And how he touched her heart.
Luckily, everything Isabella owned fit into two suitcases, so it was still daylight when she loaded them into her car that evening. Since she’d paid for her suite at the extended-stay hotel through the month of December, she let the super know she’d be gone a few weeks, but would return after Christmas. At least she’d have a place to go if she didn’t find something permanent by then. Right now, the hotel was affordable, and she had to think of her limited savings, especially since she’d only have three weeks’ income from her current substitute-teaching job.
She pulled into Jordan’s circular driveway as the sun began to set behind the Rockies. As she stepped out of her car, the front door opened and Jordan stood there, his hand resting on Tyler’s shoulder. Tyler shrugged from his grasp and ran over to her. She shut her car door and bent down as he approached her. “Hello, Tyler. Better get back inside – it’s cool outside without a coat.”
Tyler remained silent but took hold of her hand and practically tugged her to the house. Jordan stepped aside as they entered. “Supper’s ready, Miss Stevens,” Tyler said.
“Oh, good. I’m really hungry – are you, Tyler?”
He nodded and waited as she removed her coat and hung it on a hook by the door. Jordan remained silent through all of this, but spoke up behind her as they walked to the kitchen. “I’ll let you two eat; I have a business call to make. When you’re finished, I’ll show you to the guesthouse, Isabella.”
“You’ve already eaten?” she asked, disappointed that he wasn’t having dinner with his nephew.
“I ate a large lunch. But I’ll join you when I finish my call.”
Isabella tamped down her irritation, for Tyler’s sake. But as she sat at the kitchen table with Tyler, eating a delicious macaroni and cheese casserole Emily had prepared, she couldn’t help but think that Jordan was taking advantage of the situation. Though she loved being with Tyler, she had no intention of allowing her presence to take away from Jordan’s time with his nephew. Quite the opposite, in fact. Still, as he retreated into another room, she realized this was going to be even more challenging than she originally thought.
“Are you happy I’m going to stay in the guesthouse, Tyler?” she asked the boy, who’d fallen into silence as they ate.
“Yes,” he said quietly, then took another small bite of the casserole.
“I’m looking forward to spending lots of time with you, getting ready for Christmas. Maybe your uncle could take us to get a Christmas tree sometime soon. Would you like that?”
Tyler nodded and looked up at her. A light of wonder sparked his sad eyes. “Emily said we should have one, for when Santa comes.”
“Yes, we should,” she agreed. Curious about Emily’s role in Jordan’s life, she asked, “You said Emily’s your uncle Jordan’s friend, right?”
Tyler nodded again and Isabella wondered how long Jordan had known her. Which he answered as he entered the kitchen.
“I’ve known Emily all my life,” he said. “She was my mother’s best friend.” He sat down at the table, and scooped some of the casserole onto the plate in front of him. “She was a young widow. She sort of took it upon herself to look after me and my brother when…well, you know. So, my father hired her as our nanny. To me, she’s family.”
Isabella remembered his revelation about his mother’s death. Which brought up so many other questions –
“You said you built this house yourself. And Emily’s your neighbor…”
“My father owned this property – fifty acres of prime Denver real estate. He’d planned to build a family estate here when he was young. It, um, didn’t work out. After he was gone, I built Emily’s house first, and set this lot aside for myself.” He glanced over at Tyler, who looked as if he didn’t have any interest at all in the adult conversation. Jordan lowered his voice, nevertheless. “My brother wasn’t interested in this acreage. So, I got permits, split the land, built and sold eighteen more houses on the property. Made enough money to start my own construction company.”
“Uncle Jordan, can I go play with my blocks now?”
Jordan turned his attention to his nephew. “Sure, buddy,” he said gently, to Isabella’s delight.
Tyler scooted off his chair and ran to the living room. Both adults watched him, then Isabella said, “I think he takes after you, wanting to build things.”
“I don’t have anything to do with it. He’s thinking about his father, most likely.” He met Isabella’s gaze. “My brother and I inherited my father’s company, Butler Enterprises. A construction conglomerate, specializing in high-profile contracts, mostly hotels in the US and Canada. We were partners for a while. But after Kim…I left it to him.”
Isabella was quiet, unable to relate to Jordan’s privileged, yet unhappy life. Her parents weren’t rich, but they’d given her a happy home, and a good education. She’d lost them both to natural causes within five years after graduating college, and missed them every day. Especially now, since her breakup.
She finished her casserole and took her plate to the sink. Jordan followed her lead. When she started to rinse the dishes, he touched her forearm. “No. You’re my guest, Isabella. I’ll clean up later.” She stopped the action and scooted out of his proximity. “Well, thank you,” she said awkwardly. “It was delicious.”
“If you’ll sit with Tyler for a few minutes, I’ll take your things to the guesthouse.”
She agreed, but made a mental note to talk to him about her role with Tyler when they got a moment alone. Which came about half an hour later, when Emily popped in. Jordan informed her he was going to show Isabella to her new living quarters.
“It’s just this way,” he said, looking slightly perturbed by Emily’s pleased smile as she took Tyler to his room.
He led them out the side door, through the covered breezeway between the two residences. He opened the door to the guesthouse and flipped the switch on the wall, illuminating the small but beautiful interior. It was only slightly larger than her efficiency – but it smacked of good taste and money. There was a lovely kitchenette, a cozy living area with a TV and sofa – and, in the far corner, a midsize bed with a desk set up just next to it. Her eyes rested there, as her reservations waged war with her desire to help Tyler.
“I’ve never used it,” Jordan said. “But I keep the basics here, just in case. If there’s anything else you need, just help yourself in the main house.”
When he started to leave, Isabella walked with him to the door. “This is lovely,” she said.
He stopped and turned to her. “I want you to feel at home, Isabella. I’m grateful – you don’t have to do this.”
“I want to,” she said firmly, wondering if she were trying to convince herself as much as him. “But…” She hesitated, then shook her head.
“What’s bothering you, Isabella?” His voice was low, almost a whisper.
“You promised to make an effort. Yet tonight, you made a phone call at dinnertime. Sharing at least one meal a day with Tyler would be a good start.”
He looked uncomfortable under her scrutiny but nodded as he stepped through the door. “You’re right. I’ll work on it.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him then, open and unguarded.
He stared at her for a long