LITMIR.BIZ

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the two people he loved and trusted most. The way Kim looked at Derek when she thought Jordan wouldn’t see – and how his brother obviously fought his feelings for the woman Jordan loved. Though Jordan had witnessed the hidden smiles and light touches between them, he’d refused to believe his own eyes.

      So, when Kim and Derek came to him seven years ago, saying they never intended to hurt him, but they’d eloped – a cage locked around his broken and betrayed heart as he quietly ordered them out of his life. He’d shut them out so completely that he’d only just learned of Tyler’s existence after their deaths.

       His six-and-a-half-year-old nephew.

      Kim had assured Jordan that Derek refused to sleep with her while she was still with him. Given Tyler’s age, she must have gotten pregnant immediately after eloping. Or she’d lied. Which only cemented his lack of trust in women and relationships.

      He fought the urge to leave now, drive off into the cold night. Stay gone until the hurts of the past were tucked into the back of his mind once more. But how could he do that now, when the living, breathing proof of Kim and Derek’s betrayal was sleeping under his roof, looking to him for comfort and security…and love?

      And Tyler’s beautiful teacher hadn’t helped matters at all. He hadn’t been this blindsided since Kim. Isabella was exasperating. Her icy-hot looks – coupled with her misplaced but good intentions – shot sparks through him. The last thing he needed was to want Isabella Stevens.

      Thank God he had the freezing night air to cool off, as he recalled the feel of her soft curves pressed tightly against him on Reindeer Ridge this morning. The strong physical pull toward her scared the hell out of him. She threatened the inner stability he’d struggled to find since that dark time seven years ago. But she was also Tyler’s teacher. And she’d created a situation that he, admittedly, couldn’t remedy by himself.

      He found them sitting on the sofa by the fire when he came back inside. Tyler was snuggled next to Isabella as she read a children’s book to him. He stood in the shadows, unnoticed, listening to the soft cadence of her voice as the words lulled Tyler into a peaceful sleep. He waited while she covered his nephew with a blanket and smoothed the hair from his forehead. A look of worry flitted across her delicate features.

       Where was this concern when she played fast and loose with promises that not even Santa – if he existed – could deliver?

      “Emily won’t be coming back tonight,” Jordan whispered, glancing at Tyler. “He’s been having trouble sleeping – I don’t want to wake him now.” Isabella stood, her tired eyes focusing on Jordan in the firelight as he spoke. “You’re welcome to stay here for the night but, if you’d rather go home, I’ll call a cab.”

      “I’m sorry. Tyler insisted I read this story to him,” Isabella said softly. “I didn’t know how long you’d be…out.”

      She handed the book to Jordan. He absently flipped it open and read the note written inside. “To my son, Tyler – you made my fairy tale come true. Love, Mommy.” He closed the cover, noting how the princess sitting amidst the seven small men resembled Kim.

      “It’s Tyler’s favorite – he sleeps with it sometimes,” he said, almost to himself. “I think it reminds him of his mother. He misses her…” A brief sadness crept in, along with regret. But it was quickly replaced by the bitter remembrance that Derek had been Kim’s happily ever after. They’d even died together.

      “I meant no harm when I suggested Tyler write a letter to Santa,” Isabella made a nervous effort to explain. “I had no idea about his parents. Everything was so crazy at school, with it being the day before Thanksgiving, and my first day teaching…I wasn’t informed. He seemed so sad – I just wanted to help him find some Christmas joy.”

      “Which will be blown all to hell on Christmas morning.” Jordan heard Isabella’s soft gasp and immediately regretted his sharp tone. “I’m sorry,” he said.

      “No…you’re right,” Isabella whispered. “I wish there was a way I could fix this…”

      Jordan stayed silent for a long moment, resisting the urge to tell her it was okay. Because it wasn’t. And he needed help figuring it out. He was new to this parenting business, and he had no idea how to handle any child, let alone a six-year-old whose fragile emotions were about to be shattered on what should be the happiest day of the year. “You could move in here.” He said the words before the idea fully formed in his head. He forced himself to meet her stunned gaze.

      “What…?” Isabella’s surprise was almost equal to his own.

      Jordan threw up his hands, frustrated. “It’s just an impulsive thought – probably even a reckless one. But…I’m desperate here. And Tyler seems to like you. A lot. You’re good with him – when you’re not promising him miracles, that is.” He noted the embarrassment tinting her skin, and the spark of doubt in her eyes. “Forget I even suggested it.”

      He mentally kicked himself for thinking out loud, and moved to Tyler, lifting him from the sofa. He gently carried his nephew down the hall. Isabella followed and stood in the shadows as he tucked Tyler into his bed, under a cozy, animal-print blanket. His skin pricked with awareness as he felt her stare. Was he crazy, asking Tyler’s beautiful teacher, a woman, to move in with him? He looked down at his sleeping nephew. He’d asked it for Tyler, not himself. And he’d pushed his own doubts, and fears, aside to do it.

      Isabella walked back to the living room, and Jordan left Tyler, catching up with her near the fireplace. For a few moments, they stood side by side, silently staring into the flames.

      “I’m sorry I’ve made matters worse,” Isabella spoke first.

      Jordan shook his head and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I didn’t expect any of this – my brother’s death, meeting my nephew for the first time. Taking him in.” He felt Isabella’s surprised glance. “It’s a long story – but my brother Derek and I were estranged. Besides the fact that I barely know Tyler, my job requires much of my time and attention.” He sighed. “This arrangement is only temporary, and Emily’s a big help, but still…”

      Isabella’s attention snapped to his face. “What do you mean?”

      Jordan ignored the guilt that spiked his conscience. “Tyler’s stay here can’t be permanent. I have a nice couple in mind – Derek’s friends in Boulder, the Forresters. They recently contacted me about spending time with Tyler. I think they could be good for him – they love kids, apparently. So, when he’s strong enough, I plan to send him on short visits to their home. With any luck, they’ll become Tyler’s new parents.”

      He defended himself against the disbelief in Isabella’s eyes. “Surely you can see I’m not father material, Miss Stevens. But I’m Tyler’s only living relative. It’s my responsibility to bring him through this first Christmas without his parents – which hasn’t been made any easier by your ‘Dear Santa’ project.”

      A long, pregnant silence filled the room. He didn’t know why he was compelled to appeal to the woman whose mere presence put pressure on the protective cage around his heart.

      It would probably be wiser to call a cab, send her off – into the night, and out of his life. And so he surprised himself again with his next words.

      “The offer to move in still stands. You said you wished you could fix this. So, will you help me, Isabella?”

      ***

      Isabella. He’d said her name for the first time…so soft, so sweet…

       So terrifyingly seductive.

      It sent electricity pulsing through her veins, and left goose bumps on her skin. Reason enough to throw his offer out the window. And leave.

      The way he affected her only added to her worries – and drove her up the wall. On one hand, he infuriated her with

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