Читать книгу Her Rancher Rescuer - DONNA ALWARD, Donna Alward - Страница 10

Chapter Two

The B and B. Amy wasn’t exactly sure how much privacy they’d have there. And then there was the matter of what Jack expected out of tonight. She was tempted. Oh, so tempted. But she wasn’t the kind to spend a night in a man’s hotel room. Especially one she barely knew. She was more on the fairy-tale end of the spectrum when it came to romance, and not the fast and loose.

He opened her door and helped her inside, then jogged around the hood and got in, turned on the engine and let it warm up. It was better out of the wind but still cold, and she wished the heater would kick in.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” she said, regretting having to say the words but determined to make a smart decision for once in her life.

“Why not?”

“For exactly the same reason nothing happened in the ladies’ room.”

“You’re not the casual-sex type.”

“You’re a risk taker. I’m not.” Even if at times she rather wished she was.... Maybe she would have let Cadence Creek see the back of her long before now. Some days she worried she was turning out more and more like her mother. Afraid. Stuck in a rut and never strong enough to get out. God, she hoped she wasn’t that person.

Heat began to surround her feet. Jack rubbed his hands together. “No sex,” he said. “I’ll make a solemn promise that this is not a hookup type of proposition.”

She tilted her head as she looked at him. “Then why? I mean...what’s in it for you?”

Their gazes locked for a few seconds and then he looked away. “Honestly? I’m looking forward to taking off this jacket and tie and just hanging out for a while. Not being ‘Jack, the Groom’s Brother,’ who says and does all the right things.”

Surprise rippled through her. Maybe Perfect Jack was just an act? Or at least covering the real Jack.... And boy, oh, boy, could she understand that.

“Look,” he said, “just come back, have a glass of champagne with me. I was on chauffeur duty today and abstained all night. We can just chill and then I’ll walk you home.” He gazed at her sharply. “You do live within walking distance, right?”

“Just off of Main, on Maple.”

“Scout’s honor, Amy. We won’t do anything you don’t want to do.”

That was just the problem. She didn’t know what she wanted. And if she had some of that champagne, she wasn’t sure how much willpower she’d have to turn away a man like Jack Shepard. The kiss on the dance floor was still front and center in her mind.

“An hour,” she finally said. “That’s all. An hour and a glass of champagne and then I go home and you go back to...”

Gosh, she didn’t even really know where he called home, did she?

“To my ranch in Montana.”

Montana. One summer she and her mother had taken a trip across the border through Glacier Park and spent a few days in Kalispell. It had been beautiful. They’d driven past this resort-type place that was huge, and she’d wondered what it would be like to stay there, order room service and look out at the mountains. Instead they’d gotten a room at a nationwide discount chain. It had still been fun, but even then, Amy had wanted more.

“I suppose you have a huge place there,” she said, blowing on her fingers as he drove out of the lot.

“It’s a working ranch. I bought it a few years ago with the idea of turning it into a corporate retreat. I spent some time in the area on vacation and really enjoyed the physical challenges, so I flew in my whole management team and we did this week-long team-building thing. It was so much fun I decided to have a go at it myself.” He smiled. “Now I consider it home. I still keep an apartment in Vancouver, but I’m not there much. Turns out I’m not much of a city guy when all is said and done.”

Jack was different when he talked about his ranch, more relaxed, animated. She got the feeling that this was closer to the real Jack than the man who had ridden to her rescue in the ladies’ bathroom.

“Do you wear the boots and hat and the whole nine yards?”

He laughed. “Of course. All our cattle work is done on horseback. We do a few drives during the year, not to mention the trail rides.”

She sighed. Just when she thought how different he was from the men she knew, it turned out he was the same, after all. After living her whole life in Cadence Creek, she was a little tired of the whole cowboy scene.

It took hardly any time to reach the town, and with a few quick turns Jack pulled up in front of the B and B. He grabbed the champagne and came around and opened her door, offering her his free hand.

The owners had gone to bed but Jack’s parents, Susan and Harry, sat up in the parlor, quietly talking and enjoying a glass of wine. Amy felt her face twist into a guilty expression the moment they stepped into the room.

“Jack, dear.” Susan suddenly noticed Amy behind him. “Oh, hello.”

“Hello, Mrs. Shepard.”

Parents were not part of the plan. This was the worst idea ever. She should never have gone along with it.

