Heartsong (3 page)

Halfway across the darkened room a clear male voice taunted, “Good night, Pollyanna.”

School didn’t go well the next day. Skye had difficulty concentrating on her teaching and several times found her troubled thoughts drifting to Jordan Kiley. In the light of the new day she felt no sense of triumph over her deception or in having bested him, only a guilty uneasiness. Not that she was worried he would collect his “dessert,” as he had threatened. Sally had mentioned that Jordan was being transferred to another ward as soon as possible and would probably be discharged by Friday. There was little likelihood she would ever see him again. She couldn’t understand why this restless feeling persisted.

Skye welcomed three thirty and the dismissal of her kindergartners. Her students had picked up on her mood as well. It didn’t help that there were only a few days left before spring break. Anticipating the vacation, the five-year-olds were antsy and hyperactive.

It was after four when she finally left the school for home. Her apartment, a rare find in the Marina district, had large bay windows that presented a sweeping panorama of the water. Healthy, abundant plants hung in the window, flourishing under her tender care and in the warmth of the sun. It was a homey apartment, decorated with cushioned bamboo furniture, and possessed the appeal of simplicity.

The lock on her front door clicked loudly as she turned the key; then she paused momentarily to replace the key inside her purse.

“Howdy, neighbor.” The apartment door across the hall opened at the sound.

“Hello, John.” She gave him a deliberate, casual smile. “Nice day, isn’t it?” She didn’t wait for his reply before pushing open her door.

“No need to rush away. I’ve been wanting to talk to you. We’re neighbors; we should get to know each other better.”

“Not today,” Skye offered, apologetically but firmly. The last thing she wanted was to become trapped in John Dirkson’s apartment for the rest of the afternoon. Strikingly handsome and charming, John didn’t lack female companionship, but Skye found his sleek good looks and huge ego unattractive. Unfortunately, he refused to accept her rebuffs as sincere; her refusal to become involved made her a novelty.

“It’s not going to work, you know,” John said, affecting disinterest.

“What’s not going to work?”

He hooked his thumb lazily in the belt loop of his designer jeans and leaned
against the open door frame. “This playing hard to get.”

“I’m so pleased to hear it.” She adopted a lighthearted, bright smile. “I was worried for a minute.”

“I’ll get you yet,” he added confidently, not in the least discouraged by her attitude.

“No, you won’t,” she said quickly, then stepped inside her apartment and firmly closed the door.

She placed her purse and mail on the entryway table and hung her hooded raincoat in the closet. After slipping off her shoes, she walked barefooted into the tiny kitchen to put on water to boil for tea. Obeying habit, she flipped the switch on the radio in her bedroom while changing clothes. The air was crisp and chilly, and she chose a winter outfit that had been a birthday gift from her brother. The red plaid pants slipped easily over her slim hips, and the matching turtleneck sweater made a striking contrast to her golden hair.

A slow and soothing romantic ballad filled the room. Unbidden, the music conjured up a mental image of Jordan’s taunting smile, and Skye bit into her lower lip, nibbling on it unconsciously.

“Go away,” she said aloud, and irritably turned off the radio.

A few minutes later she stood before the bathroom mirror, pulling the pins from her hair.

“Rapunzel … Rapunzel … let down your hair.” She laughed, and wondered at her strange mood. The thick curls shimmered down like liquid gold upon her shoulders and back. Its length was a nuisance; a shorter style would have been far more practical, but she couldn’t summon the courage to have it cut. Glen had always loved her long, thick hair, and in a way its length was a symbolic memory of his love. She brushed the curls vigorously until they crackled with electricity. On impulse she left her hair down, the length curving attractively about her shoulders. In reality she was much too tall to be wearing it up all the time, but she had long ago quit worrying about her height. Accustomed to seeing her hair away from her face, she did an automatic double take, surprised at how good she looked, when she happened to glance in the mirror on her way out the door.

The teapot was whistling, and soon the aroma of cinnamon and spice perfumed the air. The mail contained a newsy letter from her mother in Florida, and Skye sat with her cup of tea, propping her feet on the large wicker chest that served as a coffee table, while immersing herself in the letter.

