Free Questing (Cosmis Connections, Book One) by Barbara Huffert

for the other if you ever needed something and I’m sure neither of you would have to ask.” She gasped. “Oh no, I said too much.”
    “No, I told you I’m interested in whatever you think. In fact, I need to give some serious consideration to a few of your observations.”
    “I…oh…damn!”
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Well, I said some things—”
    “Yes, you did and I appreciate your thoughts.”
    “But I was…”
    “Perfect. Never be afraid to say anything to me.”
    “Jordan, why do you tell me things like that?”
    “Because I mean it, Kiley. I’m hoping that you’ll eventually feel comfortable with me.”
    Without thinking, Kiley blurted out the question she’d had since the first day. “Why aren’t you married or at least with someone?”
    Jordan could tell she was blushing by the way she groaned. “Simple. You’re not ready yet.”
    “Oh God,” she groaned again.
    “Can I ask you the same of you?”
    “No one ever asked. And I wasn’t in love before. Oh damn.”
    Jordan felt as if he couldn’t breathe. Could she mean what it sounding like she was saying? Did she even realize what she implied? “Kiley?”
    She kept muttering.
    “Kiley, please.”
    “Just ignore me, Jordan. I can’t seem to make any sense when I try to talk to you.” She wanted to crawl in a hole and hide until she could control her stupid mouth. He must think she is such an idiot.
    “I could never ignore you.” His voice dropped seductively. Kiley could feel it everywhere. It was as if he was right there with her, touching her. “Please don’t answer this now but will you marry me someday, Kiley?”
    “Uh…oh…I…”
    “Wait. Don’t say anything now. I’ve wanted to ask that since the instant I saw you that first day. Every day since then I’ve had to fight myself not to tell you that I know we belong together. I used to wonder why no one ever interested me. When I met you, I realized it was because I was waiting for you to love. I’ll make you very happy, Kiley, if you let me.”
    “Oh God…ohgodohgodohgod,” she repeated rapidly. “I-I-I, um, have to go. Bye.”
    Kiley hung up before he could say anything. What a damn fool he was! They were having a real conversation. They were getting to know each other. And then he had to go and blow it. Oh, he meant every word but she wasn’t anywhere near ready to hear it. And Kiley thought she lacked control when they were speaking! Why hadn’t he made some nice, safe comment to reassure her, changed the subject and kept on chatting? Still, Dee had suggested she was aware of him. Yeah right, aware of him, yes. Ready for declarations of love and marriage proposals, no. Should he call her back and try to smooth it over or would that just make it worse? Maybe he should give her a little time. He could call tomorrow and check on her. Or maybe he should just wait until Monday and see how distant she was first.
    * * * * *
     
    When the phone rang, Jordan glanced at the clock. It was eleven thirty so it could only be Miss Sadie. After her husband died, he had offered her his assistance in any way possible. One night, a few weeks later, Sadie had called him. She asked if he would be kind enough to give her a few minutes’ conversation. She missed having someone to talk to about nothing in particular. She said she would call one of those radio talk shows if he preferred things remain strictly professional but she liked his voice and just hearing him say hello already had her feeling better. It was a simple enough request so Jordan readily complied. Since then, she called him a few times a month and he soon found he looked forward to their chats. Sadie was extremely opinionated and never hesitated to speak her mind. She often claimed to be a cantankerous old bat. Jordan didn’t object. Conversations with Sadie were lively and always entertaining. And at the moment he could certainly use a distraction to get his thoughts off his blunder.
    “Good evening, Miss Sadie.