had surfaced, Donna used to idolize him. He’d been her hero, the person she often emulated, particularly with her workaholic, career-is-king habits. Not that Donna would ever admit how deeply he influenced her. But Jenna was keenly aware of it.
Clearing the Dad-clutter from her mind, Jenna said to Tammy, “I was planning on going to the hospital later, but maybe I should wait for Mike to call.”
“It might take him a while to check in,” her cousin replied. “He has a lot of rounds to make. Why don’t you head over to the hospital now and look in on the man? I can tell you’re still worried about him.”
“I can’t see him until noon.”
“Says who?”
“The hospital visiting hours.”
Tammy waved away the rules. “They probably won’t notice if you slip in a little early.”
“I think it would be better if I went at noon.” She wasn’t comfortable taking liberties. She preferred to play by the book.
Tammy didn’t push her out of her comfort zone and neither did Donna. They allowed her to be her regimented self.
When the time rolled around for her to get ready, she donned classic Western wear: a broomstick skirt, a feminine blouse and a nice pair of boots. She freshened up her face and fluffed her hair, too. Not that it should matter what the stranger thought of her appearance. If he was better today, this would probably be the last time she saw him.
She arrived at the hospital at twelve o’clock sharp and went to the nurses’ station, where she inquired about the patient’s condition. They informed her that he was awake and coherent, and once everything was in order, Dr. Sanchez would be releasing him.
So, he was better.
She thanked them for the information and continued down the hall. A moment later, she stalled. She was nervous about conversing with him.
Pushing past the trepidation, she proceeded. She entered his room and passed the TV-watching patient. Today he was engaged in a sitcom from the seventies. He didn’t glance her way, and she left him alone, too.
She moved forward and came face-to-face with the stranger. He was sitting up in bed. His gaze zeroed in on hers, and her heart went bumpy.
“Good morning,” she said, keeping a calm voice.
“You’re the girl from yesterday.”
“Yes.”
“The blonde I thought I was dating. I’m sorry about that.”
Dang. Did he have to go and mention it? “It’s okay. You were out of it.”
He nodded, and she took the seat next to his bed, the same spot where she’d watched him sleep. “You look healthier.” Still a bit worn-out, she thought, but an improvement nonetheless. “I heard that Doc will be releasing you.”
“Yes, but I’m supposed to take it easy.”
“You can’t go kicking up your heels just yet?”
“No. Not yet.” He smiled a little.
It was sinfully crooked. The bump-bump in her chest returned. “I’m Jenna, by the way. Jenna Byrd.”
“Thank you for what you did. Jenna,” he added softly.
The bumping intensified. “I’m glad I was there to help.” She scooted to the edge of her chair. “So, what’s your name?”
He furrowed his dark brows. “I don’t know. I still can’t remember anything, aside from you bringing me to your ranch and coming here.”
She gaped at him. “Your memory hasn’t recovered? Then why is Doc releasing you?”
“Because I’m not dizzy or confused, and my vital signs are good. I have what’s called retrograde amnesia, but they can’t keep me in the hospital for that. Besides, my memories are supposed to return. It’s just a matter of when.”
She didn’t know what to say. He was still as much of a stranger as he was before.
He said, “The sheriff was here earlier. He took a report. He took my fingerprints, too.” He held up his hands and gazed at them. “If I’m in the system, they’ll be able to identify me that way.”
He might have a criminal record? That wasn’t a comforting thought. “Do you think you’re in the system?”
“I don’t know.” He lowered his hands. “But the sheriff doesn’t want Dr. Sanchez to release me until the results are in. So we’re waiting to hear. I guess the police want to be sure that there isn’t a warrant out for my arrest before they put me back on the streets.”
“Do you mind if I wait until you hear something?”
“Why would you want to do that?”
Because she still felt responsible for him. Or was it because she was so doggone attracted to him? That wasn’t a comforting thought, either. Confused and covering her tracks she said, “I’m interested in knowing who you are.” And hoping that he was an upstanding guy.
“At the moment, I’m no one.”
“That’s not true. Everyone is someone.”
He glanced away. Obviously her comment hadn’t made a dent in his amnesiac armor. She wanted to reassure him, but how could she, especially since he might be wanted by the police?
Just then, double sets of footsteps sounded, and Jenna turned around in her chair. The stranger shifted in the direction of the approaching people, too.
It was Doc, making a crisp-white presentation in his lab coat, and next to him was a tall, stocky lawman.
As the air grew thick with anticipation, the stranger shot Jenna a quick glance.
Trapping her in the moment they’d been waiting for.
Chapter Two
Amid the silence, Doc caught Jenna’s attention. She expected him to ask her to leave, but he merely nodded an acknowledgment. Maybe it was going to be okay. Maybe there was nothing to be concerned about.
The lawman said to the patient, “I’m Deputy Tobbs. The sheriff assigned your case to me.”
“Do I have a record?” the stranger asked bluntly.
The deputy shifted his weight. “No, you don’t. Your fingerprints aren’t on file, but I’m going to investigate further. I’ll do my best to uncover your identity and discover what happened to you. I’ll be questioning everyone in the area, in case you work around here or were visiting someone.”
“Someone who hasn’t noticed that I’m gone?”
“It could have been a surprise visit and you never made it to your destination. It could have been a number of things. I’m
