Donna Clayton - Who's The Father Of Jenny's Baby?

Every day, Doc came to visit her. He checked her scratches, her bumps and bruises. Then, every day, he’d ask her if she had any questions about herself, her life, her existence before the accident. And every day she’d answered firmly, negatively.

Jenny wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to know who she was, what she’d done, who she’d hurt. The implications she’d gathered from the fight the brothers had had were enough to make her terribly afraid of learning the truth. No, nothing was said outright, but the fact that Chad had declared that he was her baby’s father had been more than enough.

Realizing she’d once again become lost in dark dread, that she hadn’t yet finished dressing, she reached into the bag that contained her clothes. The white, sleeveless top she tugged over her head smelled faintly of honeysuckle. Tucking the hem into the waistband of her jeans, she was extremely aware of the soft fragrance wafting around her.

Was this delicate, flowery perfume what she normally dabbed on her wrists and behind her ears? Was it a fragrance that Luke found alluring?

The unbidden question startled her. She shouldn’t be concerning herself with what Luke Prentice might or might not find desirable. Not with so many unanswered questions bombarding her every second since she’d awakened into this new, unknown existence. Like an unconscious sleepwalker, she found herself moving toward the large window, staring out at the view.

Her gaze traveled to the farthest point on the horizon. The mountains in the distance were covered with a thick layer of dense, green trees. She didn’t know the name of those mountains. Hadn’t even allowed herself to ask Doc or the nurses that simple question, let alone any of the others that plagued her constantly. All she did know was that the mountains calmed her, and she’d spent hours standing here, thinking of nothing, taking solace in the sight.

Staring off at the horizon, she hugged herself and waited for that comfortable, serene feeling to overtake her. But her racing thoughts refused to be arrested, despite the lush green of the mountains. How could she have thought they would, she wondered, when she’d been told just this morning that she would no longer be allowed to take refuge here?

Jenny pressed the flat of her hand against her stomach to quell the rising panic as she pictured in her mind’s eye Doc Porter’s gaze as he’d accused her, in his gentle, fatherly manner, of using the hospital as a hideout. She hadn’t been able to refute Doc’s accusation.

Doc had gone on to recommend firmly that she return to Prentice Mountain, saying that the once familiar surroundings of the ski resort might help to jog her memory. Of course, he hadn’t been able to promise anything with regard to her amnesia. Brain injuries, he’d explained, were peculiar things that continued to stump modem medicine.

So, Jenny Prentice—as she’d learned to call herself over the past few days—was forced to realize that she might never recover from her amnesia. However, she did have to admit that Doc’s parting statement had intrigued her.

“You were never one to hide your head under the covers, Jenny,” he’d commented. Then he’d left her alone, intent on finishing his hospital rounds before going to his office to begin his full schedule of patient appointments.

Doc had told her, in no uncertain terms, that the old Jenny was no coward. And as she stood gazing out the window, she knew she liked the idea that she was strong. However, the thought wasn’t enough to spur her into any kind of rush to find out more about herself. What might she discover? That she was an adulterer? A betrayer of trust? Someone who lied to and deceived the man with whom she’d chosen to spend the rest of her life?

The questions were daunting. Almost as daunting as the painful expression Luke had leveled at her during their last meeting. Never in a hundred million years would Jenny forget the hurt reflected in her husband’s black, staring gaze as Doc had ushered both of the brothers from her room.

She hadn’t seen either of the Prentice men since then, at her own request. But that request was no longer being honored. She was being forced to face herself, her life and her past behavior. It didn’t matter that she remembered none of these things. There were still deeds that someone needed to be held accountable for.

For the thousandth time in the past four days, her baby came into her thoughts. Her stomach felt flat and firm as she slid her hand across it. Who had fathered the delicate life growing inside her? The question prompted the vivid image of Luke, and his tormented gaze.

His agonized expression had been clear evidence that he’d never even suspected that his wife and his brother might have slept together, let alone the fact that Chad would claim to be her baby’s father. Her eyelids closed as she ran headfirst into a solid wall of guilt. What kind of woman would do such a thing? What kind of woman could do such a thing?

Don’t think about it, she silently ordered herself.

If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that Luke wouldn’t be the one who came to pick her up. It would be a wonder if the man ever spoke to her again.

“Jenny.”

She recognized the sound of Luke’s voice, its rich resonance causing her eyes to fly open with surprise as she turned to face him.

Well, he was here, she thought. Surprise number one.

Then she noticed something else. He didn’t look angry. Or hurt. In fact, Jenny didn’t think anyone would ever be able to tell that, just four short days ago, he’d been totally humiliated by her. Surprise number two.

Surprise number three came when he actually smiled at her. It was small, as smiles went, but at the same time it was staggering. Way down deep inside, she felt a spark strike to life.

When she noticed that he was staring at her feet, she asked, “What is it?”

His dark eyes found hers. “Doc said that bump you took on the head might have taken away the old Jenny for good. But she’s not far off.”

Jenny was surprised by the hope that spurted up inside her. But there was an undeniable dread there, too. Unable to stop herself, she softly asked, “What makes you say that?”

“Your bare feet.”

His smile widened into an all-out grin, and the spark grew hotter, licking and dancing deep within her.

“I never could get you to wear shoes,” he explained further. “Especially in summer.”

Identifying the pure, unadulterated physical attraction for what it was, Jenny was stunned silent. How could this be happening? Why would she feel such a strong pull to Luke when she was supposed to be having an affair with his brother?

The implications made her face flame, made her avert her eyes from his.

Did the old Jenny Prentice have such loose morals that she could sleep with two men? Her insides churned with disgust. What kind of woman was she? she wondered yet again.

“Come on, Jenny,” Luke said.

The tightness in his voice told her he’d noticed her embarrassment. She cast him a furtive glance. Sure enough, his smile had disappeared, and his eyes were cool chips of shiny coal.

“Put your shoes on.” He moved to the bed and picked up the small bag that contained her meager personal belongings. Turning his back on her, he said, “Let’s go home.”

She had no choice but to follow him.

Chapter Two

Home. The word should conjure up feelings of security and warmth, happiness and laughter. Togetherness. Sharing. Family. But Jenny felt none of these things. Dread sat in her stomach, heavy as a concrete block, as she contemplated going to a place she didn’t remember, living with a man who was a stranger to her.

When she exited the hospital, sunshine warmed her cheeks and she paused long enough to close her eyes for an instant and lift her face skyward. She’d only had a scant moment to enjoy the warm, sunny day before Luke urged her forward, settling his palm on the small of her back.