The Accidental Bride Read online

  Soft fur met her hand. She realized the weight at her chest was Winslow, crawling across her to the edge of the bed.

  “What’s wrong, honey? Did you hear a dog outside? Maybe a coyote?”

  But the next sound Jilly heard was the tap of boots out on the sidewalk beyond the front door. Winslow shot across the room, whining and scratching at the door. Jilly knew only one person who could cause that excited response.

  Walker.

  He was home.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  HE LOOKED LIKE HE HAD been to hell and back.

  There were shadows in his eyes and lines of stubble across his jaw. He leaned against the doorway with a heavy duffel bag over one shoulder and Jilly could see it was an effort for him to smile.

  “Walker! Come inside. I didn’t expect you back yet.”

  “We wrapped things up faster than I thought. I managed to jump a flight right out. But I don’t think I’d better come in. I’m pretty tired. Why don’t I take Winslow and head home?”

  “Now? It’s 3:00 a.m. Are you crazy? Get yourself in here and sit down. You’re not going anywhere.”

  Walker didn’t move, one arm against the doorway, his body tense. Jilly could see that he was processing what to do next. He definitely wasn’t used to being given orders.

  Well, too bad. The man was a fool if he thought he was going to drive up that twisting mountain road in the middle of the night, with a fresh layer of snow on the ground. Especially when he looked as if he might keel over from exhaustion.

  Jilly didn’t give him more time to come up with excuses. She grabbed his heavy duffel, nearly staggering beneath the weight of it, and then pulled him inside. Winslow was bounding around his feet, barking in excitement. As the light struck Walker’s face, Jilly could see that he was in even worse shape than she’d thought.

  “Go inside and get a shower. You’ll feel better. I’ll put some fresh towels out and make you something to eat. It won’t be much, but I have a microwave. Then you’re going to sleep. Winslow will keep you company. I’ll take the couch.”

  His jaw tightened. He caught her arm as she walked past. “Jilly, I’ll be fine. It’s better if I go,” he said roughly. “I’m not in the best frame of mind right now.”

  She saw his eyes then and couldn’t even imagine what had put that kind of pain into them. “Just for the record, I happen to like taking care of basket cases. Red brought me extra food tonight, so I happen to be very well equipped. I have to tell you, that man has been acting very strange. He starts conversations and then drops them, but he won’t explain.” She gave a mock scowl. “Don’t fight me on this, pal. Right now I think I could take you. You’re dead on your feet. Get into the shower and then come sit down. Your food will be ready by then.”

  He muttered something under his breath. Jilly was pretty sure it sounded like can’t get a word in edgewise.

  “I heard that. Bite him, Winslow.” She walked out of the bathroom carrying a towel and flipped Walker across the backside, laughing. “Now get moving. Unless you want me to undress you myself, because I will.”

  He looked at her, his eyes dark. Heat flared. “Would you?”

  Jilly cleared her throat. “You’re too tired to find out. Now move.”

  * * *

  WHEN HE EMERGED TEN minutes later, Walker looked somewhat revived. His dark hair glistened from the shower and Jilly noticed that the emotion in his eyes had been pushed deep. She pointed to the little desk and chair by the window that overlooked the patio. “Have a seat. I reheated some of Red’s excellent chili. There are two pieces of corn bread that I filched at lunch. If you’re very good, you’ll get a Tastykake for dessert. Now eat.”

  Walker sniffed the air and shook his head. “I’m too hungry to argue with you.” He slid into the chair, took a deep breath and then began to eat. Winslow stayed right beside him, pressed against his leg, and Jilly saw the careful way that Walker smoothed the dog’s fur.

  “I hope he wasn’t any trouble?”

  “Other than stealing the blankets, he was great. But we worked things out, didn’t we, Winslow? We made a compromise.”

  “What kind?”

  “He got to keep one of the covers as long as I got to sleep an extra twenty minutes in the morning. It was a good trade-off.” Jilly pushed fresh chips and a bowl of salsa toward Walker. Then she nudged the unfinished blanket back into her knitting bag.

