Chapter Six
“All right, kid, tell Aunt Sally all about it.” It had taken her perceptive friend only a day to notice something was wrong.
“Tell you what?” Skye sipped lackadaisically on her herbal tea, feigning confusion.
“What’s wrong, and don’t try to tell me something isn’t. I can tell just by looking at you that you’re upset.”
Skye laughed lightly. “Do I actually look that different?”
Sally studied her shrewdly. “Yes, as a matter of fact, you do.”
Crossing her eyes, Skye laughed, but her laugh held little genuine amusement. “I’m exactly the same person I was the other
day.”
“No, you’re not,” Sally disputed soberly. “That sparkle is gone from your eyes. No . . . not sparkle, the expectation is missing.
Did you and this John have a spat?”
Skye lowered her head, her hair falling forward to frame her oval face. “Sally, I’m not dating and never plan to date John
Dirkson. He is my neighbor, but I misled you by insinuating there was something more between us. I . . . I also misled Jordan Kiley—but not about John—and when he discovered my game, well . . . no one likes to be the butt of a joke.”
Sally paused, waiting for Skye to elaborate, but when an explanation didn’t follow, she probed. “Can’t you make it right?”
Miserably Skye shook her head. There was no way of contacting him, and even if there were, Skye had decided not to. God had
sent him into her life for a purpose, and that had been accomplished. And she would always be grateful to Jordan for removing
the blinders that had hidden the truth.
“Hey,” Sally said, interrupting her thoughts. “Didn’t you tell me you were going out to dinner with Jordan Kiley next Friday
night?”
“That’s been canceled.” At least Skye felt sure it must be. If by chance Jordan did happen to show, she wouldn’t be home.
It was Janey’s birthday, and she was having dinner with her family.
“That’s too bad, Skye, but I think meeting Jordan has done you a world of good.”
Her lips trembled slightly as she attempted a smile. “I think you’re right.”
Sally patted her hand. “Well, with Jordan out of the picture maybe I could interest you in a blind date.”
How typical of the matchmaking Sally. “All right, you’re on.”
The contented grin of a Cheshire cat couldn’t have shown more satisfaction. “Steve King is a perfect match for you,” Sally
elaborated. “He’s an accountant at Andy’s firm; I know you’re going to like him.”
Skye had heard these identical words at least twenty times. But an accountant? She somehow pictured a tiny, bespectacled man
with a fastidious nature. Biting her lip, she glanced at Sally hesitatingly.
“You’re not backing out already, are you?”
“No,” Skye said, “I was just wondering if it’d be too forward to ask him to help me balance my bank account on our first date.”
They looked at each other and burst into giggles.
Skye was in much better spirits Thursday evening and played and sang for the children with a free-flowing happiness. Finishing,
she turned to smile at her audience, but the smile froze on her face. Standing in the back of the room was Jordan. Had it
only been a few days since she’d last seen him? It seemed a lifetime.
His steel-gray eyes pinned her. Sally glanced from one to the other and with a quiet efficiency moved the children and their
families from the room.
Jordan waited until the room was nearly empty before advancing toward her. The wild hammering of her heart rushed a fresh
supply of blood to her already flushed face. Her fingers were trembling so badly she folded them awkwardly in her lap.
“Is it Jane or Skye?” he asked.
“Skye,” she said in a breathy whisper. Nervously she moistened her lips. “Jordan, may I apologize? It was a stupid, childish
prank. I . . .” She ran a shaky hand over her forehead, not sure if she should continue.
“Forget it,” he said gruffly. “Is there somewhere we could go for coffee?”
Skye glanced pointedly at her watch, but if he’d asked her the time she couldn’t have told him. “It’s getting late.”
“Is the cafeteria open?”
“Yes, but . . .” She hesitated. If she was honest with herself, she’d admit she wanted to talk to him and clear up this matter.
His hand cupped her elbow possessively while she led the way to the elevator.
The cafeteria was deserted, the kitchen area closed.
Coffee and a few remaining desserts were sold on the honor system; a bowl sat atop the counter to collect the change.
Jordan paid for the coffee while she carried their cups to a nearby table.
“Have you ever thought of becoming a professional singer?”
His question was so unexpected, she widened her eyes and wondered at his game. “No. I’ve never given the matter much thought.”
“You’re very gifted. You realize that, don’t you?” The compliment was issued almost as a challenge.