Jack put the champagne bottle down onto a side table and began unbuttoning his overcoat. “It’s a cold one. I invited Amy back for a drink. I hope that’s okay. Both of us were getting a little tired of the festivities.”

“Of course. We were just heading to bed....”

Harry’s brows were slightly raised, inquisitive. Jack grinned. “Why don’t you stay up and have a glass of champagne with us? It would give us all some time to just hang out and chill. It’s been a crazy few days.”

Harry nodded, as if satisfied. “Yes, it has. Your mother and I had quite a job getting Nell down for the night.” He nodded at a baby monitor beside him. “I wouldn’t say no to champagne. You open it while I grab some glasses, Jack. Kathleen showed me where she keeps them.”

While the men got the drinks, Amy took off her coat and hung it up on the antique coatrack in the corner, nerves tumbling around in her stomach. She’d met the Shepard children during the wedding planning, but she’d only really seen Mr. and Mrs. Shepard from a distance. Now she knew where Jack got his aura of success and Taylor got her class. It was intimidating as hell. “It was a lovely wedding,” she said to Susan, scrambling for something to say.

“Yes, it was. If I remember right, you work at the flower shop, yes?”

“I do, yes.”

“The flowers were beautiful. You did a great job.”

If nothing else, Mrs. Shepard was trying to be nice. “Melissa does all the designing. Though she has shown me how to do some simple arrangements.”

“Do you like it there?”

Amy shrugged. “It’s okay.” She smiled. “I actually like the business side of it better, but it’s a small shop. Know what I mean?”

Susan smiled. “Actually, I do. Not enough challenge to keep you going.”

“That’s it exactly.” Amy smiled. Jack’s parents weren’t anywhere near as intimidating as she expected. At least his mother wasn’t. Harry Shepard carried a distinct air of authority.

There was a loud pop and then glasses were filled. To Amy’s surprise, she and Jack sat on the sofa together and everyone simply chatted—about the wedding, about Cadence Creek, about Callum and Avery’s daughter, Nell. Clearly the elder Shepards were enjoying being grandparents. Finally Susan stifled a yawn. “Oh, my goodness. I think it’s time I went to bed. We’ve got to be up with the baby in the morning, and to see Callum and Avery off on their honeymoon.”

She stood and came to Jack, who also stood for a hug. “It was good spending some extra time with you, sweetheart. We don’t see you enough.”

“I know.” He grinned at her crookedly. “You should come down to the ranch for a week. I’ll take you zip-lining.”

Harry chuckled. “Maybe we will. I’d like to see your mother on one of those contraptions. Good night, son. And you, too, Amy. It was nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” she said, and meant it.

They hadn’t spent an hour sipping bubbly in Jack’s room, but in some ways this had been better. She’d felt welcomed and relaxed. It was, to her surprise, the perfect ending to the day.

They said their good-nights and Jack turned to her. “I suppose this is where I say I should walk you home,” he said.

“I suppose it is.” She stood and put her glass down onto a coffee table. “I’ll get my coat.”

“Not so fast,” he murmured, catching her hand when she would have turned away. He pulled her back so that she was in front of him. He put his hand at her waist, his fingers sliding along the soft material of the curve-hugging dress. “I was on my best behavior,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate. “I kept my promise, too. The least you can do is give me a kiss good-night.”

“I suppose it is only fair.” She smiled up at him. If nothing else, in the past few hours Jack had given her something that she hadn’t had in a very long time: acceptance. She hadn’t felt the need to be anyone other than who she was. Hadn’t felt pressed to meet any sort of expectation. Perhaps that was because the Shepards hadn’t been in Cadence Creek very long. Or perhaps it was because they were a genuinely nice, normal family.

And after tonight it was unlikely she’d ever even see Jack again. The least she could do was take a kiss to remember him by.

She tilted her face up and kissed him, and with far less reserve than she’d shown on the dance floor. His arms came around her and pulled her close; she twined hers around his neck and slid her fingers through his hair. They were as close as two people could be with their clothes on, pressed together at several contact points. Jack’s hands roved over her back and came to tangle in her long curls as he tilted her head back and took command of her mouth. He tasted like man and the rich, erotic tang of champagne.

If he asked, she realized, she might reconsider her earlier bargain.

“Do you know how beautiful you are?” he asked roughly. “If I didn’t have to leave tomorrow night, I think I’d actually consider seeing where this leads.”

“But you are leaving tomorrow night.”

“Yes.” He nibbled at her earlobe and her eyes rolled back in her head with pleasure.

