CHAPTER THREE

 

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SIGNED. SEALED. DELIVERED.

With a sense of accomplishment—bordering on smug—Jordyn headed for home. Not only did she have Anastasia Perkins' name on an exclusive contract, quite by happy accident, she'd stumbled across a man who made the most amazing all-natural scented soy candles—and signed him, too.

After an inauspicious start to her journey, three days later, she had carried out her goal—with a bonus.

As if sensing her buoyant mood, the weather took a turn for the better. The unrelenting rain had cleared. The sky was blue. The sun shone like a bright-yellow jewel in a spectacular cloudless sky.

Jordyn had spent several nights in a comfortable and centrally located little B&B, but for all her success, she was anxious to get home. Unfortunately, a wrong turn had taken her into a thickly wooded area and onto a bumpy unpaved road.

Frowning, Jordyn glanced at the navigation system. No satellite signal flashed across the screen. Great. First, the thing sent her in the wrong direction, then, it conked out altogether.

The best thing she could do was to turn around and go back the way she came. Easier said than done. Frustrated, Jordyn took the next turn at a faster speed than she should have, only to find the road ahead washed out.

Too late to do anything but hit her brakes, turn the wheel, and pray, Jordyn did all three simultaneously. She managed to miss the gaping hole in the road.

She wasn't as lucky with the huge pine tree.

Jordyn sat for a moment to assess the situation—and give her heart—now lodged in her throat—a chance to resume something resembling a natural rhythm.

Physically, she was fine, the deployed airbag cushioning the blow. However, she felt a bit woozy. A combination of the sudden, jarring jolt to her system and a massive rush of adrenaline.

Nothing on the dashboard was operational. No flashing lights. No voice asking if she needed assistance. Nothing. Not even a pathetic—yet hopeful—blip.

Great. She'd paid thousands of dollars for a state of the art safety net, and the first time she took a tumble, the thing turned out to have a big fat gaping hole right in the center.

Jordyn unbuckled her seatbelt, sliding from the driver's seat. A bruise or two, but she was almost positive no serious damage had been done.

Reaching in the backseat, she took her phone from her purse.

Come on! No signal? Cursing, Jordyn reared back, ready to kick the nearest inanimate object. Then she reminded herself. She was lucky she wasn't injured. The last thing she needed was to break her foot after the accident.

What had people done BC? Before cell phones? They walked.

The homes in this area were few and far between. Taking a mental rewind through her journey, Jordyn tried to remember the last place she passed where she could find a phone. At least five miles. Maybe ten.

Resigned, she opened her suitcase, changed from some cute, but impractical boots into a pair of running shoes. She always carried an emergency backpack. Water. Non-perishable food. A first aid kit. She added her phone, slipping into a warm jacket over her sweater and jeans.

Jordyn slung the pack over her shoulder, locked the SUV, and started back the way she'd come. Once she hit the main road, she would head west—down the mountain.

One bonus in her favor. The day was still young. Without the light of day to guide her way, she would have stayed put until morning. Hopefully, she'd find help before she had to worry about finding shelter.

She hadn't taken more than a few dozen steps when a rustling at the side of the road caught her attention. Jordyn wasn't a fan of the woman as victim horror movies. However, she knew the scenario.

Alone. In the middle of nowhere—woods were a good example. The woman hears a noise. Ignores the instinct that tells her to run. Slash, slash. Dead woman.

A walk through the wilderness? Piece of cake. However, just to be safe, she took her handy-dandy Swiss Army knife from the pack, unfurling the biggest, sharpest blade.

The noise grew louder, her grip on her weapon tightened. When the weeds parted, Jordyn was ready to do battle. Instead, she let out a relieved breath as a yellow puppy scampered onto the road, tongue lolling to one side. Big brown eyes, hopeful and adoring.

"Well, hello." Going to one knee, Jordyn scooped the wiggling body into her arms. "Are you lost?

