AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Friends, she reminded herself.
“You know, I like the way the Mariners play,” she said a little later, when he returned from buying lemonade for them both.
“Ah, my plan is working,” he said with satisfaction. “I figure if I get someone into the stadium, the Mariners will do the rest.”
“I’m already a fan of Safeco Field, but I can’t claim to be a Mariners fan just yet. I just like the way they play, that’s all.”
“Then we’ll have to keep coming back until you’re hooked.”
Tingles went up and down her spine. As much as she didn’t want to think of Barton as anything except a friend, there was something exciting about getting acquainted with a guy who was already talking about future…baseball games.
It had been a long time since she’d gotten excited about much of anything.
* * *
JORDAN SPENT TUESDAY morning trying to write his column, but his mind kept wandering to how Nicole had looked—earnest and energized—as she’d dealt with her clients on the winter wear photo shoot. They had responded to her, too, obviously trusting that she had their welfare at heart.
Perhaps it would help if he studied her file rather than keep on denying how much thoughts of her were distracting him. Except that made things worse since the file included numerous photos. And the pictures that hadn’t previously interested him now served as a reminder of the effect she was having on his body.
Finally he went for a run, then came back and forced himself into finishing a couple of columns. He liked having a stockpile ready—it helped to avoid submitting something that didn’t meet his standards.
He ate dinner at a favorite restaurant, but became concerned when he noticed a man berating his companion for something inconsequential. Jordan saw evidence of bruises on her arms.
His stomach churned.
As in his sister’s case after the car accident, there could be legitimate reasons for the injuries, but it was hard to interpret the wariness in the woman’s eyes as anything but fear. It could have easily gone that direction with Chelsea…and he wasn’t entirely convinced it hadn’t.
When the woman stood and went toward the restroom, he tried to follow casually and while he waited for her, he pulled a worn card from his wallet. He’d been given it when doing a column on domestic violence.
He cleared his throat as she emerged from the restroom, hoping he wouldn’t startle her. “I might be butting in here,” he said, “but I have a sister who’s gone through a lot and…well, here.”
He handed her the card and she looked at it, then nodded silently before tucking it deep in her purse.
“Thanks.”
Jordan felt helpless, but knew that to push any further might put the woman at greater risk.
A cold shower, some work on a possible second column about domestic violence, and three BBC documentary films later, Jordan finally fell asleep.
* * *
CHELSEA SEEMED CAUTIOUSLY cheerful as Jordan came through the agency door on Wednesday afternoon.
“You look good,” he said, “the job must be going well.”
“Oh, yes,” she agreed with obvious sincerity. “I also got to see the Mariners game on Monday night at Safeco. It was loads of fun.”
“How did that happen?”
“Barton was given two tickets by someone at the school and he said it was a chance to draft a new fan for his team.”
“That’s nice, but is it wise to get involved with someone so soon?”
A soft noise drew his attention to Nicole, who stood a few feet down the hallway, her eyes narrowed. But it was nothing compared to the mulish set of Chelsea’s mouth.
“Jordan, whether I do or don’t get involved with anyone is my decision,” she said. “By the way, I buzzed Nicole when I saw you coming toward the door.”
“Here I am,” Nicole added pleasantly. “We’d better get going.”
Outside in the parking lot, Jordan walked deliberately toward his car. “I’ll drive.”
Nicole’s face was amused as she gave him the address of their destination. Though she said nothing, Jordan felt as if sexist was emblazoned on his forehead. And not just because of the driving issue. Just how much was a brother supposed to say to a grown-up sister?
