Hometown Heartbreakers: Holly And Mistletoe Part 5

So she wasn't a nurse. "Which one?"

"An antique store across from the park. Now it's called A Victorian Parlor."

He remembered seeing the shop after it had opened. "When I'm feeling better, I'm going to be working on restoring this old place. Maybe I should come by."

"Definitely." She leaned forward. "The store specializes in Victorian pieces, with a whole section on restoration. There are books of wallpaper, both reproductions of old prints, as well as Victorian inspired. I can order fixtures, faucets, even disguised switch covers. As far as the restoration books go, a few are for sale, but mostly I loan them out. That's one of the things I like about Glenwood. There are so many old homes that people are restoring."

She hung on to her plate with one hand and gestured with the other. Enthusiasm filled her voice.

"You like your work," he said.

"I love it."

"Then I'll come into the store and get your help."

"I'd like that."

Their eyes met. She bit her lower lip and turned away. Jordan studied her. Part of him wanted her to be as shy and innocent as she seemed; another part of him hoped it was an act. If she was playing a role, then he wouldn't like her - and that would be easier for him. Mostly because he didn't want to admit being attracted to Holly Garrett.

"I remember that place being empty for a long time. When did you and your mother inherit the store?"

"My mom's aunt pa.s.sed away about five years ago. She's the one who left it to us." She toyed with the last piece of steak, then pushed it away and set the plate on the floor. "My mother was ill for several years. She had breast cancer that kept coming back. We talked about the antique store. It was our joint dream." Holly leaned back in the chair and folded her hands on her lap. "After she died three years ago, I paid off the rest of the medical bills, then saved money. When I had enough, I moved up here."

She told the story simply. Jordan knew there were many details she'd left out. He wondered about family. Was she an only child? Where was her father in all this? But he didn't like questions, and he wasn't about to force her to answer his. At least part of the mystery was explained. If her mother had been ill for a long time, Holly would have become familiar with hospitals. No wonder she could do a great nurse imitation.

"Do you like owning your own business?" he asked.

"I love it. When I was still in high school, I had a part-time job working in an antique store. After I graduated, I worked there full-time. I know a lot about antiques, restoration. One day I want to buy an old place like this and restore it from the ground up."

"Two of my brothers have houses like this. Travis has finished his. Kyle and Sandy are still wrestling with plumbing upgrades. When I'm up and around, I can show you the houses if you'd like."

"That would be wonderful. What are you going to do with this house?"

"I'm not sure. In some of the rooms I'm stripping paint off the original molding. You wouldn't believe what people do to beautiful wood."

"Tell me about it. I've seen some horrible things. It should be illegal." She moved her chair a little closer to his bed. "Once I went to an estate sale. A woman had covered every piece of furniture with gold paint. It was appalling."

Holly continued with her story, but Jordan was having trouble concentrating. He stared at her face. When she'd visited him in the hospital, he'd noticed her freckles and the fact that she didn't wear much makeup. Today was the same. Her lashes were darkened with mascara, but other than that, she was as clean scrubbed as a ten-year-old.

He watched her full lips move as she spoke. Enthusiasm made her eyes sparkle. Her arms moved, and with them, her body. His gaze was drawn to her chest. She was definitely this side of curvy. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s would spill out of his hands, but he didn't think he would mind all that much.

He fought down a grin. His family and friends considered him reclusive and brooding. Occasionally he bordered on surly. So what the h.e.l.l was this woman doing in his house? And why was he so pleased to be in her company?

"When you're ready to strip wallpaper, let me know," she said. "I have a steamer that works like magic." She glanced at the high ceilings. "Even with that, in some of the rooms it's going to take days."

"I'll get my brothers to help me," he said. "I've helped them enough times."

"You're one of four, right?"

He nodded.

"That's nice." She sighed. "I always wanted a big family, but it was just my mom and me."

Holly was alone. Jordan didn't know what that felt like. Many times he found himself standing on the outside of family activities. Watching rather than partic.i.p.ating. But that was about him, not about the family. He always had a place to go where he was welcome. He couldn't imagine a world where no one cared about him.

"There's no husband lurking in the background? Or a jealous boyfriend? I'm not in a position to have to defend myself."

She blushed. "Hardly. I haven't really had time for that sort of thing."

What sort of thing had she had time for?

Leave it alone, Haynes, he told himself. She wasn't the woman for him. He'd wondered if the innocent act was real. Now he had a bad feeling it was. Wholesome. Just as he'd first thought.

"How old are you?" he asked.

"Twenty-eight."

Twenty-eight and never been kissed. He pushed the rolling table to one side. That was unlikely. Holly had been kissed. How could she look the way she did and not have been kissed? She probably had a trail of men drooling after her everywhere she went.

"Have you met a lot of people in Glenwood?" he asked. He meant men, of course, but asking that directly would be rude. Not to mention the fact that it would imply an interest he didn't have.

Liar, a voice in his head yelled. He ignored it.

"Some. People who come into my store are nice. I know my landlord, of course. I've made a couple of friends."

She looked away from him as he spoke, and he knew in that instant she was lying. She hadn't made a lot of friends, but she didn't want him feeling sorry for her.

He thought about the women his brothers had married. All of them were terrific and friendly. He had a feeling if he mentioned Holly to them, they would take her under their wings and draw her into the group. Or at least help her feel less alone. But Holly might not want him interfering.

Before he could ask or offer, she rose and collected their dinner plates. "Would you like some coffee?" she asked.

"That would be great. Oh, and some of those cookies you brought."

She gave him a quick smile, then headed out of the room. He watched the sway of her hips as she walked, and felt a stirring deep inside. He ignored it, just as he ignored the flicker of interest and the sensation of being intrigued. It had been a long time since a woman had caught his attention.

He reminded himself there was a price to be paid for getting involved. A price for caring. He wasn't willing to pay that again. But that wasn't what this was about. Holly was keeping him company. Nothing more. Soon she would leave, and he wouldn't have to see her again. Bad enough to risk getting involved with any woman. Worse to risk the heart of an innocent.

Chapter 3.

H olly brought in coffee and a plate of cookies. While she'd been in the kitchen, she'd removed her ap.r.o.n. Jordan tried to ignore her curves and his body's natural reaction to them. Aside from the fact that they were strangers, he was in no condition to act on any impulses, however pleasant the fantasy.

"I didn't know how you liked it," she said as she set the tray on the table across his bed. "There's milk and sugar." She motioned to the small containers next to the plate of cookies.

"Black is fine."

She picked up her cup, added milk, stirred, then took her seat "How do you feel?" she asked.