They finished their coffee and prepared to head out when a knock sounded at the front door. Jax’s hand went to the pistol holstered at his waist—exactly the kind of thing that made him completely unsuitable. He checked the peephole, cast her a glance, and she stepped back out of the way.
Jax pulled open the door.
“Hey, lover! I was hoping you’d be home.” A beautiful blonde with long legs and a stunning figure stood outside on the porch.
Every warning Mindy had just given herself flashed through her mind with shocking clarity. Through the crack in the door she could watch the exchange, and it made her insides churn.
“It’s not a good time, Candace,” Jax said. “I’ve got company. I asked you not to show up unannounced.”
The woman’s full lips curved into a pout. She tried to see inside, see who Jax was entertaining, but he blocked her view.
“All right, fine,” she said, “if that’s the way you want it.” She smiled. “Call me when you get a chance. You’ve got my number. I’m in town for a couple of days.”
“I’m busy, Candace.”
The woman turned and started walking, her high heels tapping, her round behind swaying seductively. “Think about it, honey,” she called over her shoulder. “Remember the fun we had.”
Jax closed the door and turned to Mindy. “Sorry about that.”
She tried not to feel hurt, tried to ignore the sharp ache stabbing beneath her ribs. “It’s none of my business,” she said softly, trying to brush past him.
“Wait a minute.” Jax caught her shoulders. “Itisyour business. I’m not interested in Candace. I haven’t seen her in weeks. The only woman I’m interested in is you.”
Her eyes burned. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “It would never work, Jax. You know it as well as I do. We’re just too different.”
“It could work. Crazier things have happened, right? Why don’t we just concentrate on finding the people who are after you and then we’ll see where we are, okay?”
She didn’t answer. Her throat was too tight to speak. It was ridiculous. She had known from the start Jax wasn’t for her.
The hands on her shoulders tightened, his hold gentle but firm. “Give me a chance,” he said. “That’s all I’m asking. I know it’s a lot, but—”
She set her trembling fingers over his lips to stop the words. Her heart was beating, thudding against her ribs. Jax wanted a chance to be with her? She’d never suspected he was the least bit interested in something permanent, but the look in his eyes was fierce.
It didn’t matter. What she’d told him was the truth. “Let’s...let’s do what you said and figure out what’s going on. That has to come first.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. He hadn’t shaved that morning, leaving a sexy dark shadow along his jaw. “You’re right. Jesus, I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.”
Mindy closed her eyes, refusing to think about it. Jax would regain his senses. Deep down he had to know she was right. It was only a momentary lapse because having sex with her was new to him. He was tired of Candace. Sooner or later, he’d be tired of her, too.
She ignored the pang of sadness that came with the thought.
He led her out to his pickup, and they set off down the road. As he drove toward the Avondale Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center, Mindy blocked memories of what had happened between them last night. She didn’t dare think about it. Couldn’t allow herself to imagine it happening again. If she did, heaven help her, she would want him just as much as she had before.
The care center was always busy on Sundays, family members stopping by to see loved ones. The nurse, an auburn-haired woman named Mary, didn’t have her mother quite ready for the visit, so Mindy and Jax sat in the lobby to wait.
A folded copy of theDallasMorning Newsrested on a maple end table next to the mint green vinyl sofa. Mindy picked it up and began leafing through it. A story at the top of the second page caught her eye.
Murder Victim Identified
The body of Ryan Shipman, reported missing five days ago, was found in a shallow grave east of Ferris. It’s believed wild animals uncovered the remains. Though the coroner has not yet confirmed the cause of death, early reports speculate it is the result of a shooting.
MINDYGRIPPEDJAX’SARM.
He looked down at her. “What is it?”
“I know this man. Ryan’s the guy I mentioned, the man I did some bookkeeping for a few months back. I can’t believe he was murdered.”
Jax took the paper out of her hand and skimmed the article, his dark brows drawing together. “It looks like this just happened. He was only missing five days before they found his body.” He glanced at her. “First men try to abduct you. Then your apartment is trashed. Now a guy you worked for turns up dead. I don’t like it.”
