The Mysterious Stranger (Triple Trouble) (13 page)

Ariel bit her lower lip to hold in a faint moan. Dear God, she’d been living in the home of a reclusive millionaire and she hadn’t given it a moment’s thought. He wasn’t just a guy who had been nice enough to offer her a place to stay. He made deals worth billions; he had an empire. No wonder he hadn’t trusted her.

She continued to read the articles. Most of them went over the same material. A few featured acquisitions and two were about the building of the jewel in the crown of the Wilkenson chain—the resort on St. Alicia. He’d accomplished so much in such a short period of time. He was brilliant and gifted and resourceful and she didn’t need her memory back to know she was definitely out of her league.

She turned a page in the magazine and saw a shaded sidebar. The title of it was Romantic Mystery Haunts Tycoon’s Past. Ariel stiffened, then forced herself to relax as she read. There wasn’t much information, just a brief story about how there were rumors of a romantic entanglement in Jarrett’s past. No details were mentioned, just hints that an explosive love had gone desperately wrong. A woman had mysteriously died in a fire in Jarrett’s home. He hadn’t been there at the time, nor had he made any comment about the woman or the fire that had reduced the structure to ashes. Shortly after the fire, the resort on St. Alicia had been completed and Jarrett had taken up residence on the island. He’d been a recluse ever since.

Ariel closed the magazine and hugged it to her chest. Who was the woman and why hadn’t she been able to escape the fire? What was the secret of Jarrett’s past? She realized with dismay that she was upset by the news that he’d been involved with someone. That another woman had touched his heart and his soul. Even as she told herself she was being crazy, she knew all the words in the world wouldn’t matter. Her feelings for Jarrett were a tangled mess that showed no signs of getting straightened out.

But it didn’t matter. The magazine articles had confirmed what she’d already sensed. She might not remember her past or know who she was, but she didn’t belong in his world, either.

* * *

Anna Jane rolled the dice. When she quickly counted up the squares, she yelped with excitement. “Another railroad. I want to buy it.”

Ariel raised her eyebrows. “She’s a real estate tycoon. It must be in the genes.”

Jarrett pointed to her properties, dotted with green houses and red hotels. “You’re not doing too badly yourself. Although I’d like to talk you out of a couple of addresses.”

“Not a chance.” She grinned and tossed her head. Blond curls went flying.

He chuckled. They’d been playing for the past couple of hours. There were several faxes and E-mail messages waiting for him, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave the living room to take care of business. Maybe for the first time in his life something else was more important.

He glanced around the room. Despite the fact that it was still afternoon and plenty warm, a fire glowed brightly in the fireplace. Anna Jane had mentioned how nice it would be. Real log fires were a part of her holiday celebration and he hadn’t wanted to disappoint her. The large Christmas tree twinkled in the corner. There were boughs of pine all around the room and decorations on tables, walls and over door frames. He tried to remember the last time he’d been in a home that had been decorated for the holidays, and couldn’t. He was grateful to Ariel for suggesting he do this. Not only for Anna Jane, who deserved some care in her life, but also for himself. He needed a little cheer, too.

Ariel rolled the dice and rounded the board, collecting her money with a triumphant wave. “Time for more real estate. I’m having trouble keeping up with you tycoon types.”

Anna Jane laughed. The high, pure sound caused his heart to ache with emotion. Maybe Tracy hadn’t been wrong to name him guardian of her daughter. He still wasn’t sure of his way, but he’d come to care for the child more than he’d thought possible.

A voice in the back of his mind mocked him. Was he thinking of a family at this late date in his life? He silenced the voice with the reminder that he was thirty-two. Hardly an old man. A family was a real possibility. Except for one thing—he knew the danger of getting involved. No one had to teach him that lesson twice. Early on he’d resolved never to love anyone, and his past had only reinforced that decision. He wasn’t going to change his mind now. Caring about Anna Jane was safe because she was a relative and a child. He would be a second father to her—that he could handle. Loving a woman was something else entirely. Love and trust weren’t in his vocabulary.

