. Cade hired me to work in the office until his PA gets back. I don’t have time for a nap. There’s so much to do.”

“Nonsense. You’re exhausted, I can tell. A quick nap is important. I’ll tell the man myself.”

Visions of being fired before the day ended flashed through Jordan’s mind.

“I’m fine. Lunch will give me plenty of energy. And I’m grateful for the job. I don’t want to jeopardize it.”

“Aunt Amelia said she’d go with me to the horses, can’t you, too?” Caleb said.

“Caleb. She’s not your aunt.”

“I asked the child to call me aunt. It’s little enough. I so love children. I loved being around while Cade and his sister and cousins were little. Vicki was such a darling precious child.”

“It must be so hard to lose a child,” Jordan murmured.

“It is, even one not my own. She’s been dead these two years now. Their car was broadsided by a drunken driver when she was eight. She and Marissa never had a chance, the police said.”

Amelia shook her head in sorrow.

“I truly didn’t think Cade would survive. When he heard, he went crazy. Then he just closed himself off from everything.”

Jordan’s gaze moved to Caleb, her own precious child. What would she do if something happened to him? How would she survive?

If closing himself off worked for Cade, more power to him. She thought she’d probably die herself from a broken heart.

“Vicki was almost as horse crazy as Caleb. She loved to ride. She had the sweetest pony. A lot of ponies aren’t sweet, don’t you know? But this one was. And she followed her dad around whenever he was home. Marissa could only have the one child and they both doted on her.”

“Cade offered to pay the balance for Caleb’s operation,” Jordan said, “saying it was for Vicki.”

Amelia looked surprised.

“Did he? How unexpected.” She reached for more iced tea. “He always had a soft spot for kids. But since Vicki died, he’s made it clear he doesn’t want his niece or nephew visiting for long, or any of his cousins’ children. I think their presence reminds him too strongly of Vicki’s death.”

Amelia regaled them with funny stories of the younger generation and the antics they got into on the ranch. It helped lighten the mood.

“I’ll need to find a place to stay. Maybe you can give me some suggestions of where to look in Tumbleweed,” Jordan said a little later when they were almost finished lunch.

“I wouldn’t hear of it. You and Caleb need to stay right here. I can watch him myself while you work. And Rosita loves children. She has seven herself and four grandchildren already. Besides, staying here will save time driving back and forth. If Caleb’s having an operation, he’ll need care while he recovers, so where better than right here?”

Amelia beamed at Jordan, then winked at Caleb.

Her rose-colored dress was the perfect foil for her snowy white hair and pink cheeks. Jordan could feel the honesty in the woman’s tone and actions. Amelia genuinely liked people and sincerely wanted to help.

Jordan had the feeling Amelia would have done well as a hostess for some rich ranch owner in the earlier days. She loved flowery, feminine clothes, had a graciousness about her that was endearing. And she loved children. What better person to watch her son when Jordan could not?

Except Jordan couldn’t let her.

What would Cade say when he heard of his aunt’s invitation? The job hadn’t come with an offer of room and board.

Jordan needed to be independent. And she couldn’t infringe any longer on these people’s generous hospitality.

She finished lunch quickly, promising to go see the horses with Caleb once she had a chance. Taking a covered plate from Rosita, she hurried back to the office. Lunch had given her renewed energy. She still felt tired, but not too tired to slack off.

Cade stood by the printer when she entered, watching as page after page rolled out.

Jordan studied him for a moment before he realized she’d returned. She attributed the lines around his mouth to sadness. Was the solemn way he viewed life as a direct result of the blows life had dealt?

How sad he pushed other family members away. They might help him remember the good times and get past the immediate pain of loss.

Amelia said it had been two years—not that there was a time limit on grieving. But he needed to move on and find happiness where he could.

Jordan knew this from the death of her own parents, and more recently, Aunt Maggie. She had only Caleb. She’d have welcomed family rallying around when her elderly aunt died.

Cade looked up and caught her gaze, then saw the plate.

“Thanks. I’m hungry.”

“Rosita piled it high, saying you needed to eat it all.”

“If I ate all Rosita gave me, I’d need to bunk in the barn. None of the beds in the house would hold me.”

Jordan grinned. Maybe he wasn’t such a somber man after all.

“I can watch the papers for you if you want to eat. Will the machine jam?”

“No, I’m just waiting for the full report so I can read it.”

“Go eat, I’ll bring it in when it’s all here,” she said, holding out the plate.

Cade took it and went into his office. He was hungry enough to eat everything Rosita had sent. As he ate, he looked into the outer office. By angling his chair just so, he could see Jordan standing by the printer. She was faithfully watching each sheet as it came out, taking it and stacking it with the rest. Her jeans were loose on her. Had she lost weight because of being ill, or was she naturally thin?

A few weeks of Rosita’s food and she’d plump up a bit.

He looked away. He didn’t care if she did or didn’t fill out. She was merely a stranger who was going to help him out until Penny came back. A stranger with silky blond hair and sparkling silvery eyes. Her skin was flawless, and surprisingly pale for someone who lived in a beach town in Florida. Or was it because of her recent illness?

He took another bite of the spicy taco salad and tried to banish his thoughts. He didn’t care what she did or didn’t do in Florida. As long as she didn’t fly out of here in a huff like the last two temps, he’d be satisfied.

She brought in the printed pages, placing the stack near the plate on the desk.

He nodded, but she didn’t leave. When he looked at her, she appeared nervous.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“I don’t think so.”

She cleared her throat, glanced down at the report, then met his eyes.

“Your aunt invited us to stay here while I’m working for you. I asked her to recommend a place in town where we could live but she insisted we plan to remain here. I’m sure room and board aren’t in the deal, so maybe you could recommend a place for us to look at in Tumbleweed. I could try to get something lined up this afternoon.”

He’d never thought about housing. Of course, she had no place to stay in Texas. She was from Florida.

If she had to get a place in town, it’d have to be furnished, inexpensive and without a lease. Nothing like that came to mind.

There was the added worry about who would watch her son—especially after the surgery, when Cade was sure he’d have to be kept quiet for a while. Jordan Carhart knew no one in town. How would she keep her mind on business when a stranger was watching her convalescing child?

Amelia and Rosita would spoil the child in their delight to watch him.

“Staying here makes the most sense,” he said. “If you don’t like the lilac room, ask Rosita to give you another.”

She looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.

“I can’t stay here.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“Why not?”

“You’re already doing so much. I can’t take room and board as well.”

She certainly wasn’t running some scam. He’d been around his fair share of proud, determined women. Marissa had been very independent. Now this. Try to do a good deed and have to argue about it.

Do a good deed? Where had that come from?

He was merely helping a child who needed it. It was easy to throw money at a problem. And he had it to spare. Not that it meant a thing. All the money in the world wouldn’t have saved Vicki or Marissa.

Thinking about them usually brought their images to mind. But now he only saw Jordan.

“I have to read this report and draft a response. We’ll need to get it emailed back today. Look for the Milford file. The temp couldn’t find it or any of the others I asked for. How hard can it be?”

Jordan looked as if she wanted to argue the point of staying, but he had ended the discussion. She was smart enough to pick up on that.

Cade relaxed slightly when she went to the file cabinets in her office and opened drawer after drawer. He could hear them slam shut. So the lady had a temper. She looked so sweet and young and feminine he hadn’t expected that. She’d learned to control that temper somewhere. He hadn’t picked up a clue until she slammed the drawers. What would it be like to let loose? Did that passionate feeling spill over into other areas? Like when she was involved with a man?