Jessica's body trembled with both excitement and fear as she hid behind the door of the room across from the supply closet, peeking around it the best she couldn't without giving herself away. The patient who had occupied this room had been released just this morning. She felt that her prayers were being answered now since this was the only way to see the people coming out of the room.

After about ten grueling minutes, the door to the supply room opened. Jessica held her breath and tried to keep her body still. Making a noise now would not be good at all.

Laura Tweed exited, carrying some bandages and a few bottles of morphine. The older woman bustled down the hall, not even looking to see if anyone watched. But Jessica didn't mind. Nurse Tweed wasn't the person Jessica was after.

She waited and waited, but nobody else was leaving the room. She concentrated on trying to hear anything coming from the room, but it was silent. With her pulse out of control, she decided to go inside the room. After all, she was a nurse who could obtain supplies for their patients.

Taking a deep breath for courage, she slowly moved out behind the door and walked across the hall. Her hand shook as she placed it on the doorknob and opened. Just like the closet she and Hugh had to hide in yesterday, there was very little room, and it was filled with shelves. So, then where was the man Laura was conversing with? There had been a man. Both Jessica and Hugh heard him.

She groaned and rubbed her forehead, where her pulse was beating the hardest. She was not insane. There had to be an explanation for all of this. Or perhaps... Maybe Nurse Tweed was the one insane. In Jessica's nursing school, she'd briefly learned about people with two personalities. Could this be Laura's problem?

Jessica shook her head. She had heard that man's voice before, so there must be a man's body behind it somewhere. If only she could find him.

Sighing, she dropped her gaze to the floor, trying to think of what to do next. Then she saw it – small scrape marks on the floor near the shelving unit on the outside wall. Curiously, she stepped to the shelves attached to the wall. She touched in different spots, seeing if the wall moved. When nothing happened, she gently pulled on a few shelves. That didn't seem to work, either. Unless...

She lifted her gaze up the sides of the wall near the shelves. On the white paint, she notices smudge marks from someone's fingers, as if the area had been used quite a few times.

Lifting on her tip-toes, she reached for the location on the way. Suddenly, someone's arms wrapped around her, and she heard the door closing. She gasped and fell back into Hugh's arms. His masculine scent of spice and musk surrounded her, causing those annoying butterflies to come alive and dance inside her stomach.

"Forgive me," he whispered, kissing her neck, "but I'm weak, and when is saw you in here, I couldn't resist."

She hated feeling this way about him, but she must stay strong. He couldn't be trusted.

"Hugh?" She turned in his arms. "What are you doing here?"

He grinned out of one side of his mouth, more so than the other. "Kissing you. After all, we have a habit of finding places like this to sneak a few kisses."

"Yes, well... I was just trying to get something. I don't have time for kissing."

His gaze narrowed on her, and her heartbeat quickened. She wasn't playing her role correctly. He would suspect her of something, she just knew it.

* * * *

Irritation filled Hugh to the brink of madness. Why couldn't she admit her feelings for him and agree that they have something special? Yet, she was fighting her feelings for Wyatt. That could be the only explanation.

Hugh usually didn't struggle with getting women to like him, but then lately, he'd been more involved in his career than in trying to find the perfect woman. However, now that he'd met Jessica, his heart told him that he'd found her.

If only he knew what was going through her thoughts. He'd do anything to prove to her that he was falling in love. Yet, she'd changed somehow. His gut told him that her friend, Wyatt, was behind this. There was something about Wyatt that didn't settle well with Hugh. He couldn't pinpoint the problem, but he just couldn't trust him, especially if it involved Jessica's heart.

"My darling," he stroked his fingers along her cheek, "will you tell me what's wrong? Why are you withdrawing from me?"

Her chest rose and fell quickly, and her gaze turned into a scowl.

"Why, Hugh? Why did you have to do this?"

Confusion filled him. "Jessica, I don't understand. Don't you want me to fall in love with you?"

Slowly, she shook her head as tears filled her eyes. "You love me?" Her voice lifted. "You proclaim to love me, and yet you lie to me and make promises you can't keep." She inhaled a shaky breath. "Why did you trap me with your charm, and then side with the enemies?"