And yet… He watched Ariel absently brush her hair off her shoulders. Her shorts and T-shirt weren’t stylish or expensive, yet they enticed him more than any seductive gown could have. She sat cross-legged, her honey-colored thighs within touching distance. His fingers itched to feel her smooth skin. He wanted to hold her and kiss her and—

“Uncle Jarrett, it’s your turn,” Anna Jane announced, holding out the dice. “You’re not paying attention.”

“Sorry.”

He rolled and landed on one of Ariel’s hotels, then winced when she announced the rent. “I could give you a break,” she said. “After all, you’ve been a gracious host.”

He gazed into her green eyes. “Maybe we could work out a trade.”

It took a couple of seconds for his suggestion to sink in, then her mouth parted in surprise as color climbed up her cheeks to her hairline.

“You have to pay, Uncle Jarrett,” Anna Jane said. “You can’t weasel out of it.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Are you calling me a weasel?”

The girl smiled. “No. But you’re acting like one.”

He pounced on her, pulling her close and tickling her. She squealed. “Let me go, let me go,” she gasped between giggles.

She pushed at his chest.

With a last tickle along her ribs, he released her. Instead of moving away, the girl snuggled close and rested her head on his chest. “We missed you while you were gone.”

He touched Anna Jane’s smooth hair. “I missed you, too.”

She glanced up at him. “Both of us?”

His gaze flicked to Ariel, who was watching them. “Both of you.”

His words were for the child, but the meaning belonged to the woman. He had missed her. More than he should have…more than he’d wanted to. Usually he lost himself in business, but not yesterday or this morning. Again and again his attention had strayed as he’d thought about what Anna Jane and Ariel were up to on the island. He’d wanted to be with them, watching them, laughing with them.

A knock on the open door made them all look up. Leona put her hands on her hips. “I don’t want to interrupt the game, but you, little one, insisted you were going to help me with my next batch of cookies. I’m going to start them now. You can help or you can continue to play your game. It’s up to you.”

Anna Jane scrambled to her feet. “I’ll help with the cookies,” she said as she dashed to the door. Then she glanced back at him. “Is that all right, Uncle Jarrett? Can we finish the game later?”

“No problem.”

“Thanks.” She ran ahead of Leona and clattered toward the kitchen.

Ariel moved the board game across the floor until it was under the coffee table, then leaned back against the sofa. She stretched her long legs out on the hardwood floor. “She has so much energy. Sometimes I get tired just watching her.”

“She is amazing.”

Ariel looked at him. “You seem to be more comfortable with her.”

“I am.” He shrugged. “Like you said, it’s not that hard. I try to pay attention to her and care about her. She’s a great kid.”

“You’re a pretty great uncle. She adores you.”

“Now,” he agreed. “Wait until she’s a teenager and I won’t let her borrow the car. Then she’ll hate me.”

“True.” Ariel grinned. “I would love to see what you’re going to put the boys through before you let them take her out on a date.”

Dating? He hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I don’t think I can handle it. She won’t be allowed to date.”

“Oh, there’s a realistic solution, Jarrett. Lock her up in a tower. Think of how balanced her personality will be. Very clever.”

He leaned forward and touched her nose with the tip of his finger. “You have a sarcastic streak, don’t you?”

“No. Why would you say that?” Her smile belied her words. Then the smile faded and she searched his face as if trying to figure something out.

“What?” he asked.

“I—” She broke off and ducked her head. “I have a confession.”

His gut clenched. He didn’t want to hear any confessions. Not now. Not when he’d just started believing in her. He should have known better than to trust her. Dammit, when was he going to learn? He braced himself and nodded. “Go on.”

“I, um, was in the library today.”

“That’s hardly a hanging offense,” he said lightly, wishing the sick feeling would go away.

“Yes, well, I found some things I probably shouldn’t have.” She picked at the hem of her shorts and shrugged. “I was looking for a book to read and I couldn’t find one. Then I kicked this box.” She raised her head. Her eyes had darkened to the color of emeralds. “I saw the magazine articles and I read them.”

He waited. She stared at him. Silence.

“That’s it?” he asked, nearly too stunned to be relieved. “You read the magazine articles?”

“Yes.”

“If I was worried about keeping them a secret, I would have locked them away.”

“Are you sure?”

