How to Romance a Stranger Read online

  “The job brought me here. I’d never been to Wyoming, but once my dad was gone there was nothing keeping me in Ohio.” Lexi smiled. “Enough about me. Tell me what you remember about your family.”

  “Absolutely nothing.” He leaned back in his seat and massaged the bridge of his nose with two fingers.

  Lexi slanted him a sideways glance. “Headache?”

  He shrugged. “Comes and goes.”

  “It’s not much farther,” Lexi said. “You look so good it’s easy to forget what you’ve been through.”

  She thinks I look good. For some reason the thought buoyed his flagging spirits.

  Lexi turned the car onto a graveled drive and John’s gaze was drawn to the large log home at the base of the mountain, tucked away in a forest of trees.

  “Is that Wildwoods?”

  Lexi smiled. “Home sweet home.”

  “It’s huge,” John said.

  “It’s pretty big.” A smile tipped the corners of Lexi’s lips. “Last summer we began doing weddings.”

  “Weddings?” Unexpectedly and without warning, an image of him in a tux standing in front of an altar filled with flowers surfaced. But it was gone so quickly he couldn’t be sure it ever existed.

  “Destination weddings are all the rage and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful venue,” she said. “In the summer the wildflower garden is perfect for outdoor ceremonies. We also do quite a few inside in the great hall. Most of those couples exchange vows in front of the stone fireplace.”

  Her expression turned dreamy and the attraction he’d felt at the hospital slammed into him with all the subtlety of a ton of bricks. However, for all he knew this woman he found so attractive could have a boyfriend or be married. And…so could he.

  “How does your husband like living at a bed-and-breakfast?” he asked in a casual tone.

  “I’m not married.”

  “Divorced?”

  “Never married.”

  “I’m surprised.” He was also relieved, but saw no reason to mention that fact. “A woman as pretty as you…I’d have thought you’d have been snatched up long ago.”

  “I’m too busy to date.” Lexi pulled the car to a stop in a small parking lot adjacent to the side of the house.

  John glanced out the window, but the blowing snow made it difficult to see much. “Looks like we got here just in time.”

  “I’m glad I got off at noon.” Two lines of worry appeared between her brows. “If it continues falling at this pace, we’re going to have a real blizzard on our hands.”

  “I guess that means we better get inside.” He leaned over the seat and grabbed the bag stuffed with underwear, jeans, shirts, sweaters…and all the necessary toiletries.

  He’d tried to give the older woman who’d brought the bag to his room some money for the items. She’d refused to take anything from him, but her warm generosity wouldn’t be forgotten. He’d find a way to repay the hospital auxiliary for their kindness.

  Lexi secured the top button on her coat and pushed open the door. “Race you to the front door.”

  John shoved open his own door and ducked his head. The wind blew sideways with such force it made walking difficult and running impossible. Though he didn’t want to overstep, when Lexi slipped and almost fell, he took her arm. The heels she wore were more suited to a night on the town than a slick walkway.

  She smiled her thanks and he tightened his hold as together they climbed the steps of the massive porch. They’d barely reached the front door when it flew open.

  A middle-aged woman with salt-and-pepper hair and a worried expression motioned them inside. “I’m so glad you left when you did. They just announced on the radio that the roads in and out of Jackson have been closed.”

  “The snow isn’t the only problem,” Lexi said. “It’s the ice under the snow and the visibility that makes driving treacherous.”

  The woman hung their coats on an elaborately carved coat-tree in the spacious foyer and she and Lexi spent a couple more minutes discussing the weather. John lifted his gaze, taking in the high open ceilings and the large windows.

  “How’s Addie?” Lexi asked.

  “Much better,” Coraline said. “Whatever she had must have been one of those twenty-four-hour bugs.”

  John wondered if Addie was yet another patient from the hospital. Whoever she was, by the look of relief on Lexi’s face, it was apparent she’d been worried about her.

  “By the way, I’m Coraline Coufal.” The older woman held out her hand. “Welcome to Wildwoods.”

