Free Love Songs by Barbara Delinsky Page A

The man is about the right age; he’s well established and respected and you could use—”
    “I could not!” Dark brown eyes conveyed her determination. Jake knew it well and opted to take a different tack.
    “What was the … cause for your meeting, in the first place?”
    A few deep breaths settled her somewhat. “He’s taking part in the study.”
    “He has insomnia?”
    She chuckled, recalling the moment when she had asked Alex the same question. “Yes. It looks as though we’re destined to meet at two in the morning in the lounge. Let me tell you, the nurse there is a terrific watchdog. I really have nothing to be afraid of.” Her gay explanation was met by full seriousness on Jake’s part.
    “We’ll just invite the two of you over for dinner one night—”
    “No, you won’t!” She cringed. “I’m trying to dis courage the man, not the reverse. He’s persistent enough as it is without a formal word of approval from you and Elaine!”
    Jake remained sober. “I think you should at least give him a chance. Get to know him. See whether he’s serious.”
    “Oh, he’s serious, all right! But, I have no intention of pandering to his whim. I really don’t have the time—”
    “Nonsense!” His two meaty hands came down forcefully on the desk as he sat suddenly forward. “You can make time for anything you want, Alanna. I’ve seen you do incredible things since you’ve been here. Yet you still manage to coach those little girls at the pool and cart my Elaine to the beauty parlor and take courses at the university in the evenings. If you want a little romance you can easily make time for it!”
    Alanna would long since have squelched this discussion with anyone else. But Jake was like family. When he spoke it was from the heart, and she listened. Not that that kept her from arguing.… “I don’t want romance, Jake. You don’t seem to understand.”
    “You’re right. I don’t. You know, I do respect you women nowadays. You’ve really come a long way. But you’ve pushed aside certain things, forgotten about others. What about love? A family? Children?”
    Alanna shrugged, then sighed deeply. “I suppose I’ve chosen other goals.”
    “Must it be one or the other?”
    “Now, how can I be—heaven help me—the Executive Vice-President of WallMar Enterprises and have a husband and children at home?” she asked grudgingly.
    “Men do it all the time. Why not a woman?”
    Silence filled the air for long moments. Alanna had never thought of it quite that way. As a matter of fact, she had never spent much time thinking about the subject of a husband and children at all. No man had ever interested her enough to even spark the consideration.
    “Why are you saying all this to me now, Jake?” she asked plaintively. “You’ve never mentioned it before. Why now? I thought you approved of my … lifestyle.”
    Jake stood and circled the desk to throw an arm about Alanna’s shoulder. “We care about you. You know that. I’ve never mentioned it before because … you never have. I felt it would be awkward to bring it up. But now I have to be honest. You have a lot to give, Alanna. Look at what you do for Elaine and me, for those kids, for so many of the people you come in contact with. Don’t you see—you’ve found any number of substitutes for the family you don’t have. Well,” his voice lowered and softened, “maybe you should consider whether you’re ready for the real thing.”
    Alanna snorted. “If it’s children I want, I could always—”
    “—I’m talking about a man. A husband. Someone to spend the rest of your life with.”
    “I’m an independent woman, Jake.”
    He eyed her strangely. “You’ve already proven that. Now it may be time to prove some other things.”
    Disturbed, she pulled gently away from his arm and walked across the room, blond head down, hands clasped in front of her. “Please don’t confuse me, Jake. My life is perfect as it is.”
    Her dear