The Fortunes of Texas: Whirlwind Romance

She had to get out of there before she said something she regretted.

Or before

he

 did, because the intensity of his gaze was almost… unnerving. Just the sight of Javier lying in bed, watching her like that, as if he was going to slide over to make room for her to join him…

Oh, for the love of Pete. The man was recuperating from near-fatal injuries. He certainly wasn’t having those kinds of thoughts.

So why in creation was she?

Dear Reader,

I hope you like this new FORTUNES OF TEXAS series as much as I do. It was fun to return to Red Rock and revisit old “friends” as well as meet some new ones.

In

A Real Live Cowboy

, JR Fortune fell in love with Isabella Mendoza. I’d mentioned that she had a brother, Javier. So you can imagine how exciting it was to be able to tell Javier’s story and help him find his own happy ever after.

Of course, the poor man nearly died when the tornado struck Red Rock two months ago. The near-death experience and the long road back to recovery have taken an emotional toll on him, and the only bright spot in his day is when Leah Roberts, a lovely auburn-haired Florence Nightingale, enters his room.

As Leah’s handsome patient heals, he begins to revert back to the man he once was—the kind of man who could prove to be the worst thing to ever happen to her… or the best.

So sit back and enjoy the romance that’s about to unfold.

Happy reading!

Judy

About the Author

JUDY DUARTE

 always knew there was a book inside her, but since English was her least-favorite subject in school, she never considered herself a writer. An avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, Judy couldn’t shake the dream of creating a book of her own.

Her dream became a reality when Mills & Boon released her first book,

Cowboy Courage.

 Since then she has published more than twenty novels.

Her stories have touched the hearts of readers around the world. And in July 2005 Judy won a prestigious Readers’ Choice Award for

The Rich Man’s Son.

Judy makes her home near the beach in Southern California. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she’s spending time with her somewhat enormous but delightfully close family.

Mendoza’s Miracle

Judy Duarte

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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To the other authors who took part in this series:

Karen Templeton, Marie Ferrarella, Susan Crosby,

Nancy Robards Thompson and Allison Leigh.

Chapter One

Javier Mendoza might have been a little irritable and short-tempered with his family just moments ago, but all he really wanted was for them to go home and leave him alone.

When they finally got the hint and left his hospital room, he was relieved. That is, until they gathered out in the hall and began to whisper.

“Maybe it’s time for us to call in a psychologist,” his father said.

Luis Mendoza might have lowered his voice, thinking he couldn’t be overheard, but Javier wasn’t deaf.

He glanced at Leah Roberts, who stood at the foot of his bed. From the expression on his personal Florence Nightingale’s pretty face, he realized the comments they’d both overheard had struck a sympathetic chord in her.

“They mean well,” Leah said, her own voice lowering to a whisper so the family members who’d gathered in the hall couldn’t hear her words.

She was right. His father and siblings had held prayer vigils while he’d been in the ICU and had continued to visit regularly, even after his condition had been upgraded and he’d been moved to a regular room. He was grateful for their love and concern, of course, but there wasn’t anything wrong with his mental state. Dragging this whole thing out any longer than necessary wasn’t going to get him back on his feet any sooner.

Two months ago, a tornado had struck Red Rock, and in the blink of an eye Javier’s life had been permanently altered.

Of course, all he knew about that fateful day—and for the next three to four weeks after—was what others had told him and what he’d read in the old newspapers Leah had brought for him to read.

In fact, there was very little he recalled after the December day his brother Marcos had married Wendy Fortune. The two families had celebrated the Christmas holiday together, then the Atlanta-based Fortunes had planned to fly home to attend a New Year’s Eve party.

It had taken several vehicles to deliver them all to the airport, and Javier had been one of the drivers. The wind had kicked up and the clouds had grown dark, threatening to ground all the flights. So the travelers had hoped to get out of Red Rock before they were forced to wait out the storm.

Then the unthinkable happened. A tornado struck, killing several people and injuring others.

Javier, who’d almost gotten a one-way ticket to the Pearly Gates, had been one of the “lucky ones,” which was what more than one medical professional had told him. In fact, his injuries had been so serious that it had been weeks before anyone knew if he’d pull through or not.

He supposed he had his family’s prayers and the skill of one of the top neurosurgeons in the country to thank for that.

Still, he’d been in a coma for over a month, which had been medically induced for part of that time, and had finally regained consciousness in February.