“And you’re not coming back.”

“Well,” he said, and he kissed her neck just below her ear, “I’m back on Christmas Eve and gone again Boxing Day.”

“And spending it with your family.”

“Yeah.”

They kissed a little longer until they were both out of breath.

“Jack, you should take me home. This would be a foolish mistake.”

She stepped backward, her chest rising and falling with exertion, her body humming with arousal. Of all the times to be sensible...and yet she was somehow happy about her choice. She was nearly twenty-five. It was time she took control of her life rather than simply letting it happen to her, time she decided what it was she wanted and found a way to get it. She could start by not letting herself get swept away in a moment that would only be a dead end.

She’d figure the rest out in time. Changing your life was a big job for one night.

“You’re right. I’ll get our coats.” He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. “But dammit, Amy, you are not an easy woman to walk away from.”

As he disappeared around the corner toward the foyer, Amy bit down on her lip and blinked a few times. Jack couldn’t possibly know that that was the sweetest thing he could have said to her tonight.

* * *

AMY COULDN’T STAND being in the house another moment.

It was Christmas Eve. It should have been a time for happiness and joy and presents and carols and hot chocolate spiked with peppermint schnapps. Instead there wasn’t even a tree up at her house. A little-known secret—if Cadence Creek had any secrets—was that Christmas simply didn’t happen at the Wilson house in any way, shape or form. Not since she was ten years old and her dad had walked out on her and her mother on December twenty-third. Neither of them had seen him since.

It made Amy bitter. Naturally it had ruined that Christmas, but she didn’t see why it had to ruin every holiday since. But her mother was adamant. No tree. No turkey dinner, no Miracle on 34th Street.

As much as she understood, Amy refused to be Scrooged out of the holiday altogether. Tonight she would sing carols and look at the tree decorated at the front of the sanctuary and soak it all in for a blessed hour. She looked forward to this every year.

“Mom, why don’t you come with me? The service is so great.”

“Not this year, Amy.” Mary Wilson’s voice was tired. She looked up from her chair, where she was watching television. “You go and have fun.”

Amy went back into the living room and perched on the arm of the sofa. Since the wedding she’d been doing a lot of thinking. Thinking about what she wanted and the person she wanted to be. Something had changed in the moment she’d stepped out of the bathroom with Jack. Something good. Something...strong.

She’d been going to wait to broach the subject but the time felt right. “Mom, what would you say if I told you I wanted to go to school?”

Mary’s head turned, her program forgotten. “School? When? Where?” Was that fear Amy saw in her eyes? It only made her more nervous. Amy kept pushing for Mary to get out, but what would happen if she weren’t here anymore to give that nudge?

“Not far,” Amy assured her. “In the fall. I’ve been looking into college courses in the city. I’d have to get an apartment, but I wouldn’t be far away. I could come home lots. Every weekend.”

She wished she could tell what her mother was thinking. But years of hiding her emotions had served Mary well. Her face gave away nothing now that the initial shock was over. “You’re unhappy at the flower shop?” Mary asked.

Amy chose her words carefully. She didn’t want to put everything on her mother’s shoulders. It wasn’t about blame, though Amy did harbor some resentment for how she’d grown up in a cheerless house. At the same time, she understood. And she would never, ever want to add to her mom’s distress.

“I just can’t see myself staying there for the rest of my life, you know? I want more. I want...options. But I don’t want to leave you all alone, either.”

“Don’t worry about me.”

Amy frowned. “But I do worry about you. About you being alone. I wish you’d come with me to church. Maybe try to be a part of the community again. Don’t you think it’s time?”

Mary looked away. “Maybe another time. Just not today.”

Amy knew that look. It was the “discussion closed” look. Disappointed, she got up. “I won’t be too late,” she said quietly.

“Have a good time.”

The words sounded empty. There was no joy at Christmas, not in the Wilson house. And while Amy longed to get away, she was worried, too. Worried about what would happen to her mom if she were left all alone. At least now she left the house to work. Get groceries. What if that changed?

Amy walked to the church, taking deep breaths of the cold air and enjoying the sound of snow crunching under her favorite boots to shake her dull mood. The parking lot was already full and golden light spilled from the windows, welcoming her. She shook off the heavy weight of her talk with her mom and stepped inside into the warmth and cheer.

Then she spotted Jack.

