One Southern Cowboy - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,17

little Q&A session, and now he was hanging Jaxson out to dry. “No, not anymore,” Jaxson said carefully.

Lemon scratched her eyebrow. “Where does my family live?”

“Your mother lives in Los Angeles.”

“Really?” Lemon’s eyes went bigger than silver dollars. “Why LA?”

“That’s where you live.”

Horror streaked over her features. “Why would I ever want to live there? I hate the city.”

Knox chuckled. “I hear ya. I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would want to be confined in a concrete jungle when they can have clean, fresh air and green grass.” He slid a sideways look at Jaxson. “I knew I liked her.” This earned him a grin from Lemon. It helped ease the tension. “What else do you wanna know, darling?”

Lemon’s eyes clouded. “Who is my family?” She began wringing her hands. “I mean, who do I have left?”

It was both heartrending and fascinating to watch Lemon. From her body language, Jaxson could tell that even though Lemon couldn’t remember her past, her feelings on the subject were still there … running a swift current beneath the surface. She must have suspected, deep down, that something was amiss with her family. Jaxson cleared his throat, trying to figure out how to delicately approach the topic of Lemon’s parents.

She tightened her jaw. “Tell me,” she implored.

Jaxson sucked in a quick breath. “You’re an only child. You and your dad lost touch when you were young. Or at least, that’s the way I remember it.” He spread his hands. “You and I haven’t been in contact for many years.”

Her jaw fell. “Really?”

She looked genuinely disappointed. A fact that pleased him immensely, probably more than it should have. Jaxson felt Daddy’s eyes on him and sensed that he knew exactly what Jaxson was thinking and feeling.

“Why not?” Lemon asked, her inquisitive crystal eyes seeing into his soul.

Jaxson wasn’t sure how to answer. He didn’t want to add to Lemon’s stress, but the truth was the truth. She had a right to know what happened. He searched for the right words.

“People drift apart.” There, that was cryptic enough.

She arched an eyebrow. “Yes, and some people like to evade the subject.”

He coughed. “Excuse me?”

Daddy grinned. “I think she’s gonna be just fine,” he winked.

Jaxson chuckled. “So it would seem.”

Lemon tipped her head, her beautiful face thoughtful. “You said I lost touch with my dad. Are my mom and I close?”

“Yes, you and your mom were very close,” Jaxson answered. “At least when you and I knew each other.”

A look of pleasure overtook her features as she nodded. “I think I knew that.” She began talking fast using her hands as her expression grew animated. “I’m sure my mom’s wondering where I am. I should probably contact her, let her know that I’m okay.”

Jaxson’s insides laced up tight as he and Daddy looked at one another.

“What?” Lemon prompted, worry masking her features. “Is my mom okay?”

Compassion stirred inside of Jaxson. How could he tell Lemon that her mother had Alzheimer’s? “I’m sure she’s fine.”

“What is it that you’re not telling me?” Lemon balled her fist. “Tell me!”

“Go ahead,” Knox urged.

Jaxson took in a deep breath. There was no way around this. This whole thing was so twisted. He forced the words out. “Your mother has Alzheimer’s.” He winced at Lemon’s stricken expression.

“No,” she gasped. “It’s not true!” She pressed her fingers to her temples like she was in pain.

“Hey,” Jaxson said tenderly, touching her arm.

She jerked away from his grasp. “It can’t be true.”

“Search your memory,” Knox prompted kindly. “It’s all there.”

“Daddy,” Jaxson warned.

Knox held up his hand. “The wound is festering. I’m just trying to boil out the infection, so she can heal.”

Lemon’s hands started to shake. Her lips were thin, face pale as a ghost. Alarm raced through Jaxson. “Everything will be okay,” he said. “Your mother’s in a care center in LA.”

Her face caved the second before a cry wrenched her throat. She jumped up and fled the room.

Jaxson reached for the crutches, intent on going after her, but Daddy caught his arm. “Don’t. She needs time to cool off.”

Anger fisted Jaxson’s stomach. He spun around, glaring at Daddy. “You shouldn’t have pressed her.”

“A little pressure is necessary,” Knox said calmly.

“But Doctor Jepson said—”

“I don’t care what Henry said,” Knox mumbled. “He’s not a psychiatrist.”

“Neither are you,” Jaxson retorted.

Knox jutted his thumb in the direction Lemon had gone. “I don’t need to be a shrink to know that Lemon’s dealing with some heavy stuff. I’d venture to say that whatever it