The cat meowed.

"I thought so." Louise patted her head, then started for the door. "You go ahead and unpack. I'll feed Mistletoe, then come up and check on you."

"Thanks."

Holly hung the clothes she wore at the store in the wardrobe. She was still surprised by everything that had happened. Jordan's family was accepting her as if they'd known her for years. She wasn't sure why. Were they like this with everyone? She knew three of the brothers worked in law enforcement. She would have expected them to be suspicious of strangers.

Louise returned with a tray. She set it on the table. "Hot cocoa and cookies. A little snack to tide you over until Jordan wakes up."

"How's he doing?"

Louise shrugged. "His fever seems better, and he's sleeping. It's his own fault. He's been doing too much. His body needs rest."

Holly nibbled on her bottom lip. Was the fever her fault? Yesterday she and Jordan had shared a pa.s.sionate kiss. Could that have been too much for him?

"Have a seat," Louise said as she took one chair. She was wearing a fire-engine red jumpsuit unb.u.t.toned low enough to show off impressive cleavage. Her earrings were a cascade of crystal and red beads that hung nearly to her shoulders. Makeup accentuated her blue eyes.

Holly sank into the chair and took the offered mug of cocoa. "I'm so confused," she said.

"About?"

"Everything. Jordan's family is being nice to me."

"So?"

"They don't know me. I could be a horrible person."

Louise laughed. "Not if you lived another five hundred years." Her smile faded. "You remember the story of the Three Musketeers?"

Holly nodded.

"That's the Haynes boys. All for one and one for all. They look out for each other. If one of them likes someone, that person is drawn into the family. That's what happened to Austin, and to me."

"How long have you known the family?"

Louise took a sip of her cocoa. "I knew the boys' father. Earl Haynes was the sheriff when I was growing up. He was as good-looking as his sons. They're good men, but Earl had the devil in him. He liked ladies, and they had a hard time resisting him."

She was silent, remembering a past Holly didn't share. For a moment Holly wondered if Louise had a connection to Earl Haynes, but realized that was unlikely. Someone would have said something about it.

Louise shook herself, as if tossing off memories. "Anyway, once they got word that Jordan invited you to stay here, they took that to mean you were being accepted. Now you're part of the family."

"That's impossible. They don't know me."

Louise looked at her a long time. Her blue eyes were sad. "You have any family?"

"No. My mother died three years ago, and she was my last relative."

"I understand that. I'm alone, too. Sometimes it gets d.a.m.n ugly. The Haynes boys invited me into their circle, except for Jordan, of course. I don't belong, but they let me pretend. I'm grateful to them. Come Christmas, I'm going to be in a house full of children and laughter. They remember my birthday. It sure beats spending those times alone."

Without thinking, Holly stretched out her hand. Louise took it and smiled. "Aren't we a sorry pair," the housekeeper said lightly.

"I think we're very lucky. I'm glad you're my friend."

Louise sniffed. "Don't go getting all emotional on me," she said, setting her mug on the tray and standing up. "I'll end up with my mascara under my eyes. I hate it when that happens. I'm going to go start dinner. Then I've got cla.s.s with Professor Wilson."

Holly followed her down the stairs, then detoured into Jordan's study. He was asleep with the sheet bunched up around his waist.

Dark hair narrowed as it arrowed down his belly. Where the sheet dipped dangerously low, she saw the first hint of black curls that surrounded his-

Holly jerked her attention to his face. Oh, G.o.d, he was naked! She'd never seen a naked man before. She had a vague idea of what they would look like down there, but no real practical experience.

Before she started to hyperventilate, she reminded herself this was a sickroom. Jordan needed her care and concern, not her adolescent interest.

There was a bowl of water on the nightstand. She dampened the washcloth Louise had left, then brushed it over Jordan's face. She could feel the heat radiating from him. She sat on the edge of the bed and continued to cool him. She ran the cloth over his chest and his arms.

The familiar ministrations were almost comforting. She'd done this countless times for her mother. The fact that Jordan was a man didn't matter. It was all about healing.

She murmured soothingly, telling him he would soon be better. The fever would break, and his strength would return. Over and over she dipped the cloth in the water, squeezed it dry, then brushed it over his chest and face. After twenty minutes he opened his eyes.

"Holly?"

"I'm right here. How do you feel?"

He squinted at her, then cleared his throat. "Hot."

"You've got a fever. Do you want some water?"

"Yeah."

She raised the bed slightly, then poured a gla.s.s from the pitcher. He tilted his head forward. She shifted so she could support his shoulders, then held the gla.s.s to his mouth. He sipped slowly.

When he was done, she continued to stroke him with the cloth. With her free hand she touched his face, then his arm. His eyes fluttered closed.

"That's nice," he said.

"You're trying to do too much," she told him. "You've got to concentrate on getting better."

He opened one eye. "And I was about to tell you how glad I was to see you. I take it all back."

She smiled.

"Did Kyle get you moved?"

"Yes. I'm right upstairs." She leaned closer and brushed his hair off his forehead.

His eyes opened, and he stared at her. She was close enough to kiss him. She refused to think about that. Right now he needed a nurse.

"You brought that d.a.m.n cat, didn't you?"