She was pregnant. No doubt she belonged to someonesomewhere.
Is the soup okay? he asked, trying to push aside the unwanted thoughts. Is there anything else I can do for you before I settle you down for the night?
Ah hell. Just the word night made him long for things he had no business even considering.
Soups fine. She took another sip and a bite of the crackers. But I feel soI dont know. Like Im not grounded. Like Im flying around in midair. Its probably because I cant recall my past and my family. And this baby thingThat really threw me.
Maybe it would help if you told me something about your family, she went on to suggest. Would you mind? I think just hearing that someone else can remember and knows who they are will give me hope that someday Ill get my memories back. Does that seem too nosy?
He was good at questioning victims and criminals. And hed forced himself to become a decent politician in order to get elected. But talking about his life to a complete stranger was totally out of his realm. He had a strong instinct to keep his mouth shut, but she looked so vulnerable, so needy.
Theres not much to tell. But he guessed he could give her a few basic facts. I was born and raised right here in Esperanza. My dad is Buck Yates, and he was born right here in town,
too. Dad spent years in the service and now he owns the farm-supply store in town. Of course around here, that means he sells mostly guns and tack, some deer blinds and a lot of game feeders.
Jericho let himself give her one of his polite, running-for-office smiles as he continued. My older brother, Fisher, is a captain in the U.S. Army, just home on leave from his third tour of duty in the Middle East. He shrugged and ducked his head, not knowing where to go from here. Thats about it for the family. Want to hear about my friends?
You didnt mention your mother. Has she passed away?
If only she had simply died. Our mother took off when Fisher and I were kids.
Took off?
Disappeared. Havent heard a word from her in nearly thirty years. She might be dead by now for all I know. Good riddance if she was.
He stood, picked up his empty soup bowl and eyed Rosies almost empty one. You want another bowl of soup? Or anything else?
Without answering, Rosie glanced up at him and he spotted dark, purplish circles under her eyes. The lady was whooped. His protective instincts kicked right back in again.
Lets get you into bed for now. Well have a fresh start in the morning. Okay with you?
I am tired. Thanks. She slid off the barstool and he watched her hanging tightly on to the counter as if her legs were about to give out on her.
He dumped the dishes into the sink and went to her side. Here, take my arm. I wont let you fall.
For a moment, it seemed that she would refuse. Jericho saw her try to straighten up and steady herself. But within a split second, she started to slide.
There was no choice. He bent to pick her up in his arms. A lot lighter than hed imagined, her body hugged his chest as she threw her arms around his neck and hung on.
I feel ridiculous. I cant even remember my own name and now I cant walk under my own steam. Its a good thing youre here, Sheriff.
Yeah, maybe. Or maybe this was going to turn into his worst nightmare.
Jericho carried her down the hall and into the spare room. Setting her down in the corner chair, he pulled back the covers from the double bed.
This should be comfortable enough. He had to turn away from the sight of clean, fresh sheets just waiting for bodies to mess them up.
It looks great, she told him. But I wish I had a pair of clean pajamas. These clothes are getting gamy.
He stood there for a second, picturing her naked again. Finally, making a tremendous effort, he started thinking with his head instead of another part of his anatomy.
How about I lend you one of my T-shirts? Ive got one or two older ones thatve turned soft from washing and I dont wear them anymore. Would that do?
She nodded and gave him a weak smile.
When he brought a shirt back into the room and handed it to her, his sex-obsessed brain produced another thought. This one worried him.
Are you going to need help getting undressed?
No, Im feeling stronger, thanks. I think the food helped.
Great. The bathroom is right across the hall. There are towels in the closet and an extra new toothbrush. Use whatever you need.
Thanks again, Jericho. Ill be fine. See you in the morning.
Glad to know she would be okay for the night, Jericho eased out of her room and headed for his own. He probably wouldnt fare as well with his own night. The thought of Rosie lying in bed in the room right next to his would keep him tossing and turning.
Sighing, he shrugged off his by-now-filthy dress shirt and tried telling himself it would all be okay. He had a plan. He would just start thinking of her like he would a roommate.
Well, that plan didnt work out so well. Jericho dragged himself into the shower the next morning and turned the faucets on full cold. Roommate, my foot. When had a roommate ever kept him lying awake for half the night with daydreams of long, silky legs and ripe, sensitive breasts?