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“She’s twenty-five,” he reminded.
“So?” Jill twisted the curly phone cord around her finger.
“So, if she doesn’t answer her phone, maybe it’s because she’s busy. Probably with that new fiancé of hers.”
Jill sighed. “You’re right. I just wanted to check on her. You know how she is.”
“You’re her sister, not her mother, Jill. For once why don’t you worry about yourself and the mess she’s gotten you into this time. You should have made her go.”
“Actually, it’s not been too bad so far. I’m staying at a castle surrounded by lots of men all catering to me. What more could a girl ask for?”
“Trying to make me jealous?” he joked.
“Could I?” she asked, not sure why. She’d already worked out that Dan had done the right thing breaking off their romantic ties. She valued their friendship, but wouldn’t take him back as a lover, would she?
“No. Nor do you want me to be.”
She sighed. He was right. “Yeah, I know that and you know that, but does the perfect girlfriend from Hell know that? I take it she’s there with you?”
“Yep.”
“Tell her I said hi.”
“Now’s probably not the best time to do that.”
Jill snickered. “Okay, you’re right.” From the corner of her eye she noticed one of the crewmembers standing from the table. Uh-oh. “Look, I’m going to have to go in just a sec. Have you checked on Jessie lately?”
“Saw her yesterday, and she’s fine. Quit playing mother hen.”
Was that what she was doing? And of all people, he should know why she had to look out for Jessie. He’d worked on the force during all those legal fiascos. For that matter, without Dan she might not have ever made it through Jessie’s rebellion after their parent’s death. He’d been at her side from the beginning.
“You know what kind of trouble she gets into. I just don’t want to come home to a mess.”
“If she makes a mess, let her clean it up. She might amaze you by acting like a grown up.”
Jill scowled. “You make it sound like I’m smothering her and her irresponsibility is my fault.”
The line crackled with silence.
“Dan,” she started and glanced up to look directly into Rob’s tawny eyes, not two feet from her. Uh-oh. “Speak up a bit, please. You’re calling for a Dan Jones? Just a minute and let me see if there’s someone by that name here.” She placed her hand over the mouthpiece and called out, “Is there a Dan Jones here? There’s a call for Dan Jones.” She met Rob’s narrowed gaze and shrugged as she spoke into the phone.
“I’m sorry, but no one’s answering to that name.”
“What in the hell are you talking about?” Dan demanded. “Is someone listening? Jill, are you okay?”
“Yes, that’s quite alright. Maybe you’ll catch up with your friend soon.”
“Someone’s there, but you’re ‘quite alright’,” Dan correctly guessed. “If I didn’t think it was good for you and Jess for you to be out of pocket for six weeks, I’d strangle her for getting you into this mess.”
“Oh, he’s not your friend?” Jill waved her hand at Rob, acting as if she were just being polite. She needed to know Dan was going to look out for Jess. “A brother? Wow, I always wanted to have a big brother to watch out for me. Little sister’s need watching out for, you know.”
“Hint taken, Your Royal Pain in the Butt. Take care of you, and I’ll keep an eye on Jess. No worries.”
“Well, good luck. Bye now.” Her heart squeezed from missing Jess and Dan, but she carefully kept her emotions checked as she replaced the handset and smiled at Rob. “Sorry about that.”
“Just what was that about?” He looked suspicious as a man could get.
“The pay phone rang as I was walking by so I answered it.” She shrugged, reminding herself that he couldn’t tell that her heart raced. “I think the poor guy had the wrong number.”
