The Widow's Little Secret. Judith Stacy

dipped his hands into the basin and splashed icy water on his face. He shuddered.

      Mattie might think she could order him out of her life, or wish him away, or scare him away, but that wouldn’t happen. Jared wasn’t about to turn his back on her. And he certainly wasn’t going to abandon his child. Not when he was this close to having so many of the things he wanted.

      Jared sighed in the silent room. Hell, he did love her. He loved her and he wanted her. He’d figure a way to have her.

      But that would be so much easier to do if he could just get himself under control enough to make it through the day without embarrassing himself in front of the whole town.

      Jared ground his teeth together, picked up the pitcher and poured it down his front.

      He sucked in a quick breath as the icy water splashed over him. His chest heaved from the shock. His body shuddered.

      But at least it took care of one problem.

      Until the next time he laid eyes on Mattie.