Texas Temptation (Making a Family #1)

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.

Immediately following their evening meal, Cade left for the office, with strict instructions for everyone to get to bed early. They’d leave promptly at 4:30 in the morning.

Since Caleb would don a hospital gown once they arrived, Jordan let him wear his pajamas the next morning for the ride into the city.

The air was crisp and cool, the stars still brilliant in the sky, dawn more than an hour away as they pulled away from the house.

Jordan felt keyed up, apprehensive, and still amazed the operation was actually going to take place. Even when she paid Cade back the money, she’d never be able to repay his kindness to a stranger.

Cade drove swiftly through the dark, saying little, listening to his aunt. Amelia sat in the front with him, sipping coffee Rosita had prepared and chatting almost nonstop. Jordan tried to relax, but she was edgy and nervous. Her precious little boy was having surgery.

All thanks to the man driving. A complex creature whom she’d never have suspected of warmth from their first encounter. Yet who was single-handedly doing more for her son than anyone else ever had.

Once again, she wished he had been Caleb’s father. Not that Cade would have acted like Caleb’s biological father had, but a woman could dream.

Once they arrived at the hospital, he handled everything efficiently and with no wasted energy. Before Jordan realized it, Caleb had been wheeled away, and she was left in the surgery waiting room with Cade and Amelia—with four hours ahead before Caleb would be in recovery.

Restless, she paced the small waiting room, praying Caleb’s good spirits would hold, that the operation would be a success, that nothing would go wrong.

“Let’s go for breakfast,” Cade suggested, glancing around. “This place makes me edgy.”

“I couldn’t eat anything,” Jordan replied.

“I could. And you need to. He’ll be raring to go when he’s out of here. You’re already too thin. You need to put some pounds on,” Cade said.

“He’s right, dear. We’ll need all our energy when he’s home. I think a nice breakfast will help in more ways than one. We can’t just keep our eye on the clock. Time would pass too slowly,” Amelia said, adding her weight to the argument.

Outnumbered, Jordan nodded.

“But only as far as the hospital cafeteria. I’ll leave word at the nurses’ station.”

While the cafeteria wasn’t crowded—it was too early—there were still several people ahead of them. Jordan had an omelet made to order. Amelia wandered to the cereal display. Cade came up behind Jordan, watching the short-order cook as he scrambled eggs, fried them and kept a steady stream of bacon and sausages cooking.

“Why did you change your mind and decide to come today?” she asked, glancing up at him. “Was it something Gloria said?”

“No, I decided before seeing her. I began thinking yesterday on the ride back to the house what I’d want someone to do for Vicki had the circumstances been different. I don’t know who used my name five years ago, but it tied us together.”

He hesitated a moment, as if gearing up for a hard confession, then continued, “I’ll never get to see my daughter grow up, get married, provide me with grandchildren. But I used to like kids. Still do, I guess. I’ve shut myself away from them lately. Marissa and Vicki both would be disappointed. Maybe helping Caleb can show them I haven’t abdicated life’s responsibilities because they are no longer here with me.”

“You’re a kind man, Cade. Anyone else would have shut the door in my face or cried fraud or something that first afternoon,” Jordan said.

She hated feeling so beholden, but would do almost anything for her son. She just hoped in her life, she could pass on the kindness.

He glanced around, then leaned close, almost whispering in her ear.

“I have a reputation in this town. Don’t you dare repeat you think I’m kind.”

Jordan laughed, as she suspected was his intent. His dark eyes gazed down into hers. For a moment she longed to step into his arms, rest in the safety they offered. She yearned to feel his mouth on hers again, to lean against his strength. She wished she had that right with an intensity that frightened her.

But, as Aunt Maggie always said, that which doesn’t harm us strengthens us. Jordan had been on her own for years. Nothing had changed since meeting Cade. She deliberately stepped away from temptation.

She had to be strong for her son. It was the two of them against the world. This time with Cade was magical, but fleeting. Soon they’d be on their way back to Florida, with memories to last a lifetime. And a debt she could never fully repay.

Less than an hour passed before they returned to the surgery waiting room. Cade hesitated in the doorway, then looked at Jordan.

“Amelia will stay with you. I can’t stay here. I’m going into work. Here’s my cell number. Let me know as soon as you hear something.”

“Okay.” Jordan put the number into her phone, disappointed he wasn’t staying, but trying not to show it. He’d already given her more time than she had a right to expect.

Once he left, she sat beside Amelia.

“I expect it was hard for him to be here, don’t you think?” she asked the older woman, feeling anxiety creep in. She prayed her son would be all right.

