Page 21 of Misadventures With The Mistaken Twin

Since Jack didn't seem to be too concerned, I wasn't either. Besides, if she kept standing around outside in this weather, she'd be hypothermic and not much of a stalker.

“Can we talk about the plumbing inside? I'm not used to this weather like you are.”

“It's not much warmer in there.” Without heat, the only difference from outside was the lack of wind.

Jack unlocked the front door and we stood in his uncle's living room. His cell rang.

“Reid.” He listened. “You're shitting me.”

That didn't sound good.

“Tomorrow?” He ripped his hat off his head, turned and looked at me. His hair was unruly and tugged up in places from the cap. “I can't be there tomorrow.”

Didn't seem to be a good conversation. Jack had said he needed to get back to Miami, that he had problems with work. I fiddled with one of the carved bears in a collection Mr. Reid had on top of the vintage TV console to try to give Jack some privacy.

“Not Massachusetts.” A pause. “No, not Missouri. Yes, an M state. Jesus, I'm in Montana.” Jack closed his eyes and shook his head. “Yes, it's cold. Yes, there's snow. Do you want the full weather report? Fine. The day after. It'll be late. I'll call you when I get in.” He shut off the phone and shoved it in his coat pocket.

Jack took a deep breath, looked at me. “Where were we?”

There was no doubt he was distracted.

“Maryland?” I joked, and then realized he wasn't in the mood. “Bad call?”

His mouth flattened into a thin line. “I've had better. Plumbing?”

Obviously, he didn't want to talk about it.

“Um...I'll have my portion of the work done tomorrow morning. Get the electrician lined up to start after that and we'll stay out of each other's way. You should be up and running over here by tomorrow night.”

“What do you want me to do? I can't just stand here and watch you, although the idea has some appeal.” His gaze raked over my body.

Yeah, having his eyes on me all day, wondering what he was thinking about, whether it was naughty or nice, would be difficult to handle. I handed him a card. “Call the inspector at this number and ask him to come out around four tomorrow. When he signs off on both the plumbing and electric, you’re good to go and the water can be turned on to the house.”

He looked at me, surprised. Not that I blamed him. The kitchen was completely gutted down to the studs. Only sub-flooring beneath our feet, no electric or plumbing, no cabinets,nothing. “So, I can have this project back on track by the end of the week?”

I nodded. “You've got to get back to Miami.”

I knew he wasn't staying forever, but admitting it made it real. Liking him for only fifteen minutes wasn't enough. Hell,kissing himfor only fifteen minutes wasn’t enough. I wanted more.

“I have a life there.” He ran a hand over his face again. “As you heard, I've got a crisis of my own to resolve and that won't happen with me being here. My uncle tricked me into coming in the first place.”

I wasn't super excited to hear the only reason Jack was back was because he'd been tricked. I hadn't factored into his return at all, and that stung a little bit. Knowing he was leaving hurt a whole lot more. Slightly ridiculous since all we had done was kiss. But having cleared the air changed everything. Jack hadn’t ditched me for my sister. He hadn’t slept with her.

“Have you talked with Uncle Owen since you got here?” I wondered.

Jack picked up a screwdriver, fiddled with it. “Voice mail twice, talked to him once. Says he's having a grand time in Arizona. Will be back in two weeks.”

“Are you going to finish the project for him?”

“I can't. I have to get back. But I'll stay until the heat's on and I can walk away knowing the house will be livable when he returns.”

I recognized his predicament. Remodels took forever, and that didn't include setbacks. Jack couldn't stay, and I knew it. I was disappointed. So were my lady parts.

“I'll call the inspector and get him here for you, okay?” Jack pulled out his cell again and got busy.

I headed out to the truck for my supplies while pondering Jack's appearance in Bozeman, and soon enough,disappearance. Was it worth kissing him more if he was leaving? Could I just kiss and let him go? At the van, I looked for the mystery woman. She was gone. I shrugged my shoulders and grabbed my phone. Dialed Violet.

“I'm going to strangle you when I see you. Guess who's back in town? You remember, the guy you slept with before graduation? Jack Reid.” I talked into my cell, although only to Violet's voice mail. Being at a school conference, she had meetings all day. The chances of yelling at her on the phone were pretty slim. After hearing this message, she'd screen her calls. She was a dead woman walking. It was only a matter of time.