“Quit eating up the profits.”
“Deduct it from my portion of the inheritance from Dad.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, his face creasing into an almost-smile.
The conversation hummed on, but Dee couldn’t focus on anything except the tableau of that tiny baby held so securely in oversize hands.
Her breath hitched. Emily was right. Jacob Stone was hot. A glance at those trim h*ps and long legs encased in overwashed denim sent a liquid heat flooding through Dee that rivaled any sugar jolt from a raspberry tart.
What kind of woman did that make her? Did she get warm and soft feelings over every man who crossed her path? She didn’t like that image of herself. Could she simply be drawn to Jacob because he’d been the one to toss her a lifeline?
Emily grabbed her coat off the back of the chair and reached for her daughter. “I’m outta here. You old folks reek of gloom and doom.”
Jacob propped a boot on the edge of the bed, blocking Emily’s escape. “Where’re you going? The weather’s not showing any signs of letting up.”
“Just to Chase’s.” Emily draped a thick yellow blanket over the baby. “Don’t say no or I’ll just sneak out. You’re my brother, not my father, and even he didn’t rag on me every time I wanted to go somewhere.”
He slid his foot to the ground. “Take the truck and be careful.”
“Sure, Gramps. I’ll even call you on your cell if I can pick up any reception in this weather.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “And get this lady into some warmer clothes and shoes before she, like, loses a toe to frostbite. Of course, if she wears anything of yours, she’ll be a fugitive from the fashion police.”
Police. Dee’s throat closed with a new thought. What if the police were after her? She couldn’t imagine herself as a criminal. But she wouldn’t have imagined she’d choose a low-cut silk dress if she couldn’t see the proof glaring back at her from the mirror.
And she didn’t even want to think about what the hundred on the bedside table had meant.
Jacob tipped back his chair. “Thanks for the fashion commentary, kid. You’re one to talk.”
“Truth hurts.” Emily tossed her ponytail over her shoulder, red streak glinting. “Later, dudes.”
“Don’t forget to call,” he shouted after the closing door.
Emily had just assumed he would loan Dee clothes, no question or hesitation. She had to admit, he did have a way of taking charge and reordering her world with seeming ease.
Jacob swung his feet up to occupy the vacated chair. Chilly silvery-blue eyes whispered over her. “I imagine you’re not staying in that dress because it’s your favorite. No suitcase?”
Dee backed a step as if that might distance her from the impact of that shivery gaze. She wasn’t even sure whom to trust. Keep focused. Cell phone. He had a cell phone. She should have thought to ask about one earlier. Now she could call for help and find her family—or perhaps end up in jail. “Uh, no. I don’t have a change of clothes.”
He gripped the chair arms and shoved to his feet. “Meet me over at the office when you finish up here.”
“Sure. About ten more minutes.” She tucked the spread along the pillows, taking more time to even the edges than she needed until he left.
Ten minutes and she could try for a cell phone connection. Regardless of the outcome, she wanted to know. All she needed to do was ask him for the phone.
Was she ready for what she might find?
Jacob refilled the coffeemaker in the lobby while he waited for Dee to finish her call. Apparently she’d thought of a friend to contact after all.
At least she’d cleaned the rooms before cutting out. He would be ready if the bus managed to make it through the storm, and the regular maid would be over her bout of flu soon.
Dee’s muffled words wafted from the other room. He settled in the creaky leather chair behind the check-in desk and let her soothing tones flow over him. She had a nice voice, gentle and soft like a wind whispering over airplane wings. If only she weren’t shoveling lies his way faster than a snowplow.
Her voice quieted. Jacob tugged open a file drawer and tried not to watch the sway of her h*ps as she glided down the hall connecting his rooms to the reception area.
Dee paused in the doorway, her shoulder resting against the frame. She clutched the phone to her chest. “Thanks. The connection was crackly, but I got through.”
“You’re all set then.”
“No.”