He’d really come back to celebrate Christmas with his family, then. Something warm and lovely wound its way through her, making her smile. Jack had been a wonderful surprise at the wedding. She’d been at her lowest in the moment Rhys had uttered those words. To her it hadn’t felt like she was the last woman he wanted to be with—it had felt like she was the last woman anyone would want. That she had absolutely nothing to offer.

Jack had changed that. Oddly enough it hadn’t been his attention that had affected her so deeply. Or the way he’d kissed her and held her close—though that had been very memorable. It was how he’d brought her in, included her in his evening with his parents. As if she belonged. As if she were their equal. She’d never had that before.

He looked over and his face broke out in a smile when he recognized her. She gave a little wave and watched as he excused himself from the group he was in and came over.

“Hey,” he said, and to her surprise he gave her a quick hug. He smelled scrumptious, some sort of expensive cologne she didn’t recognize. “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.”

“Just about the whole town goes out for the local services,” she replied. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“You’re here alone?”

She shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “My mom’s the exception to the rule. Long story.”

“You’ll sit with us, then.” He said it as if it were a done deal.

“Jack, you don’t have to do that. I’m a big girl.” She batted her eyelashes. “See? No tears. No rescuing of damsels in distress required tonight.”

Once again that strange expression washed over his face, but then he smiled brightly at her. “Well, that’s good news. But you can sit with us anyway.” He leaned in. “I’m the only one not paired up. I hate being a third wheel.”

She doubted that but it was also nice to know she didn’t have to sit alone. “Okay, then.”

“Let me hang up your coat.”

She grinned at him. “Are you trying to start more rumors?”

He laughed. “My mom taught me good manners, remember?”

“I’ll remember to thank her for it later.”

He took the coat from her hands and hooked it on a hanger. “So...how’ve you been?”

“Good,” she answered. “Busy.” It was true. The flower shop had been steady all week long. “Doing some thinking.”

“Oh, that sounds interesting.” He raised an eyebrow.

“I came to a rather radical decision, actually. I need to get out of here, Jack. What am I going to do, work at the flower shop for the rest of my life?”

“You’re getting itchy feet?”

She nodded. “I want to do something. I want to see places. So I’m taking the next eight months to build up my savings so I can move to the city and take classes when the fall term starts.”

They made their way slowly to the sanctuary door. “That’s great, Amy. Any idea what you’re going to study?”

She nodded. “Hospitality management. I like working with people. And I have good organizational skills. I think I could be good at it.”

“I can see that. You’re very good at the flower shop.” He stared at her for a few moments more and she wondered what he was thinking. She also noticed shadows beneath his eyes. Jack, for all his charming smiles, was exhausted. What was causing him to lose sleep?

“You don’t think I can do it?” she asked.

“On the contrary. Didn’t I just say so?”

The words were glib but there was an edge to his voice that confirmed her suspicion. “Hey, is everything okay with you? You look tired. A little stressed.”

“Funny you should mention that...”

At that moment his family made their way over and suggested they find their seats, so their conversation was halted until they found themselves packed into a rather full pew. She didn’t mind being close to Jack. In fact she’d thought about it perhaps a little too often over the past several days.

“Where’s Taylor?” Amy asked, opening the bulletin and scanning the order of service.

“We had dinner at the diner. I think she stayed to help Rhys and Martha clean up.”

“They’re still an item, then?”

He nudged her with his elbow. “You’ve been here all week. You’d know better than I would.”

She turned her head and met his gaze. “I’ve been avoiding the gossip mill. And from the look on your face, I’d say you know more than you’re letting on. Anyway, I was just making conversation.”

Jack sighed. “Sorry. You were right before. I’m touchy.”

“Any reason in particular?” She put down the bulletin and gave him her full attention.

“Labor issues. Or rather, lack of. One of my staff was in a bad accident this week.”

Amy put her hand on his arm. “Oh, no! Are they okay?”

He nodded. “Yes, thank goodness. Or she will be—in time. But it was serious. She’s got a broken pelvis, and the doctors say that she’ll be off at least three months.”

“Surely someone can fill in for her? A temp?”

Jack shook his head. “She basically runs the corporate retreat business at the ranch. I did what I could this week while I was there, but on Boxing Day I’m going back there again to get things settled. Once the holidays are over, we’ve got groups starting up again. Groups that have been booked for months. Finding a temp this week, with all the statutory holidays? Just about impossible.”

