The next day, Jake stayed away from the hotel as long as possible. He cleaned his kitchen and avoided his phone. His mom and sister persisted in calling and texting though. They'd worn him down by lunch time so he headed into town. He stopped at TJ's to check on Lindsey's car before heading to the hotel.

"It won't take much longer to fix. Most of the repairs are from neglect and not the accident." TJ walked around the car pointing things out. "I've already hammered out the dents, and the part I need is being delivered from Rawlins in a day or two."

"Well, that's good." Jake tried to ignore the sinking feeling pressing him down. Lindsey could be on her way, and she'd made it clear that's what she wanted. "Anything I can do to help offset the cost?"

"Nah, your dad already came in and took care of it."

For some reason that bothered Jake. Why should his dad get to help when he couldn't. "Does Lindsey know that?"

"Probably not." TJ winked. "My little brother shared some gossip he got from Jessica."

"I bet. She just can't keep her trap shut." Jake strolled half way to the door. "What did you hear?"

"Just that you've got your eye on our pretty guest."

"Is that all?"

"And maybe that she said to butt out."

Jake kicked the trash can, taking great pleasure in the clang as it tipped and rolled, spilling debris all over the floor.

"You gonna pick that up?" TJ didn't sound angry, in fact, it looked like he was struggling not to laugh.

"Why does everyone think this is so funny?"

"Because it's about time you noticed a pretty face. Lousy timing maybe, but about time."

"I've noticed a lot of pretty faces. I just didn't do anything about it."

"Well, why now?"

"You'll laugh."

"Try me."

Jake sagged against the wall, just beside the door. It would probably be best to hightail it out, but maybe his best friend would have some words of wisdom.

"It's like she's the answer to the prayers I never put into words."

TJ walked over and clapped Jake on the shoulder. "Just take your time and maybe it'll work out."

"But I don't have time. She'll leave as soon as the car is fixed."

"I can give you until Christmas, but that's as far as I can push it. Now get over there and start showing her what a catch you are."

Jake slipped out the door muttering. "That's the problem. She could do so much better."

He had worked himself into another dark mood by the time he reached his parent's hotel. Lindsey was way out of his league and she'd be better off without him. He slammed the door behind him. Katie jumped up from playing with his old blocks in the living room, ran over, and lifted her arms.

"Dadda." She bounced up and down.

Jake's heart flipped. The foul mood evaporated leaving an ache in it's place. "Hey, peanut." He lifted her up so she could pat both sides of his face in that funny little way she had.

"I'm sorry she keeps calling you that." Lindsey spoke from the armchair where she sat reading a book.

"I don't mind." The sight of them both confirmed how much he liked the idea of coming home to Lindsey and Katie every day, but how could he convince her to take a chance on him? She'd only just met him and had no intention of staying.

Jessica poked her head up from behind the couch. "Does Jake look like your ex?"

Jake groaned. He definitely didn't want to go there.

* * *

The question took Lindsey by surprise. She'd been embarrassed every time Katie called Jake dad, but she hadn't stopped to consider why she was doing it. Lindsey got up from her reading spot and walked over to the others.

"No." Lindsey had the strange sensation that how she worded things would be very important. She tried to shrug it off, but the moment felt bigger than her. "They're about the same height, but that's it. Where Steven had cold blue eyes, Jake's are warm brown reflecting his kindness."

She paused, but kept studying Jake as if seeing him for the first time. “Steven had that gym perfected body for impressing people, but Jake looks stronger somehow—real.”

He really was a good looking man. Her gaze returned to his eyes. They were different from Steven in more ways than just the color. There was a gentleness about him that Steven had never had. What if he really did care about other people?

Right now he clung to her daughter and looked deep into her eyes. He stirred feelings she'd never felt before. Is that why she'd been so upset last night? So scared to accept his kindness?

Jessica watched them, a smirk trying to break free. "Well, then why does Katie keep calling him dad?"

"I don't know." Lindsey's answer was almost a whisper, but a new idea had wormed it's way into her thoughts. Just yesterday she'd decided Katie needed someone like Jake in her life. What if? She shook her head. She could not go there.