She needed this time to relax and unwind from her day but instead found herself
fidgety and restless. Perhaps she should do some shopping and even splurge and have a meal out before attending the Wednesday-evening church service and choir practice.

The idea proved to be a good one. She bought herself a new pair of shoes, plain but comfortable ones she could wear to school. Impulsively she stopped in a toy store to browse around. Billy had been so unselfish in his choice of a prize that she picked out a small electronic game he was sure to enjoy. Since it was on sale, it was easy to rationalize the expense.

Pleased with her purchases, Skye decided to deliver Billy’s gift to him instead of waiting until the following evening. And while she was at the hospital maybe Sally would join her for a light meal in the cafeteria.

As usual pediatrics was a hub of activity. Nurses and the other staff members moved with purpose. Skye stopped by the nurses’ station to leave a message for Sally, then lightheartedly headed for Billy’s room.

Entering the room, she froze midstep. Billy’s bed was empty, but Jordan Kiley was very much present. The force of his personality filled the room, compelling and totally male. He viewed her shock with a half smile that touched the corners of his mouth.

Suddenly the smile left his eyes, and he grimaced as his rugged face twisted with pain. Her surprise quickly receded into concern, and she haphazardly deposited her packages on Billy’s empty bed before rushing to Jordan’s side.

“What’s the matter? Should I get Sally?” Alarm coated her voice.

Before she could protest, she found herself roughly jerked against the side of the bed. The strength of his right arm was unbelievable, and the unyielding muscles of his upper arm flexed as he held her firmly in check. A slow, satisfied grin spread evenly across his face.

Panic erupted within Skye but it was useless to struggle against his superior strength. Frantically she whispered, “Please, don’t.”

Jordan studied the terror in her eyes, and gradually his merciless grip relaxed, but his bandaged hand remained around her waist.

“This is just to let you know I can claim what is mine anytime I want. No more games, Pollyanna.”

Numbly, Skye nodded; her voice seemed to be locked in her throat, and she was breathing unevenly.

His arm fell, freeing her. “You’re really frightened, aren’t you? Has it been so long since a man kissed you that you tremble at the possibility?” His voice was smooth and mocking.

“Of course not,” she denied stiffly, backing away from him. Her hands were still
shaking when she bumped against the rail of Billy’s bed. “I brought this for Billy,” she said, her hands groping for the smaller package. “Would you see that he gets it?” she asked in what she hoped sounded like a normal voice.

Jordan ignored her request, his eyes studying her astutely. “You’ve been badly hurt, haven’t you?” His words were soft with discernment. “How long have you managed to hide behind that easy laugh and witty personality?”

Despite herself Skye’s head snapped up, and what color remained quickly drained from her face. His perceptions were unnerving. Automatically she swallowed back a denial; as for her quick wit, where was it when she needed it so desperately?

“I should have remembered Billy wouldn’t be here,” she said, ignoring his question. It was a struggle to keep her voice even. “Please tell him I’ll be back later.”

“Oh, no, you don’t,” Jordan interjected quickly. “I’m not letting you go now, not when I pulled every string I could to remain on this floor until I got the chance to see you again.”

His disclosure halted Skye’s flight from the room. “You wanted to see me again?” she asked incredulously. Slowly a smile meandered across her face as she realized what he was saying. “Ah, you just wanted to collect your dessert.”

He answered with a lazy grin. “True, but thinking of a way to even the score helped pass the long day.” He shifted slightly and grimaced with a rush of pain. “Darn this arm,” he swore harshly.

Again Skye found his discomfort greatly affecting her, but she forced herself to stay where she was. “That trick won’t work a second time,” she said, although she realized his pain was genuine.

“Pity,” he murmured with a forced smile.

“Isn’t there something I can do?”

“No, it’ll pass in a moment.” His breathing was hard and labored.

“Please,” she whispered, her gaze resting on his strong face. “Let me do something to help.” The compassion he evoked in her was almost physical. “I’ll get Sally.”

“No,” he shouted.

His anger shocked her, and she stepped back as if burned.

Jordan made a savage gesture. “I didn’t mean to snap your head off, but the nurses can do nothing.” He relaxed against the pillow, the pain easing. “The doctors placed a pin in my arm, and every now and then a pain shoots through it like fire.” His eyes darkened defiantly. “But I refuse to be constantly drugged.”