  “I’m Jack,” he improvised, taking her hand. “Jack Snow.”

  Lexi raised a brow but didn’t say a word.

  “Well, Mr. Snow. It’s a pleasure having you with us.” Her gaze was curious but she asked no questions. “I’ll get your key then show you to your room.”

  As she hurried off, Lexi leaned close. “Jack Snow?”

  “Better than John Doe.” He inhaled the intoxicating scent of her perfume. “Snow seemed appropriate given the current weather conditions.”

  “We’re in business.” Coraline swept into the foyer holding up a large brass key.

  “Nice meeting you, Jack.” Lexi held out her hand.

  His fingers had barely closed around hers when a dark-haired child in a flannel nightgown bounded down the stairs and flung her arms around Lexi. “Mommy. Mommy.”

  Lexi released his hand and her lips lifted in a smile. She lifted the child off her feet and spun her around. “I’m so happy to hear my girl is feeling better.”

  “Your girl?” Jack sputtered.

  Lexi planted a kiss on Addie’s hair then turned the child in her arms to face him. “Jack Snow, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Miss Addison Brennan.”

  * * *

  Lexi hadn’t been sure how John, er, Jack, would react to the news she had a daughter, but he merely blinked then extended his hand to the seven-year-old.

  “Addison is a beautiful name.” He took her small hand in his. “For a very beautiful girl.”

  Addie giggled. “What’s your name?”

  “Jack Snow.”

  The child giggled again. “That’s a funny name.”

  “Yes, it is,” Jack said easily before Lexi could reprimand her daughter. “How old are you, Addie?”

  “Seven,” she said proudly. “I’m in second grade.”

  “That’s cool.”

  “My teacher is Mrs. Kohtz,” Addie said. “She told my mommy I’m a smart girl.”

  “Too smart,” Lexi murmured under her breath.

  Jack tilted his head. “I heard you’ve been sick.”

  “I had a cold.” Addie twirled in place. “But I’m all better now.”

  “I see that.” His gaze dropped to her feet. “I like your bunny slippers.”

  “Mommy got them for me.” Addie quit spinning. She lifted one foot and shook it, making the ears flop.

  Lexi listened to the conversation in amazement. Addie hadn’t been around many men. But she was blossoming under Jack’s undivided attention.

  “Lexi?”

  Coraline’s voice pulled Lexi from her reverie. She glanced up to find not only her friend staring, but Addie and Jack, as well.

  “I was asking if once Jack gets unpacked the three of you would like to join me for lunch later in the kitchen?”

  Lexi’s first impulse was to say no. She’d done her job. She’d found Jack a place to live. Heck, she’d driven him right to the door. Her obligation as a hospital social worker had been fulfilled. No one would fault her if she said no.

  “Can we eat with Mr. Snow?” Addie begged. “Pretty please?”

  Jack remained silent, but the hopeful look in his eyes tugged at her heartstrings. He’d lost his past. He’d almost lost his life. If she were in his place, she’d hope someone would go beyond the call of duty and show some compassion. “I’d love some lunch.”

  A look of relief crossed Jack’s face and Addie gave a whoop.

  “I’ll
show Jack to his room so he can get settled,” Coraline said. “Let’s plan to meet in the kitchen in a half hour.”

  “While you do that I’ll take Addie upstairs so she can get dressed,” Lexi said.

  “But I want to wear my bunny slippers,” Addie whined.

  “You may wear the slippers,” Lexi said to her daughter. “But this isn’t our home and you aren’t going to run around the lodge in your nightie.”

  Addie opened her mouth to protest, but Jack spoke first.

  “You said you lived in a cabin,” Jack said smoothly. “Is it far from the main lodge?”

  Addie vigorously nodded her head. “It’s a long, long ways.”

  “Not quite that far.” Lexi smiled at her daughter before returning attention to Jack. “But I’m sure not looking forward to braving the wind and snow.”

  “Why don’t you and Addie take my room tonight?” he offered. “I can sleep on a sofa somewhere.”

