Carol Ericson - Circumstantial Memories

“No.” She sat up straight and a pink tide crept over her cheeks. “I’ll be fine, and Shelby ’s with the Stokers now. I don’t want to impose on you anymore. You’ve been spending all your time with me and Shelby since you’ve been home. I’m sure your family wants to see you.”

“I wouldn’t bet on that. They have the heir apparent, Rod, and the other prodigal son, Rafe, is coming home in a few days to stay.” He picked up his hat and twirled it on his hand. “I meant the couch.”

“What?”

“If I stayed the night, I’d sleep on the couch.”

“Ryder, I…”

“You don’t need to explain.” He held up his hands. “It’s been a long, busy day. I’ll pick you up in the morning for your appointment with Dr. Brody.”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said. I’m not sure he’s the best therapist for me.”

“Maybe you should tell him that tomorrow. In the meantime, get some sleep.” All of his nerve endings tingled in a desire to take her into his arms and make love to her until she remembered every inch of his body, every inch she’d explored with a feverish passion.

He swallowed the hard lump in his throat. “Good night, Julia.”

He leaned his forehead against the doorjamb until he heard her turn the deadbolt into place with a click. Then he expelled a long breath and jogged down her newly scrubbed front porch.

He slid into his truck, punched on the radio, and maneuvered the seat into a reclining position. Adjusting his hat low over his face, he settled his shoulders into the seat and stretched his legs out as far as they would go against the floorboard.

Sipping the soda he had swiped from Julia’s fridge, he watched her house. Even if she didn’t want him inside on her couch…or in her bed…he had no intention of abandoning the two most important people in his life.

Julia twitched the curtain back into place and tousled her bed-head hair. Would Ryder go back to the ranch and shower and change before picking her up for Durango or did he plan to camp out in front of her house the rest of the morning?

The warmth that started in her belly when she realized Ryder had kept watch in his truck all night engulfed other areas of her anatomy as she felt the full weight of her feminine power settle around her shoulders like a fur stole. She liked the protection he offered, but she loved the other offer in his dark blue eyes as his hungry gaze devoured her before he left last night.

She’d been crazy to refuse that invitation. Of course they shared feelings in the past. They probably never acted on those feelings because of Jeremy and her pregnancy. Maybe that’s why Ryder wouldn’t give her the details of their relationship. She’d been in a bad marriage and in love with another man-Ryder.

He was just waiting for her to remember. She could understand that, but she couldn’t understand why she didn’t remember Ryder. She knew him on a visceral level, but couldn’t quite grasp the specific memories of their relationship.

She wedged a shoulder on the window sash and grinned as Ryder’s truck sputtered to life and pulled away from the curb. Maybe she’d get a handle on those memories today in her last session with Dr. Brody.

As soon as Ryder’s truck disappeared around the bend, Charlie Malone’s jeep careened around the corner and stopped in front of her house. He came around to the passenger side and opened the door. A leggy brunette, tugging at a thigh-high denim skirt tripped out of the car.

Julia swung open her door and stepped onto the porch. “Hey, Charlie.”

“Hi, Julia.” He lifted his hand before stuffing it into his pocket. “My mom sent me over to see if you needed any help.”

“Help?” Her gaze slid to the woman, combing fingers through her long, brown hair, tangled from the ride in the convertible jeep. If this woman had stepped forward after Julia’s accident, claiming to be her sister, Julia would have believed her.

Charlie waved an arm toward her house. “My mom saw Ryder doing some work on your house yesterday. She told me to drop by to lend a hand.”

Julia compressed her lips, trying to tame her smirk. Lend a hand and find out why Sheriff Ballard was here. “Thanks, but we got everything done. Who’s your friend?”

Charlie had always been awkward around women, dating only those his mother presented to him. This woman, with her black eyeliner and short skirt, didn’t look like the type Gracie usually foisted on Charlie.

Charlie’s face sported two red spots as he stepped to the side. “This is Rosie Fletcher. Rosie, this is Julia Sto…”

His words hung in the air. He didn’t know what to call her now.

“It’s Rousseau. Julia Rousseau.” She extended her arm to Rosie, and they shook hands.

“Rosie works at our B and B. On my way over here from town, I saw her walking back to the B and B.”

“That’s a long walk from town. Did you walk all the way in, too?” Julia looked down at Rosie’s dirty feet shoved into flimsy sandals with small jeweled heels.

“No, I hitched a ride from a local and couldn’t find a ride back. Good thing Charlie came along.” Rosie batted her long, dark eyelashes and rubbed Charlie’s shoulder.

Julia raised her eyebrows. Charlie didn’t stand a chance against this one, and Mama Malone would definitely not approve.

Rosie tilted her head. “Hey, it’s true.”

Warmth edged into Julia’s cheeks under Rosie’s bright stare. What did Rosie hear about her? “What’s true?”

“We look alike. A few people have told me that since I arrived in Silverhill.”

Julia let out a breath and smiled. “Yeah, I noticed.”

“And I noticed you’ve been monopolizing that tall, gorgeous cowboy, Ryder McClintock, since he’s been back. Are you going to give the rest of us girls a crack at him?”

Julia’s mouth gaped open.

Rosie laughed. “Just kidding. I’m waitin’ on his brother, Rafe, anyway. I’ve heard a few stories about him and if he looks anything like Ryder…” She winked and tucked her hand into Charlie’s pocket.

“I-I guess if you don’t need any help, we’ll be seeing you.” Charlie turned around, but not before Julia caught a glimpse of the dark scowl rolling across his face.

Julia shook her head. That girl had too many fingers in too many pies. She’d just better keep those sticky fingers off Ryder.

“SHOULD WE PRESS the buzzer like last time?” Ryder jerked his thumb at Dr. Brody’s door, firmly closed.

“No, he has an appointment before mine today. When he’s finished, he’ll open the door.”

“When are you going to tell him?”

“I’ll wait until after the session.” She bit her lip. She agreed with Ryder that Jim should have been able to help her recover her memories before now. Her suspicions of him grew after Ryder found out about his censure. She needed to move on.

“Maybe you should tell him before. Don’t you need the session to work out transference or countertransference or whatever?”

“I never experienced any transference with Dr. Brody.” She crossed her arms and perched on the arm of the leather love seat.

“Speak for yourself. I think Dr. Brody has a thing for you.”

“And you really think that thing involves leaving flowers and blood on my porch?”

“I don’t know.” He lifted a shoulder and winced. “Maybe the cameras will tell us that.”

“Did you hurt your shoulder?”

“My neck’s a little stiff.”

“From sleeping in your truck last night?” She pushed up from the love seat and prowled to his chair. Placing a hand on the top of his shoulder, she wiggled her fingers beneath his shirt where they met his smooth, warm skin.