Free Distracted by her Virtue by Maggie Cox

doesn’t it?’
    The emerald eyes flashed. ‘Can’t you
see
? Can’t you
tell
that I find the idea of being beholden to anyone for mine and Charlie’s welfare abhorrent?’
    Jarrett could indeed see that, and whilst he understood her very human need to remain independent—and honestly admired it—he guessed things weren’t as simple or straightforward as that. More than once he’d witnessed fear in her eyes
… dread
even. It made him determined to discover why. He’d already gleaned that her husband hadn’t been the best example of masculinity on earth, but was there more to it than that?
    ‘Putting that topic aside for a minute, what about my getting to know you better?’ He forced himself to ask the question, even though he feared her responsewouldn’t be the one he wanted. It had already dented his confidence that she’d refused his offer of a loan. ‘You mean as a friend?’
    ‘That would be a start, I suppose.’ The wry quirk of his lips along with his slightly uneasy tone revealed that he hoped for much more than friendship …
so
much more.
    Sophia’s mesmerising emerald glance was absolutely steady. ‘If I had met you years ago, Jarrett … before I met my husband Tom … perhaps we would have been a good match. Who knows? You seem to have a lot of the qualities and attributes I used to hope to find in a man. But my experience of being in a relationship has been irredeemably damaged by Charlie’s father. I don’t have the hope or the innocence I once had to trust in another relationship or believe that it could work. Nor do I want you to think that there’s the slightest chance that I’ll change my mind, because I know that I won’t.’
    As Jarrett silently observed the bewitching planes and contours of Sophia’s lovely face in the flickering firelight inside he was cheering—because she’d remarked that if she’d met him before she’d met her husband they might have been a good match. She might also have asserted that she wouldn’t change her mind about entering into a relationship with him, but quite frankly that cut no ice. Because he wouldn’t be deterred … not when he knew that it was the outcome he craved above all else—
even
above owning High Ridge. And when it came to determination in achieving a goal …
any
goal … his ability to follow through and not be dissuaded was second to none.
    ‘One day soon,’ he said, ‘I hope that you can tell me exactly what happened between you and your husband.I want to know what put that look of cold dread in your eyes that I sometimes glimpse. It’s my opinion that you deserve to be free of whatever haunts you, Sophia. Not just for your own sake, but for Charlie’s too.’
    Curling her hair behind her ear, she left the ghost of a wan smile briefly curve her lips. ‘Some hurts that we’re haunted by are too deep to ever be free of,’ she answered softly, ‘but I
will
tell you my story. Not tonight, because it’s getting late and I’m tired, but soon—I promise.’
    ‘Fair enough … How about tomorrow afternoon?’
    Jarrett suggested boldly, somehow knowing that if they left the topic alone for too long she might again retreat into herself and not tell him anything. ‘I’ll bring my cricket bat and teach Charlie how to play, then afterwards you and I can talk.’
    There was a very brief flash of concern in her mesmerising eyes, but then to his relief her expression softened. ‘Okay. Come over tomorrow after lunch—around three o’clock. You can stay for tea.’
    ‘Perfect.’ He grinned. If he’d been on his own Jarrett would have punched the air with joy …

CHAPTER FIVE
    ‘C OME in. It’s so good to see you!’ Standing back to allow the tall fair-haired young man entry into the hallway, Sophia smiled up into eyes that reflected the same soft green hue as her own.
    Her brother David hugged her hard, not hesitating to express his heartfelt love and affection. He was without a doubt pleased and happy to see her.