The service started and the lights dimmed. After several carols to set the mood, there was a brief message and then came Amy’s favorite part—“Silent Night.” Everyone was given a single candle in a holder, and as the choir started the first verse, the minister made his way down the aisle and lit the candles on the end. Wick was touched to wick until all the candles were lit and the congregation joined in for the second and third verses. Beside her, Jack relaxed, his warm, tenor voice joining in with the others.

And then it was over, the candles extinguished, and the lights came up. Chatter erupted as good wishes for the holiday were exchanged. Little children bounced with excitement, because now that church was over they were one step closer to Santa Claus. Jack chuckled as one particularly cute boy with little round glasses tugged on his father’s hand, claiming they had to hurry and get the cookies out so he could go to bed.

“Amy, good to see you again.” Susan came over and gave her a brief hug. “Do you have plans for the holiday?”

Once she got over the surprise of the affectionate gesture, Amy smiled. “Oh, just spending tomorrow with my mom. Keeping things quiet.”

“That sounds lovely.”

Callum and Avery joined them briefly, Callum carrying a sleeping Nell. “Merry Christmas, Amy.”

“You, too. Baby’s first Christmas. Pretty exciting at your house.”

“Yeah.” Avery smiled. “And it’s nice to have all of Callum’s family here. I see Taylor and Rhys made it.” She nodded toward the back of the church, where the couple was standing with Rhys’s mother, Martha.

To Amy’s mind, the way Avery paired their names together pretty much answered any question Jack might have had.

Jack turned to Amy. “How’d you get here?”

She smiled. “I walked. Got some fresh air.”

“I’ll drive you home.”

“Are you sure?”

He smiled back. “Of course I am. I do know where you live.”

Yes, he did. He’d walked her home before in the cold. Any lingering they might have done at her door had been cut short by the frigid wind and her freezing feet. But it hadn’t stopped him from leaning in and dropping a light kiss on her lips just the same.

They gathered their coats and he led her to his new rental car.

The heater hadn’t even really kicked in by the time they got to her house. Jack parked on the street and left the engine running. “I wish I could see you again before I go back, but with family obligations and the trouble back home...”

“I understand completely. It’s no biggie, Jack. I didn’t even think I’d see you again. Thanks for including me tonight.”

“I was glad for the company.”

“So you’re heading back on the twenty-sixth. Any idea what you’re going to do about your problem?”

He sighed. “Making sure Rosa’s doing okay and that her family has everything they need is the first thing. And then I’ll have to check I have the bookings straight and look at hiring someone to fill in.”

“Surely it won’t be that difficult. Is there an agency you can use?”

“Maybe, but Rosa’s a force of nature. She looks after the business but also does all the cooking and cleaning for our guests. I’ll probably have to hire two people to replace her.”

Amy looked out the window. A flurry was starting, little white flakes drifting to the ground. All along her street houses were lit up with lights—white ones, multicolored, inflatable snowmen and penguins—and every door held a wreath. But not hers. There was a glow from a single window but no flickering reflection of a Christmas tree or any hint of holiday cheer. She didn’t want to go inside. Wished she could be anywhere but here right now. Then felt automatically guilty about it.

“My mom’s not much for decorating,” she said quietly, knowing Jack had to have noticed.

“And you never thought to go about it yourself?”

She looked over at him. His features were illuminated by the dashboard lights. There was no criticism in his voice. In fact, Jack Shepard was probably the first person she’d ever met who didn’t seem to make any judgments at all. Maybe he’d been on the receiving end and knew how it felt. Once again she remembered the stories from the news. Speculation about the affair right under his coach’s nose. How much of it had been true? It was hard to believe he would have done such a thing. It just wasn’t Jack.

“My mom forbade decorating,” she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. “My dad left us at Christmas. She hates the holidays.”

“I’m sorry. That’s rough.”

“It was years ago. She should be able to move on. But moving on seems to be one thing neither of us are very good at. I swear, Jack, deciding to go away to school has taken such a load off my shoulders. And yet...”

“And yet she’ll be here alone. And you’ll worry about her.”

“Yeah,” she answered, relieved he understood.

He reached over and took her hand. “Do you want to come over to Callum’s tomorrow? I’m sure it would be fine with Avery.”

“No, that’s okay. I just wish...”

“You wish what?”

She sighed. “That I could get away for a bit. Just somewhere different, to really think about what it is I want.”

“Where you won’t be influenced one way or the other?”

“Or fall back into comfortable habits.”

Her gaze met his as a kernel of an idea took hold. He had a problem, and she was restless. What if they could help each other out?

