Chapter 4 #4
She had clearly not wanted Kendra to look closely at that particular book even though she had displayed only a little impatience when she had watched her examine the other books on the shelf.
What if she had been worried that something in or about that particular book would tell Kendra something that she didn’t want known?
Perhaps something connected to that postcard and Lynch?
But then why would she leave the book out in plain sight with the rest of her stock?
Maybe it was the kind of deceptive move Lynch might make if he wanted to deliberately draw attention away from an object.
Oh, she just didn’t know. It made Kendra want to grind her teeth. She couldn’t be sure that the woman was even involved with Lynch, dammit. Yes, she could, and she wasn’t going to give up until she broke through and got her to talk.
She leaned wearily back in her chair. You’re not making things easy for me, Lynch.
I know you must have had a reason to send me here but I’d appreciate it if you could just pop in and tell me where you are and that you’re okay.
She reached out for her phone and was pulling up the photo of Lynch she’d shown Elizabeth Porter earlier today.
Send good thoughts in her direction, Lynch.
I’m going to go back in the morning, and I promise I’m not going to leave until I get something solid from her.
I’m getting very frustrated. Everyone but her is being helpful, but it’s not enough.
She gave his photo one last look before she started to put it away.
Then she stopped. Not yet. She didn’t want to leave him yet.
She was too full of uncertainties and anxieties.
She wanted to keep him here and remember him the way he’d been the day when she’d taken this photo at that café in Spain last summer.
It had been a great day and Lynch had spent a good deal of it joking and teasing with the waiters and the flamenco dancers who had performed for them after dinner.
He had been full of mischief, and his blue eyes had been twinkling as he’d leaned across the table and taken her hand.
“What are you grinning about? Am I making an idiot of myself?”
“I wouldn’t presume to judge,” she said solemnly. “But I admit that I’m finding it a bit unusual that you’d offer to bribe Maria, that flamenco dancer, to give you lessons. I’d be willing to pay to see that.”
“So you could laugh at me?” The mischief was increasing by the second. “Okay, what if I pay her to teach you? Just give me a minute and I’ll make the deal.”
“Don’t you dare.” She was making an effort to keep from laughing. “She’s an artist and I have no intention of wasting her time trying to teach me a skill that I would probably only use when I came here on vacation.” She made a face. “Providing she also didn’t find I had two left feet.”
“I’m sure she’d find you a magnificent pupil.” He stood up and pulled her up into his arms. “Come show her. I love to dance with you.”
“No flamenco,” she said firmly. Then she heard the guitarist begin to play a tango and she relaxed in his arms. She loved to dance with him, too. She loved to do almost everything with him. Particularly tonight. Particularly this moment.
“Seems a pity,” Lynch murmured. “You’re a great music therapist but maybe you might be a greater flamenco dancer.
You shouldn’t limit yourself. I’ve always thought there should be no limits for anyone if they want to learn a new career or skill.
We can work around the obstacles. Let’s see .
. . You like Spain. It doesn’t have to be a vacation haven if you want to establish residency.
I’ve already sent the deed to the condo in Seville to you . . .”
“And I sent it right back to you.” She shook her head.
“Now you are really being an idiot. I have a career that I’m very happy with.
Why should I try to compete in any other profession?
I even like working with you. Though I’m sure it could be a nightmare if I was expected to tag along on some of those high-profile jobs Justice sticks you with.
” She shook her head. “Admit it. You’re the one who wanted to bribe Maria to make you a star. ”
“Well, I thought one of us should.” He was laughing again as he turned her in a boisterous circle and then executed an elaborate dramatic dip.
“I’m pretty busy right now, so I thought you might want to step up to the plate.
But if you decide you don’t want to play that game, we’ll go down another road.
There are so many. We’ll find one you like. ”
She was laughing, too. “With no limits? Heaven help us.”
“Won’t be necessary.” He gave her a quick kiss and swung her in another circle. “We’ll help each other. Okay?”
“We usually do. And I can’t see it changing anytime soon. Can you?”
“Not with you being so stubborn. But what will be, will be.” He kissed her again and whispered, “Let’s go back home to the condo and talk about it . . .”
“Now, that’s an excellent idea . . .”
She gently touched Lynch’s face on the photo with her forefinger and then reluctantly put the phone down on the end table beside her.
She’d been mooning like a teenage girl with her first crush, and she had to stop and be sensible.
But she had needed that bit of time filled with memories for healing.
It had already been a rough day, and she had to prepare herself for tomorrow.
She just hoped it was enough to soothe away some of the worry and pain.