His family and the many specialists who’d treated him had been relieved to learn he hadn’t suffered any lasting brain damage, although he’d suffered a lot of confusion those first few days.

His recovery was going to be far from easy. He still faced some physical hurdles, since multiple fractures in both of his legs would require extensive rehab in the facility attached to the hospital, but at least he’d be able to walk again. For a while, doctors hadn’t been sure.

Jeremy Fortune, Javier’s orthopedic surgeon, as well as a longtime family friend, had been honest about what the future would bring. The physical therapy would be grueling, but it was necessary for Javier to regain full body function.

“You’re young,” Jeremy had said. “And you’re strong. With rehab, you’ll eventually be as good as new.”

But Javier wasn’t convinced of that. He’d lost a lot of time, not to mention a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity that had slipped through his fingers while he’d been out of commission. And thanks to the blasted confusion—which was better but still lingered—there’d been countless other details and opportunities lost to him.

Sure, the brain fog had cleared some, and with time, he’d probably regain his physical strength. But deep inside, where no one could see, something had changed.

Javier was different.

His family seemed to think he was depressed. Okay, so maybe he was—a little. Who wouldn’t be?

For all of his thirty-one years, he’d relied on quick wit and keen business savvy to see him through. But after the injury and weeks of recovery, he feared the healing had stopped.

What if he never got his mental mojo back?

The question itself struck fear deep into his battered bones. And it was something he’d never admit to anyone, not even to a shrink.

Javier again looked at Leah, whose long, auburn hair was pulled back with a clip, whose expressive hazel eyes seemed to know what he was thinking and feeling most days without him ever having to say a word.

She was the only person whose presence didn’t make him want to scream. Maybe that was because she hadn’t known him before and didn’t have any preconceived notions of how he “should” react to things. Or maybe he just appreciated the fact that she didn’t walk on eggshells around him and act cheerful when she wasn’t.

Then again, she was a beautiful woman, inside and out. How could he not want to be one hundred percent whenever he was around her? After all, he might be wounded, but he wasn’t dead. And certain parts of his body weren’t in need of any rehab at all.

Leah made her way to the head of his bed and rested her hand on the railing. Her fingers were long and tapered, her nails neatly manicured. Her touch, as he’d come to expect, was light yet steady and competent.

He was tempted to reach out to her, to place his hand over hers. But before he could ponder the wisdom—or the repercussions—of doing so, she said, “I’ll ask them to continue their discussion in one of the conference rooms.”

That would help. “Thanks.”

She nodded, then left his room to join his family in the hall.

The last voice he heard was Leah’s saying, “Why don’t you come with me.”

As Leah led the Mendoza family past the nurses’ station, their footsteps clicking upon the tile floor, she said, “Javier was listening to your conversation, so I thought it would be best if you finished your discussion in private.”

“Aw, man.” Luis, Javier’s dad, raked a hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean for him to overhear what we were saying. It’s just that we’ve been worried about him.”

Leah had been concerned, too. She’d noticed the change in Javier’s attitude whenever his family came to visit. She’d even asked him about it one day, although he’d shrugged it off as no big deal and then changed the subject.

“Being incapacitated is a big blow to a man like him,” Leah said as she walked along the hall.

They all nodded in agreement.

“It’s too bad you didn’t know him before he was injured,” Luis said.

Leah would have liked knowing him before. Even in his injured condition, she’d found him to be intriguing. And if truth be told, she stopped by to visit him even on those days when she’d been assigned to other rooms and patients.

“Javier is a contractor and a real estate developer,” Luis added as he strode next to Leah. “And he’s always been enthusiastic about whatever project he was working on. In fact, those deals always seemed to energize him. But now, if we mention anything about business or properties, he changes the subject.”

Leah had picked up quite a few details about her patient, including the fact that he’d been very successful with his land dealings and that he had a nice house in one of the better areas of Red Rock—custom-built just for him.

“He’s also a part-time musician,” Isabella, his older sister, added. “And he’s an athlete. He played both tennis and golf before his accident. But if we mention music or sports, he clamps his lips tight and his expression turns grim.”

“I’m sure, in time, he’ll play golf and tennis again.” Leah opened the door of the conference room that was located just beyond the nurses’ station and waited for Luis Mendoza to enter, followed by his son, Rafe. Next came Rafe’s wife, Melina, and Isabella.

