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man he was, she didn’t love him in a romantic way and knew he felt the same. Jack had loved his wife dearly, and it had been such a sad time when Cora died this past winter. She’d prayed that Jack would one day find another woman to love—a woman who’d be a caring mother for Cody. She and Lara had mothered the quiet boy, but it wasn’t the same as having a real ma.
    Jack pulled her into an open door, and she blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dimmer lighting. It was quieter in here, although several people sat in the lobby chairs, chatting or reading the newspaper. On the back wall of the lobby was a registration counter, which Jack led her to. She studied the room as they waited their turn to check in. To her left, a pair of closed double doors with windows led to a large dining room. Through the glass, she saw two women setting tables in preparation for the noon meal. On the right side of the counter was a wide stairway leading up to the sleeping rooms. A burgundy carpet with a gold pattern covered the lobby floor, and a chandelier with dangling prisms decorated the walls with dancing lights. While it wasn’t as fancy as some hotels she’d stayed in while on shopping trips with Jo and Lara, it looked to be a decent place to stay.
    Jack moved forward. “Jack Jensen. I wired you a week ago requesting two rooms for three days.”
    The man frowned and flipped the page in the registration book. “Oh yes, I see you now, but I’m afraid we were only able to hold one room. But it does have two beds. We’ve been abnormally busy, as I’m sure you can see.”
    â€œWhat?” Jack rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at her. “I suppose that’s better than nothing.”
    â€œJust sign here.” The man fished a key off a board with a dozen hooks then handed one to Jack after he’d signed the book.
    He took the key then backed away from the counter, blowing out a loud breath. “Let’s go have a look.”
    They walked up the stairs to the second floor and down the hall to room 204. Jack opened the door then stepped back to allow her to enter first. Sarah swallowed the lump in her throat as she walked in and surveyed the room she’d be sleeping in for the next few days. As the clerk had said, there were two beds on either side of the small room. A wide dressing table with a mirror sat on the far wall between the headboards. Two windows on the western wall allowed in a good amount of light. In one corner, backing up to the hallway, was a dressing screen and a table with a bowl and pitcher of water. In the opposite corner sat a burgundy and gold wingback chair.
    Jack placed her satchel on the bed to her left then walked to a window and lifted it. He cleared his throat and faced her. “You should be comfortable here.”
    â€œWhat about you?” She spun around, glancing at the two beds.
    He shrugged. “I’ll be fine. I can check the stores and see if one of them has an inexpensive tent.”
    â€œBut you don’t have any bedding.”
    â€œIt won’t be the first time I’ve slept on the ground.”
    She knew that his life hadn’t been easy when he first left his sisters after their parents and then their grandmother had died. But he rarely talked about those days. She stared at the beds. Dare she voice her thought? It was quite improper, but she trusted Jack as much as she did Gabe or Luke. “That’s silly, Jack. Why don’t you stay here?”
    His eyes widened. “That wouldn’t be proper.”
    â€œI realize it’s a bit unconventional, but I trust you with my life. I know you’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
    He rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose we could place that screen so it creates a divider. But I don’t know. It still doesn’t seem right.”
    â€œIf you were my real brother, would you have a problem with it?”
    He stared at his boots. “I