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K adie studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror as she got ready for work the next morning.

She felt as if she was living someone else’s life, spending time with someone else’s boyfriend, working someone else’s job.

Having lost her memory made her feel oddly disjointed.

Sometimes she found herself thinking a place or a person she didn’t really remember looked familiar but when she tried to put a name to it, her mind was blank. Still, it was a beginning.

With a shake of her head, she went into the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee. She’d been having breakfast at the hotel since they had a wide variety on the menu, plus a breakfast buffet, which she loved.

Grabbing her purse, she stepped out the front door and came to an abrupt halt when she saw the car in the driveway. The Corvette was silver and beautiful. She found a white envelope containing a single sheet of paper under one of the windshield wipers. The message read,

Kadie ~

No reason why you should walk to work when you can ride.

It was signed

RS .

She found the keys on the front seat. Did she dare take the car?

What if, heaven forbid, she had an accident?

She bit down on her lower lip and then, unable to resist, she opened the door and slid behind the wheel.

The leather was butter-soft. She sat there a moment, then dropped her handbag on the passenger seat.

She would just start it up, she told herself, to see how it sounded.

The engine purred to life like a tiger just waking up from a nap. That did it. She had never driven a Corvette before. At least she didn’t think so. She backed slowly out of the driveway and turned onto the road that led to town.

One of the parking lot attendants was waiting for her. His badge identified him as Jimmy. “She’s a sweet ride, isn’t she?” he asked, as he opened the door for her.

“Sweet, indeed,” Kadie agreed. “How long have you been standing out here?”

“Oh, about ten minutes, I guess. The boss said you’d be driving in this morning and that I’d better be here to meet you.”

Kadie smiled at him, thinking this must be how celebrities felt on the red carpet. “I’ll be sure to tell him you were waiting for me when I arrived.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Mr. Saintcrow is mighty generous with his tips.”

With a nod, Kadie waited for Jimmy to drive the car away before she stepped up on the sidewalk and made her way toward the reception counter.

She was surprised to find herself looking forward to the day.

It kept her busy and was far better than sitting around feeling sorry for herself.

Besides, she enjoyed meeting people and feeling useful.

Just then an elderly couple approached the desk and there was no more time to worry about her past or her future as she assured the couple that there was no extra charge for the big-screen TV in their room.

Saintcrow looked up when Kincaid strolled into the saloon located down the street from the hotel. “Hey, what’s up?”

Kincaid shrugged. “Just stopped by to see what happened with you and your sire. Did you ever get it on?”

“No, not that it’s any of your business.”

“What happened?”

“To tell you the truth, I’m not sure. I told her it wasn’t going to happen between us and she let me go.”

“No shit? So, how’s it going with Kadie?”

“It isn’t,” Saintcrow said flatly. “She’s working over at the hotel and staying in one of the rental houses.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?”

“I guess so. She’s grateful for what I’ve done for her, but she doesn’t trust me. She thinks I’m hiding something. Her instincts are warning her that I’m not what I seem.”

“Smart girl. Maybe you should just tell her the truth.”

“Maybe. But until then, I’d appreciate it if you and Rosa kept your distance.”

“Yeah,” Kincaid said. “Sorry about mentioning that Kadie had been here before.”

“Could have been worse,” Saintcrow said.

“Does she know the two of you are married?”

“No. I keep hoping something in town will spark her memory. I just don’t know how she’ll react if I tell her we’re married.

It would be one thing if she loved me, but …

” He shrugged. “She likes me well enough, and I know she’s attracted to me, but think of the pressure she’d feel if she knew we were married. ”

“I guess you’re right. She might start worrying that you’d expect your husbandly rights.”

“Exactly. I warned the employees not to mention our relationship and to address her as Kadie or Miss Andrews. I thought about trying to restore her memories but you know that doesn’t always turn out well.

It’s better if she remembers on her own.

Plus, there are things I don’t know and likely things she’d rather forget.

” Saintcrow shook his head. “The Medallion erased her memories. Who knows if there might be some other unexpected problems if I try to restore what was lost.”

Kincaid grunted thoughtfully. “You may be right. Didn’t Izabela say something about unknown complications?”

“Yeah.” Saintcrow plowed his fingers through his hair. “I’m just grateful Kadie’s here and alive.”