“He had to go to the hospital when he was called about Marissa and Vicki—to identify them. I don’t expect any experience with such a facility will ever be easy in the future. It will always hold memories of that horrible day,” Amelia said.

Jordan nodded. It made his coming and staying as long as he did even more special. She just couldn’t help wishing he’d stayed a little longer.

The rest of the morning seemed to drag by in a blur. She and Amelia talked desultorily. She leafed through magazines, paced to the window, and tried not to watch the clock.

Finally, the surgeon came out to report on the success of the operation. Jordan was allowed into the children’s recovery room to await Caleb’s return to consciousness. He had bandages over his left eye and looked so small and pale in the big bed her heart turned over.

She dialed Cade.

He answered on the first ring.

“Hi, it’s me. Caleb’s out of surgery. Every thing went well.”

Jordan burst into tears.

“Jordan?”

She tried to stop the tears, but the relief was so overwhelming, she couldn’t.

“Tell me,” he ordered.

“Everything is fine,” she repeated, trying to speak coherently.

What a ninny. She should have waited to call him, or at least waited to fall apart.

“I’ll be right there.”

He disconnected before she could protest.

A nurse stopped in, saw Jordan and came to check on her, rubbing her shoulder compassionately when she learned of the reason for the tears.

“It’s hard when they’re kids, isn’t it?” she said, offering a tissue. “But he’s going to be fine and better than before. Dr. Tamsin has a well-deserved reputation for doing outstanding work. Caleb won’t wake up for a while, and when he finally does, he’ll be groggy and ready to go back to sleep almost immediately. You have time to go for a cup of tea if you like.”

Jordan shook her head.

“I’ll wait here. Sorry to be a bother.”

“No bother. He’s a lucky boy to have a doting mother.”

The nurse patted her on the shoulder again, checked Caleb’s vital signs and moved on to the second occupied bed in the recovery room.

Jordan bunched up the tissue and watched her son sleep. He was going to be fine, his eyes fixed and able to track like everyone else. She was so relieved the ordeal was over.

Ten minutes later, Cade strode into the Recovery Room, heading straight for Jordan. She looked up, surprised.

“Cade, what are you doing here?”

He leaned over her.

“Are you all right? Is Caleb all right?”

She nodded, feeling the tears well in her eyes.

“I came as soon as I could. Traffic was a bear.”

He studied her for a moment, then looked at Caleb.

“If he’s going to be okay, why the tears? Was there a complication, after all?”

“No, it was just the relief,” she said, trying to staunch the new flow of tears with the bunched up tissue.

Cade had left work to come because he thought she needed him. The knowledge overwhelmed her. No one had ever done that for her before. Tears were the only way to relieve the tension that filled her.

“Here.” he thrust a clean handkerchief into her hand.

As she blotted her eyes, he pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. Jordan had never felt so safe. She leaned slightly against him, relishing his arms holding her, the steady, comforting beat of his heart beneath her ear, the feeling that life would go on and she would make it.

All from being held in his embrace.

How lucky Marissa had been to have such a wonderful man for her husband. For a long moment, she drew strength from him. Then Jordan drew a shaky breath and stepped back, breaking his hold. She couldn’t allow her boss to hold her. It wasn’t right.

Not only that, she was enjoying it too much. She needed to keep some distance between them. He had done so much for them. She didn’t want him to think she expected anything further.

She had to remind herself she worked for him. Temporarily. When Penny returned, Jordan would be on her way back to Florida before she could say order-up.

The thought was depressing, but she clung to it and put some distance between them.

“Thank you for coming. I really am a silly goose to be so teary when the news is good. But it’s such a relief,” she said.

Cade gestured to the chair, and Jordan sat. He perched on the arm and asked what she’d been told about Caleb’s recovery.

When learning that once Caleb recovered from the anesthetic he’d still be groggy and most likely go right back to sleep, Cade insisted she go to the hotel later to get a good night’s rest.

“I wanted to stay here.”

“He’ll be asleep, Jordan. He won’t even know if you’re here or not. We’ll be less than five minutes away and can come in an instant if there is a need. But if he sleeps through the night, it’ll give you time to sleep as well. You’ll want to be rested for tomorrow.”

She studied her son as Cade studied her. It was only early afternoon, yet she already looked tired. She needed rest to keep her energy up. And to eat more. Had she and Amelia had lunch?

He rose, intent on finding his aunt and making sure she took care of Jordan.

She drew her gaze from Caleb to look at him.

“Are you leaving?”

“Do you want me to stay?”

Hesitating, she shook her head.

