One Southern Cowboy - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,18

is has to do with her mother.”

Jaxson made a face. “You think so?”

“Yeah, I do.” He let out a long sigh. “She was probably having a hard time coming to terms with her mother’s Alzheimer’s before her memory loss. That’s why she had such a vehement reaction when you told her the truth.”

As much as Jaxson hated to admit it, Daddy was making sense. “What now?” he asked dully.

Knox scratched his head. “We could hire a detective to look into the situation … find out which care center her mother is in. See how she’s doing.”

“Good idea.”

Knox propped his elbows on the table, linking his fingers. “We could hire someone to poke around, quietly ask questions … see what has been going on in Lemon’s life.” He paused, giving Jaxson a meaningful look. “I have a feeling that whatever we find won’t be pretty. I don’t need an MD degree to know that Lemon is running scared.”

The truth of Daddy’s words hit home, sending a shiver down Jaxson’s spine.

“You sure you’re up for this?” Knox motioned to Jaxson’s ankle. “You’ve got your own share of troubles right now.”

“I’m fine,” Jaxson said casually.

A perceptive light lit Knox’s eyes. “Lemon’s different from the rest.”

Jaxson tensed. “How so?”

“You actually care about her.” Daddy caught hold of Jaxson’s bicep, squeezing it affectionately, the same way he’d done since Jaxson was a kid. Jaxson’s silence was his admission.

“She hurt you bad last time.”

“We were kids.”

Knox stroked his chin. “Yes, you were. People grow up, people mature. I guess the critical question here is—has she changed for the better?”

Jaxson nodded somberly. “Yep, that’s the critical question.”

“It’s not too late to walk away. We can put Lemon up in a hotel, pay for any treatment she needs.”

“No!” Jaxson blurted.

A flicker of surprise crossed Knox’s face. “You’re already that invested. Interesting,” he mused.

Jaxson ground his teeth together. “Yep,” he clipped. “For better or worse, I’m seeing this thing through.”

“Okay.” Knox drummed his fingers on the table. “I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“I appreciate that.”

Knox gave Jaxson a meaningful look. “Just do yourself a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“Take it slow. It’s better to keep Lemon in the friend-zone. She’s dealing with a lot. You have no way of knowing what or whom she was involved with before losing her memory.” He paused. “I don’t wanna see you get hurt.”

Jaxson squared his jaw. “I’m a big boy. I can handle it.”

“Yep, I’m sure you can. Just remember what I said. Proceed with caution.”

4

Lemon rocked back and forth on the bed, hugging her arms. It was silly, freaking out because a mother she couldn’t even remember had Alzheimer’s. The feelings had risen up like a tidal wave, consuming her. Desperation clawed at the base of her skull. It was like two parts of her brain were battling. She needed to remember who she was. Yet, every time she tried, she was filled with an inexplicable terror. A terror so black and fierce that she couldn’t face it.

She almost jumped out of her skin when a knock sounded at the door. She gulped, swiping her nose. “It’s not a good time,” she squeaked. Shame filled her. Jaxson and his dad probably thought she was a loon.

Hot prickles pinged her body. Was she a loon? Doctor Jepson had talked about how rare her condition was. People normally didn’t forget their entire identity.

She heard what sounded like knuckles rapping against the door. “It’s me,” Jaxson said. “Can we talk?”

She pushed out a heavy breath. “Yeah.” She stood. Her eyes were big and sore. She hated how lost and fragile she felt. Pausing long enough to rake a hand through her hair, she opened the door, forcing a smile. “Hey.” Jaxson was supporting his weight with his crutches. Again, she felt guilty for putting him in this situation.

“Come in.” She went to the bed and smoothed out a spot. “Sit down. Do you need any help?”

“I can manage.” He went to the bed, wincing as he collapsed onto it.

“Here, let me take these.” She reached for the crutches and propped them in the corner of the room.

“I’m so sorry,” she began, fidgeting with her hands. “For everything.”

He patted the spot beside him. “Come here.”

Her eyes widened. The thought of sitting next to Jaxson on the bed quickened her blood. He was so dang handsome. Too handsome. If she weren’t such a wreck right now, she’d be intensely attracted to Jaxson. She wondered again if the two of them had been involved. The notion sent ribbons of