The Sheriff's Amnesiac Bride. Linda Conrad

to love. We married the minute we were old enough.”

      “Jericho was the big brother of the two.” Rosie was sure Jericho hadn’t been the lover.

      “Of course. He’s still doing it, too. My husband, Tim, died about six years ago and Jericho stepped in to make sure my son T.J. and I were okay. I’m not sure what we would’ve done without him.”

      “But Jericho’s never been married?”

      Macy’s smile dimmed slightly. “No. But in my opinion, it’s just that he’s never found the right woman. Everyone who knows him loves and respects him. He could’ve had his pick of any woman in the county.”

      “But not you? You’re sure?”

      It was a sad smile that Macy wore by the time she answered. “I wish I felt differently. But no. I’m sure. Jericho and I are like brother and sister. We’ll never get past that. I know he’s relieved to be getting out of our marriage agreement. But he’s still the best man in the entire county.

      “Who else would’ve agreed to marry his best friend just so her son would have a father?” Macy shook her head sadly and patted Rosie’s hand. “Enough about me. How are you feeling? You look a bit pale. Are you queasy? Let’s go get you something to eat.”

      For a split second when Rosie appeared out of the bedroom wearing Macy’s clothes, Jericho had been absolutely positive the image he saw was all wrong. This mystery woman did not belong in cotton slacks and long-sleeved, button-down shirts, of that he was sure. He envisioned her as being more into silks and fancy designer duds. But then when he blinked once, the lost woman with no past was back and it didn’t matter what she wore, his heart went out to her.

      As the three of them sat around his kitchen table and Rosie ate breakfast, Macy babbled on about the current happenings in her life. Jericho suspected she was doing it to make Rosie forget her predicament.

      “My boss, Jewel Mayfair—you’ll love her when you meet her, Rosie. Well, anyway, she’s had a kind of rough life. But her uncle is Joe Colton. He’s that senator in California who’s running for president, you know?”

      Jericho cut in, “Macy, Doc O’Neal said we shouldn’t expect Rosie to bring back memories just yet. She’s supposed to relax and just let things come to her on their own.”

      “Oh, but…” Rosie interrupted. “The name Joe Colton does ring a bell. He must be really famous.”

      “Or maybe you were just interested in politics.” Macy added her own conjecture. “I know that the presidential campaign has been really heating up on TV. Jewel says her uncle has lots of influential backers. But since our Texas governor entered the race against Senator Colton, Jewel says things haven’t been going so well. And I can imagine that’s right. Governor Daniels is really hot. I voted for him for governor, and he can probably count on my vote for president, too. But don’t tell Jewel.”

      Rosie chuckled, but then put her head in her hands. “I don’t know. Everything sounds familiar but nothing is. The harder I try…”

      Jericho would’ve liked nothing better than to take Rosie in his arms to comfort her just then. But Macy leaned over and lifted a gentle hand to Rosie’s shoulder.

      “Then don’t try, sweetie.” She turned to Jericho. “Maybe you could help Rosie by finding out the kinds of things she likes to do when she’s relaxing. For instance, you know I love to read romance novels. I’m positive that wouldn’t change about me even if I couldn’t remember anything else.”

      Okay, Jericho had always figured he made a pretty good detective when it came to catching criminals. But this kind of detective work seemed a little over his head.

      “Uh, what kinds of things would you suggest she try?” he asked Macy.

      Macy raised her eyebrows and then tilted her head to study Rosie. “Most women would love a good relaxing day at a spa—along with some chocolate. But there aren’t any spas around here. And I always love a good relaxing day of shopping, which is also in limited supply in Esperanza, Texas, I’m afraid.

      “Um…” Macy looked around the great room as though something might come to her. “Maybe she has a hobby. Like sewing or knitting. Or…” She swung her arm around to indicate Rosie should look at the room. “Decorating. Does anything about this room speak to you?”

      Rosie blinked a couple of times and then glanced over Jericho’s furnishings. “It just says man’s man