or, worse, a creep.”
He had to smile at that. “I’m neither, although I’ve been called worse. Lots of times.”
She sat up straight, adjusting her shoulders into what looked like fight mode. “I can’t imagine why. You sneak around spying on people. I’m a mother with small children. Why didn’t you just come to my front door and tell me the truth?”
He didn’t have a good answer for that. Shrugging, he said, “I’m not good at confrontations.”
She shot him a measuring look. “You’re a doctor?” “Yeah. I’m better at telling people what I can and can’t fix. Not so good in the emotional part of the conversations.”
“So your bedside manner is lacking as much as your social skills?”
He grinned, glad she had a sense of humor. “Somewhat, or so I’ve been told.”
Her lips pursed at that comment. “And you live in Denver?”
“Denver, yes. I have a high-rise condo near the hospital.”
She stared out at the aspen trees lining the parking lot. “Not so far away.”
“No, not really. An hour or so.”
“You can’t take Jasmine away.” She took in a breath, then stared over at him.
“Excuse me? She’s not a kid. I don’t plan on taking her away. But I am going to offer her a place to live if she wants it. I owe her that at least.”
She gave him another glaring look, but her expression softened. “You heard me. You can’t just barge in here and expect Jasmine to clap her hands in glee and pack her bags. She’s eighteen now and making her own decisions. And besides, this is her home. She was born here.”
“And had a bad life here from what I’ve heard.”
Arabella leveled him with a scathing glance. “Yes, and where were you when she was having that horrible life? Where were you when she lived in that filthy apartment for months and months after Aaron Turner up and left?”
He had to swallow the lump of regret in his throat. “I didn’t know—”
“You didn’t know or you didn’t care? Were you so busy doctoring you couldn’t even check on your own family?”
“My brother and I … were estranged. We hadn’t spoken in years. I didn’t know where he was.”
“And you apparently didn’t try to find out.”
“Yes, I did,” Jonathan said, getting up to pace across the brick tiles. “I did. Many times. But Aaron wasn’t one for sending greeting cards. He could hold a grudge, that’s for sure.”
“And where is he now? Or do you even care?”
A sick feeling hit Jonathan in his stomach. “You mean, you haven’t heard? He’s dead. He died about a month ago in a car crash. He was driving drunk.”
Arabella put a knuckle to her mouth. “Oh, no. Oh, my goodness. Jasmine doesn’t know that. No one contacted us.” She gripped the bench, her hands down beside her skirt. “How am I supposed to tell her that?”
Jonathan wished he could make it easier. “She has to hear it—and understand I just found out a few weeks ago. I’d have come sooner if I’d known. I didn’t even get to attend his funeral.”
“And why didn’t you know? Why didn’t you two keep up with each other?”
Jonathan looked down at the pretty garden tiles. “He hated me. Because I left. I got out.”
“Got out?”
Jonathan wasn’t ready to give her an up-close-and-personal history of his family dysfunctions. “It doesn’t matter. We drifted apart after … after our daddy died. But I’m here now. I don’t want to let the same thing happen with Jasmine. I want her to know she has an uncle.”
“And how will your family feel about this?”
He glanced at the praying hands set in stone. “I don’t have a family. I’m not married and our mother died when we were little. Our father died years later.”
“That’s tough—losing your mother like that. I’m sorry.”
He nodded at the understanding in her eyes. “That’s why I want to get to know Jasmine. I’m her only close relative.”
She stood, too, anger seeming to push away her compassion. “And you’re willing to entice her to the big city even though she doesn’t know you? Have you even considered what that might do to her?”
“More than you can imagine,” he said, his own doubts matching the darkness in her eyes. “As you said, she’s an adult now. Neither of us can force her to do anything. I hear she’s engaged to some kid—Cade Clayton. Are you related to him?”
“He’s a cousin, yes. Second cousin. His daddy, Charley, is my cousin. And let me tell you, you don’t want to mess with Charley Clayton or his two stubborn brothers.” She sighed. “He’s fighting this marriage and he’ll fight you, too, if you start in on Cade.”
Jonathan pressed two fingers against the throbbing in his forehead. “I’m getting that we have some good Claytons and some not-so-good around here. Am I right?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Our uncle Samuel has three sons—Charley, Pauley—our honorable mayor—and Frank. He’s the quiet one who lives on the outskirts of town. But between them and their offspring, it’s always high drama around here.” She glanced toward the church. “Listen, I need to get back inside. I’ll have to make up an excuse if Jasmine sees you. We can’t blurt this out in front of everyone inside.”
Jonathan wasn’t ready to let her go. “Wait. This Cade—is he a good kid?”
“Yes, surprisingly. Smart, too. And … he loves Jasmine. I’m not all excited about them getting married so young but they’re determined.” She gave him a pointed look. “You might want to keep that in mind when you tell Jasmine you have grand plans to invite her to check out Denver.”
She started across the parking lot, her skirt swishing against her boots.
“When can we talk again?” Jonathan called. “When can I see my niece?”
She turned around, her hands on her hips and her head tilted. “Come by the house tomorrow. We’ll have lunch. Until then, stay away from her. Let me talk to her. She doesn’t need to hear all of this from a complete stranger.” She stood still, giving him another thorough glance. “I believe you know where I live.”
Then she whirled with all the dignity of a queen and left him standing there. Jonathan hadn’t even realized he’d been holding his breath until she was out of sight. He gulped in the cool night air, wondering what he would have done if she had refused to let him visit with Jasmine. And wondering why this particular woman made him bristle like a grizzly each time she looked at him.
Chapter Two
