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

Brown, are impossible at all times.”
    “That’s my boy.” She patted his arm. “Oh miss, excuse me but could you…” She trailed off at the expression on the girl’s face. Brett and Kiley’s friends had described her perfectly. And she was as punctual as they said she would be.
    When Kiley turned toward the woman questioning her, the last person she expected to see there was Jordan. She knew she was blushing and staring like an imbecile and she couldn’t make her mouth function.
    He recovered first. “Hello.”
    She didn’t respond so Sadie stepped in. “Young man, where are your manners? Introduce me to your friend.”
    “Of course.” He had forgotten she was with them. “Sadie Brown, may I present Kiley Fisher? Kiley, this is Miss Sadie. She’s my most unique client and usually a good friend.”
    “H-hello Miss Sadie,” Kiley stammered.
    “Well, well, I’m very happy to meet you, dear. You’re just as pretty as Jordan said you were.” Sadie saw the surprise cross Kiley’s face. “He’s such a good boy, escorting me to visit my sister-in-law while my car is being inspected."
    “Yes, he is very nice,” Kiley agreed.
    “Who are you visiting?” Sadie asked.
    “Vera. She had been my mom’s roommate.”
    “Such a sweet girl, still visiting,” Sadie commented. “Oh I am just so glad we bumped into you. I was going to leave the boy in the lounge while I had my visit but now he can go along with you. Jordan, I’ll see you back here in an hour or so.”
    “I’ll be fine in the lounge, Miss Sadie.” Jordan was beginning to get suspicious.
    “I won’t hear of it! You don’t mind, do you, Kiley?” Sadie’s question sounded more like a command.
    “Oh, um, of course not. Jordan’s welcome to come with me.” Kiley was flustered but still knew better than to refuse.
    “There, that’s settled it,” Sadie said firmly. “Go on now, off with you.” She stood and waited until the pair started down the hall.
    “I’m sorry about this, Kiley. Sadie likes to have things her way and I’ve learned it’s easier not to resist. If you’d rather I go back to the lounge, I’ll just wait around the corner here until she’s gone,” he offered.
    Kiley began to giggle. “I don’t think that’s wise. She’ll know if you do and then you’ll be in trouble.”
    “You’re right but I don’t want to intrude or make you uncomfortable.” Her laughter was contagious.
    “Oh so noble, willing to sacrifice yourself for me. It really is fine, Jordan. Vera loves visitors and I have mentioned you. I’m sure she’d be very disappointed if she knew you were here and I didn’t introduce you.”
    “All right, Kiley.” He extended his hand. “Lead the way.”
    Kiley accepted it. Her heart thumped when he closed his fingers around hers. Her mind drifted to the night before and how she’d spent most of it criticizing herself for how badly she’d handled the ending of their phone conversation. She had replayed his words in her mind and was more thrilled each time. She certainly hadn’t been expecting what he’d said and she realized Brett had been very honest when expressing his concerns. Jordan really wasn’t as calm and confident as he always appeared. She’d heard the vulnerability in his voice which she never would have thought possible. Just thinking about that made her blush again. He’d bared his heart to her and she’d essentially hung up on him.
    She stopped just short of Vera’s door because she felt she had to say something. “Wait, Jordan. About last night. I shouldn’t have hung up like I did.” She was standing very close and put her hand on his arm.
    It was Jordan’s turn to have trouble breathing. The way she was looking up at him had his pulse racing. “It’s okay, Kiley.”
    “No, it’s not. I was just…you…well…you overwhelmed me and I didn’t know what to do.”
    “I never should have said all that over the phone. Things like that should always be discussed face to