“Just because I was raised by a single mother didn’t mean I was insecure or needed an older man to take care of me.” She swiped a speck of dust from the coffee table and hoped she didn’t show her true emotions. Inwardly she cringed at the accusation. Especially this week, the subject of her own parentage was difficult enough to consider when she was alone with her thoughts. When anyone else brought up the taboo topic, she saw red.

“No reason to get so defensive.”

“No?” she challenged. crossing the short space separating them. “Then what’s the real reason you’re in Bittersweet, Jay? And don’t give me any garbage about the winery, okay? There are dozens of little towns down here around the border. Some in Oregon and more in California. It’s more than just bad luck that you’re here.”

His eyes, gray as the dawn, held hers and she braced herself. What was it about J.D. that seemed to bring out the worst in her? Whenever she was around him, her usually smoothed feathers ruffled easily. One disbelieving look from his suspicious eyes and she was itching for a fight, more than ready to defend herself and her children.

“Look, do you really want to rent this place?” She waved widely, taking in all four-hundred square feet of living space. It was sparse, with only room for a bed, bureau, table, love seat and television. The kitchen consisted of a small stove, refrigerator and sink tucked into an alcove. The bathroom was confining and bare bones with its narrow stall shower, toilet and sink.

“It’ll do,” he allowed in that drawl she found so irritating.

“But you won’t be down here long, so why bother?”

He studied his fingers for a second, then looked at her again. “Maybe you’re right, Tiff. Maybe I just want to be close to you.” He eyed her carefully and her breath caught in her throat.

“For all the wrong reasons,” she said, then regretted the words.

“Are there any right ones?”

“No!” she said so quickly that she blushed. “Of . . . of course there aren’t.” Clearing her throat, she added, “Well, if that’s the way you want it—”

“I do.”

He was too close. Perspiration broke out along her spine. This wasn’t going to work. “Then I guess there’s nothing more to say but make yourself at home.”

“I will.”