Jake hadn't said anything to this point. He had a funny look on his face. It was something between embarrassment and maybe longing.

He cleared his throat. "Would you and Katie like to do something today?"

Jessica laughed. "Maybe you're not too hopeless."

Lindsey was surprised to see Jake blush. She almost reached out with the need to touch that vulnerability.

* * *

Jake had never been so confused. Last night he'd decided to stay away from Lindsey, but the way she was looking at him right now had him changing his mind. It didn't hurt that she'd built him up with her description of him. He'd always thought of his eyes as muddy brown, not warm like she'd said. And she thought he looked strong?

Did all women give mixed signals like this?

Uncomfortable with how much he wanted the woman in front of him to like him, Jake changed the subject. "Does Katie like sledding?"

"I've never taken her."

Jessica jumped into the conversation. "We should all go. Lindsey and Katie can ride with you. Colton and the others will be here to pick me up soon. They'd love a day on the farm. We'll meet you there." She nudged him toward the door.

"Sledding sounds fun." Lindsey gave him a shy smile and reached for Katie's coat.

"Okay, then." He didn't really have hills on his farm, but he had a snowmobile and fifty foot rope for pulling. They loaded Katie into her car seat and headed to his land.

"Thanks for inviting us. Your mom won't let me help do anything around the hotel and I'm getting a bit stir crazy." Lindsey adjusted the knit cap on her head. "I'm not used to down time."

"Why not?" Jake noticed she didn't have gloves again. He'd have to fix that before they hit the snow.

"Dad made sure I worked with the cows. Then when he died I got a job in town. That's how I met Steven." She pulled the cap off and twisted it in her hands. "I actually thought I'd get to quit when I married him. Stupid, I know."

Jake decided not to respond to that. Instead he kept asking questions. "Why'd you want to quit, and why didn't you?"

"I wanted a family right away. Steven thought it would be better if we waited, and I worked so he didn't have to rack up too much debt finishing school. It sounded good at the time."

"It makes sense, but I take it things didn't work out the way you hoped?" He glanced in the mirror and saw Katie happily looking out the window.

"Life never does." She got quiet and stared straight ahead.

"What did you hope life would be like?"

She blushed and shoved the cap back on. "I don't know. My dad wasn't overly affectionate, but I knew he loved my mom. You could see it in the way they looked at each other. That's what I wanted. Love, a home, children." Lindsey twisted around and tickled Katie's leg. The little giggle filled the cab and Lindsey continued, "At least I've got my Katie-bug."

"She's something else. I'm glad you've got her too." Jake broke out in a sweat. His heart raced with how much he wanted to tell her she deserved to have everything she desired. And he wanted to give it to her.

Too soon, dummy. You've only known her two days.

He clenched the steering wheel tighter. The time didn't change how he felt around her. She really was the answer to his unasked prayers. He felt hopeful around her, even when confused, but most importantly, he felt complete.

Lindsey didn't say anything, but he saw her nod in his peripheral vision. He ventured a glance in her direction. Her brow was creased again, and she half frowned, but he could tell she was lost in thought.

A couple minutes passed in easy quiet before he pulled into his drive. They drove past his fallow fields, sparkling with the untouched snow.

"Is all of this yours?" Lindsey sat straighter as she looked around.

"Yeah. It was my dad's and grandad's before me, but I paid off the last of my buyout last year." He pointed up ahead where several trees surrounded the farm house. "Those trees have been there for over a hundred years."

"That's so cool. I like things that have history."

"Do you want to see the house while we wait for Jessica? I bet I can find an extra pair of gloves for you as well."

Lindsey sat on her hands. "You notice everything don't you?"

Jake spoke before he could think. "I notice you."

She touched his arm, then pulled away.

He let the moment pass, knowing they both needed more time. Instead, he got out and hurried to open her door. Only then did he go for Katie. She was ready to be out of her car seat. As soon as he had her out, she tried to get down, so he set her in the deep snow.

"That ought to slow you down." He laughed. "Come on, let's get you those gloves."