“What do you think Luca is up to? Any chance he’s no longer a threat?”

Saintcrow stared at him, one brow arched in wry amusement. “You killed the woman he loved. What do you think?”

“Stupid question on my part?”

“Right the first time.”

“What do you suppose he’s doing these days?”

“Probably looking for you.”

“Yeah,” Kincaid muttered glumly. “I guess he’ll never give up. Fortunately, I’ve still got this.” Kincaid tapped his fingers on the thick gold cuff on his left wrist. “God bless Izabela and her dark magic. I wish to hell we knew where he was.”

Saintcrow grunted in agreement. “Until we have some idea of where to find him, there’s no point in looking. Even Izabela doesn’t have a clue.”

“Yeah. Catch ya later.”

After Kincaid left, Saintcrow remained at the bar, a glass of wine cradled in his hand, his thoughts centered, as always, on Kadie. He hadn’t seen her all day, but she’d be done at the hotel in a couple of hours. Pulling out his cell phone, he called the reservations desk.

“Morgan Creek Hotel. May I help you?”

“Yes, indeed,” he said, smiling at the sound of her voice. “I need someone to go out with me tonight. Any suggestions?”

Kadie laughed softly. “I’m sorry, sir. I think you have the wrong number. This is a hotel, not a dating service.”

“Any chance you’d make an exception in my case? After all, I do own the hotel.”

She laughed again, reminding him of the good times they had shared, the way her laughter had changed his life. “How about it?” he asked.

“Like you said, you’re the boss.”

“Eat an early dinner. I’ll pick you up at six. Wear something pretty.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

Saintcrow was smiling when he hung up, something he hadn’t done much of until Kadie Andrews, freelance photographer, crossed the Morgan Creek bridge one stormy night and turned his life upside down.

Kadie was astonished when Saintcrow pulled up in front of her house behind the wheel of a turquoise-blue Dodge Viper.

How many cars did he have, she wondered, but forgot all about the car when he rounded the front of the Viper to open her door for her.

He looked positively stunning in a black jacket, a white shirt open at the throat, and black slacks.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” she asked.

“I told you, it’s a surprise,” he said, as he handed her into the car.

It was rather exciting, she thought, being all dressed up and not knowing their destination.

Why wouldn’t he tell her? Suddenly nervous, she turned on the radio, clicked through the stations until she found one playing classic country.

She reminded herself that they had been friends— lovers— not strangers.

Saintcrow glanced at her. She was beautiful, with her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. He was glad she hadn’t worn it up. He much preferred it this way. She wore a long dark-blue coat over a pale blue dress. He grinned inwardly. She looked good enough to eat.

It took two hours to reach the theater in Casper.

Kadie gasped when he pulled up in front of the Ford Wyoming Center. “The Scarlet Pimpernel!” she exclaimed. “I love this play!”

“I knew you would,” he said as he pulled into the valet parking zone.

Kadie frowned at him. “Wait a minute. How do I know that?”

“You remembered something,” Saintcrow said. And felt hope for the future for the first time. He had taken her to see the play in New York City last year.

He exited the car and walked around to open Kadie’s door. Taking her by the hand, they entered the theater. After picking up their tickets, he bought her a souvenir program.

An usher guided them to their seats, which were, naturally, the best seats in the house. She didn’t know why she was surprised.

A hush fell over the crowd as the curtains parted and Marguerite began to sing the opening song.

While Kadie watched the play, Saintcrow watched Kadie as her expressions changed from joy to sadness to laughter and tears as the story unfolded.

She sighed when the final curtain came down. “I just love a happy ending,” she murmured dreamily. “Don’t you?”

“Indeed, I do.” Saintcrow’s gaze moved over her as he wondered if he would ever again find his own happy ending. “Would you like to go have a drink before we head home?” he asked, while waiting for the parking attendant to bring his car around.

“I’d rather have a hot fudge sundae.”

“I can arrange that,” he said. “Here’s our ride, now.”

They found a café not far from the theater. At the last minute, Kadie decided to have a banana split with double hot fudge. “Aren’t you having anything?” she asked.

“I’m not much for sweets,” he said, following her to a nearby table.

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“This is your night.”

“Don’t you at least want a taste?”