LITMIR.BIZ

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before he closed the door behind him. She went to her suitcases on the bed, pulled out a warm nightgown and slippers, and roamed her gaze around on her way to the restroom. The homey atmosphere didn’t ease the sudden panic that nearly choked her. She’d taken on a lot of responsibility, moving in here with the Butlers. And she wondered if she was emotionally strong enough for the task before her. She wondered if she was filling the emptiness left by Phillip with all the sadness of an orphaned boy and his emotionally distant uncle – knowing there could be serious disappointment in the end.

      It would only take the slightest encouragement for her to fall into the strength and safety of Jordan’s arms again. But she couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t do that. Her wants, her needs, didn’t matter now.

      At least that’s what she told herself as she lay in bed that night, listening to the winter wind outside her window, and thinking about the man who had saved her in the storm.

      ***

      The rest of the week went smoothly. Isabella and Tyler fell into a routine. They had breakfast together every morning, then he’d ride to school with her. And she’d stay with him at night until Jordan came home. Jordan spent long hours working, but she’d expected that. He had told her from the start that his job took most of his time. But, he did make a point to eat at least one meal a day with his nephew, as promised.

      It was a start.

      The following Saturday, three weeks before Christmas, Isabella was surprised to have the morning to herself. Emily offered to take Tyler along to the homeless shelter where she was volunteering for breakfast, then planned to take him shopping afterwards – stating that she’d neglected him through the week, and she wanted to make it up to him. Jordan left before dawn to check on a project which, he’d briefly explained, was close to getting its final inspection. He hadn’t said when he’d return and Tyler and Emily wouldn’t be back until the afternoon. When everyone left, Isabella considered how to spend her unexpected free time.

      The fact that she was here to help Tyler was foremost in her thoughts. She’d been formulating a plan to get him a dog for Christmas since their trip to the mall, but she’d have to check with Jordan first, of course. It wouldn’t be everything Tyler wanted, or needed, but she hoped it might make his Christmas morning a bit more bearable.

      It was unseasonably warm this morning and Isabella finished her second cup of coffee on the back patio. Jordan had given her free access to the main house, and she couldn’t resist spending some time out here, admiring the mountains in the distance. Inevitably, she recalled the last time they were out here. He’d nearly kissed her.

      She closed her eyes, remembering her reaction – her desire to feel his lips on hers. Jordan Butler was a surprise – and not a welcome one. Hadn’t she learned her lesson with Phillip? After her breakup, her plan was to move on, far away from her ex, and any dreams of a happily ever after. She hadn’t expected another man to be so squarely centered in her life again, regardless of the circumstances. She’d trusted Phillip Monroe with her heart, and he’d broken it. Now, Jordan was astonishingly making it beat again.

      But what the hell was she thinking? Though he was far different from Phillip – and quite clear about his own disenchantment with love – Jordan was a bewildering force in her life. Isabella could sense the danger of imminent heartache, but resisted the urge to run and hide from it. She couldn’t leave Tyler when he needed her. She just had to listen to her head where Tyler’s complicated and off-limits uncle was concerned.

      She went inside, focusing her thoughts on her mission – to bring Tyler and Jordan together, permanently. She surveyed the huge split-level living room. The decor was sparse – the masculine furniture and cool tones lacked warmth and welcome. Nothing a little holiday cheer couldn’t take care of, she thought. The idea took root, and Isabella hurried to her house, changing into an old pair of worn-out jeans and a light gray sweatshirt. Next, she wondered where Jordan might store his Christmas decorations – if he had any at all. She first looked in the garage, then entered the house and scanned the ceiling, her eyes coming to rest on a hatch door in the hall between the kitchen and foyer.

      Moments later, she was climbing the ladder she’d found in the garage, pushing the small door open. The attic was immersed in darkness. The only light coming into the room was from the roof vent. Luckily, the sun was shining in a clear sky this morning, and the sunbeams slanted through the slats of the vent enough so Isabella noticed the boxes stacked in one corner. She turned on the flashlight she’d retrieved from the kitchen and pointed it at the corner, looking for something that might resemble tinsel or ornaments.

      Only half of the room was being used as storage, filled with a few old pieces of furniture and the boxes that had been left seemingly undisturbed for years. Isabella took a seat on a small upholstered stool, deciding to rummage through them here without lingering too long on each one.

      She shined the flashlight on the contents of the first box, fascinated. It was filled with tiny clothes and stuffed animals, and various keepsakes themed toward a new baby. She assumed the items must have belonged to either Jordan, or his brother Derek, lovingly saved by their mother. She ran her fingers over a soft stack of baby blankets, encountering a hard object beneath them.

      Moving the blankets aside, Isabella uncovered a slightly tarnished silver chest. It was medium size, about ten inches long, six inches deep. She shook it. The muffled thudding indicated that the contents were unbreakable. She fumbled with the latch for a moment or two, finally concluding that, minus a key, it wouldn’t open without prying it. She set the intriguing chest aside, and focused on raiding the other boxes for holiday booty.

      About an hour later, she emerged from the attic with a box full of festive decorations. On a whim, she’d placed the silver chest on top, having all but forgotten it until she’d done a final sweeping glance around the room before exiting.

      Another two hours later, after happily arranging the tinsel, garland, and lights throughout the house, she stood in the dining room. She could see nearly every angle of the beautiful open-floor plan of the house from her vantage point, and Isabella realized there was one glaring piece missing – the Christmas tree. She ignored the spike of nerves at the thought of accompanying Jordan to a Christmas tree lot. A family outing would be good for him and Tyler.

      She headed for her place and a shower, then remembered the silver chest. She briefly wondered again what it held inside, then shrugged and tucked it safely in the box with the Christmas lights and ornaments, carrying it to the guesthouse for safekeeping.

      ***

      “You climbed into the attic by yourself?”

      Jordan had come home early, surprising Isabella by arriving before Tyler and Emily. She’d gone back to the kitchen for a diet soda and hadn’t showered yet. She was self-conscious standing there in her old jeans with the frayed hems and ripped knees, and avoided Jordan’s stare. “I wanted to decorate for the holidays. I thought it would be good for Tyler.”

      “You should have waited for me.” Jordan eyed the ladder still leaning against the wall in the hallway behind her. “You could’ve fallen.” His green eyes slid over her, first checking for injuries, then becoming darker as he noted her worn-out, casual clothes.

      Isabella’s heart beat wildly against her ribs. “I’m capable of climbing a ladder, Jordan.” She checked the slight tremor in her voice, wondering if it was nerves or his attractive appearance, slightly disheveled after a day’s work, yet sexy in his white shirt and casual faded jeans. The hint of his aftershave in the air reminded her of being scooped into his arms twice…

       And when he’d almost kissed her.

      “I have to change,” she said quickly, exiting the house and his vicinity – hoping a warm shower would clear her straying thoughts. But, even as she stepped into her robe twenty minutes later, the memory of their romantic close calls still lingered on her mind. She sat on the edge of the bed and towel dried her hair, resisting the urge to pound the mattress in frustration.

      A light tap on the door startled her. She stood quickly and pulled the tie on her robe

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