Jordan confused her. His question took her by surprise. Skye had hoped they could discuss their misunderstanding, not her
singing ability.
“I’m not that talented,” she insisted. His look was hard and unemotional, leaving her feeling as if she barely knew him.
“I want to tape some of your music. I have a friend who owns a recording studio, and I’d like to have him listen to you.”
He watched her as though he anticipated a wild burst of enthusiasm at the generosity of his offer.
She gave him none. “I’m not interested. I’m honored that you think so highly of my talent, but no thanks.”
His gaze narrowed in disbelief. “Don’t lightly toss away this opportunity, Skye.” His gaze seemed to question her reasoning.
She sighed, releasing a jagged breath. How could she explain herself? Singing for the children was a joy; even an occasional
solo with the church choir was a pleasurable challenge. But to make singing her life’s work was out of the question. It didn’t
even tempt her.
She was given a respite by several nurses who entered the room. Their gaze rushed over her without notice and focused with
interest upon Jordan. She couldn’t blame them; even with his broken arm, he managed to suggest a latent animal grace, his
appeal totally masculine.
Jordan didn’t even notice the interest he was generating. Instead he continued to study Skye thoughtfully.
“This is a great opportunity. Are you sure you’ve thought this through?”
Nodding decisively, Skye said, “Quite sure.”
Still he studied her as if he wasn’t sure he should believe her.
Skye shifted uncomfortably. What a strange conversation this was. Glancing at her watch, she noted the time and quickly swallowed
her coffee. “I need to get home,” she said sadly. She had hoped to make things right between them, but it was clear Jordan
wasn’t interested.
His outstretched hand stopped her as she began to rise. The flint gray of his eyes pinned her to the seat. “I want you to
reconsider. It wouldn’t hurt anything to make up a demo CD. You have the talent to make it, but the choice is yours.”
Without so much as a second thought she shook her head. “I’m not going to change my mind.” She stood and deposited her Styrofoam
cup in the garbage on her way out the door.
The sad puppy cried pitifully when Skye replaced the barrier confining him to the kitchen. He had been frolicking between
her feet and chewing on the bright, fuzzy slippers she wore. Large chocolate pools of misery watched as she petted him and
whispered soothingly.
She would have to hurry and change clothes or she would be late for Janey’s birthday dinner. But every time she left sight
of the pup, he would yelp and howl. Twice John Dirkson had been over to complain about the noise. Skye had difficulty keeping
her temper the second time, but smiled sweetly and promised to do her best. Her relationship with John had been strained,
and she wasn’t sorry to hear he was moving at the end of the month.
With the puppy moderately quiet, she chose her most becoming new dress.
The musky rose color accentuated the light tones of her hair, while the soft gathers at the waist emphasized her willowy suppleness.
She’d finished fastening the button-loop closure down the front and knotting the tie when the doorbell rang.
Could it be Jordan? This was the night they had set their dinner date, but he had been distant and uncommunicative the day
before. No, it wouldn’t be him, but perhaps someday God would send him back into her life and she could make proper amends.
She finished buckling the strap of her shoe and hobbled across her living room, one shoe on, one shoe off. It must be John
to complain about the pup again.
It wasn’t. “Jordan,” she breathed, feeling stiff and nervous.
“Hello. May I come in?” he asked. His eyes widened in appreciation as he did an appraising sweep of her appearance.
Still suffering the effects of surprise, she stepped aside. “Of course; I’m sorry.”
He moved past her into the living room, his eyes warm and amused as he watched her hobbling about with only one shoe.
“I didn’t think you were coming,” she began unevenly.
“Did I say I wasn’t?” His eyes left hers momentarily and fell upon the puppy confined in her kitchen. “Your burglar alarm
system?” he joked casually. “I see. Once warned, you attack the intruder, using your shoe as a weapon.” A crooked smile turned
up the edges of his mouth as he glanced at the high-heeled sandal in her hand.
“Of course not.” Her step faltered slightly as she slipped the shoe on as gracefully as possible.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“What?”
“Your money? I’d hate to see you leave home without it.”
“Why are you here?” she asked him breathlessly, confused.
“I thought we had a date.”
“I . . . I didn’t think you meant to keep it.” Skye knew she wouldn’t be able to maintain this pretense of self-possession much longer.
“Clearly you’ve made other arrangements.” It was a statement full of irritation.
It would be easy to lie again, let him assume another half-truth. He would go then, and she knew with an unexplainable certainty
that she wouldn’t see him again.