“I’m glad you two have this all figured out.” Rob rubbed his eyes. Was Libby imagining things? She still didn’t remember her own name.
“I’m telling Clay about this. He’s never believed this story about my father.”
“Wait.” Rob sliced his hand through the air. That was all he needed—his boss coming down on him because he’d gotten April involved in some wild-goose chase for El Gringo Viejo. “This is not proof. Did you miss the part where Libby told you she had amnesia? She could’ve seen you anywhere in town. She’s working at Rosie’s now.”
April wedged a hand on her hip. “I haven’t been to Rosie’s this week, and I’m not going to drag you into it, Rob.”
“I’m already dragged in. Libby’s staying at my place. I rescued her from a burned-out wreck in the desert, and I didn’t report that burned-out wreck to the authorities. How do you think that’s gonna go over with Clay?”
“I’ll handle Clay.” April patted Libby’s shoulder and smiled. “You guys have been speculating about EGV for years, and Libby and I may have just handed him to you.”
Libby’s eyes widened. “You don’t mind that he’s your father?”
“Might be.” Rob pushed up from the chair. “Might be and probably isn’t.”
April gathered her hair in one hand, holding it back as she tilted her head to look him in the face. “I’ve lived with the idea of my father killing my mother and abandoning us for so long, this twist won’t come as a shock.”
“The only way we’re going to know for sure is if someone goes down to Rocky Point to investigate, and that’s not gonna be Libby—not for a while.” He folded his arms and puffed out his chest in case there was any doubt he meant business.
April drummed her fingers on his forearm. “Ooh, I like a man who’s large and in charge, especially when he’s protecting his woman.”
“Libby’s not... I mean, of course I’m protecting her. She’s vulnerable.” He narrowed his eyes at April, the troublemaker. “Why exactly did you stop by, anyway?”
She winked at Libby. “Just to see how the clothes were working out and if your friend needed anything else. Do you, Libby?”
“You were more than generous, and I, for one, am glad you came by.”
“Nobody handles Clay Archer, not even you, April.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She floated to the front door and blew them a kiss before she left.
“That was strange.” Libby dropped to the couch and covered her face with both hands. “When I saw her, it was like an immediate flash of recognition. It’s happening, Rob. If I went back to Rocky Point and my gallery, I’m sure the memories would start rolling in.”
He swallowed. He had no right to keep her here, but he’d do everything in his power, short of physical restraint, to persuade her not to return to Mexico. “I hope you realize going to Rocky Point would be the most dangerous move you could make right now. It’s a catch-22, but regaining your memory is going to put you at risk.”
“After that showdown with Pablo, they know for sure I don’t have any memory of what I was doing in that car on that road. I’m safe...for now.” She patted the cushion on the couch beside her. “Sit. Did I thank you for protecting me against Pablo?”
He lowered himself next to her. “I think you handled it.”
“Only because you were there.” She ran a hand down his thigh. “He wasn’t about to try anything with you there. If you hadn’t been...”
He cinched his fingers around her wrist, more to stop her hand traveling up his thigh than anything else. “I was there. I am here, and I’m going to see you through this.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “I don’t know how I got so lucky that you were the one who found me. If it had been anyone else, any other authority figure, my face would be plastered all over town or I’d be in jail for those drugs.”
“I don’t think so.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers, immediately regretting it. What kind of man took advantage of a woman with no identity? He didn’t even know if she were free.
He loosened his clasp on her hand, but she curled her fingers around his thumb.
“Why stop?” Her whispered words echoed in his head, as if they’d come from his own brain.
“You know why. It’s not a good idea for us to...hook up.”
“It seems like a really good idea to me right now.” She scooted in closer to him. “You’re my anchor, Rob.”
“I’m your only acquaintance. Of course you’re going to feel this way about me.”
She snorted lightly, her nostrils flaring with the effort. “Rosie is an acquaintance. April is an acquaintance now. I spent an intense hour with Jennifer today.”
“They don’t count. They’re all women, and you’re not living with them.” He traced the curve of her neck with his fingertip. “You want comfort. I understand. It must be scary as hell to be where you are right now. I get it.”
Turning her head, she pressed a kiss on his palm. “I don’t think you get it at all, Rob. I’m attracted to you. I like you, and, yeah, it would feel great to be connected to someone, but not just anyone. I’m sure Pablo would’ve been more than willing to...connect with me. You’re not just some port in a storm, my particular storm. You’re Rob Valdez and I want you.”
“Libby, what if you’re married?” He clasped the back of his neck. “You saw that baby today. What if you had one of those, or two? A worried husband? A frantic boyfriend? I know I’d be in a panic if
