Free Touch of Love by Ellen Wolf Page A

her guest room had only reinforced her first impression. But he was serious, apparently. Different strokes for different folks, she decided as they rose from the chairs, Adam in tow. She didn’t remember Jake inviting him on the trip. He likely just wanted to escape the drilling of his relatives, and any excuse to leave the gathering was a good one. Jake didn’t seem to mind one bit, though. To think of it, he seemed rather preoccupied. His polite chatter didn’t fool her for a second. His thoughts were a million miles away, probably somewhere unpleasant. She wondered who had been on the phone a moment ago. There was no polite way to find out, so she would have to suck it up. She nodded politely as Jake explained to her the history of the house. They spent the next fifteen minutes walking around until they ended up in the large state-of-the-art kitchen, where Jake’s energy finally burned out.
    ‘ Adam, I need to ask you for a favor.’ His impeccable façade cracked, and she glimpsed the picture he’d been so artfully hiding ever since the phone call. A different, much more serious Jake emerged. His eyes burned with a resolve she couldn’t quite understand. ‘I just need to make a very short trip downtown. I hate leaving Elly alone here with the rest of the family, so if you could keep her company, I’d really appreciate it.’
    ‘No problem . Take your time.’ She watched them in disbelief. Adam’s matter-of-fact nod infuriated her even more than Jake’s assumption that she couldn’t be left alone. It was time to set things straight. But, somehow, she couldn’t do that to Jake. His apologetic explanation instantly took the wind out of her sails. Whatever made him rush downtown must have been important enough to make him abandon his cool and leave them standing there, letting the uncomfortable silence stretch between them. Jake was gone, his last promise to be back as soon as possible still hanging in the air.
    ‘I don’t need a babysitter .’ She turned to Adam. ‘Jake might think I need to be sheltered from your family, but I am perfectly capable of handling myself in public.’
    ‘I ’m sure that’s true.’ He flashed his white teeth. ‘And that’s not what he meant. He just figured that since we aren’t complete strangers, you might find me easier to talk to than, let’s say… Aunt Laura.’ With a wicked smile, he gestured toward the large french door leading to the patio. ‘Believe me, I know what I’m talking about. She interrogated me for a while, and I’d bet my bottom dollar you’re next on her list.’
    ‘Probably,’ she grumbled, annoyed to admit he was right. She hated being a charity case. Maybe her plan to hide with Jake was not such a great idea after all? Here she was, alone with this… jaded, disillusioned man, and Jake was gone on some wild goose chase from which she had no idea when he would be back. If he comes back at all… Maybe he went to see another woman? He had looked anxious enough to make it a plausible explanation. Some girl he liked might’ve changed her mind at the last moment. Maybe he would bring her to the party. For all Elly knew, Jake and this woman might have been discussing it right then, wondering how to get rid of her.
    ‘Hey, don’t look so gloomy .’ Adam’s voice interrupted her dark thoughts, and she looked up, bracing herself against his charm. It didn’t work at all. He was still the most handsome man she had ever seen.
    ‘I can be fun too, you know.’ He gestured toward the garden, where mauve-colored shadows gathered slowly in the approach of the night. ‘Not that you had a chance to see that side of me. It’s there, I promise. How about we go for a walk to the lower gardens? You’d like them for sure.’
    ‘I’m sure you’re a riot .’ Elly struggled to suppress a smile and failed miserably. ‘I’m just not in a mood for company, really. I mean, I’m grateful to Jake for bringing me here with him, but otherwise, this