Cindy Kirk - In Love with John Doe

John shoved open his own door and ducked his head. The wind blew sideways with such force it made walking difficult and running impossible. Though he didn’t want to overstep, when Lexi slipped and almost fell, he took her arm. The heels she wore were more suited to a night on the town than a slick walkway.

She smiled her thanks and he tightened his hold as together they climbed the steps of the massive porch. They’d barely reached the front door when it flew open.

A middle-aged woman with salt-and-pepper hair and a worried expression motioned them inside. “I’m so glad you left when you did. They just announced on the radio that the roads in and out of Jackson have been closed.”

“The snow isn’t the only problem,” Lexi said. “It’s the ice under the snow and the visibility that makes driving treacherous.”

The woman hung their coats on an elaborately carved coat-tree in the spacious foyer and she and Lexi spent a couple more minutes discussing the weather. John lifted his gaze, taking in the high open ceilings and the large windows.

“How’s Addie?” Lexi asked.

“Much better,” Coraline said. “Whatever she had must have been one of those twenty-four-hour bugs.”

John wondered if Addie was yet another patient from the hospital. Whoever she was, by the look of relief on Lexi’s face, it was apparent she’d been worried about her.

“By the way, I’m Coraline Coufal.” The older woman held out her hand. “Welcome to Wildwoods.”

“I’m Jack,” he improvised, taking her hand. “Jack Snow.”

Lexi raised a brow but didn’t say a word.

“Well, Mr. Snow. It’s a pleasure having you with us.” Her gaze was curious but she asked no questions. “I’ll get your key then show you to your room.”

As she hurried off, Lexi leaned close. “Jack Snow?”

“Better than John Doe.” He inhaled the intoxicating scent of her perfume. “Snow seemed appropriate given the current weather conditions.”

“We’re in business.” Coraline swept into the foyer holding up a large brass key.

“Nice meeting you, Jack.” Lexi held out her hand.

His fingers had barely closed around hers when a dark-haired child in a flannel nightgown bounded down the stairs and flung her arms around Lexi. “Mommy. Mommy.”

Lexi released his hand and her lips lifted in a smile. She lifted the child off her feet and spun her around. “I’m so happy to hear my girl is feeling better.”

“Your girl?” Jack sputtered.

Lexi planted a kiss on Addie’s hair then turned the child in her arms to face him. “Jack Snow, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Miss Addison Brennan.”

Lexi hadn’t been sure how John, er, Jack, would react to the news she had a daughter, but he merely blinked then extended his hand to the seven-year-old.

“Addison is a beautiful name.” He took her small hand in his. “For a very beautiful girl.”

Addie giggled. “What’s your name?”

“Jack Snow.”

The child giggled again. “That’s a funny name.”

“Yes, it is,” Jack said easily before Lexi could reprimand her daughter. “How old are you, Addie?”

“Seven,” she said proudly. “I’m in second grade.”

“That’s cool.”

“My teacher is Mrs. Kohtz,” Addie said. “She told my mommy I’m a smart girl.”

“Too smart,” Lexi murmured under her breath.

Jack tilted his head. “I heard you’ve been sick.”

“I had a cold.” Addie twirled in place. “But I’m all better now.”

“I see that.” His gaze dropped to her feet. “I like your bunny slippers.”

“Mommy got them for me.” Addie quit spinning. She lifted one foot and shook it, making the ears flop.

Lexi listened to the conversation in amazement.

Addie hadn’t been around many men. But she was blossoming under Jack’s undivided attention.

“Lexi?”

Coraline’s voice pulled Lexi from her reverie. She glanced up to find not only her friend staring, but Addie and Jack, as well.

“I was asking if once Jack gets unpacked the three of you would like to join me for lunch later in the kitchen?”

Lexi’s first impulse was to say no. She’d done her job. She’d found Jack a place to live. Heck, she’d driven him right to the door. Her obligation as a hospital social worker had been fulfilled. No one would fault her if she said no.

“Can we eat with Mr. Snow?” Addie begged. “Pretty please?”

Jack remained silent, but the hopeful look in his eyes tugged at her heartstrings. He’d lost his past. He’d almost lost his life. If she were in his place, she’d hope someone would go beyond the call of duty and show some compassion. “I’d love some lunch.”

A look of relief crossed Jack’s face and Addie gave a whoop.

“I’ll show Jack to his room so he can get settled,” Coraline said. “Let’s plan to meet in the kitchen in a half hour.”

“While you do that I’ll take Addie upstairs so she can get dressed,” Lexi said.

“But I want to wear my bunny slippers,” Addie whined.

“You may wear the slippers,” Lexi said to her daughter. “But this isn’t our home and you aren’t going to run around the lodge in your nightie.”

Addie opened her mouth to protest, but Jack spoke first.

“You said you lived in a cabin,” Jack said smoothly. “Is it far from the main lodge?”

Addie vigorously nodded her head. “It’s a long, long ways.”

“Not quite that far.” Lexi smiled at her daughter before returning attention to Jack. “But I’m sure not looking forward to braving the wind and snow.”

“Why don’t you and Addie take my room tonight?” he offered. “I can sleep on a sofa somewhere.”

“No need,” Coraline said. “Lexi and Addie will stay with me. My suite has an extra bedroom.”

“What about the people in the other cabins?” Jack asked. “Will they be safe in this storm?”

Lexi realized he wasn’t merely making conversation. She’d noticed the man had an insatiable curiosity about, well, practically everything.

“The cabins have fully stocked kitchens and fireplaces,” Coraline said. “The guests who stay in them do so for the privacy and for the outdoor experience.”

“The ski patrol thought I might have been living in a cabin in the Teton Village area,” Jack murmured almost to himself. His brows furrowed as though the conversation had raised even more questions in his mind. Lexi decided to give him a break.

“C’mon, sweetie.” She laid a hand on her daughter’s shoulders. “Let’s go upstairs and get you dressed so we can eat. I’m starving.”

“I’m starving, too.” Addie turned and looked expectantly at Jack.

“I’m starving three,” he said, focused once more on the conversation.

Addie giggled.

Lexi laughed even as warning flags popped up. Smart, charming and handsome. There was no room at her inn for such a man. No room at all.

Unpacking didn’t take much time. Not when all Jack’s worldly possessions fit inside a duffel bag.

Still, he wasn’t complaining. The avalanche that had stolen his memory could easily have taken his life. He might not remember anything before yesterday but he had clothes to wear, a roof over his head and in a few minutes he was going to have lunch with a beautiful woman and her adorable daughter.

Lexi continued to surprise him. When she’d blushed at the sight of his bare chest, he’d concluded she was an innocent. One of those pretty women that, for whatever reason, didn’t have much experience with men. Then he’d discovered she had a precocious seven-year-old daughter. A little girl who was the spitting image of her lovely mother.

Jack gazed out the window at the falling snow. He’d enjoyed talking to Addie. The conversation had flowed naturally and he’d felt comfortable around the child. It appeared that he was used to being around children. Did he have a daughter? Or a son? He dropped his gaze to his ringless left finger. Did he have a wife?