Jordyn took the whimper and the wet nose pressing to her neck as a yes.

"I could use some company." She scratched behind the puppy's floppy ear. "Why don't you come with me? We might run into somebody looking for you. Or somebody who knows who you belong to. And can help me out of my current quandary."

"Hey," Jordyn frowned. "Do you smell something?"

As if the dog understood every word, she raised her head, breathing deeply.

"Wood smoke. There must be a house nearby." She looked around. "And there we go."

The plume of smoke was clear as day and easy to follow. Feeling a burst of renewed energy—and a definitive goal in sight—Jordyn exited the road.

With no discernable path to follow, Jordyn pushed her way through the thick undergrowth, tucking the puppy into her jacket. Free hands meant better balance. And she could protect her face from low hanging branches.

"I know what you're thinking." She looked at the face peering from the zippered opening. "An isolated cabin is another horror movie trope. But this is real life. We'll be fine. Trust me."

Trudging along, Jordyn chuckled at herself. Talking to a dog wasn't strange. Explaining why they weren't about to get mowed down by a chainsaw-wielding psycho? Her grin widened. Okay. She had to admit the subject of their one-sided conversation fell under the category of slightly odd.

"I'll make you a deal. If we meet up with any crazy woodsmen—or an equally whacked-out relative—you go for their ankles. I'll take care of everything else."

In the way of agreement, the puppy licked Jordyn's chin before closing her eyes for a nap. The sound of her steady breathing was somehow comforting.

Jordyn had considered getting a dog. However, she traveled so much, she would have to leave the animal with her family too much of the time. On the other hand, for road trips, the company would be nice.

"What do you think, girl? Would we be a good match?"

The dog snuffled, burrowing further into her warm cocoon.

"I'll take your answer as a firm maybe. Either way, I'll find you a good home, sweetheart. Guaranteed."

As the brush began to thin, Jordyn noticed a definite trail beneath her feet. Another five minutes and she could see what looked to be a clearing straight ahead. She peered through the last of the trees.

A lake? Lucky cabin owner.

The clear-blue body of water was a decent size. Big enough for a dock where a small boat—equipped with an outboard motor—was moored. The sun sparkled off the surface. Dazzling. Inviting. If the calendar read July instead of March, Jordyn—sweaty and more than a little smudged from her hike—would have considered jumping in.

However, the thermometer hugged fifty degrees, not eighty. Just the thought of how cold the lake had to be made her shiver.

Jordyn was about to walk toward the cabin but stopped in her tracks when something broke the surface of the water. Not something. Someone. A man, she realized as she watched the strokes of his powerful arms eat up the distance between him and the shore.

The man stopped at the end of the long dock, resting his forearms on the damp wood as he shook his head, long hair spraying water in every direction. Jordyn's eyes narrowed, then widened in surprise.

"Is that…?" she whispered to herself in disbelief.

In one fluid moment, the man lifted himself from the water, his body glistening. Tall. Muscled. Wet. And completely naked.

"Hello, Murphy."

Though Jordyn's invasion of the man's privacy had been purely accidental, the greedy way her eyes looked him up and down—and up again—wasn't. She knew she should turn away. Yet—without a smidgeon of guilt—she continued to enjoy the view.

Spectacular. And brave. Swimming in an ice-cold lake had to take balls. Big ones. Speaking of which. Jordyn took a deep breath. Every bit of the man, he was on the extra-large size. From his height to his muscles to the appendage between his legs.

If icy water equaled shrinkage on all men, nature had been very, very kind to Murphy.

"Oh, no you don't," Jordyn admonished when the puppy tried to see what all the fuss was about. "This show is too X-rated for your young eyes."

Grateful she wasn't in Murphy's direct line of sight, Jordyn decided to retreat into the woods. Once he was inside the cabin, she'd wait a reasonable amount of time before she knocked on the door—enough time so he wouldn't suspect she'd witnessed his exit from the lake.

