Page 9 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

He could tell that Mama had no intention of dropping this. “Deal,” Jaxson grinned.

“Excuse me,” Lemon inserted as she turned to Jaxson. Her eyes lit with a certain fire that let him know that the girl he once loved was still in there. “I appreciate your offer, but what makes you so sure that I would agree to stay at your place?” Her eyes pierced his. “After all, I don’t know you.”

Jaxson didn’t skip a beat. “Fine,” he said casually, “have it your way. I just thought you might need a place to stay after they released you from the hospital. But if you don’t feel comfortable with the arrangement, then no worries.” He faked a forlorn expression. “I figured you might be willing to help a guy out. Seeing as how you did put me in this position. It’ll be mighty tough to get around.”

Lemon chuckled. “Are you trying to guilt-trip me?”

He couldn’t stop the grin from pulling at his lips. “Is it working?”

“Not hardly,” she scoffed, her cheeks turning red.

Jaxson held up a hand. “Look, I only wanna help. You’ll have your own room and bathroom. I’ll be a perfect gentleman; you have my word.”

He could see Lemon’s indecision. It was part tragic and part heroic to watch the conflicting expressions warring over her beautiful face. She was probably thinking that she had nowhere else to go. If she turned him down, he’d have to tell her who she was and point her in the direction of Los Angeles, so she could gain access to her resources. Or better yet, now that Lemon’s identity was known to the police, they could get her the help she needed. Lemon didn’t really need Jaxson’s help. Still, he hoped she’d take it. He held his breath, waiting for her response. He was tempted to point out that there were plenty of women who would jump at the chance to stay at his place, but it wasn’t polite to brag.

“Okay,” Lemon finally said. She gave him a sharp look. “But only until I can figure this thing out.”

Birdie gave Lemon an admiring look. “You know, I’m feeling better and better about this situation. I think you’ll be perfectly fine staying with Jaxson.”

The nurse stepped into the room. She stopped in her tracks when she saw all the people.

Doctor Jepson motioned at Lemon. “Nurse Stanton, could you please escort this young lady to one of the private waiting rooms?”

“Sure,” the nurse said as Lemon rose to her feet.

Lemon’s eyes darted around. “Thanks,” she said to no one in particular.

Jaxson spoke up. “If it’s all the same to you, Doc, it would be easier for us to just take Lemon home to the ranch with us when I get released. You could always call and deliver the results of the CT-Scan over the phone.” He didn’t want to let Lemon outof his sight. A part of him feared that she’d somehow vanish as suddenly as she’d come back into his life.

The doctor tipped his head. “Yes, I suppose that will work.” He turned to the nurse. “Go ahead and take her to the waiting room.” He looked at Lemon. “I’ll let you know when Jaxson is released.”

Lemon nodded, allowing the nurse to lead her out of the room.

“Thank you, officers,” Doctor Jepson said in a tone that signaled for them to also leave.

Knox looked at Officer Williams. “Son, I appreciate you calling me at the scene of the accident. It meant a lot.”

“You bet,” Officer Williams nodded. He offered a farewell wave. “See y’all later.”

Doctor Jepson waited until the officers had left and the door was closed before speaking. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what a precarious situation Lemon is in.”

Understanding registered in Jaxson’s brain. The doc had wanted to get Lemon and the officers out of the room so he could discuss her condition. Jaxson voiced the question that had been rumbling in his brain. “Do we tell her about her identity and past, or do we allow her to remember it on her own?”

“It’s best for Lemon if she can remember on her own,” the doctor answered. “If Lemon does in fact have dissociative amnesia, then she has most likely blocked out her memories as a protective mechanism due to overwhelming stress brought on by something traumatic. She doesn’t want to remember who she is right now.”

“Makes sense,” Jaxson murmured under his breath. That explained why Lemon didn’t seem all that concerned about her memory loss.

“Won’t there be people looking for Lemon? Wondering what happened to her?” Birdie asked.

“I would think so.” Knox looked at Jaxson. “You mentioned Lemon’s mother.”

“Yes, she has Alzheimer’s.”

“Does Lemon have any other family?”

“There’s her dad, but he hasn’t been in the picture since we were kids.” Jaxson paused. “That is, unless Lemon has reconnected with him since I’ve been around her.” Now was the time for Jaxson to tell the rest of what he knew. “Doc Jepson, you mentioned that Lemon’s amnesia could be genetic.”

The doctor nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”

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