  “No need,” Coraline said. “Lexi and Addie will stay with me. My suite has an extra bedroom.”

  “What about the people in the other cabins?” Jack asked. “Will they be safe in this storm?”

  Lexi realized he wasn’t merely making conversation. She’d noticed the man had an insatiable curiosity about, well, practically everything.

  “The cabins have fully stocked kitchens and fireplaces,” Coraline said. “The guests who stay in them do so for the privacy and for the outdoor experience.”

  “The ski patrol thought I might have been living in a cabin in the Teton Village area,” Jack murmured almost to himself. His brows furrowed as though the conversation had raised even more questions in his mind. Lexi decided to give him a break.

  “C’mon, sweetie.” She laid a hand on her daughter’s shoulders. “Let’s go upstairs and get you dressed so we can eat. I’m starving.”

  “I’m starving, too.” Addie turned and looked expectantly at Jack.

  “I’m starving three,” he said, focused once more on the conversation.

  Addie giggled.

  Lexi laughed even as warning flags popped up. Smart, charming and handsome. There was no room at her inn for such a man. No room at all.

  Chapter Three

  Unpacking didn’t take much time. Not when all Jack’s worldly possessions fit inside a duffel bag.

  Still, he wasn’t complaining. The avalanche that had stolen his memory could easily have taken his life. He might not remember anything before yesterday but he had clothes to wear, a roof over his head and in a few minutes he was going to have lunch with a beautiful woman and her adorable daughter.

  Lexi continued to surprise him. When she’d blushed at the sight of his bare chest, he’d concluded she was an innocent. One of those pretty women that, for whatever reason, didn’t have much experience with men. Then he’d discovered she had a precocious seven-year-old daughter. A little girl who was the spitting image of her lovely mother.

  Jack gazed out the window at the falling snow. He’d enjoyed talking to Addie. The conversation had flowed naturally and he’d felt comfortable around the child. It appeared that he was used to being around children. Did he have a daughter? Or a son? He dropped his gaze to his ringless left finger. Did he have a wife?

  Leaning forward, he placed both hands on the windowsill and rested his forehead against the double-plated glass. He closed his eyes and willed himself to remember.

  But no memories came forward. It was as if his life had started when the ski patrol had plucked him from the snow.

  Reluctantly he straightened. The psychiatrist who’d seen him at the hospital had said that he shouldn’t try to force his recovery. He was supposed to keep his mind open and let the memories come to him.

  The trouble was his mind was wide open and nothing was knocking at the door.

  Give it time, he told himself. There might be a good reason you’re not remembering. Of all the things the doctor had told him, that comment had concerned him the most. At first he’d worried he’d been skiing with someone—a friend, a wife, a child—and they hadn’t survived.

  But when the head of the ski patrol had stopped by the hospital to check on him, the guy had insisted there hadn’t been any other transceiver signals in the area. That seemed to confirm he’d been skiing alone. But why? Especially in such a dangerous area?

  Had something happened in his life the day he’d gone to the slopes? Had he fought with a wife or girlfriend? Walked away from his family? Dissed his friends? Was he a jerk? Is that why no one had been with him? Why no one had come forward?

  Jack stared out the window at the falling flakes, adding and discarding possibilities until his head began to ache. He massaged the back of his neck trying to ease the tightness. All he had were questions. Not a single answer.

  He wasn’t sure how long he stood there. It took the loud growling of his stomach to pull him from his reverie. When it continued to rumble, Jack remembered Coraline’s invitation.

  His lips tipped upward. Finally, a problem with an easy solution. Grinning, Jack headed to the kitchen.

  * * *

  “That was excellent.” Jack sat back from the oval wooden table and heaved a contented sigh. “I can’t remember a better meal.”

  Lexi exchanged a glance with Coraline. She tried but couldn’t keep her lips from twitching.

  “Go ahead and laugh. I’m well aware this is my first meal outside of the hospital.” Jack’s brown eyes danced with good humor. “Yet, even without anything to compare against, I know good food when I taste it.”

