Irritated at himself, he swore to do better today. And it would serve him right if he was too tired and miserable all day long to concentrate.
After his shower, he stood before the mirror, preparing to shave. A couple of things were going to have to change today, he silently demanded of his image. He needed to get a line on Rosies relatives. Somewhere people must be missing her. The sooner he found them and returned her to her previous life, the better off he would be. Let someone else protect her.
The second thing that needed to change was the way she dressed. She didnt have a change of clothes, and she needed to cover herself up real soon.
But the thought of how she dressed reminded him of something else. Another chore he must do, first thing. Maybe he could combine the two.
Yeah, that should work.
Rosie opened her eyes when a dash of sunlight hit her eyelids and irritated her enough to wake up. She glanced over at the bright sunshine peeping through the wood-slatted miniblinds and wondered what time it was.
Rolling over, it hit her. A gigantic black void. The gaping abyss in her brain suddenly threatened to swallow her whole.
Gasping for air, as though someone had been choking her, and flailing her arms against a sea of nothingness and nausea, Rosie let her mind grab hold of the only thing it could. The one thing she saw clearly. The memory of Jericho Yates.
Immediately her heart rate slowed and warmth replaced the stone-cold numbness shed felt when she awoke to find nothing familiar. Jericho had made one hell of an anchor last night. Hed tethered her to the earth with quiet concern and a sensual smile.
Fighting to remain in the moment and trying not to think either backward or forward, she sat at the edge of the bed and took stock. First was the physical. Her head wasnt pounding as it had been last night. The stitches in her side were barely noticeable. She rotated her ankle and found only an echo of the pain shed experienced.
Okay, so she felt a little achy and sore, but she would live. Well, unless the bad guys came back.
Her second concernand the real questionremained the same as before: How was she going to get her memories back? The doctor said not to push it. The moment shed tried to find some thread of memory, panic had set in.
Taking another deep breath, she came to the conclusion that she had no choice. To keep from going stark raving mad, she had better just go along minute by minute. Living hour by hour and feeling her way.
Standing in the kitchen drinking coffee, Jericho heard Rosie opening the spare room door and going into the bathroom. The sudden jolt of anticipation at seeing her again competed with the practiced calm he had almost perfected during the hours since his shower.
But just then someone knocked on the front door. Jericho figured Rosies goons wouldnt have the guts to confront him in broad daylight, and they definitely wouldnt be knocking when they came to call. So this must be the person he was expecting.
He checked out the window and saw her car. Yes, it was his best friend. He wiped the smile off his face and went to let her in.
Morning, Macy. Thanks for coming. He stood aside and allowed her to come in.
When she entered the room, everything felt easy, even somehow more homey. Good morning, Jericho. I had every intention of talking to you this morning anyway. Its my pleasure if I can be of some help at the same time.
As a best friend, Macy Ward couldnt be beat. As a potential spousehe would just as soon skip it.
I wanted to say how sorry I am about the ceremony, Mace. You know I wouldnt have ducked out on it if Id had any choice.
Macy went straight into the great room and dumped her armload of folded clothes on the nearest chair. I know. Youre a good man, Jericho Yates. Thats one of the reasons I twisted your arm into agreeing to marry me.
Now, Mace. You arent holding a gun to my head. I volunteered to help you out with T.J.
Yes, you did. And I love you for it. She turned and touched his arm. You are really a good guy, my friend. Too good to get saddled with a wife who wont ever love you the way she should. I cant do it to you.
Im calling the wedding off permanently, she blurted. Youre off the hook for good.
Relief mixed with sadness and kicked him in the gut. He didnt want to get married, but he would do anything to help Macy out in her time of need.
What about T.J.? How are you going to take control of him now? When she didnt answer, Jericho stepped up again. Look, I can make some extra time for him this summer. Just as soon as I find a link to our mystery woman, my schedule should lighten up.
Macy smiled softly. T.J. is a big part of the reason Im canceling our wedding. You know hes in the middle of doing that community service project you arranged for him over at the state park this week. Hes not pleased about having to make up for the toilet-paper and mailbox mangling incidents, but I hope hes learning his lesson and is staying out of trouble.
And then earlier this week Jewel agreed to let T.J. work at the Hopechest Ranch for the rest of the summer. Macys smile brightened. The hard work should be good for him. But that means you dont have to worry about making time for him. Hell be plenty busy.