“My brother has always been positive and energetic,” Isabella said. “So it’s heartbreaking to see him depressed.”

“I’m sure it is.” From everything Leah had gathered, Javier Mendoza was bright, ambitious and successful. She’d also overheard his family mention that he had an active social life and that he was one of Red Rock’s most eligible bachelors.

To be honest, if Leah had run into him before the accident—and if he’d given her the time of day—she would have found him more than a little appealing herself.

Actually, she did now—even when he was stretched out on a hospital bed or seated in a wheelchair.

“I’m an occupational therapist,” Melina said. “So I understand where Javier is coming from. I’ve worked with many accident victims, some of whom had to face the reality of never being the men or women they once were. It’s tough to face your own mortality and frailties, so Javier’s depression is only natural. Besides, he’s a competitor at heart. And he’s always prided himself on being the best. So dealing with his incapacitation—even one that’s temporary—is going to be especially tough for him.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Luis looked at Leah as though appealing for her agreement. “Don’t you think it would be good if he talked to a psychologist or a counselor?”

“Yes, I do,” she admitted. “And once he’s moved into a room at the rehab facility, he’ll have an opportunity to speak to a professional.”

“So you’re saying we should back off?” Luis asked.

If there’s one thing Leah had learned about Javier Mendoza, it was that he didn’t like to be pushed—whether it was to eat a bit more of his meal or to take some medication to help him sleep.

“I would wait a bit longer,” she said. “He has a lot to deal with right now. Time is really your best ally.”

The family seemed to ponder her suggestion, which she hoped was the right one. When Dr. Fortune ordered Javier’s transfer to the rehab unit, she’d be sure to mention the family’s concern in her report.

“You know,” Rafe said, “I’ve been thinking. We’ve asked his friends and business associates to refrain from coming to see him. After all, he was in a drug-induced coma for a month. And then they brought him out of it slowly. For a while, he suffered some confusion, so we knew he wouldn’t want to see anyone other than family. But maybe it’s time to let people know that he’d like to have visitors.”

“I don’t know about that,” Isabella said. “His mood is difficult enough for

us

 to deal with.”

“I’m not saying that we should encourage

everyone

 to visit, but what about one of those women he used to date?” Rafe reached for Melina’s hand. “My lady always puts a smile on my face.”

At that, everyone in the room broke into a grin.

Everyone except Leah.

Somehow, she didn’t like to think of the women Javier used to date before his injury and hospitalization. And why was that?

It wasn’t as though she had plans to date him herself. She’d never get involved with one of her patients.

Oh, no?

 a small inner voice asked. Then why did her heart drop each time she saw that Javier’s room had been assigned to another nurse?

She didn’t have an answer to that—only to argue that she’d grown fond of Javier. She understood the uphill battle he’d been waging and seemed to have bonded with him somehow.

The fact that he was not only handsome, but personable, and that she found him attractive had nothing to do with it.

That’s not true,

 that pesky little voice said.

As much as she wanted to object, to defend herself and her feelings, she had to admit that there was something about Javier Mendoza that called to her.

Something she couldn’t explain.

Javier had been surfing the channels on the television in his hospital room for several minutes, but he couldn’t seem to find any shows that interested him.

A tennis match only made him resent the fact that he wouldn’t be able to play for months, if not years. And the news stations reminded him of how much he’d missed during the time he’d spent in the ICU.

Hell, he could hardly remember what his life had been like outside these white walls, and as he thought of his hospitalization and the long road to recovery, frustration swooped down on him again like a hungry vulture unable to wait for his hope to completely expire.

With the dark shadow came the urge to throw the remote across the room, even though he’d never been prone to displays of temper. Instead, he placed his index finger over the red power button, shutting off the TV.

As the screen faded to black, Leah entered the room. Just the sight of his pretty nurse was enough to make his frustration ease and his mood take flight.

Talk about a nice diversion…

A grin tugged at his lips, softening what had been a grimace only moments ago.

At first glance, Leah, who stood about five foot four, wasn’t what Javier would call a striking woman. After all, he’d never seen her wearing anything other than hospital scrubs and a matching pair of Crocs on her feet. But with each passing day, as he looked beyond the loose-fitting clothing that masked her femininity, he’d found a lot to admire.

Her long, straight hair was a pretty shade of auburn, although she usually kept it pulled back with a clip or woven in a single braid. She wore very little makeup—if any. But she had such a wholesome beauty that she really didn’t need any of the usual female props.