“Look, things around the shop are always slow after Christmas. What if...” She took a deep breath. “What if I came down and helped you out for a few weeks? I’m pretty sure I could handle the admin you need done. It’d give you some breathing room before having to hire someone new.”

“You’re serious.”

“Of course I’m serious. It would only be for a short time.” Her mom would be fine for a few weeks. It would be a good trial run.

He turned in the seat and faced her squarely. “I couldn’t officially pay you, you understand. Unless you have a U.S. work visa I know nothing about.”

He was considering it. She didn’t mind the work; she could file and type and answer phones and schedule things without blinking an eye. In return she’d have a few weeks in a Montana lodge, surrounded by snow and roaring fires and whatever else she could come up with. “It’d be like a vacation for me, I promise. You don’t have to pay me anything. I’ll do it in exchange for room and board.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m desperate.” She looked back at the house again. “Jack, I’ve felt stuck in this hick town for as long as I can remember.” She lifted a hand. “It’s my own fault, and I know that. You’d be helping me and I’d be helping you. Win-win.”

“I’m not sure desperation is the best motive here.”

Was he talking about her need to get away or the small matter of what had happened between them less than two weeks ago? They’d been all but plastered together on the dance floor and later in the parlor at the B and B. She wasn’t sure how to bring it up, but she felt one of them should.

“If you’re worried about there being atmosphere, don’t. That’s not why I’m going. I’ve sworn off men, remember?”

He laughed shortly. “I’ve heard that before.”

She put her hand on his arm. Even through his overcoat she felt the strength and warmth of it. There was no denying that Jack was strong and sexy as hell. No denying that her pulse had raced being held in his arms. But for once in her life she was focused on a goal. She wasn’t about to get distracted now. Not even by someone as amazing as Jack.

“It would be good experience for me. If I’m considering going into hospitality management, what better training could I ask for? If I like it I’ll be really sure. And it’ll be a good test run for my mom, too. It’ll take her some getting used to—being alone, that is.”

“So there’s nothing here at all?” He moved his finger back and forth, gesturing between the two of them.

She hesitated. “You want the truth or a lie?”

His lips twitched. “The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

“The truth is you’re a nice guy and a great kisser, but I have bigger fish to fry at the moment. If you’re worried about me getting all clingy and having expectations or something...don’t.”

He sat back. “Brutal honesty. I like it.” He ran a finger over his chin. “It would give me some breathing room. I have to be in Vancouver for meetings right after New Year’s....”

“There, you see?”

He frowned. “This all seems rather convenient.”

She paused for a moment. Listened to the air blowing through the heater vents. Looked out at the street, awash in Christmas cheer.

“I don’t want to be this person anymore,” she whispered. “For years I’ve done exactly what my mother has done—accepted my lot in life and done a fair bit of complaining about it. It’s not enough. Rhys said I was the last woman in the world he’d want to date. I don’t want to be the last woman in the world for anything or anyone. I want to do something. I want to learn how. I would give anything to have the confidence and competence of someone like your sister. I’ve got to start somewhere. Please, Jack. I promise I’ll do a good job for you. You won’t regret it.”

Jack stared at her, his eyes dark in the dim light of the car. He wasn’t joking or smiling. Maybe that was what she liked about him. He didn’t make fun of her, even when she made it easy for him.

“Can you be ready early on the twenty-sixth?”

“You set the time and I’ll be waiting.”

“And you’ve got a passport?”

“I do.”

“Then you’ve got a deal. I’ll call you with the details.”

“Perfect.” A smile broke out on her face. She was really going to do this. Something spontaneous, maybe even a little daring—at least in her small world. “You won’t regret it, Jack,” she repeated. “You’ll see.”

“I’m counting on it. Now get going. I’ve got to get back to the house and spend some time with the family.” He held out his hand. “Should we shake on it?”

Amy peeled off her glove and put her hand in his. The moment their fingers touched sparks zinged up her arm and made her catch her breath. Her gaze rose to Jack’s and she saw the same electricity reflected in his pupils.

“It won’t get in the way,” she assured him.

He pulled his hand away from hers. “Boxing Day morning. I’ll pick you up on the way to the airport.”

“See you then.”

He didn’t get out of the car this time, didn’t go around to open her door or walk her to the steps. It was just as well. New boundaries had been set.

She hurried up the patio stones to the front door and turned just in time to see him pulling away from the curb.

He wouldn’t regret it. She’d make sure.

Now she just had to break the news to her mother and pack her suitcase.