Anne Eames - Last Of The Joeville Lovers

“It’s beautiful.” She glanced around, taking in the many antiques and oak-framed watercolors that graced the walls. “I might never want to go home.” She chuckled and looked back to the women, whom she caught smiling at each other before they walked in.

Jenny waddled to a window and gazed out. “Brings back many memories...this room.”

Savannah deposited Taylor’s bag near the closet. “We both stayed in this room when we first visited the ranch. I’m sure you’ll be quite comfortable here.”

Jenny’s gaze turned from the window to Taylor and hung there, in that disconcerting way of hers. “Well, I have to get dinner ready. The men are probably in saying hello to Josh, but they should be up soon with the rest of your things.” She left the room and Savannah moved closer, finally pulling Taylor into a quick embrace.

“Welcome to Joeville, Taylor.” She stepped back and cupped Taylor’s shoulders. “I’m so glad you’re here for Josh. I’m sure he’ll test your patience, but we’re all so grateful you can help.”

She couldn’t promise anything, she wanted to say. Suddenly she felt as though the pressure of making Josh walk fell squarely on her shoulders, that the entire family expected nothing short of his full recovery.

Ryder and Shane burst through the doorway with the rest of her things and Taylor expelled the breath she’d been holding.

“I’ll do my best,” she said to Savannah.

Savannah eyed her and smiled. “I know you will.”

When Savannah peeked her head in a couple of hours later, Taylor had found places for all her belongings and was shutting the drawer on the nightstand where she’d hidden her mother’s journals beneath a scrapbook of family photos.

“Dinner’s in five minutes. Hope you’ve worked up a good appetite. Jenny’s outdone herself.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right down.”

Savannah disappeared as quickly as she’d arrived and Taylor dropped onto the side of the bed. The time to face Josh and the task ahead was about to begin. Tonight they would both rest, but tomorrow it would all start—the hard work, the hours together, the nearness of their bodies, the touching that came with the job. She’d had good-looking male patients before, yet this apprehension had never occurred. Was it because Josh was Max’s son, and that she owed her mentor so much? Was she worried about letting Max down?

Yes.

She pushed off the comforter and puffed out her cheeks.

Who was she kidding? If only it were that simple.

The scent of pot roast and cooked onions rose up to greet her as she descended into the kitchen.

Hannah stopped with her back to the door of the dining room, a tray of iced tea glasses filled to the brim. “Do ya like iced tea, girl? We got other stuff if ya prefer.”

Taylor smiled. “Iced tea’s perfect. Thank you.”

“Well come on, then. Don’t be shy. None of ‘em will bite ya.” Then she cackled. “If they do, they know I’d bite ’em back.”

Taylor laughed and followed Hannah, knowing a heart of gold beat beneath the crusty old housekeeper’s heavy chest. For a moment she forgot her anxiety.

Until she noticed the only empty seat at the long table.

Next to Josh.

And then the Ferris wheel in her stomach started again.

Everyone greeted her as she entered, giving her far too much attention and making it difficult for her to hold eye contact with anyone, until her gaze fell on ten-year-old Billy, his smile so wide that she couldn’t help but smile back.

“I think it’s way cool you’re gonna stay here, Taylor.”

She took her seat, avoiding Josh and keeping her focus on Billy, which for the moment felt safer. “Thank you, Billy.” He beamed back at her and she knew she had discovered the biggest lady-killer of all the Malones.

Max turned to Hannah as she was about to leave the room. “Won’t you join us tonight?”

Hannah waved a chafed hand. “Nah. I gotta plate fixed by the window in the kitchen...where I can watch all my critters. Besides, I’m all tuckered out. Be callin’ it an early night soon as I get my fill.”

When she’d left, Max looked back at little Billy. “Since you’re in such a talkative mood, young man, why don’t you lead us in grace tonight?”

His eyes rounded with panic. “Me?”

“Weren’t you telling me you learned a new way to pray at Sunday school this week?”

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