Unfortunately, the puppy had other ideas. As Jordyn quietly backed away, her new friend squirmed. And whined. She wanted down and made her feelings clear. She didn't appreciate Jordyn's attempts to stop her.

Worried she might cause the animal injury, Jordyn loosened her grip just long enough for the puppy to slide from the jacket. Naturally, she hit the ground running—straight toward Murphy.

Jordyn froze. Great. Freaking fantastic. Before she could stage a graceful exit, the dog ran smack-dab into Murphy's shin.

"Hey, gorgeous," he said, a sexy timbre to his voice Jordyn didn't recall from the pub.

So much for loyalty, Jordyn thought as the puppy practically jumped into Murphy's arms, her tongue swiping at his chin as if the man were USDA Prime beef. Or sisterhood in the face of adversity.

"I was the one who carried you over hill and dale," Jordyn muttered under her breath. "We run across one wildly attractive, naked man, and suddenly I'm chopped liver."

Murphy laughed when the puppy bit his beard, chewing at the curling ends.

"Looks like you're hungry. Why don't you come inside? I'll fix you something more appetizing." Turning his head, Murphy pinned Jordyn with his bright-blue gaze. "You can come too. Unless you have other plans."

Busted. Jordyn didn't know how long he'd been aware of her presence. Whatever the timeframe, Murphy didn't seem the least bit concerned by his lack of attire. He simply watched her a moment longer, then walked away.

And Jordyn simply followed. What else could she do? Head back into the woods to save herself some much-deserved embarrassment? Hardly. The man had no shame, she thought. Still, with a backside as fine as his, why should he?

The building Murphy disappeared into appeared to be new. Jordyn took a moment to admire the clean lines. She loved her townhouse. However, the one thing she missed was a porch. Where she could hang baskets of brightly colored flowers. A place to relax in the evening. Maybe on a perfectly placed swing.

Murphy's house had just such a swing. On a wraparound porch. Lined with baskets of yellow and red begonias.

Since she'd already been issued an invitation, Jordyn didn't hesitate to enter through the open front door—after she removed her mud-caked shoes.

The outside of the house had been a surprise considering her first impression of Murphy. She'd hung a label on the man without any facts beyond his appearance to back her assumptions—a fact she wasn't proud to admit.

The exterior was sleek and sophisticated, instead of down-home rustic. And the interior? Comfortable. Welcoming. Bold colors and richly textured fabrics. Gleaming maple flowed through the open floor plan to a large wood-burning fireplace on one side and a huge modern kitchen on the other.

Two bookcases—actually filled with books, not dust-collecting knickknacks—flanked the fireplace. Jordyn could picture herself on a rainy afternoon, curled up on the oversized love seat, sipping a cup of herbal tea, and reading.

Murphy emerged from a hallway to the left of the kitchen. His long hair was still damp, the heavy length brushing his shoulders. He wore a dark t-shirt and pair of gray sweatpants. Right on the heels of his bare feet, trotted the puppy, her nails clicking on the wood floor.

"Sorry I don't have a bag of Puppy Chow. How about a couple of scrambled eggs?"

Bemused, Jordyn watched as Murphy took a bowl from the cupboard, adding water. By the time he'd turned on one of the gas burners and taken some eggs from the refrigerator, the puppy had consumed some to the water, the rest—in her overzealous enthusiasm—ended up on the floor. And the cabinets. And on Murphy.

She waited for his reaction, ready to jump to the puppy's defense if need be. Jordyn needn't have worried. Without missing a beat, Murphy wiped up the mess, patted the adoring dog, and cracked two eggs into a frying pan.

"Would you like to join us for lunch?" Murphy asked, his attention focused on the cooking eggs. "Soup and sandwiches are on the menu for the humans."

"Okay. Thank you."

Jordyn took a seat at the counter, her hands resting on the copper-specked granite top. The man's matter of fact attitude puzzled her. Considering how he looked in the buff, chances were good that women dropped in unannounced all the time. However, his lack of curiosity seemed odd.

