Just for the Summer by Jenna Rutland Page B

keeping her identity from
     her son. But that would be a silent goal.
    “I’ll read through the diabetic material tonight. If I have any questions, I’ll jot
     them down and ask you tomorrow.” Elaine switched her attention to an index card sitting
     on the counter.
    “Great.” It might be a baby step, but at least they were headed in the right direction.
     “I’m not the enemy here, Mrs. Reagan. I understand Sam’s diabetes diagnosis has come
     as a shock. I know this is a difficult time for your family.” Maybe now would be a
     good time to sneak in an attempt at friendliness. Dani crossed the room. She picked
     up the handwritten cake recipe, studying the ingredients. “If you’re interested, I
     bet we could make enough substitutions to turn this into something Sam could eat.”
    Elaine’s eyes brightened. She offered the bowl of frosting to Dani in a have-a-taste
     gesture.
    Dani poked a finger in the frosting, then lifted it to her mouth. She managed not
     to suck her cheeks in and wince at the excessive sweetness. She could practically
     feel a cavity starting. “I’m writing a cookbook during my stay at Lake Bliss. Maybe
     if you like the revised recipe, you’d let me add it to my book. We could name it ‘Elaine’s
     Mocha Madness.’”
    Mrs. Reagan looked up, and her eyes softened. “I’d like that. Thank you.” She set
     the two round cakes on a cooling rack. “If we’re going to be sharing a kitchen, I
     suggest you call me Elaine.”
    Dani nodded and smiled. Round one complete.
    …
    Matt hit the remote to lock his truck as he headed toward his back door. He’d like
     to think he was a levelheaded guy. Yet as he focused on the windows of the house where
     soft, flickering light meant a candlelit kitchen, an unnamed yearning forced its way
     deep inside him. Or maybe he did have a name for it. Maybe it was craving what he’d
     always envisioned for his future—a complete home including a wife and children.
    It was idiotic to get a kick out of the fact that his son’s nurse spent so much time
     under his roof, awaiting Matt’s return home. He wasn’t wacko enough to think she’d
     stayed this long, anticipating his arrival. Cooking late was just her normal routine.
     So why did his ego grow twice its size watching the flickering lights in the kitchen?
    He liked having her here, probably because of her nursing skills. He liked the idea
     of having help with Sam’s diabetes until they were comfortable with his care. Matt
     was sure it wasn’t because she was incredibly attractive. Or that it’d been way too
     long since he’d been with the opposite sex.
    But he didn’t have time for a woman in his life, including the sexy little nurse in
     his kitchen. He was already juggling more than he could handle. New job. His mother.
     Sam’s diabetes. Seeing his ex-wife again reminded him that he wasn’t interested in
     a temporary woman.
    He took a few steps closer to the house and heard music drifting through the open
     windows. He recognized a Sheryl Crow song—“Every Day Is a Winding Road.” She’d cringe
     if they could hear the off-key, screeching version being belted out of his kitchen.
     While he was still learning Dani’s most enjoyable traits—and knew without doubt he
     had yet to uncover them all—carrying a tune definitely wasn’t one of them.
    When he reached the back stoop, Larry smashed his nose against the screen door, as
     if trying to escape the kitchen to relieve his ears. “It’s okay, boy,” Matt assured
     the dog. In disagreement, Larry tilted his head back, stuck his nose in the air, and
     howled out his own rendition.
    Matt laughed to himself as he yanked on the door handle. He entered the mudroom, the
     screen door latching behind him with a bang. He ran a comforting hand along the dog’s
     back.
    Dani spun around in midscreech, her hand clutched to her heart. “Oh, hey.”
    Matt pulled in a slow, deep breath. She stood at the stove wearing a gray