Finally, he sat down and dropped his head in his hands. When he straightened, his gaze was drawn back to the window as if he was trying to understand something. "How long do you think it will take to find a job?"

Belinda seemed caught off guard by the question, as if she had been prepared for more of a fight. "Well, ah..." She toyed nervously with her hair. "I'm thinking a month, max. A girlfriend of mine works at Caesars Palace and she said she could probably get me a job if I come out and interview. She's going to let me stay with her until I find a place of my own."

Jesse waited until she was done speaking. "Will two thousand help you get started in Las Vegas?"

Belinda's eyes went wide. "Well," she said, seeming surprised by her good fortune. "Sure, that'll work."

Tension sliced through Jesse as he looked out the window again to where Travis sat by the pool.

"Then I'll write you a check."

"Oh, okay. Good. Well then, um, great. If I could get that from you now, the car's packed, then I'll get out of your hair."

She started to stand.

"What about the boy?" Jesse asked, stopping her. "He'll stay with you in Las Vegas?"

"Actually, no. Not until I get a place of my own. But I have someone here who he's going to stay with."

He glanced back at her sharply. "Who?"

"A ... um .. . friend." She became nervous.

"A good friend?" he persisted, his expression exacting.

"Okay, no. It's with a lady who lives down the street from us."

"You're leaving him with some lady?"

"Not just some lady. A neighbor lady. And I know her . . . sort of. At least I know her good enough,

since I don't have anywhere else to leave Travis, and I can't take him with me and have him stay in a tiny apartment with a bunch of gals who work at Caesars Palace!"

Her face was red now with irritation and frustration, and probably with more than a little guilt.

Jesse pressed his eyes closed, something deep and emotional riding through him. "Then he should stay with me."

Belinda gasped. "With you?"

Kate felt surprise ripple through her. He'd just seen the boy for the first time, and now he was offering to take care of him? It hardly made sense.

The muscles in Jesse's jaw worked, a fierceness coming into his eyes that would have given any sane

person pause. "Yes, with me."

"Listen," Belinda said, growing concerned, "I didn't come here looking to make you a father."

"Then why did you come?" he asked harshly. "Just for money? Is that it?"

Belinda blushed red.

"You can't walk in here, announce I have a son, then turn around and disappear. It doesn't work that

way."

The woman looked at the file and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I thought it would work that way with you."

His jaw ticked.

Then she shook herself. "I'm not interested in giving up my boy. The arrangement with the lady might not be perfect. But it won't be for long. A month, tops. And I won't let you take Travis away from me."

Jesse visibly calmed himself. "I understand that, and I'm not asking you to give him up. I don't want you to give him up. As soon as you're settled, let me know and I'll send him out on a plane." He looked her directly in the eye. "Do you really think it's wise to leave him with some lady for a month?"

Panic battled with practicality on Belinda's once-pretty face. "Damn it all, you swear you won't try to keep him?"

"You have my word."

She studied her ex-boyfriend for a minute. "Well, maybe that could work. But I'll want him back as soon as I'm settled."

"Just tell me when you're ready."

She hesitated for one last second, before she conceded. "Okay, let me go talk to Travis."

She pushed up from the table. As soon as the door closed behind her, Jesse went to the kitchen. Kate found him at the sink, looking out the back window. She stood in the doorway for a long second, taking him in.

The unfortunate incident regarding her, a pot of tea, and the publicity queen Gwen was forgotten. She focused on this man, someone, she realized, she didn't even know anymore. He might still laugh and tease, but all traces of the boy she grew up with were gone. Standing there looking at him, she saw that his expression was no longer carefree, his smile no longer easy.

That was one of the things that always surprised Kate about Jesse-the way he walked through life with a bad boy's grace, his smiles and teasing quips making him seem as if he didn't have a care in the world. But now, looking closer, she saw something darker beneath the sunny facade.

For the first time since he had shown up with Julia at the television station, Kate wondered why he had come home. After so many years of living away, staying away, why come back now?

She walked up to stand beside him at the sink, her Keds silent on the tile, and she looked out the window with him. She watched as Belinda walked over to the boy, then sat down on the edge of the chaise. Kate could tell that neither of them said a word, but Belinda placed her hand on the tip of his boot awkwardly. Close, but still separated by a strained distance.

Was that the way it was with most families? She knew Jesse's relationship with his own father was complicated. Not as much father and son as buddies. Carlen Chapman had turned Jesse into his friend at a young age, taking him everywhere, while Derek had been left behind. She guessed that it was this that had divided the brothers. But she had never known why Derek had been left out. It would have made more sense for Carlen to be friends with the older son.

"Why, Jesse?" Kate asked quietly. "Why are you doing this?"

Jesse didn't answer for a long while. When he finally spoke, this rugged bad boy amazed her.

"What kind of man would I be if I wrote her a check and sent them away when all you have to do

is look at him to know he's mine?" He shook his head. "Me, Katie. I have a son."

She was moved, her throat tightening. But she couldn't tell from his voice what he felt. "Is that a good I have a son, or a bad I have a son?"

He laughed, a scoffing, bittersweet sound, and straightened. "I came back here to wwcomplicate my life.

And what do I get? First you, too damn hot and sexy for your own good-"

Her mind spun at the words. Her, sexy And hot?

"-and now this boy. It's like someone's playing a joke on me. What was I thinking when I said he

could stay with me? I can't stay in El Paso. I have to get back to Florida. I planned to be here no more

than a week or so. I don't have time for this. But the way he looked out there by the pool, lost,

forgotten ... Hell."

"You always did have a soft spot for lost little kids."

He swore. "I guess I'll have to rent a house or an apartment. When I showed up, Derek said I should stay with them. But I could feel the tension and reluctance in Suzanne."

"I can't believe my sister."

Jesse gave her a look.

"Okay," she conceded. "I can believe it. It's vintage Suzanne. But it's your house, too."

"Not anymore. I deeded my portion to Derek as a wedding present."

"You really are full of surprises today. Suzanne never told me."

He shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I just need to figure out where we can stay."

"Here."

She could do the right thing, too.

"Katie, I can't ask-"

"You're not asking. I'm offering."

"There's not enough space in the guest cottage."

"I'll put him in my extra bedroom."

He seemed to consider. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

He leaned over, bracing his hands against his knees.

"A penny for your thoughts?" she asked.

He looked up at her as a single heartbeat passed. "A kid, Katie. I have a son."

This time he didn't hide the emotion he was feeling. He seemed as surprised by the whole idea as he

seemed amazingly wowed.

"I don't know the first thing about taking care of anyone, much less a child."

She didn't respond at first, then she repeated the words he had said to her when she was faltering

during the cooking segment. "You forget who you're talking to."

He glanced at her in question.

"You know more than you realize," she assured him, placing her hand on his forearm. "You know all

about taking care of little kids, about making them feel safe."

He studied her, a lock of dark hair falling forward on his brow. Instantly she felt awkward and surprisingly shy.