  “What was that blue thing? Some kind of knitting?”

  “That?” Jilly rolled her shoulders. “Just a project for my class tomorrow. Nothing that would interest you.”

  “I hope you’ve had some time to yourself. Has Jonathan asked you to go back to the coffee shop?”

  “Only once, just for an hour.” Jilly enjoyed watching him eat, and when he finished the chili she dished him out a second helping.

  Walker finished it in record time, but he was looking sleepier by the minute. He sat back and stifled a yawn, then stood up, with Winslow right at his feet. “I appreciate this, Jilly, plus the good care you took of Winslow. But I really think we need to be going.”

  “I already told you. You’re going nowhere. I made up the couch while you were in the shower, and the bed is ready.” She gave him a little shove toward the bedroom. “Get going.”

  “Why is it that you give me orders?” His eyes narrowed. “No one else gives me orders.”

  Jilly pushed him toward the bedroom. “Get used to it. It’s something I learned from my friends. When you like someone, you take care of them, even if they don’t want you to. And in my book, taking care of people means telling them what to do. So get into bed and go to sleep.” Jilly turned back the covers and then stood, hands on her hips.

  She saw the moment he gave in. He walked slowly to the bed and sat down, exhaustion filling his eyes again. His hands opened and closed.

  Jilly tossed him a pillow. “Hello? Sleep.”

  “I guess I am too tired to drive back up to the cabin tonight.” He looked up at her and his eyes darkened. “You win.” He took her hand in his. Slowly he brought their fingers together, and his tightened around hers.

  Jilly’s pulse spiked. What if he pulled her down against him? What if he kissed her the way he had in his cabin?

  No. He needed to rest. And if this went on any longer, he wouldn’t be in that bed alone.

  She took a deep breath and pulled away. “Go to sleep.”

  “Right.” Walker pulled off his turtleneck and Jilly felt a sharp tug of heat at the sight of his lean, muscled chest.

  She spread a blanket out over the foot of the bed and then reached down to turn off the bedside light. Winslow was already crawling onto the bed and draping his warm body across Walker’s legs.

  * * *

  IT WASN’T THE BEST COUCH in the world, but it wasn’t the worst. The problem was that her insomnia was back. In fact, it was back even worse than before.

  Jilly tossed and turned for almost an hour, thinking about recipes and knitting stitches and the array of tests that were waiting for her when she returned to Arizona. The more she thought, the more hectic and complicated her thoughts became.

  And with everything else on her mind, now there was Walker. She hadn’t planned on meeting him, and she definitely didn’t need more complications in her life. But she couldn’t ignore the way she felt around him. Fate had brought her the one thing she had always wanted but hadn’t realized before.

  Jilly glanced down at the worn duffel bag next to her door and shook her head. She picked up Walker’s dusty boots and leaned them near the bag. Giving up on sleep, she pulled out her knitting bag and then dug inside it for her cell phone.

  With luck one of her friends would be up. Caro didn’t sleep so well these days, now that her husband was back in Afghanistan. They had often shared laughter and late-night worries via cell phone messages in the last few months.

  Caro, are you up?

  The answer shot back almost instantly.

  Unfortunately. I was hoping t
o hear from Gage, but no message yet. What’s up with you? You said you’ve been sleeping better up in the mountains.

  Tonight appears to be a throwback. Have you heard from Grace? Everything okay with Noah?

  Fantastic. They are in San Francisco. You know Grace. She managed to find a Ukrainian restaurant. Noah was in heaven. She’ll be back home in a few days. Then Noah has to drive up north on some family business.

  Jilly frowned and then began to type.

  Something to do with his brother’s widow and Noah’s little niece? Didn’t they move up north?

  Right. Noah’s family is determined to get visitation rights. Sounds like the widow is a bit of a…well, bitch comes to mind.