"Don't you have any questions? I know the puppy is a good listener, but unless she suddenly acquired the ability to talk, she couldn't fill you in on how we came to be here."

"Mm." The sound Murphy made was hard to decipher. Somewhere between a grunt and a chuckle. "A talking dog would be a novelty. But I didn't need her to tell me your story."

"Please, continue."

"The dog? She looks to be in good health. Friendly. Good natured. I don't think she's yours. Am I correct?"

"You are."

And annoying. And—to her consternation—just as sexy as she remembered. More so. If the world were a fair and just place, Murphy would sport a beer belly. And man boobs. Instead, he had the kind of body women dreamed about, but were rarely fortunate enough to encounter first hand

"Which means," he continued, unaware of the turn Jordyn's thoughts had taken. Thank heavens. "She's either lost. Or abandoned. Sad, but shit happens—so to speak." Murphy scraped the eggs onto a dish. "How am I doing so far?"

Jordyn found herself smiling. Another surprise. Murphy possessed a certain unforced charm. Disarming would be a better description. Oh, boy. If she didn't watch herself, she could be in big trouble.

"Since I can't speak for the dog—and she's in no position to contradict you? Your theory seems sound," Jordyn conceded. "What about me?"

"You're easy." When she raised an eyebrow, Murphy laughed. "Your situation, not your virtue. My guess? Any man who wants you has to put in a good deal of time and effort."

"In other words, you think I'm difficult?" she asked, not the least bit offended.

Jordyn was proud to say she could be a major pain in the ass. Never easy. However, when the mood—and the man—was right, she could melt. Like ice cream in the mid-July sun.

Murphy gave her a look that made her breath catch in her throat.

"I've never had a problem with difficult."

His blue eyes heated. But his demeanor remained calm and cool as he assembled their sandwiches.

"There's a chance—slim, I'll grant you—that you spent the last three days lusting after me."

Jordyn snorted at Murphy's outrageous remark. His lips twitched, but he continued, piling sliced turkey on whole wheat.

"You discovered where I live, and decided to act on your uncontrollable desire."

Entertained, Jordyn rested her chin on her clasped hands. "You've described quite the scenario. Does that kind of thing happen to you very often?"

"Anymore? Rarely."

Before Jordyn could ask Murphy to explain his cryptic answer, he declared lunch was ready.

"I'd like to freshen up first." Jordyn held up her grimy hands.

"Down the hall. First door on your right."

Jordyn picked up her backpack. The bathroom was small. A sink. A toilet. A window looking over the backyard. A big draw about living in a place like this was the scenery. The architect who designed the house would have been a fool not to take advantage in every room possible.

"Ugh," she sighed when she caught sight of her reflection.

A little dirt she could live with. However, her hair looked like an abandoned bird's nest. Like a person might find months after the weaved-together scavenged sticks and straw, and fine baby bird feathers had fulfilled their purpose.

Not that she cared about impressing her host. Still, Jordyn thought as she took a comb from the emergency supplies, she liked to put her best foot forward whenever possible.

Tugging her hair free of what seemed like a million tangles, she twisted the length into a knot on top of her head. A clip to hold the mass in place, and she almost looked like she did before the accident.

Jordyn turned on the tap, splashing cold water on her face. A pat dry with a wonderfully fluffy towel, a bit of moisturizer, and a dab of gloss on her lips, and she was ready to face the world—or one very large, very hairy, extremely sexy man.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Jordyn asked as she returned to the kitchen.

"You can grab a couple of spoons from the drawer to your right. Then we're set. Water? Juice. Coffee? I don't drink so I never think to keep wine or beer to offer to my guests."

Jordyn frowned. The first time she saw Murphy, he downed a glass of something she'd assumed was alcohol.