“No, I’m fine. There’s nothing you can do.”

He knew that. But for an instant, he wished there was something he could do to help. To shelter her from the trials and tribulations of life. He didn’t want to analyze that protective streak too closely.

The thought surprised him. He didn’t normally go into a protective mode for other people. Jordan lived her entire life until a couple of weeks ago without his help. She’d do fine without it in the future.

He was growing too involved with her and her son.

Losing Marissa and Vicki had been almost more than one man could stand. He refused to put his emotions on the line a second time. Getting involved with women, and especially children, was risky. Getting involved with this woman wasn’t in the cards. She’d come looking for someone else. She was still searching for the man she’d loved enough to make a child with. He wasn’t that man.

And he couldn’t offer any woman what she’d want—a devoted husband, father to her children, a future. The risk of further heartache was too great. Once in a lifetime was all he could endure.

“I’ll check with Aunt Amelia and return to work. Call me if you need me.”

She nodded and tried to smile.

“Thanks for coming over. Sorry to interrupt whatever you were doing.”

Jordan watched as Cade left the large recovery room. He looked so fit striding across the floor, one nurse stepping out of his way and then turning to watch. He looked neither to the right nor left. Probably couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital.

But her heart warmed at the reality of his coming. He’d thought she needed him and he came at once.

Such a contrast to the man she’d thought she’d loved so many years ago. He’d vanished without a trace—after leaving a string of lies. She had been gullible, as Aunt Maggie had said. She was wiser now. And almost regretted the fact.

Cade would never lie. A woman would know exactly where she stood with him. As Jordan did. He’d helped Caleb because he could no longer help his own daughter. But there was no tie beyond that. No matter how much she might wish there were.

Amelia insisted Jordan take breaks from sitting by the bed of the sleeping child. When they moved Caleb to the Pediatrics Floor, Jordan went for a quick walk around the hospital grounds. The fresh air felt good, but it was a quick break. She wanted to be at his side when Caleb awoke.

It was after seven when Jordan agreed to leave with Amelia. Caleb had been awake, eaten a light meal, and drifted back to sleep. The nurse on duty had told Jordan she expected Caleb to sleep all night. The drip from the IV would keep him hydrated, nourished and pain free, so there was no reason for him to waken before morning.

Agreeing to call if he did, she shooed Jordan and Amelia away from his bed.

They took a cab to the hotel, Jordan feeling wrung out and cranky.

“We’ll order room service, I think,” Amelia said as they rode up in the elevator. “A quick shower will revive you long enough to eat. I know you’re tired, but you need to eat, as well as sleep. Actually, once we finish dinner, it’ll be bed for both of us. I’m not used to getting up so early and then spending the day away from home. I didn’t even have time to nap.”

“Oh, Amelia, you shouldn’t have stayed all day,” Jordan said, feeling guilty.

The elevator stopped on their floor, and the elderly lady headed for their suite.

“Nonsense. I love that boy, too, you know. I had to be near in case. Rosita and I are looking forward to taking care of him while he recovers. No strenuous exercise for six weeks, the doctor said. We’ve got cards and board games and videos lined up. She asked her grandchildren what they liked the best, so we have exactly what will appeal to a boy at that age. But it’s a surprise, something new for each day, so don’t be telling him anything.”

“He’ll love it. Thank you.”

Jordan gave her an impulsive hug. Where would she be without these people helping her? It was so unexpected she still felt she was dreaming.

Cade was on the phone in the sitting room of the suite when they entered. He quickly ended the call and rose to greet Amelia and Jordan. He studied Jordan closely, then seemed satisfied.

“Did you two eat?” he asked.

“We wanted room service,” Amelia said. “Did you eat?”

“No, I called the hospital just as you two were leaving, so I waited.”

The service was quick and before long, the three of them shared a meal in front of the large window that overlooked Dallas. The lights shining from the buildings and dwellings coupled with the streetlights gave a fairy tale glow to the land. When she had finished dinner, Amelia excused herself and headed for bed.

“Are you too tired to stay up a little longer?” Cade asked Jordan.

“No, I’m still keyed up from today’s events. I still can’t believe the operation I’ve saved for, for so long is over. Of course, this only means the beginning of more treatment and therapy, but according to the doctor, within a few months, both eyes will track together. We owe it all to you.”

“You would have managed, just taken a little longer,” he murmured.

“I wish I could repay you, beyond the money, I mean. You don’t know how grateful I am.”

“I’m not after gratitude,” he growled.