  Jilly smiled. Caro was always generous and kind. She seldom cursed, so the woman must be a real piece of work. Jilly remembered hearing about how Noah’s sister-in-law wanted to move far away with his niece in tow. Noah’s family was very close, and now they were struggling to keep the little girl from being torn out of their lives.

  Noah’s family deserves better than that. I know some good lawyers in Scottsdale, if they want a name or two.

  I’m already on it. Gage has an old friend from high school who is going to represent them. He’s a real shark, and that’s fine with me.

  Jilly was about to reply when a new message came through.

  But Noah worries. He’s trying to protect his mother from any more pain. So he wants to go see the widow by himself and try to sort things out amiably. Grace says he’s trying to protect the people that he loves.

  Jilly cradled the phone as another message came through.

  Hold on. Baby’s crying. Be right back.

  She waited anxiously, hoping it was nothing more than a bit of late-night colic or teething pains.

  Her phone chimed.

  Okay, wet diaper dispensed with. So spill. Knitting camp going well?

  Way better than I thought. I learned how to knit cables today. And I’m working on a blanket.

  That is so great. And you have been relaxing?

  Trying to…

  So you’ll be back this weekend?

  Jilly hesitated. She thought about the plan that had been taking shape in her mind. Then she began to type.

  No, I’m going to stay on for a few days. I’ve been helping the chef here work on his menu. And I’d like a little more time to finish this blanket.

  There was a long delay. Jilly could almost feel the force of her friend’s thoughts and worry at the other end of the phone. Caro would always back her up in any choice she made, but she wouldn’t give Jilly a free pass if she thought she was making a bad decision.

  Don’t suppose this has anything to do with that man you mentioned? The one with the dog.

  Could be. You’ll have to wait for the rest until I get home. Talk to you in a few days. Give love to Grace and Noah. And sloppy kisses to Duffy…

  Jilly smiled as she put her phone away.

  That should keep her friends buzzing with curiosity. And that would serve them right.

  She glanced through the door to the bedroom and saw Walker’s pillow on the floor next to the bed. He looked lost in the world, with one arm spread out to cradle his head and the other on Winslow’s back. As if aware of her gaze, Winslow’s head rose. The dog studied her in the darkness and then rested his head protectively back on Walker’s leg and gave a long contented sigh.

  This was what belonging meant, Jilly realized. The emotional bond between the two felt like a physical presence, and Jilly wondered what it would be like to have that kind of anchor in her life. She had always thought having close friends and a job she loved was enough. But right now, watching Winslow guard Walker as he slept, Jilly knew that friendship wasn’t enough.

  She wanted more, even if it frightened her to want so much. Thanks to Walker, her life had changed.

  She had changed. She had begun to want things she had never considered before.

  She was in uncertain territory but she couldn’t go back.

  No matter how it ended.

  * * *

  SHE DRIFTED OFF TO SLEEP an hour later.

  The unfinished afghan fell to her feet in a blue pool.

  Jilly didn’t see Winslow wake up and prowl the room, checking on the two people he had come to love with fierce loyalty. She didn’t notice the dog rest his head on her hand and study her face in the darkness.

  But the contentment reached out to Jilly. Deep and real, it stole through her dreams to offer the comfort and belonging that had always eluded her.

  * * *

  JILLY SAT UP IN A RUSH, blinking.

  A big wet tongue swept her face and she looked into Winslow’s excited eyes. Yawning, she sat up. “What’s up, honey? Something wrong?”

  The dog ran in a little circle, tail wagging. Then he ran to the door and scratched on the wood.

  Jilly knew what that meant. She had had dogs long enough to know when an emergency visit outside was necessary.

  Laughing, she stood up and tugged on her jacket. Walker was still sound asleep as she tiptoed across the room for her shoes and pants, grabbed her cell phone and then let Winslow outside.

