Free Loving Hearts by Gail Gaymer Martin

that I’m not.”
    “You don’t have to play the game with me, Ian.” His attempt to cover his faux pas left Esther uncomfortable. She knew he had no real interest in her. He’d offered to be her friend and to save her from Rachel’s matchmaking. That’s all Esther expected. Yet a feeling of disappointment inched through her. What more did she want? Irritation replaced her dejection.
    From his expression, Esther knew Ian felt uneasy, too. She wished she could say something to undo her remark, but nothing came to mind, and she focused on the sun sinking behind the horizon with the speed of a lead ball.
    Darkness stretched across the water as quickly as spilled ink. People began to drift onto the balcony. Soon the fireworks lit the sky, made more magnificent by their reflection in the water. Rachel and Jeff stood beside her and Ian. Detecting a reminder in Ian’s subtle look, Esther allowed him to slide his arm around her back and draw her closer while they praised the spectacular display.
    His actions were all part of the game, she knew, but a secret feeling of pleasure settled in her stomach—a closeness and familiarity she’d never shared with anyone.
    They think I’m an enamored admirer. Ian’s words plowed through her thoughts. Grateful for the darkness, Esther struggled to hide her unsettled emotions.
     
    Ian rested his back against the same chair he’d used on his last visit, but today, before he arrived, he’d reviewed his thoughts and feelings with care, then prayed he wouldn’t do anything to distress Esther. He knew he’d upset her at the fireworks.
    He’d enjoyed her company that day and relished the opportunity to be with her. For much of the evening they’d talked and laughed like two friends…until he’d made the “enamored” comment. Tonight he’d sensed her distance when he walked in the door. Why did a woman with such ability and control seem so sensitive at times?
    Ian slipped off his glasses and pressed his fingers against his eyes. He’d hoped for so much that evening. A positive step toward a growing friendship. He remembered how the fireworks display had lit thesky, and how Esther’s face had brightened as beautifully as one of the colorful explosions.
    He’d enjoyed watching her excitement in the dusky balcony light—her look of pleasure watching the spectacle. Washed by the lamps from indoors, her shiny blond hair had been tousled by the breeze, and he’d longed to brush back the loose strands from her face. He’d thought of kissing her cheek as Rachel had done to Jeff. But Esther had stood rigid beside him, and he was in no position to admit his real feelings. He’d been rejected too many times to take the chance.
    Ian looked at the dark glass frames in his hand. He hated the things, and he breathed a relieved sigh, knowing in another day or two he’d never wear them again.
    He had an appointment for contacts, but he’d kept it as a surprise for Esther. One day, if he ever had the courage to kiss her, he didn’t want his frames to interfere.
    Esther’s footsteps sounded on the landing, and she sailed into the room. “Here you go,” she said, handing him a glass of iced tea.
    She carried hers to the desk, set it on a coaster and flipped open the manila folder. “Now let’s get down to business.”
    He struggled with what to say. He couldn’t spend the evening paralyzed by the tension he sensed between them.
    She sat across from him, her attention focused on papers she shuffled from one pile to the other. Finally she pulled out a couple of sheets. “Here they are.”
    She rose and rounded the desk. “These are the questions I listed for Mr. Somerville.” She handed him the papers and headed back to her desk. “I need answers for them before I can proceed. He mentioned he’d gone over them with you.”
    Ian scanned the list, the answers lost somewhere beneath his concern. In the weighted hush he pulled together his thoughts. He longed to mend the feelings