Jordan fell silent. What was he after? As far as she could tell, Cade went through the motions of living, but a part of him had died with Marissa and Vicki.

She understood it. She thought life had ended when her Cade Cullen Everett had disappeared. But she’d had a baby to care for, and gradually life had regained its glow. Until Aunt Maggie died.

One of the hardest aspects of death was the fact those surviving had to move on. Life continued. And it never came with any guarantees it wouldn’t try to crush you beneath its blows.

Jordan hadn’t been crushed, though it seemed like it at the time. She wished she could show him life still had much to offer.

Cade stared at Jordan. He saw color rise in her cheeks, and her eyes dart toward his, then away, as if afraid to meet his gaze lest she see something in it she didn’t want to see.

And that would be what, he thought heavily. Lust?

When she said she was grateful, anger flared. That was not something he wanted. He’d kissed her, tasted the sweetness of her mouth. And he wanted more.

For the first time in years, his libido sprang to life at the thought of someone beside Marissa. He wanted Jordan Carhart.

Emotions churning, he pushed back his chair and walked to the window. Leaning against the sill with both hands, he stared sightlessly out into the dark. The lights twinkling gave no delight. He was looking inward and hated what he saw.

Desire for a woman beside his wife. It didn’t matter that Marissa had been dead for two years. It felt like a betrayal. Betrayal of her, of his vow to remain uninvolved. Betrayal of the trust Jordan had placed in him. Damn, he could control it. He would. Taking a deep breath, he almost jumped when she touched his arm. He hadn’t heard her move to cross the room.

Slowly, he straightened and turned toward her. The lighting seemed bright after the darkness of the night. He narrowed his gaze against it, taking in the uncertainty of her expression, the soft swell of her breasts, the fragrance that whispered Jordan, Jordan, Jordan.

Without thinking, he drew her into his arms and lowered his head. The first touch of her lips drove all thoughts from his mind. Guilt fled. Desire sparked. This felt too right to be wrong.

Marissa was gone. Jordan was here. Alive, warm, sweet and so sexy it drove him crazy.

She held nothing back as he deepened the kiss. His tongue touched hers, mated, swept through her mouth as if he would devour her. Heat rose between them, and he could feel her breasts press against his chest, feel them swell with desire. Her arms wound around his neck and she held on as if she’d never let him go.

One kiss would never be enough. He wanted her as a man wants a woman, completely, totally. He rubbed his hands down her back, lifting her closer, nestling against her as if he’d sought comfort or more.

Every breath was filled with her scent. Every heartbeat increased his body heat until he felt he would ignite. His mouth against hers only had him longing to touch other parts of her. He moved to kiss her cheeks, trail short nibbles along her jaw, down to the rapidly beating pulse point at the base of her throat. When he licked it, her skin was pure ambrosia. She moaned softly in her throat and he felt as if he could capture the sound with his lips.

He brushed back the collar of her blouse and tasted the softness of her shoulders. He felt her own mouth move against his ear, along his cheek, back to his lips.

Mindful of Aunt Amelia only a few steps away, he knew they couldn’t go anywhere with this—even if Jordan would agree.

Slowly, reality returned. He kissed her mouth gently one last time and eased her away, gazing down into her slightly blurred eyes.

She blinked slowly and met his gaze as confusion and desire mingled.

“If that was because you’re grateful, I’ll put my fist through the wall,” he murmured.

She shook her head.

“I might be grateful, but for that, I’d just say thank you.”

She reached out and trailed her fingers down his cheek, rubbed against the evening beard along his jaw as if mesmerized by the texture, by the slight rasping sound. Her eyes followed her fingertips for a moment, then met his gaze once again.

“Why did you kiss me?” she asked softly.

“Because I want you.”

At her startled look, he almost smiled. She had to have known from the level of the kiss there was more than just a brush of lips.

“Been there, done that. It sure didn’t turn out the way I thought it would,” she said flippantly.

She was flat-out scared. She’d thought she had loved the man she knew as Cade Cullen Everett, but that proved false. Now she didn’t trust her senses, her own mind or heart. She could fall for this man and end up the same way—alone with a boatload of regrets.

Backing away, she looked so sad Cade wanted to grab her up in another embrace and kiss her until she couldn’t think of anything or anyone else. Make her forget the past.

But she obviously remembered another time. Another man. Could he blame her for being wary? Especially when all he wanted was time with her, a few hours, days. Not a future, not forever.

“Go to bed, Jordan. Tomorrow you’ll have your hands full with Caleb.”

The swiftness of her departure would have hurt a weaker man, he thought cynically. But he suspected she was the wiser of the two of them.