  Pink light touched the mountains in the distance. Snowflakes drifted down over the resort with an ethereal beauty that made Jilly feel as if she had walked into a movie. Winslow bounded around her feet, running up the hill and then racing back, the picture of canine excitement. Just watching him made Jilly feel ten years younger and a whole lot healthier.

  She followed him up the hill, glad to have the resort to herself at this early hour. The peace of the silent mountainside felt like a blanket that she wrapped close. She needed the quiet, needed the space to think. Jilly knew she couldn’t go on the way she had before. She couldn’t be reckless and driven, a loner and a workaholic.

  She wanted more.

  She was certain that she wanted Walker in her life.

  And that vulnerability scared her. What was she going to do?

  When Winslow finished his business, she turned back down the hill. She didn’t want to leave until Walker woke. He was going to need good food and a lot of rest to drive the shadows from his eyes. And Jilly was going to give him both.

  Winslow shot off, tail wagging. Through the snow Jilly saw someone sitting on her patio. She recognized Jonathan, his shoulders slumped.

  She walked up the little path and sat down next to him. “You’re up early. You don’t look like you slept much.”

  “I haven’t. My grandmother and I just finished cleaning up her attic.”

  “At this hour?”

  “I’m afraid so. When you get old, you get up early. I mean really early.” Jonathan glanced into the distance and rubbed his neck. “She’s not doing well, Jilly. She won’t talk about it, but she’s had more breathing problems. She goes in for tests in a few days. If they find anything, they’ll—” He hesitated and took a deep breath. “They’ll take her straight into surgery. And surgery is risky. I can’t bear to think of losing her,” he said hoarsely.

  Jilly reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “She’s a wonderful lady. She’s also a very tough lady. She’ll pull through this, Jonathan. You have to stay positive. That’s for her as much as for you.”

  “I keep telling myself that. I do a pretty decent job most of the time until I see her medical forms and all the medicines she has to take. But she needs to stay positive, too. She’s having a hard time, with all the changes around here. She wants things the way they used to be.” He cleared his throat. “Red brought something up. He and I—well, we’ve been talking it over. He told me I should come here and ask you for a favor. A really big favor.”

  Winslow raced down the hill, spun sideways in the snow and then ran back up again. “I’m happy to help in any way I can. Tell me what I can do.”

  He cleared his throat again, looking uncomfortable but determined to finish. “It’s a favor of Walker, too, actually. Red and I have worked it all out. It would be the perfect morale booster for Mamie. It
may seem crazy, but it’s exactly what she needs before she goes into the hospital.”

  Jilly stared at him, totally confused. “Do you want me to bake something for her? Give her a recipe for the resort? I still have some of my salsa products left. I can make up a gift basket for her, if that’s what you want.”

  “It’s not food.” Jonathan stood up slowly and shoved his hands into his pockets. He looked down and kicked at the snow. “No, what we’re asking for is a wedding here at the resort.”

  “And you want me to cook?”

  Jonathan gave a dry laugh. “I want you to be there, not cook. Red and I have everything set up. All you and Walker have to do is agree to get married. We’ll do all the rest.”

  Jilly could only stare at him. Winslow bounded up the hill and shoved his face against her chest, licking her face in canine ecstasy. Jilly frowned as snow flew off his fur. “You want Walker and me to get married?”

  “Yeah, I do. Not for real, of course. But for now. For Mamie. We can arrange everything.”

  Jilly didn’t move. What was he suggesting? Didn’t Jonathan see that it was completely crazy? After all, you didn’t pretend to get married. Marriage wasn’t a joke or a performance.

  “It’s out of the question.” She made an impatient sound and stood up. “And you’re not going to ask Walker, because he needs to rest. He came back exhausted from wherever he was. He’s going to sleep until noon, and then I’m going to make him my best pecan pancakes slathered with butter and organic maple syrup. Nobody, and I mean nobody, is going to bother him until after that. As for this crazy idea of yours—I sympathize with you, but it’s nuts. I wouldn’t dream of doing it. Neither would Walker.”