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that job, so if she wanted, in time, she could move out.

      Maybe he couldn’t erase what had happened between them just now, but he sure as hell could make some changes for the better happen, starting tomorrow.

      He flipped off the light and headed to his room to take a cold shower and hopefully catch a little sleep.

      On Friday afternoon Carey sat on the backyard deck in the shade of the huge jacaranda tree, the flowers falling into piles of light purple and scattering across the wood planks like pressed flowers in a painting. She’d been reading an article about early pregnancy on the internet on Joe’s tablet when she heard his hybrid SUV pull into the garage and shortly after he came through the gate in the backyard.

      Did he know she was out here? Or, more likely after last night, maybe he wanted to avoid her by coming through the back way, hoping she’d be inside.

      “Hey,” he said, all smiles, as if nothing monumental had occurred between them last night.

      “Hi. You’re home early.”

      He came toward the deck but didn’t come up, keeping a safe distance between them, placing a foot on the second step and leaning a forearm over his knee. “One of the perks of owning your own business is that I call the shots. It was a slow day, so I took off early.”

      “Lucky you.” His smile was wide, giving her the impression he had some good news. Maybe he had found somewhere for her to move to? If she was honest, that would give her mixed feelings, though the social worker Helena had said she’d look into housing for her, too, and she’d agreed to it at the time. “But I know you’ve worked hard to get where you are and at the ripe old age of twenty-eight you deserve your afternoon off. Twenty-eight, that’s right isn’t it?”

      He nodded proudly. Yeah, he’d made something out of himself and he wasn’t even thirty yet. “And you are?”

      “Twenty-five.”

      “A mere child.” He smiled, pretending to be the worldly-wise older man, but his gaze quickly danced away from hers. Yeah, he was still mixed up about last night, too. “So, listen, about you feeling isolated and stuck here and everything...”

      “I didn’t say that.”

      “You didn’t have to. I figured it out after you went to your room last night. But let’s not rehash that, because I’ve got some good news.”

      She shut down the tablet and leaned forward in the outdoor lounger. “Good news? They found my stuff?”

      He wrinkled his nose and shook his head. “Sorry, I wish. But here’s the deal—the clinic has this prenatal class, they call it Parentcraft and it’s starting a new session tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind, but I put your name in, and Dr. Rothsberg gave me the okay. I thought you could ride into work with me in the morning, and check it out.”

      “You signed me up? Isn’t there a fee? I...uh...can’t—”

      “Like I said, James took care of everything. He’s a generous man. There’s a spot for you and the first session starts tomorrow at ten.”

      “Joe, I’m really grateful for you doing this, but you’re helping so much, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

      “Carey, I’m not doing any of this to make you feel indebted to me. Please, don’t feel that way. My parents taught me a lot of stuff, and helping folks was big in our family. When you’re back on your feet you’ll find a way to help someone else in need. That’s all. No debt to me, just pay it forward.”

      “Joe...” She stared at him, trying her hardest to figure him out. Was he a freak of nature or her personal knight in shining armor? She leaned back in the lounger and looked into the blue sky dotted with its few wispy clouds. “It’s just hard to take in all this goodness after the way my life had been going this past year.” She heard him step up the stairs and walk toward her.

      “Well, get used to it.” He sat on the adjacent lounger then reached out to touch her hand. “That man you ran away from is ancient history. It may not have been your plan, but Hollywood is your new beginning. Just go with the flow, as my yoga-brained sister likes to say.”

      Carey laughed, wondering about Joe’s family. They must be some special people to produce a gem like him. “Okay. Thanks. I’m excited about the class tomorrow.”

      “Great, and while you’re at the hospital you can fill out the papers for the temporary ward clerk job, too.”

      “What?”

      “I know, too much goodness, right?” He laughed, and she thought she could easily get used to watching his handsome face. “James, uh, Dr. Rothsberg, has taken care of everything. Hey, not every clinic can boast their very own Jane Doe. We just want to help get you back on your feet.”

      “This is all too much to take in.”

      “Then don’t waste your time.” He stood. “Come on, I’ll take you to my favorite deli on Fairfax. You like roast beef on rye? They make their sandwiches this thick.” He used his thumb and index finger to measure a good four inches.

      Well, come to think of it, she was hungry. Again! And what better way to keep her mind off the whirlwind of feelings gathering inside her about that man than stuffing her face with a sandwich. Otherwise she’d have to deal with her growing awareness of Joe, the prince of a guy who had literally come out of nowhere, protecting her, saving her, taking her in, changing her life in a positive way, and, maybe the most interesting part, forcing her to remember pure and simple attraction for the opposite sex.

      * * *

      Saturday morning Carey was up and dressed in one of the new outfits Joe had bought her, a simple summer dress with a lightweight pastel-green sweater that covered the tiny baby bump just starting to appear. She was nervous about applying for a job, though she knew she really needed to get out among the living again, to prove to herself she was getting back on her feet. Also, having something to do after a week of lying low since being discharged from the clinic was a major reason she looked forward to applying for the job. As for the parenting class, with her huge desire to be a good mother she was eager to start.

      Joe had dressed for work, his light blue polo shirt with The Hollywood Hills Clinic logo above the pocket fit his healthy frame perfectly and highlighted those gorgeous deltoids, biceps and triceps. The cargo pants, though loose and loaded with useful pockets, filled with EMS stuff no doubt, still managed to showcase his fine derriere. She felt a little guilty checking him out as he walked ahead to open the door to the employee entrance. How much longer would she be able to blame her concussion for this irrational behavior? In her defense, there was just something so masculine about a guy wearing those serious-as-hell EMS boots!

      He glanced at his watch. “You should have enough time to get your paperwork done for the job application first. I’ll walk you over to HR.”

      “HR?”

      “Human Resources.”

      “Ah, we call it Employee Relations back home.”

      “Yeah, same thing, but first I’m going to show you where your parenting class will be so you’ll know where to go when you’re through. Follow me.”

      Carey did as she was told, clutching her small purse with her new identification cards and temporary driving license, while walking and looking around the exquisite halls and corridors with vague memories of having been there before. Though the place seemed more like a high-end hotel than a hospital. And this time she had money from her last pay check from the hospital back home, instead of being completely vulnerable, like before. Ten days ago she’d arrived on a stretcher, and today she was applying for a job and starting a new parenting class. She was definitely getting back on her feet. Who said life wasn’t filled with miracles?

      “Oh, Gabriella,” Joe said, to a pretty woman walking past, “I’d like to introduce you to Carey Spencer. She’ll be starting your class later.” He turned to Carey. “Gabriella is

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