Skye’s legs felt shaky; it was ridiculous to be so affected by this man.

“Skye,” he said, using her name for the first time. “Will you stay awhile?”

“I … can’t.” Nervously she moistened her dry lips. “I’m meeting Sally for dinner.” She had only left a message for Sally to meet her if she could, but Skye knew if she were to remain with Jordan it would only enhance this unsettling effect he had upon her.

His eyes narrowed. Too late, Skye realized her excuse had dented his pride.

Jordan wasn’t the kind of man women would easily refuse. She had already tried his vanity before with her deception; to provoke him again would be unkind. Jordan wasn’t like her neighbor who saw her as a conquest to be made. Billy’s roommate was in pain and lonely.

“Afraid?” he mocked.

“No, of course not,” she denied instantly.

“How about later tonight then?” he said, surprising her by pursuing the subject.

“I don’t think so … I sing with the church choir, and we practice on Wednesday nights,” she hurried to explain. She was making a mess of this. Her whole purpose as a hospital volunteer was to help others. Surely it went against his nature to even ask her to stay, and she knew she was denying him only because of the strange feelings he stirred within her. Right away she felt guilty. “I suppose I could stop for a few minutes afterward, but it might be late.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be awake.” He sounded like he was silently laughing at her.

“It’s spring vacation next week, isn’t it?” Sally asked as the late-afternoon sunshine filtered through the hospital cafeteria.

“Praise God, yes,” Skye rejoiced openly. “I could do with a vacation.” Maybe all this turmoil with Jordan was just the result of a bad case of spring fever.

Eyeing Skye’s meager dinner, Sally demanded, “How can you survive with just a bowl of soup?”

Skye couldn’t very well admit that her confrontation with Jordan had robbed her of her appetite. “I ate a little something before leaving the house.” A small deception; she’d had only tea.

Sally pushed the remainder of her salad aside. “I hate dieting,” she declared vehemently. “I could kill for a pizza.”

Skye couldn’t keep from laughing. Sally had been dieting with no real success ever since Skye had known her.

“Losing weight would be easier if you exercised more often,” Skye advised with an encouraging smile. “Why not run with me, Sally? It’ll help.”

Sally rolled her eyes expressively. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not that desperate. You’ve forgotten I’ve seen you run. I couldn’t keep up with you if I was pedaling a bicycle.” Absently her hand smoothed a nonexistent crease from the skirt of her uniform. “If you weren’t so easy to like, I could be jealous of you.”

“Me?” Skye was genuinely shocked. “I can’t believe that. I’m the one who steps into a cold apartment every night. I don’t have a loving husband or a precious baby like Anne Marie. I should be the envious one.”

A full smile teased Sally’s mouth. “You don’t have twenty extra pounds to lose, either. I guess it’s just a case of the grass being greener on the other side of the fence. But honestly, if you’re lonely, let me introduce you to Andy’s new accountant.”

“Sally, no!” Skye interrupted brusquely. “I’m a big girl now and quite capable of finding my own dates.”

“Jordan Kiley has been asking questions about you.”

“Oh?” Skye took another sip of her coffee, hoping to appear nonchalant and hide her interest.

“You know me,” Sally said, grinning. “By three o’clock in the afternoon I’d sell my soul for a chocolate chip cookie, and Kiley offered me the whole bakery.” Her eyes sparkled with impish delight. “I spilled my guts.”

“Sally!”

“Oh, all right. I hardly said a word.” She paused, mumbling something under her breath.

Skye couldn’t let the matter drop. “Pardon me?” she asked firmly.

“I said, I didn’t have to say a word. Billy told Kiley everything.”

“Heaven help me,” Skye groaned.

Glancing at her wristwatch, Sally stood. “I’ve got to rush, or I’ll be late. By the way, Kiley is being transferred to the third floor after dinner. You might stop by and say hello; it’s the only way you’ll be able to clear away any untruths.”

Sally looked surprised at Skye’s laugh. “I just might do that.” Not for the world would she relate what had happened that afternoon, but by her own admission she was interested in Jordan Kiley.

Flashing Skye an approving smile, Sally said, “You should wear the new blue dress we bought not long ago the next time you come. You’re quite a knockout in it.”