Heartsong

by Debbie Macomber

Jordan’s eyes became grim and cold, and Skye realized she couldn’t leave it there. “He was killed in a car accident eight years ago.” Her voice was tight yet soft, indicating the emotion the simple words had cost her.

  Jordan’s expression softened, followed by surfacing compassion. “I’m sorry.”

  Her smile was weak. “So am I.”

  An hour later they docked the sloop at the marina.

  “What about tomorrow?” Jordan questioned as they strolled toward her apartment.

  “There’s church in the morning,” she announced casually. “I’m singing with the choir. Would you like to come?”

  “Yes, I would,” he stated softly.

  His response surprised her in more ways than one. She’d expected him to complain because of their limited time together. “Wonderful,” she murmured silently. Willingly Skye turned into Jordan’s arms the minute her apartment door was closed.

  “Take this with you tonight,” he mumbled huskily. The hard possession of his mouth brought physical pain. Her tender lips felt bruised and swollen under the force of his kiss, but it didn’t seem to matter. She understood his hunger.

  Chapter Eight

  “I enjoyed myself.” Steve King stood in the hallway outside Skye’s apartment. His gaze freely roamed her face, and Skye could feel the color surface; she always felt uncomfortable when people stared at her so closely. They had left Sally and her husband, Andy, following dinner. It was clear Steve expected her to invite him in for coffee, but Skye hesitated pointedly.

  “Thank you. I had a nice time, too.” Despite the fact her thoughts had been with Jordan the entire evening, still they had managed to enjoy each other’s company.

  Contrary to what Skye had expected, Steve was tall and good looking in a homey, down-to-earth manner. His mustache was an umbrella over a droll smile. He displayed an inherent sensitivity Skye found lacking in other men; his smile was warm and genuine, his laugh easy. She might even have considered seeing him again if it hadn’t been for Jordan.

  “There’s someone else, isn’t there?” He returned her keys to her open palm after unlocking her door.

  Skye’s blue eyes widened. “Is it so obvious?” she asked, feeling a twinge of guilt. “I’m sorry, it must have been a dull evening for you.”

  “Quite the contrary,” he assured her. “I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I guess I should have known a lovely blonde like you would be spoken for.”

  “A lovely blonde like me?” Her smile was negated by a disbelieving slant of her head. “I won’t argue; you’re certainly good for the ego.”

  The masculine line of his mouth curved into a pleasant smile. “I mean it. If things don’t work out for you with this other fellow, give me a call. Andy has my number.” His eyes grew serious. Very gently he placed a fleeting kiss upon her unsuspecting lips before adding, “I’m very interested. Whoever he is, he’s a lucky man.” He opened the apartment door for her and retreated.

  “Good night … Steve.” She faltered slightly over his name. “And thanks again.”

  He turned and gave a friendly wave. “Good-bye, Skye.” He spoke conclusively, as if he was aware he wouldn’t be seeing her again.

  The morning sky was a pale blue. The early-morning fog had dissipated, and the sun shone brightly. A thick covering of rich green leaves was making its appearance on the trees that lined the streets. Skye was up and dressed long before it was time to leave for church. She chose her outfit with care, having saved the powder-blue suit for a special occasion. And what could be more special than attending church with Jordan?

  Her Bible lay on her nightstand, and she reached for it thoughtfully. If only she knew more, she chastised herself, maybe she could answer Jordan’s questions intelligently and persuade him of the truth. A fragile smile formed. Did she consider herself more capable than the Holy Spirit? It was a ludicrous question. No, she had placed Jordan in God’s hands; now she must wait patiently and trust. It was an encouraging sign that he was willing to attend church with her.

  She met Jordan outside at the steps of the church. Again Skye was struck by his basic masculine appeal. The dark suit fit him superbly, accentuating his wide shoulders and tapering to his slim waist and hips.

  His eyes followed her as she approached, his gaze as appreciative as hers was of him. Skye felt elegant today, like a princess in a fairy tale. Certainly nothing to rival Carin Cain, the model she had attempted to imitate that first night with Jordan, but lovely in her own way. The thought crossed her mind that if she didn’t strive for inner beauty as diligently as outer beauty, she would soon be vain.

  Jordan’s arm cupped her elbow possessively when they met. “Did you have a good time last night?” he greeted, his gaze probing hers.