  “Thank you, Jack. I’m happy you enjoyed it.” Coraline rose to her feet. “Believe it or not, it’s time for me to start getting ready for dinner.”

  “I’ll help.” Lexi started to rise but Coraline put a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down.

  “Absolutely not.” Coraline’s smile softened her words. “This is your opportunity to relax and spend time with your little girl.”

  “But I want to play checkers with Sarah.” Addie tugged her mother’s sleeve. “You promised if I was better today, we could play. You promised. You—”

  “Addison, cut the whine,” Lexi said firmly before turning her gaze to a clearly curious Jack. “Sarah is Addie’s age. Her father is in Jackson on business and she and her mother came with him on this trip.” Lexi settled her gaze on her daughter. “You may play with Sarah until dinnertime. After that you’re stuck with me.”

  Addie popped up from the table like a jack-in-the-box. “Can I go now?”

  The child danced from one foot to the other, her voice quivering with excitement.

  Lexi’s heart overflowed with love for her exuberant child. It was hard to believe she’d once prayed that the positive pregnancy test was a mistake. Now she couldn’t imagine her life without Addie in it. “What do you tell Coraline?”

  The child stopped hopping. Her smile disappeared. Confusion blanketed her face.

  “Thank you.” Jack spoke behind his hand in an elaborate stage whisper.

  Addie’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

  “Thank you, Coraline.” Addie flung her arms around the woman. “Lunch was fabulicious.”

  “A compliment doesn’t get much better than that,” Coraline said with a smile.

  Addie turned back to her mother. “Can I go now?”

  “May I go now,” Lexi gently corrected. “And yes, you may.”

  “Yippee.” Addie raced from the kitchen without a backward glance.

  “Slow down,” Lexi called out.

  Before the child had even disappeared from sight, Coraline started clearing the table.

  Though Coraline had insisted she didn’t want help, Lexi wasn’t about to sit around and let her do all the work. She’d barely started to rise when Jack appeared behind her, pulling back her chair.

  “Allow me,” he said smoothly.

  Lexi smiled, impressed by the chivalrous gesture. “You’re quite the gentleman.”

  “I guess I am,” he said after a long moment. �
��I hope so, anyway.”

  Lexi’s heart went out to him. She couldn’t imagine what it’d be like to be a stranger in your own body.

  Ignoring Coraline’s protests, Lexi gathered up the glasses and Jack scooped up the silverware. While they finished clearing the table, Coraline began loading the dishwasher.

  Lexi had just started teasing Jack that if he wasn’t careful Coraline would be putting him to work full-time, when the older woman cleared her throat.

  “I don’t mean to kick you out.” She glanced down at her watch. “But—”

  “You need to start dinner,” Lexi said with a grin. She knew better than to offer assistance again. The older woman had already made it clear that Lexi was off-duty tonight. “Jack and I will find something to keep us busy.”

  Once they were in the hall, Jack stopped her. “You don’t have to babysit me. I’m sure you have your own stuff to do.”

  Even though less than an hour before she’d been hoping for an out, her heart gave a little ping. “If you’ve had enough together time, I understand.” Lexi met his gaze. “But if you’re worried about imposing, don’t be. If I had something to do, or somewhere else to be, I’d tell you.”

  “You’re as spunky as your daughter.” The admiration took any sting from his words.

  “I guess Addie comes by it honestly.” Lexi twisted her lips in a wry smile. “But if I start twirling around, stop me, please.”

  He laughed. “What do you propose we do now that twirling is off the table?”

  His gaze locked with hers and suddenly, without warning, the world stood still. The chatter from the housebound guests in the great hall faded and Lexi found herself drowning in the dark depths of his eyes. And when his gaze settled on her lips, they began to tingle.

  What would it be like to kiss him, she wondered? To have those perfectly sculpted lips pressed against hers…

  He took a step closer and when his hand touched her hair, desire rose inside her.

  Married.

  The word slammed like a snow shovel against the side of her head.

  He could be married.

  Lexi took a step back.