“They were printed nationally, Ariel. You could have looked them up in the local library.”

She smiled faintly. “I suspect there isn’t a library on St. Alicia. I don’t want you to think I was prying. I wasn’t. Well, maybe a little. It’s just that when I realized what they all had in common, I couldn’t help reading.”

Relief flooded him like cool, clear water after a desert hike. The pain in his chest eased, as did his breathing.

Confessions like this he could handle.

“What did you think?” he asked.

She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. “You’re someone important, but I’d sort of guessed that one.”

“Hardly important.”

“You turned the family business around in a big way and very quickly. It’s impressive.”

He was pleased. He wanted her to be impressed. Then his pleasure faded. He remembered something else from the articles—they’d hinted at the dark secret in his past. No doubt Ariel had read about that, too. She would have questions.

He leaned back against the sofa and rubbed the bridge of his nose. One day he was going to find a way to leave the past behind.

“I think I understand now,” she said softly. “Of course you couldn’t trust me. A man in your position has to worry about security and strangers. I’m sorry I was such a bother.”

“You weren’t a bother. A slightly unexpected guest, but is that so bad?”

“I guess not. You’ve been great,” she declared earnestly. “I really appreciate it. You’ve given me a place to stay while I try to sort things out. I just wish I could remember.”

For the first time since her arrival, he wasn’t looking forward to that moment. He didn’t want her to remember, because he didn’t want her to go. At least, not yet.

“I’ve said I’ll help you, and I will,” he said. “Let’s get through the holidays first, then worry about your memory. Besides, it might have already returned by then.”

“Wouldn’t that be nice? Or maybe someone will come looking for me.”

Jarrett didn’t respond. While he didn’t want Ariel to be alone in the world, he wasn’t looking forward to her being reunited with anyone—especially if that someone was a man.

He realized she hadn’t said anything about the fire or the woman who had died. She must have read about it in the magazines. Was she waiting for him to bring it up? He might. In time. As a rule he didn’t talk about the past, but Ariel was someone who could understand.

“There’s a call,” Leona said, poking her head into the room. “Jarrett, it’s your manager from the hotel.”

“I’ll take it in the office,” he replied as he rosé to his feet. He glanced at Ariel. “Be right back.”

She smiled. “I’ll be waiting.”

The slow curve of her lips hit him below the belt. Need rosé instantly. How long did it take to mix up cookies, and would he have time to steal a kiss or two when he returned?

He crossed the foyer and entered his office, then punched the blinking red light and picked up the phone.

“Mr. Wilkenson, you’ll be so pleased,” the manager said. “The mystery has been solved. There are two couples standing right here in my office looking for your houseguest.”

At first Jarrett didn’t understand what he was hearing. Then he did. He sank onto his chair and closed his eyes. He couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe, could only listen.

“The two ladies say she’s their sister. She came in a few days early. The reservation was for everyone. That’s why we couldn’t find a match for a single woman.”

He hadn’t known how much it was going to hurt to lose her until she was gone. He clutched the phone more tightly. “What is her name?”

He heard the manager repeat the question. “Fallon Bedford. She’s a schoolteacher from San Francisco.”

“Are you sure these people are really her family?”

The manager laughed. “Yes, sir. They’re her sisters. No doubt about that. What? Just a minute.”

There was muffled conversation, then a feminine voice spoke into the phone. “Mr. Wilkenson, my name is Elissa Stephenson. I understand my sister is with you?”

The voices were similar. It was true, then. She’d been found.

“Yes, she’s here and she’s fine.”

“Your manager explained about the accident.”

“She’s very healthy, Mrs. Stephenson. I had my personal physician take care of her. The only problem seems to be with her memory.”

There was more muffled conversation. The ache filled him, startling him with its intensity.

“I can’t believe this,” Elissa said. “We have to see her.”

“Of course. Tell my manager to bring you right over. The trip is only a few minutes.”

“We’ll be there.” She paused. “Are you going to tell her? I don’t want this to be too much of a shock.”

“Sure. I’ll let her know. See you shortly.”

He hung up and sat there staring at nothing. The inevitable had occurred. He’d known this was going to happen—he’d even wanted it to happen. Until it had.