Secretly Hers (Sterling Canyon) (23 page)

“Good morning. I’m Wyatt Lawson.” Wyatt stepped aside to make room for a young guy with a cane, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. Wyatt patiently followed him to the check-in desk. “This is my brother, Ryder, and that’s the film crew, Jim, Buddy, and Mari. Looks like we’ve all descended at once.”

Emma remembered briefly seeing Ryder that night. He’d been an up-and-coming snowboarder, although he hadn’t hit the podium. Sadly, two years ago, he’d finally made headlines when a horrible snowboarding accident caused a traumatic brain injury. She’d read that Wyatt had left competition to help his family, and that Ryder had spent a few months in the hospital following his accident.

Looking at Ryder now, she sensed he hadn’t fully recovered—physically or otherwise. A pang of empathy for the brothers momentarily set her back. Ryder probably needed special accommodations, and she hoped her mother had addressed them adequately.

It was doubtful Ryder would remember her, but still, she felt thankful that she’d tied back her hair and worn no make-up this morning.

Surely neither he nor Wyatt would connect her to Alexa, assuming Wyatt even remembered that night.
Surely
he’d had many similar encounters before and after their sexcapade.

For the briefest moment, sadness grabbed her, forcing her to acknowledge that a major turning point in her small life had been a mere blip in Wyatt’s life story. She shook off the wistful musing before anyone noticed.

“Welcome,” Emma said, her gaze roaming the group without making direct contact with Wyatt. “We’re so glad to have you. I’ll be at your disposal during your stay, so anything you need, just ask.”

Wyatt playfully cocked an eyebrow and smiled, this time a little less brotherly. A memory of him wearing that identical look—and nothing else—passed through her mind and shot straight to her girly parts. Goodness, her innocent statement now sounded naughty in her head. How on earth would she survive an entire month living under the same roof with Dallas, er, Wyatt, without giving away her identity?

About the Author

Photo © 2013 Lora Haskins

Jamie Beck is a former attorney with a passion for inventing stories about love and redemption. In addition to writing about romance, she enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking, and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family. Visit her on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks
.