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“I don’t mean to pressure you with these uncomfortable questions,” Lesley told him in a soft voice.
“You’re not,” Jordan said. The loss of his son wasn’t a subject he’d ever feel comfortable sharing. But if he was going to join his life with Lesley’s, they needed to talk about Jeffrey.
The waiter brought their salads, and Lesley, who sensed his mood, left Jordan alone with his thoughts.
At some point this evening he’d have to tell Lesley he was going to Africa to bring Molly back.
Why couldn’t Molly have gone to some tropical island and set up a medical clinic? Oh no, she had to throw herself into one of the world’s most troubled spots.
Ian hadn’t fooled him, either. Molly’s father was worried sick about her, and Jordan had fallen right into the old man’s hands, coming to see him when he did. Talk about bad timing.
“Molly’s in the East African Republic,” Jordan told Lesley without warning.
“Africa,” Lesley repeated in an astonished gasp. “What on earth is she doing there?”
“She volunteered with some missionary group.”
“Doesn’t she realize how dangerous it is?” Lesley set her fork aside and reached for her wineglass. Jordanwished now that he’d taken more care in breaking the news to her.
“I’m going after her.” He didn’t mention that Ian was pulling every string he had to get Jordan a visa. He was going to the East African Republic, even if he had to be smuggled into the country.
“You.” Lesley’s eyes went wide, and when she set the glass down, wine sloshed over the edge. “Jordan, that’s ridiculous! Why should you be the one? If she’s in any danger, then the State Department should be notified. Or…or her father should do it.”
“Ian’s aged considerably in the past three years and his health is too fragile for such a strenuous journey. Someone’s got to do something, and soon, before Molly manages to get herself killed.”
“But surely there’ssomeoneelse who could go.”
“No one Molly would listen to.”
“But…what about your work?” He’d rarely seen Lesley so flustered.
“Paul Phelps will take over for me. I shouldn’t be gone long—a week at the most.”
“What about all the travel documents? No one travels in and out of the East African Republic these days…do they? I mean, from what the media are saying, the country’s about to explode.”
“Ian’s making the arrangements for me. He’d wanted to go himself, against his doctor’s advice, but I couldn’t let him. Listen, this isn’t anything Iwantto do. Trust me, if I was going to take a week away from the job, the East African Republic would be the last place I’d choose to visit.”
“I understand, Jordan,” she said, her hand resting on his. “This is something you have to do.”
Jordan nodded, relieved. He hadn’t been able to put his feelings into words, but Lesley had said it for him. It was something heneededto do. This one last thing before he said goodbye to Molly and their marriage. He considered going after Molly a moral obligation. To her and to Ian. To the man who’d given him advice and financial backing when he’d started his business. To the man whose daughter he’d loved.
“When do you leave?” Lesley asked, and Jordan noticed that her voice was shaking, although she’d attempted to disguise it. Jordan was grateful that she didn’t try to talk him out of it, didn’t try to convince him not to put himself in danger for a woman he intended to divorce.
“The first part of the week.”
“So soon?”
“The sooner the better, don’t you think?”
Lesley nodded, and lowered her eyes. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Of course.”
“Please be careful. Because I love you, Jordan.”
* * *
Molly woke to gunfire echoing in the distance. She sat up in bed, but it took her a moment to orient herself. Tossing aside the thin blanket, she climbed out of bed and quickly dressed. The rat-a-tat sounds seemed closer now and propelled her into action.
