Christmas Wish Come True. Jaimie Admans

of the Rockies, strikingly attractive in his black cargo pants and black shirt, casually unbuttoned at the neck.

       Focus.

      She had to talk to him about Tyler and his disturbing, unwavering belief that his mother was coming back for Christmas. Jordan seemed to pick up on her stress and took a deep breath as she stood next to him.

      “Did something happen today?”

      Isabella faced him, her shoulders squared. “Your nephew is very confused, Jordan.” She shook her head, feeling suddenly helpless. “He wants a dog for Christmas. But he didn’t ask for one because his mother’s allergic, and he’s worried she won’t come home if he gets one.” She sighed. “I’m afraid he needs more help than you or I can imagine.”

      Jordan absorbed her statement, then spoke carefully. “Don’t you think I know that, Isabella?” His voice was intense, and he let out a humorless laugh. “I don’t have a clue what to do for him. That’s why I asked for your help. My God.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I know he’s my nephew – and I want him with me through the holidays. But this is just further proof that he needs people who are prepared to fill the enormous void in his life.”

      Jordan’s words hung in the frigid air, and Isabella was crushed by a wave of sickness and anger. “Why not you?” she lashed out in frustration. “He’s just a little boy. What would it do to him if you send him away?” Her question failed to knock the firm resolve from his face. “Why should I waste my time trying to help him? Any progress you or I make in the next few weeks could be wiped away if he loses you, too.” She speared him with her accusation. “What you’re considering could damage him further.”

      “I’ll be giving him a family, Isabella. He wished for his parents. He wants a mother and father more than anything else.”

      Isabella couldn’t argue with that. But, despite the fact that Jordan was partially right, she wasn’t convinced he should give up on keeping his nephew with him.

      “You’re his family, Jordan. He needs you…not strangers.”

      “Just leave this alone, Isabella.” Jordan’s words, low and deep, sent a warning. “You don’t understand.”

      “Jordan, please…” Isabella’s plea was cut short.

      “My nephew’s mother was my fiancé.” He caught her quick look, a bitter smirk on his lips. “She left me for my brother, Isabella.” He stepped close enough so that she could see the flash of pain in his eyes. “Tyler – their child – is a constant reminder of that betrayal.”

      Isabella’s first instinct was to defend Tyler, but her heart ached equally for Jordan. Still raw from her torn engagement, being betrayed was something she could relate to.

      “I’m sorry they did that to you.” The conviction in her words grabbed Jordan’s full attention. “You’ve been hurt, in the worst way. But it’s not Tyler’s fault,” she asserted. “Please, Jordan. Don’t punish him for something he had nothing to do with.” Isabella finished, then looked away from his burning scrutiny. He reached out and touched her cheek, turning her gaze to his.

      Damn those eyes. They drew her in, held her there – though every warning bell told her to run.

      “Isabella…” he whispered, tortured. He pulled her to him; his eyes fell to her lips. Their hearts did a dance, chest to chest. She felt so alive when she was this close to him – so dizzy with desire. This man – this exasperating stranger – somehow reached her in a way Phillip never had. He churned a fire within her, brought her to the point of losing control of her judgment. God help her, she wanted him to kiss her.

      Yes…

      The thought of Tyler’s sad face today brought Isabella crashing to reality. No! She couldn’t let this happen between them. Not now…not ever. This was wrong – on so many levels.

      There was Tyler to consider, and Jordan was still pining for the woman who left him for his brother. Not to mention, she was a jilted bride…

      Isabella mustered her strength and pushed against Jordan’s chest. A shock of wintry air came rushing between them as his arms released her. Jordan stared at her in the early evening shadows, exhaling slowly. Isabella wrapped her arms around herself and tore her eyes from his tormented expression. If she looked at him one moment longer, she’d crumble. She didn’t trust her own urges right now. The last thing she needed, or wanted, was a rebound roll in the hay. And certainly not with her troubled student’s uncle!

      “This,” she hissed. “This thing between us is exactly why I’m not comfortable with the idea of moving in!” She shocked herself with her brutal honesty. “But after today…”

      “After today – what?” he asked quietly. “You’ve decided to stay?”

      She pushed her hands through her hair and stared into the doorway, as if expecting Tyler to appear. “I thought I had. But then you started talking about sending him away again. Because his mother broke your heart, you’re going to break his, as well. And I won’t stick around to see that.”

      “It’s not set in stone,” he said quietly, surprising her.

      She speared him with a laser glare. “Don’t play me, Jordan. I won’t waste my time. And I won’t forgive you if you hurt Tyler in any way.”

      “This isn’t a game, Isabella. Can’t you see I just want to do what’s right?”

      She set her jaw, forced herself to say the words she knew she might come to regret after Christmas. “If that’s true, then I’ll help you. You made a proposition to me, now I’m making one to you. If you promise to at least consider making this Tyler’s permanent home, I’ll stay.” She held up her hand as he let out a relieved puff of air. “I still have to clear it with the school – I’ll let you know definitively on Monday.”

      Without another word, she turned and left him standing outside. She walked through the front door and got into her car. As Jordan’s house disappeared from her view, she wished she could shut him out of her thoughts, as well.

      He was a devastating man. Though the woman inside her screamed for his touch, he hadn’t forgotten his painful past. She was just a schoolteacher and he’d reached out to her in a moment of frustration. He didn’t want her – he wanted a ghost.

      Isabella knew the sting of being an emotional stand-in – and she wasn’t about to let what happened with Phillip be repeated with Jordan.

      ***

       What the hell am I doing?

      Jordan vowed years ago that he’d never put himself at the mercy of a woman again – let alone expose himself to any sort of emotional vulnerability. Now, because of circumstances beyond his control, he’d not only taken his orphaned nephew in, but he’d also practically begged Tyler’s teacher to live on his property – the woman who had invaded his thoughts since he’d met her. And she’d even persuaded him to consider making this Tyler’s permanent home!

      Jordan had been successful in isolating himself from relationships for seven years, and made his work the focus in his life. He was content to keep it that way. Okay, so he’d make a serious effort to try – as he’d promised Isabella. But he’d do what was right for Tyler, whether that meant keeping him here indefinitely or finding him a new family. He hadn’t promised to get attached to anyone – that simply wasn’t going to happen.

       Because of Kim.

      Beautiful, with dark hair and dark eyes – Kim was the type of woman he’d always been attracted to. The type he thought he’d spend the rest of his life with. She’d literally bumped into him on the sidewalk in front of a coffee shop in Denver nearly eight years ago. He was immediately attracted to her, and wanted to get to know her. He bought her a cup of coffee and they were inseparable after that. They