Cindy Kirk - A Sweetheart for Jude Fortune

The tight set to her father’s shoulders eased. “That makes sense. But eating alone can’t be fun for you.”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t eaten alone since moving here?”

“I have,” he grudgingly admitted. “Perhaps Laurel could—”

“Laurel is busy with her new husband and the flight school.” Gabi spoke quickly before her father could pull out his phone and call his boss. She lowered her fork to the plate. “Besides, I’m not going alone. Jude Fortune Jones, Sawyer’s cousin, generously offered to show me around town.”

For several long seconds, accompanied by the thumping of her heart, Orlando said nothing. He chewed, swallowed then took another sip of milk. “I’ve met Jude.”

Gabi lifted a brow. “And?”

“He appears to be very popular with the ladies.”

The sharp stab of jealousy that struck Gabi took her by surprise. But she merely smiled. “Good. Then he should be an excellent dinner companion.”

“I don’t want you getting involved with him.”

Her father’s vehemence surprised Gabi. “Why? Is there something you haven’t told me?”

“You have a job in Miami. A good one.”

“That’s true,” Gabi agreed. “And once you’re better, I’ll be returning to that good job. In the meantime, I’d like to do a little exploring. With someone local.”

Gabi finished her lunch and stayed for several more hours, watching her father work with the physical therapist on transferring from the bed to the chair. She listened as the occupational therapist showed him ways to use his left hand to do everything from getting toothpaste on his toothbrush to slipping on a shirt.

By the time the OT left, her father’s eyes were drooping and his primary nurse suggested a nap.

“I’ll be back after dinner.” Gabi brushed a kiss across his leathery cheek and felt a surge of love.

“Lloyd and I have a date to play poker,” he told her. “There’s no need to drive back tonight. Enjoy your evening.”

“Are you sure?”

“You spent all day here,” he said. “Besides, I need to win some money off Lloyd, and I can’t do that with someone breathing over my shoulder.”

Gabi smiled. “Okay, then.”

“Don’t have the grilled cheese.” This time the fatherly tone brooked no argument. “Too much fat in it.”

Gabi simply smiled, gave a little wave and left him to his nap.

* * *

The knock on the front door of her father’s small home sounded at precisely 6:00 p.m.

Gabi smiled. Apparently, the man was not only pretty to look at, but punctual, as well. Popular with the ladies. Some of her pleasure dimmed before she shoved the thought aside.

It didn’t matter to her if Jude dated a different woman every night. This was simply dinner and conversation. She didn’t expect more. Didn’t want more.

When the knock sounded again, she sauntered across the room. After glancing through the peephole, she pulled the door open.

“I appreciate a man who’s on time.” With a welcoming smile she waved him inside.

Dressed simply in jeans, chambray shirt and a battered leather jacket, he whipped off his Stetson when he stepped through the doorway then thrust out one hand. “These are for you.”

“Thank you.” She glanced down at the bouquet he offered. Startled surprise quickly gave way to sweet pleasure. “Daisies are one of my favorite flowers. Have a seat. I want to put them in water before we leave.”

She took the flowers into the small kitchen at the back of the house. Instead of sitting in the living room as she’d directed, he followed her.

“Nice place.”

Gabi tried to see it through his eyes. White painted cupboards, grey Formica countertops, speckled linoleum flooring. Perfect, if a person was into retro decor. “My father feels at home here,” she said. “Our home in Miami was bigger, but since it’s just him, he doesn’t need much space.”

“The fact it’s not large and all on one level should make it easier for him when he comes home.”

“Good point.” She rummaged through the cupboards, finally pulling out a red vase. “This will be perfect.”

Her mother had collected red glass, and this little cylindrical vase had been a favorite. She quickly filled it with water then took a second to arrange the flowers.

“You have a knack,” Jude commented from where he stood with his back resting against the doorjamb. “My mother does, too. If it were me, I’d stuff them into a vase and call it good.”

Gabi took a step back and gazed in satisfaction at the arrangement. “They’re too pretty to treat in that manner.”

“They’re pretty.” Jude’s husky voice did strange things to her insides. “But not as pretty as you.”

She smiled. Oh, yes, he was a smooth one.

“Do I need a coat?” she asked, looking at his leather jacket.

“It’s in the forties, so I say definitely.” He paused. “Do you have one?”

“I didn’t,” she told him. “There was no need in Miami. But I went shopping recently in Vicker’s Corners and picked one up.”

In fact, that’s where she’d purchased the crimson sweater and black pants she wore now. From all signs, the small town in between Horseback Hollow and Lubbock was experiencing a growth spurt. She’d seen signs advertising new condominiums and touting luxury estates for sale.

“What’d you think of VC?” he asked as they moved to the living room, where she retrieved her coat from the postage-stamp-size closet.

“I liked it.” She thought of the cute little business district with all the eclectic shops lining the main street. “But Horseback Hollow is nice, too.”

“If I had to compare the two—” with well-practiced ease, Jude took the coat from her hands and held it up “—I’d say Horseback Hollow is the Jones family while Vicker’s Corners is more like their gentrified relatives.”

“Would those gentrified relatives be the Fortunes?” Gabi tried to ignore the brush of his knuckles against the side of her neck as he helped her slip on the coat.

“Bingo.”

“Your mother recently found out she was related to the Fortunes, isn’t that right?” Gabi tried to remember what her father had said, but the comment had been something he’d tossed out in passing and she hadn’t given it much thought.

“That’s right.” He waited for her to pick up her purse then opened the front door and stepped to the side.

Good-looking. Manners. A powerful combination.

As she passed him, Gabi caught a faint whiff of his cologne. First he brought her flowers, now he wore the scent that had tantalized and enticed her last night. Jude Fortune would be a difficult man to resist.

Which she would, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy his company and the way he smelled. “You added Fortune to your name.”

“My mother asked.” Jude lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “She doesn’t ask for much.”

Gabi walked by his side to the truck parked in the driveway and tilted her head, thinking of her father. “What did your dad think? Mine is so proud of the Mendoza name that I can’t imagine him being happy if any of my brothers decided to make a change.”

Jude waited to answer until she stepped inside the truck. “Like most of us, he finds it difficult to deny her anything.”

As he rounded the front of the massive vehicle, then got behind the wheel, Gabi thought of her mother. Her dad had loved his wife totally, completely. If there had been something important her mother had asked of him, he’d have gone along.

Jude slanted a sideways look. “Red is definitely your color.”

A ripple of pleasure passed over Gabi. “I like your style, Jude.”

He grinned and backed the truck out of the driveway. “Tell me about Gabriella.”