"In town? At the bar? I thought…"

"Water," Murphy said without rancor at her mistake. "When I feel really festive, I drink the carbonated stuff. Otherwise, I stick to flat. Bottled. Or straight from the tap. You're welcome to any of the above."

"Bottled. Flat."

With a nod, Murphy brought the drinks to the table.

As was the soup. Hot and perfectly seasoned, Jordyn sighed with pleasure as she took her first taste.

"Tomato is my favorite."

"There's a woman at the farmer's market who makes all kinds—depending on what vegetables are in season. I stock up whenever I'm in town."

"Murphy?" Jordyn asked between bites.

"Yes?"

"You have to be the least curious person I've ever met."

"How so?"

Jordyn shook her head. The man was amazing. If their situations were reversed, she would already know his life story. Wasn't he interested? She certainly was.

"Let's start at the beginning. My name is Jordyn."

"Murphy." His handshake was firm, his palm slightly callused.

Interesting. Neither of them volunteered a last name. Jordyn wasn't sure of her motivation. As for Murphy? She had no idea. Perhaps she was better off not knowing.

"Murphy." Jordyn shook his hand again before letting go. "I remember. Everybody at Paddy's Pub called out your name."

"I stop in now and again." Murphy shrugged as he took a bite of his sandwich.

From the response his entrance had garnered, now and again seemed like an understatement, but Jordyn didn't push the issue.

"After a very successful business trip, I was on my way home. I took a wrong turn, found the road was washed out, swerved to miss the hole, and hit a tree instead."

"Figured something like that. This time of year, washouts are pretty common." Murphy frowned. "You're okay?"

Jordyn nodded.

"I should have asked sooner."

"Yes." Jordyn smiled, letting him know she didn't hold a grudge over his lack of manners. "Why didn't you?"

"I don't get a lot of company. Which is the point of living where I do."

When he would have cleared the plates, Jordyn stopped him. "You did all the prep. Let me clean up."

He didn't argue.

"Trash goes under the sink. Put the rest in the dishwasher."

Happy to help, Jordyn did as Murphy instructed.

"You don't strike me as the hermit type," she said as she rinsed out their bowls. "And yet, here you are."

Jordyn hadn't asked for an explanation—exactly. More of a gentle nudge with the expectation of information. Why did a man who seemed like a social creature at heart, isolate himself where he could go weeks—even months—without human contact?

"I think I wear the mantle of hermit quite nicely." Murphy seemed to find her assessment amusing as he expertly skirted her non-question.

"However, now and then, a little company is nice. Welcome, Jordyn. Thank you for joining me for lunch."

Next time—if there were a next time—Jordyn would use a more direct approach. For now, she smiled.

"Thank you for feeding me so well." Her smile turned sheepish. "I'm sorry I caught you… unaware."

Murphy laughed, his teeth a flash of white through his full, dark beard. "You caught me naked as a jaybird?"

"That, too."

"I didn't mind." He tugged at his beard, a definite twinkle in his clear-blue eyes. "Did you?"

Jordyn felt she was at a crossroads. Tell Murphy the truth. Yes, she liked looking at him naked. And would love the chance to get a closer view. Or, take the safer track, and lie her face off.

"Do you have a phone I can use?"

Why lie? A change of subject was so much easier.

"Nope."

"My cell doesn't work, and you don't have a phone? How am I supposed to get my car to a garage? Or myself off this mountain?"

"I'll give you a lift to town."

Relief or disappointment? Jordyn's emotions were at odds. A night alone with Murphy would have been… interesting. To say the least. She'd never indulged in a one-night stand. Not because she was morally opposed. She'd never experienced such intense, instantaneous, physical attraction.

Until now.

Would she have jumped? Thrown caution to the wind? Jordyn sighed. Looked like she would never know.

"Thank you."

"Happy to help. But I can't take you until tomorrow."

Great. Just great.

"Don't worry." Murphy smiled as if he could read Jordyn's thoughts. "We'll think of something to pass the time."