“Don’t forget to call,” he shouted after the closing door.
Emily had just assumed he would loan Dee clothes, no question or hesitation. She had to admit, he did have a way of taking charge and reordering her world with seeming ease.
Jacob swung his feet up to occupy the vacated chair. Chilly silvery-blue eyes whispered over her. “I imagine you’re not staying in that dress because it’s your favorite. No suitcase?”
Dee backed a step as if that might distance her from the impact of that shivery gaze. She wasn’t even sure whom to trust. Keep focused. Cell phone. He had a cell phone. She should have thought to ask about one earlier. Now she could call for help and find her family—or perhaps end up in jail. “Uh, no. I don’t have a change of clothes.”
He gripped the chair arms and shoved to his feet. “Meet me over at the office when you finish up here.”
“Sure. About ten more minutes.” She tucked the spread along the pillows, taking more time to even the edges than she needed until he left.
Ten minutes and she could try for a cell phone connection. Regardless of the outcome, she wanted to know. All she needed to do was ask him for the phone.
Was she ready for what she might find?
Jacob refilled the coffeemaker in the lobby while he waited for Dee to finish her call. Apparently she’d thought of a friend to contact after all.
At least she’d cleaned the rooms before cutting out. He would be ready if the bus managed to make it through the storm, and the regular maid would be over her bout of flu soon.
Dee’s muffled words wafted from the other room. He settled in the creaky leather chair behind the check-in desk and let her soothing tones flow over him. She had a nice voice, gentle and soft like a wind whispering over airplane wings. If only she weren’t shoveling lies his way faster than a snowplow.
Her voice quieted. Jacob tugged open a file drawer and tried not to watch the sway of her h*ps as she glided down the hall connecting his rooms to the reception area.
Dee paused in the doorway, her shoulder resting against the frame. She clutched the phone to her chest. “Thanks. The connection was crackly, but I got through.”
“You’re all set then.”
“No.”
So much for a return to peace. “Your ride can’t make it out here yet?”
She shook her head. Her grip tightened around the cell phone until one of the buttons chirped. “Is the job open long-term? Well, as long as you plan to keep this place open. I may need it for a while.”
“I’ve already got someone who comes in to clean.” Her panicked eyes compelled him to add, “But Grace’s arthritis is acting up, and she could use the extra help.”
Which was the truth, except now he had two housekeeping employees and a floundering business. Great. He would bankrupt the place at a time he needed to secure a future for his sister.
“Thanks again for letting me use the phone.” She leaned to place it on the counter. Her dress gaped open, giving a full view of creamy br**sts encased in lace.
Jacob shifted his gaze to a file, not nearly as interesting but a hell of a lot less tempting. “Let’s get you into something warmer.”
The now predictable battle waged in her eyes, pride versus practicality. She glanced down at that slinky little dress and nibbled her lip, then her spine straightened to a debutante stance that matched her face far more than the clothes. He could see pride had won.
Dee clasped the neckline closed. “Thank you, but you’ve done enough already.”
“I’m not offering to let you raid my closet. Emily’s right about my wardrobe—or lack of one.” Since he wore a flight suit most of the time, he didn’t need much in the way of civilian clothes. He gestured for her to follow him to the hall that connected the front office to the living quarters. “There’s a lost-and-found box of unclaimed items folks have left in the rooms. You can help yourself.”
She scrunched her toes in her shoes and looked out the ice-laced window. Starch leaked from her spine. “If you’re sure it’s all right. Consider it trade for the cleaning I’ve done today. No handouts.”
“Haven’t you ever heard about the joy of giving? Consider it an early Valentine’s Day gift.” Only a week away. Did she have someone besides Mr. Smith out there? Shaking off the thought, Jacob swung open the supply-closet door. “Rifle through and take anything you need. You can scrub a few extra sinks if it’ll make you feel better.”
Her thin shoulders slumped before she pivoted to face him. She reached, her trembling fingers hesitating an inch shy of touching him. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
The heat of her hand crackled through the air and scorched his chest. An image of lace burned an imprint in his mind. His thoughts twisted along paths he had no business traveling, paths that led to wrapping his body up with her, even if only for a mind-numbingly short time.
He should swaddle her in a few layers of clothes and march her out the door for more reasons than he’d originally thought. “You’re welcome.”
Jacob lost himself in the routine of paperwork. For all of four minutes. Maybe he should shovel more snow one-handed—ouch. Heaven knew that could keep him busy and cool him off. Or was there enough snow in a Washington winter for that just now?