Jake’s eyes widened, and he gave an uncomfortable chuckle. His gazed stayed locked with hers for a long moment before he turned away. He paused on his way out of the kitchen to snatch a chunk of potato from the bowl Lottie had been filling before Emily distracted her.
Lottie stood behind him. “What do you think you’re doing, young man?” In one fluid motion and with a dexterity that said she’d done this a thousand times, Lottie pulled the dish towel from her shoulder, swirled it in the air, and flicked it at Jake’s backside.
Jake laughed as he shoved the potato in his mouth. Face full of guilt, he ducked while attempting to hop out of her reach. He wasn’t quick enough. The towel hit its target with a sharp snap.
Emily laughed. The emotion felt foreign, yet so wonderful. Jake looked at her, color creeping up his neck, his eyes twinkling.
Emily couldn’t help herself—she laughed again. She didn’t know what made Jake more adorable—the blush or the fact that he enjoyed teasing his housekeeper.
“Jake,” Lottie said, pulling Emily from her thoughts. “Looks like you’re up for dinner tonight.” She pointed at the menu he’d altered last night, then with a mocking voice she mumbled under her breath, “Have I ever changed the menu?”
“Right.” A sheepish looked crossed Jake’s face as he glanced at the clock then at Zane and back to Lottie. “Give me thirty minutes. Then I’ll get showered and fire up the grill.”
Emily stared at the door long after he walked out, praying she’d recover her memory before she completely fell for the rugged cowboy.
* * *
Vince pulledoff the road at the turn to the lake and smacked the steering wheel of his cousin’s Nissan. Pulling the cell phone from his pocket, he punched in the boss’s number.
“Is it taken care of? Do you have the evidence?” came the boss’s clipped voice.
The sharp, domineering attitude grated on Vince’s nerves. He grit his teeth to keep from giving theBossa piece of his mind.
The arrogant jerk hadn’t even expressed condolences a couple days ago when Vince had called to tell him Frankie was dead. He’d simply reminded Vince he’d screwed up by leaving a witness and insisted he clean up his mess and get the evidence.
Vince itched to remind him he was the one who’d started this whole thing with his nefarious activities.
“I can’t get to the woman.”
He’d gone by the hospital before she’d been released, but there had been a cop sitting outside her room. He’d hightailed it out of there before anyone got a good look at him.
Thanks to another visit to the diner, he’d learned the lady from the accident was staying at the Double Diamond Ranch after being discharged from the hospital. Fortunately, he hadn’t crossed paths with Roy and his Buddy or the pretty blond waitress again.
He’d also overheard that the lady from the car accident apparently had amnesia. He should be thankful. That was probably the only reason a wanted poster sporting his face wasn’t plastered everywhere. He’d already considered cutting his losses and disappearing, but he needed the remainder of the fifty grand the boss owed him.
“What do you mean you can’t get to her?” Alarm filled the man’s voice, pulling Vince from his musings. “You must take care of her. Need I remind you she has seen your face?”
“I know, but they have her under armed guard at a ranch the size of Texas. Every time I turn around, the sheriff or one of his deputies is patrolling the area.”
His Excursion had been spotted near the ranch. That’s why he’d borrowed his cousin, Ralph’s, car. And though he’d glimpsed the woman on the front porch, verifying she was still there, he couldn’t get close enough to get his hands on her.
“Do whatever it takes. Don’t contact me again until you’ve taken care of the woman and have the evidence in hand.” With that, the pompous jerk hung up.
Vince muttered a string of curses and tossed his phone on the passenger seat. He never allowed a “boss” to talk to him like that. Normally, he didn’t hesitate to take out any man who didn’t show him the respect he deserved, but he needed to finish this. He needed the rest of the money to bury Frankie. Then maybe he would slip away to some tropical island and disappear.
Besides, the pompous jerk was right. Vincehadmessed up. He’d jumped the gun. He figured Cameron Anderson would tell his sister everything if given the chance. Vince had been determined not to let that happen.
But Anderson had already talked to his sister. And if her memory returned, she could identify Vince.
Chapter 12
Jake bit back a smile when Emily’s eyes widened as he walked into the kitchen wearing his favorite, well-worn jeans that fit like a second skin, and an equally snug white t-shirt.
He was acting like Robert, which was so unlike him. But he’d caught Emily studying his shoulders earlier and he intended to give her something to look at.
In fact, he contemplated working out with Daniel. Not because he needed to tone-up but rather to get—and keep—Emily’s attention. And to support Daniel, of course.
Despite his words to his mother about not knowing anything about Emily, he found he wanted to know everything about her.
