hoped the font discussion would go more quickly, but so far that hadn’t happened.
“The font you’re proposing just doesn’t fit the casual style of our invitations,” Jack said in a reasonable tone that set her teeth on edge.
Lexi traced the curves and swirls of the beautiful font on the sheet of paper she’d printed out. Years ago, back when she’d been waiting for Drew to pop the question, she’d done a little invitation shopping and had fallen in love with this particular font. But Drew had never asked and now the font—which she’d thought might have a second chance—was in danger of being cast aside. Much like she’d been all those years ago.
Unexpected tears stung the back of her lids, but Lexi blinked them back. She cleared her throat. “It’s just that way back when I dreamed of a big wedding, I always pictured my invitations with this font.”
Without warning, Jack’s hand closed over hers. “Then you must have it.”
His generosity brought a lump to her throat. But as much as she wanted to take the offer and run with it, this was a joint effort. “No.”
“No?”
“You’re right. The font is too formal for the invitations and the type of ceremony planned. Besides, it’s supposed to be your wedding, too,” Lexi said. “We’ll find one we both like. One that will be perfect for our fabulous invitations.”
Fifteen minutes later the selections had been completed and invitations ordered using Mimi’s credit card number. Because they needed to be mailed out in two weeks, Lexi chose the rush delivery option.
After writing down the confirmation number, she flipped the laptop lid shut and smiled at Jack. “Thank you. You definitely brought value to the process.”
“I don’t know that I added all that much—”
“You were a natural,” she said. “It was as if you’d been through the process before.”
“Perhaps I have.”
Something in his tone alerted her. Lexi took her time unplugging the laptop. “Did ordering the invitations jog something in your memory banks?”
He shrugged and his eyes refused to meet hers.
“You can be honest with me.”
“I remember a wedding. I wore a tux.” His brows pulled together in a frown. “But there were roses on the altar. Roses. That doesn’t make any sense.”
Lexi wasn’t sure what the point was, though she was sure there was one. “Roses are a common wedding flower. The long-stemmed white ones are a favorite of mine.”
“I detest them. Their sickening sweet smell alone makes me nauseated.”
Lexi forced a light tone. “So either it wasn’t your wedding or the bride refused to compromise on the flowers.”
He didn’t smile back.
“I don’t feel married,” he said slowly, his gaze meeting hers. “Don’t you think if I’d walked down the aisle, I’d remember?”
“I don’t know,” Lexi said honestly. “The psychiatrist would be the one to answer that question.”
“If I did have a wife, wouldn’t she be looking for me?”
“Unless she’s an ex.” Lexi’s spirits lifted at the thought.
A look of desperation filled his eyes. “I want to remember.”
“I know you do.” Lexi placed a hand on his arm. “But you got tossed around pretty badly in that avalanche. Cut yourself a little slack. Your memory will come back. Just give it time.”
Slowly the panic in his eyes receded. “You’re right.” He gave a halfhearted chuckle. “I wonder if I was this impatient in my other life.”
Lexi grinned. “Probably.”
He studied her for a long moment. “You’re a nice person, Lexi. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
When she rose, he scrambled to his feet. “If there’s anything I can do for you, just say the word.”
“Flowers,” she said.
“What?”
“The word is flowers.”
Jack cocked his head. Then a slow smile stole over his face. “I’d love to buy you flowers. What kind do you like?”
“Not for me,” she said. “On Monday I have an appointment with the florist in town to pick out flowers for Mimi and Hank’s wedding.”
“Let me guess,” he said. “You need a male perspective.”
“Why, Mr. Snow.” Lexi batted her lashes and spoke in her best Southern drawl imitation. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were psychic.”
“You may be right, Ms. Brennan.” Jack tapped an index finger against his temple. “Because I already know there’s not going to be any roses.”
Chapter Four
After a night of restful sleep, Jack opened his eyes and was greeted by a blue sky and sunlight streaming in through the window. He stretched then plopped back against the pillows, reluctant to leave the warm cocoon. While the room wasn’t cheap, it was worth every penny.
The king-size four-poster bed boasted both a down mattress pad and comforter and six super-soft pillows. A large window offered a panoramic view of the snowcapped mountains. Last night he’d left the shades open and the falling flakes had lulled him to sleep.
He’d desperately needed the rest. Yesterday had been a long, tiring day. After he and Lexi had finished picking out wedding invitations, she’d taken him on a tour of the lodge. He’d seen the fitness center, the wine cellar and a kitchen that was clearly state-of-the-art. But when Lexi had invited him to join her and Addie for a movie in Coraline’s suite after dinner, he hadn’t even been tempted.
His head had started to ache again and it had become increasingly difficult to keep his eyes open. He’d gone back to his room, found the bottle of pills he’d been given on discharge and popped one. Once he showered, he’d crawled under the covers. Watching the snow outside his window was the last thing he remembered.
Though there was no reason he couldn’t sleep for several more hours, Jack flung back the thick comforter and swung his legs to the side of the bed. The cool air turned his skin to goose flesh, rendering him instantly wide-awake. He pushed to his feet and inhaled deeply. This was a new day. A new beginning.
“My name is—” He paused to let the name come out of hiding. But the only one that came to mind was Jack Snow, the name he’d impulsively chosen yesterday.
An expletive burst from his lips. How could a man forget an entire life? A total existence? His own name? People had head injuries every day but they didn’t end up forgetting who they were, for God’s sake.
Anger and frustration surged. Jack crossed the room in several long strides. It felt so good he did it again. And again. He paced until his sense of control returned. Until he could accept the fact that there was no use getting upset or whining about something he couldn’t change. He was just going to have to suck it up and hope either he remembered his past or someone identified him before his money ran out.
At least, there was one upside. Hanging out with Lexi in such beautiful surroundings was an unexpected boon of his memory loss. Not that he could pursue a relationship. Even if he could say for certain that he wasn’t romantically entangled in his past life, Lexi didn’t appear to be a woman who engaged in casual flings. Once his memory returned, he’d be headed back to his old life.
And that needed to happen quickly. An unexpected sense of urgency gripped his chest. Beads of sweat dotted his brow. There