He wondered what she looked like on her days off or when she spent a night on the town. In fact, he’d like to know a lot of things about her, like what her life was like outside the hospital.

Was she married?

He certainly hoped not.

As she moved through his room, he wondered if she was dating someone special. It was difficult to imagine men not clamoring to be her one and only. How many women were as comforting, as gentle, as sweet?

A couple of times he’d been tempted to ask if she was single and unattached, but he hadn’t, and he wasn’t sure why. He supposed he hadn’t wanted his nurse to know that he found her that attractive. If he hadn’t been laid up—and barely able to walk—it might be a different story. In fact, the old Javier wouldn’t have thought twice about asking her out. But he was a far cry from the man he used to be.

“I take it there’s nothing good on television,” she said.

“Nope.” He set the remote aside.

“The dinner cart will be here shortly,” she added.

“I can hardly wait.”

Catching his sarcastic tone, she turned to him and smiled. “You’re lucky. The food at San Antonio General is actually pretty good.”

Maybe it was, but his appetite had yet to return. In fact, the only reason he even looked forward to mealtime was because it helped to pass the time from morning to night, making him come one day closer to discharge.

But why focus on all that mundane reality when he had Leah with him?

“Hey, Florence,” he said, using the nickname he’d dubbed her with when he’d first began to see her as a woman and not as his nurse. “I have a question for you.”

“What’s that?” She neared his bed, checking the ice and water level in the small plastic pitcher that sat on his portable tray.

“What does your husband do for a living? Is he in the medical field, too?”

She paused as if his comment had thrown her for a loop. “My

husband?

 I’m not married.”

Javier fought the urge to smile at that news. “Oh, no? I just assumed that a woman like you would have a man in her life.”

Her hand lifted to the boxy pink top she wore and she fingered the stitching along the V-neck.

Was she nervous? Off balance? Flattered maybe?

He liked to think so, even though he wasn’t in a position to follow through at this point.

Before either of them could speak, a woman’s voice sounded in the doorway.

At the cheery “Hello,” both Javier and Leah turned to see a tall, willowy blonde walk into the room carrying an arrangement of spring flowers that hid her face.

Savannah Bennett?

As the blonde lowered the multicolored blooms, he realized that’s exactly who’d come to visit.

“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by,” Savannah said. “I’d been wanting to see you for weeks, but I’d heard that your visitors had been limited to family members.”

No one had told Javier that only his relatives were allowed to see him, although he hadn’t much cared either way. In fact, he’d rather not deal with visitors at all—whether they be family or friends.

“But then I ran into Rafe at the grocery store this afternoon,” Savannah said. “He told me you were eager to have company. So here I am.”

Eager? That was a crock, and Rafe knew it.

More irritated at his brother’s interference than Savannah’s surprise visit, he forced himself to be polite. “Thanks for stopping by.”

He wondered if Savannah noticed that his tone lacked sincerity. After all, they hadn’t dated in a couple of months—well, make that four or five, since they’d split up way before the tornado had struck Red Rock.

Savannah had wanted more from him than he’d been able to give her—like a commitment. And while he’d made no bones about being a happy bachelor, she seemed to think that she was the one woman who would eventually change his mind. So there’d been a few tears on her part, but he’d suspected she would have been a lot more hurt and disappointed if he’d strung her along.

Of course, Rafe had no way of knowing any of that. Javier had never been one to kiss and tell—or to break up and vent.

Leah, who’d been standing by his bed, took a step back, as though trying to bow out graciously.

She wasn’t going to leave him alone with Savannah, was she? Not that it mattered, he supposed. It’s just that he… Well, he didn’t want Leah to go. Not when she provided the only upbeat moments in his day.

“Hey, Florence,” he said, trying to recapture the playful moment they’d been having—or that they’d been about to have before Savannah’s arrival.

Leah paused, her expression unreadable. “Yes?”

For a moment he was at a loss for words. But he wanted to let both women know he and the blonde weren’t romantically involved, at least not any longer.

“I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine,” he told his nurse. “Savannah’s a paralegal at a local law firm. Or she was, the last time we talked.” He turned to his unexpected visitor. “Are you still working for Higgins and Lamphier?”

Savannah nodded, her demeanor a bit stiff and a frown creasing her brow.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Leah said w