“Let’s just say we don’t get many people who look like you ’round these parts.”
While Jake had never been a fan of the outdoorsy type before, let him be the first to admit what a fool he’d been. There was something so appealing about this man’s open, easy friendliness. Jake envied it. He couldn’t imagine being so free, but he wouldn’t give up Stacey for anything.
“Well, I’d better check in and let you get back to what you were doing.”
“Not doin’ a damn thing, ’cept going out to get a beer.” The man tipped his cowboy hat up, giving Jake a view of eyes as blue as a summer sky.
Damn, a drink sounded good right now. “Well, still…I don’t want to keep you.”
Jake reached for his suitcase, but surprising him with how quickly he moved, the man swiped it out of his grasp.
“C’mon ’n follow me. Guests never carry their own luggage at Forget Me Not.”
Not usually so complacent, Jake remained silent and followed him up the stairs and inside the house, holding close to the vest his admiration for the beauty of the man’s ass. Never had he appreciated a pair of jeans more.
They stopped in front of a small registration desk tucked into a corner of the airy great room. It did little to distract from the overall beauty of the space, with its large picture windows front and back and a beautiful stone fireplace.
The man set his cowboy hat on the desk, his thick dark hair curling around the base of a strong, tanned neck. It all contrasted beautifully with the bright blue of his eyes and the dusting of stubble over a finely chiseled jaw. Jake swallowed hard. It was going to be a long three days.
“Let’s get you checked in. Normally Patty would do it, but since it’s late, she’s already gone to bed. But don’t fret. I’ll get you taken care of.”
Jake gave him a faint smile.
I wouldn’t mind being taken care of by someone like you.
He pulled his mind out of the gutter to listen.
“All I need is to see some identification, and then I’ll check you in and get you to your room.”
Jake dug out his wallet and pulled out his driver’s license. He caught the man giving the eye to a picture of him and Stacey, and a million thoughts popped into his head, first and foremost being: was she okay? Early that morning they’d sat and he told her that Daddy was going somewhere for work, but he’d call her every morning and night. And he’d be home in a few days. He’d kissed her and hugged her tight. Did she think he was like Brian, who left one day and never came home?
“Right pretty little girl. Your daughter?”
“Yes. Stacey. She’s six.”
The man went behind the desk and added Jake’s information on the computer, then handed him the license. “Bet she’s a daddy’s girl.”
“Well, yeah. Guess you could say that.” He pocketed his wallet.
“Okay, Mr. Axelrod. You’re in Room Eight, and here’s your card key. Breakfast starts at seven and goes until ten.”
“I’ll be there. I haven’t eaten anything since lunch, and I had to rush to catch my plane. By the way, what’s your name? You’ve been so helpful, I want to make sure the owner knows.” They might call him The Axe Man at work and think he was a bastard, but Jake believed in rewarding good service.
That earned him another one of those gorgeous smiles. Electricity tingled down Jake’s spine and curled his toes, and again, he wondered why that face looked so familiar. “Well, that’s right kind of you. I’m Shea Montgomery.”
Jake picked up the key card the man set on the desk. “Thank you, Shea. Is the bar here open by any chance? Could I possibly get a drink and maybe a sandwich? I thought I’d be exhausted and would fall asleep as soon as I got here, but I took a nap in the car ride and now I’m wide awake.”
“Sorry, but we only have food and drink available at mealtimes.”
“Oh, damn. Well, I’ll live.” He took the handle of his suitcase. “Thanks anyway.” Wheeling the carry-on, Jake walked halfway across the room before he stopped, realizing he had no idea where he was going. He turned back to a laughing Shea.
“Okay. I know. I have no idea where I’m going.”
“ ’S’okay. It’s your first day here. You’re forgiven.” He pointed. “Down the hallway and take a