But what would happen to Tyler? He’d lost too much already. His situation was a mountain compared to her own small pile of issues – it consumed her self-preservation instinct with each new disclosure Jordan shared. Still, staying here…
There must be some other way to help.
“This is all…overwhelming,” she started. “I’ve only known Tyler for a few days. And we can’t forget that I’m his teacher. I don’t know if it’s ethical…”
“You’re living in an extended-stay hotel, for God’s sake. We could make this work. I have a guesthouse. You could stay there, and compensate me by looking after Tyler when I’m gone. Emily checks in, but she’s especially busy this time of year. And what could be more ethical than a teacher trying to help her troubled student?”
Jordan’s argument was valid, she thought. The orphaned boy – her student – had already grabbed her heart to the point where it would be unethical not to help him in any way she could.
“The idea of moving in here…is huge. I have to consider whether it’s the right thing for Tyler. And yes, there’s the issue of my job. I hope to secure a permanent position at Snow Pass someday. Even if I agreed to stay, I’d have to check with the school first.”
“That’s understandable,” Jordan replied slowly. “But surely they won’t object if we’re not technically living together.”
It was crazy to even consider it. Being near him scared the living daylights out of her, let alone the idea of moving in next door. But…
Tyler needed her.
“You’ll consider my proposition then?” Jordan’s intense gaze sent her hormones into overdrive – again.
No! Her warning bell sounded. A sudden fear of the possible consequences, should she stay, sent chills through her. “I don’t know…”
A small, strangled cry cut through the night, stopping their discussion. Jordan moved first, rushing down the hallway, with Isabella close behind. He pushed into Tyler’s room and went to his bedside. Tyler was sitting up, sobbing uncontrollably.
“I want my mommy,” he cried.
“Tyler, I’m here,” Jordan whispered softly. He ran his hand over the boy’s head in an effort to calm him, but Tyler pulled away from his touch and flung himself back on the bed. He kicked his feet and his sobs shattered the quiet night.
Isabella watched the scene, waited for Jordan to hold his nephew. But when Tyler screamed for his mommy once more, Jordan’s eyes sent her a silent plea. Tyler must have seen her there, and he cried out, “Miss Stevens!”
She went to him without hesitation, bending over and pulling him up into her embrace. She sat down on the bed and gently rocked him in her arms. She caught Jordan’s stare over the top of Tyler’s head, reading the unspoken panic in the shimmering green depths of his eyes. It did something to her heart. In that moment, she felt for Jordan almost as much as she did for her orphaned student. The fact that this should have been her wedding night did not compare to their pain.
When Tyler’s sobs calmed, she kissed the top of his head and eased off the bed, laying him down and tucking his blanket under his chin. Jordan was standing close behind her and she turned, without looking up at him. “I’ll stay the night, in case Tyler wakes up again. But that’s all I can promise, for now.”
He nodded, and it seemed as if a partial weight lifted from his shoulders. “I’ll show you to the guesthouse…”
“No. I’ll stay here, in this chair by the bed. There’s an extra blanket, and it’s big enough, and comfortable-looking.” Jordan watched her, then unexpectedly reached out and swept his thumb along the curve of her jaw. Her heart beat wildly and she dared not look into his eyes. Thankfully, he dropped his hand and stepped back, inhaling a ragged breath.
“All of this has thrown me for a loop, Isabella.” Jordan’s tortured whisper broke into her thoughts and she finally looked at him. The soft glow from Tyler’s nightlight illuminated the sharp angles of his face. He shook his head cynically. “I’m struggling to figure this out, but I want to do what’s best for my nephew.”
“I want that, too.” She spoke firmly, surprising herself how well she hid her churning emotions. She wanted Tyler to have his Christmas wish come true – and knew it could never happen. “But we’ll have to see about my staying, okay?”
Jordan ran a hand through his hair and nodded. “Fair enough.” He left the room, then hesitated in the doorway. “Thank you, Isabella.”
“Goodnight,” she responded softly as he shut the door behind him. She wrapped her arms around herself and sat down in the oversized chair. Tyler’s calm, steady breathing did little to ease the terror that gripped her.
Even if the school administrator approved the proposed living arrangement, should she really agree to it? Could she move in next door to the dark stranger who swooped into her life, rescued her, and wreaked havoc on her senses? A man she’d only known for a few days?
The only thing stopping her from bolting was the orphaned child beside her. His cries haunted her. He’s been having trouble sleeping through the night…
She had to consider staying, for Tyler’s sake.
But even as she thought this, Isabella wondered if she had enough love left to give to the boy whose heart had been broken beyond measure. And enough courage to crack Jordan’s hard exterior, when her faith in men had been shaken so completely.
***
Isabella was waiting in Jordan’s kitchen, coffee brewing, by the time Tyler came down the hallway. She went to him and took his hand. He rubbed his eyes and looked up at her.
“Did you sleep here, Miss Stevens?”
Isabella hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “You fell asleep before your uncle could take me home last night, so I stayed.” She smiled at his innocent, wide-eyed stare. “Are you happy I’m here?” Her heart leapt as he nodded his head vigorously.
“Can I have some corn puffs?”
She was relieved last night’s trauma had passed, for now. “I’ll see if your uncle has some hidden in the cupboard.”
He nodded and moved to his toy box in the corner of the room. Isabella searched for the cereal, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the task. The coffee pot had already been pre-set to brew, so she hadn’t had to do that. When she found the cereal, she turned around. Jordan was there, pouring a cup of coffee and glancing at her out the corner of his eye. She didn’t know what mortified her the most – the fact that she’d been pillaging his cupboards, or her hormonal reaction to his clean-shaven good looks and dark hair, still damp from a shower. And then there was the fact that she’d simply splashed water on her face and rinsed her mouth this morning – not exactly attractive.
She raised a hand to her finger-combed hair. Jordan’s piercing gaze captured hers and a slight smile touched his lips.
“Good morning, Isabella.”
“Good morning.” She didn’t return his smile. “I was just getting Tyler some cereal.”
Tyler went to Jordan, stretching his neck up at his uncle’s tall frame. Isabella was touched as Jordan knelt to Tyler’s level. “Is Miss Stevens living here, Uncle Jordan?”
To her relief, Jordan focused on his nephew, tousling the young boy’s hair. “Well, I don’t know, Tyler. Would you like that?” Tyler nodded again, then turned hopeful eyes to her. Isabella didn’t know what to say. Thankfully, Jordan did. “Miss Stevens has to check with the school first, since she’s your teacher. But at the very least, I’d like her to spend some extra time with you till Christmas – is that okay with you?”
“It’s