Hugh scratched his head. She must have been in this room too long and inhaled the fumes. She was talking nonsense. "Jessica, my darling, I haven't sided with the enemy. The last we talked, we were going to find out what was doing on with Nurse Tweed and Deputy Workman."

She gasped loudly, and her eyes widened. "Deputy Workman was the man with Laura yesterday?"

The medical supply room wasn't the place to tell Jessica what he'd discovered by accident last night. They could get caught at any time. "Yes, Jessica," he said in a softer voice. "I found out last night it was the deputy. I wanted to tell you today, but things have gotten out of control with Wyatt's escape, and I haven't found the time."

A tear slid down her cheek, and he wiped it away. She clutched his hand, peering into his eyes as if she was desperate.

"Hugh, tell me truthfully, or I swear, I'll turn you into the sheriff right now."

"Oh, my darling, Jessica." His heart broke, seeing her so distraught. "I have been honest with you."

"You're... not part of Laura's plot of stopping Wyatt's memories and getting me dismissed from my nursing duties?"

His chest clenched tighter. Jessica was completely serious. Why would she think such a thing? "No, my sweet darling. I want only to protect you and to win your love."

She gulped before licking her lips. "Then tell me what Deputy Workman told you last night. I overheard you talking to him when you both thought the patients were asleep. I heard you tell him that you were going to move John Doe to a separate room. You called Wyatt a prisoner." More tears fell down her cheeks. "And you told the deputy that you didn't want me asking questions."

Hugh groaned. Now her mood change made sense. He took her back in his arms and pressed her head against his chest. Closing his eyes, he fought back the grief filling him. "I told the deputy what he wanted to hear. That was the only way to gain his trust. Once I realized he was the voice we'd heard with Nurse Tweed, I knew I had to make him trust me." He kissed the top of her head. "But, my love, I would never do anything to lose you. Please, believe me."

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. Jessica's eyes and cheeks were wet from her tears. "If you're lying—"

"My love, do you think this is lying?" He bent his head and captured her mouth. Through the kiss, he wanted to show her the emotions he'd been having for her these past few days, and he prayed that she would realize he was honest.

Soon, her body relaxed against him, and she participated in the kiss. His heart soared when her arms moved around him, holding onto him as if she didn't ever want to let him go. The way her gentle lips slid across his so seductively made him eager to continue their relationship. He wanted her heart and soul, and he prayed she could love him the same way.

As much as he wanted the passionate kiss to continue, he still worried that they would get caught. He didn't want Jessica's reputation as a nurse tarnished in any way.

Slowly, he broke the kiss, but he trailed his mouth over her cheek and down her neck. She tilted her head back to give him better access.

"Oh, my lovely Jessica. Please tell me the words I long to hear. Tell me you felt what my heart wants you to know."

He lifted his head and stared into her dreamy eyes. She nodded once and sighed.

"Forgive me for doubting you. I was crushed when I thought you betrayed me."

"Never, my love. Never." He swept his mouth across hers again, but he couldn't continue this, so he pulled away. He kept her in a loose hold.

"I believe you," she said. "Will you now tell me what the deputy said to you?"

He shook his head. "I'll tell you, but not here. I don't want people walking in on us."

She pulled out of his arms and wiped away her tears. Then, she pointed up to the wall.

"Do you see those smudges?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Because the deputy was just here with Laura." Jessica peeked at Hugh over her shoulder. "Laura walked out, but the deputy didn't." She faced the shelves again. "He got out of here somehow, and I think by pressing those smudges, it will show us the way."

Hugh studied the shelves, and then looked at the floor. The scrapes on the floor were evidence that Jessica was indeed, correct.

"Stand over here." He gently pulled on her arm, helping her to move closer to the door. He reached up to the smudges and pressed hard. Suddenly, the wall opened, showing them the hidden door that lead underground.

"Hugh," she gasped. "What is going on?"

"That, my darling Jessica, is something we will find out today."