  “It was marvelous, just marvelous,” she said, sighing, then giggled at the flint hardness that stole into his eyes. “Steve turned out to be a very nice gentleman, but I think I must have been rotten company, since my thoughts were with you. In fact—” She smiled broadly. “—it was so obvious, he told me you’re a lucky man.” Tilting her head and patting her hair, she continued, “And in this new outfit I tend to agree with him.”

  Jordan laughed, but then his expression grew sober. “You won’t see him again.” It wasn’t a suggestion but a statement of fact.

  Without argument she nodded and turned her attention to others who were beginning to file into the church. When she happened to glance up, she found Jordan watching her with a look of unbelievable tenderness.

  “I have an irrepressible desire to throw good taste to the wind and startle these churchgoers by kissing the living daylights out of you.”

  A flood of color flushed her face, but her eyes shone with happiness. Jordan’s gaze became obsessively attached to her lips.

  The attraction between them was volatile, and, flirting with danger, Skye provocatively outlined the shape of her lips with the tip of her tongue.

  Jordan paled, his gaze pinning hers. “Stop it, Skye,” he murmured under his breath fiercely. Their eyes remained locked until Skye lowered her gaze.

  It was unlike her to flirt quite so openly, but before she could consider her actions, Jordan’s hand slipped around her waist, and they entered the church together.

  The interior of the building was decorated with lilies, which surrounded the altar. A large flowing banner was suspended from the rafters behind the altar. Its announcement—HE LIVES—was a reminder of the Easter season just passed.

  Skye sat with the members of the choir in the front of the congregation and to the left of the altar.

  The choir number was scheduled midway through the service, before the pastor’s message. Skye was in the front row and stepped forward before the choir for her solo. Slightly nervous, she felt her stomach twitch with the first few notes, but as the song progressed she gained confidence, and her strong, clear voice rang through the church with a richness and clarity that was breathtaking. Her versatile voice had a three-octave range, and the difficulty of the musical score called upon the full range of her ability.

  When the vocal presentation was finished, a hushed awe filled the church. As was the custom there was no applause, which suited Skye. If there were any appreciation for her talent, the praise should be directed to her Creator; He was the One who deserved the glory, not she.

  Brad and his family found Skye and Jordan on the steps of the church after the service. The two men shook hands and chatted easily. Peggy winked at Skye knowingly while Janey skipped blithely up and down the stairs with her friends.

  “It’s good to see you, Jordan.” Brad’s arm was draped around Peggy’s shoulders, holding her protectively close to his side. His smile fell on Skye. “Mom would have been very proud to have heard you today. You were great. I can’t recall a time you sounded better.”

  Skye blushed becomingly. “God and I thank you.” In her heart, she recognized she’d been singing to Jordan. The song was one of joy at the freedom and new life offered through Christ.

  “I
’ve been trying to persuade this stubborn sister of yours to let a friend of mine in the music world listen to her, but Skye won’t hear of it.”

  Skye cast a pleading glance to Brad, but he quickly ignored the silent appeal. “You should, sis.”

  Peggy’s apologetic gaze met Skye’s. “You two leave Skye alone. Let her make her own decisions.”

  Skye sighed, grateful for Peggy’s intervention. “Yeah, you two, leave me alone,” she remarked with a half smile.

  The men spoke for several more minutes while Brad described his new job eagerly.

  “Are you ready to go?” Jordan smiled at her.

  “He’s flying home this afternoon,” Skye explained to her family.

  “Did you get my letter?” Janey wanted to know, leaping three steps at once to land directly in front of Jordan.

  “Sure did, cupcake.” He used Skye’s pet name for her niece. “I’m glad you and Sampson like his house so well.”

  They bid their farewells, and Skye promised to stop by Brad and Peggy’s later for dinner.

  The ride to the airport was quiet and serene. Jordan’s arm rested possessively around her shoulder, and when he tenderly kissed her temple, Skye turned and smiled at him peacefully.

  “Tired?” Her small yawn prompted the question.

  “No, content.” It was so right to feel his arms holding her securely. Though another separation was inevitable, none of the agonies she’d experienced with their first parting remained.

  She felt Jordan’s eyes rest on her thoughtfully, but didn’t turn to intercept his gaze. Gently the pressure of his lips moved across her hair.

  When the car and driver he’d hired pulled along the curb at the airport, the driver stepped out to attend to the luggage.

  Jordan turned Skye to face him, and stared deep into her cobalt-blue eyes, the tenderness unmasked and bare. “We never did have our talk,” he whispered. “There never seems to be enough time to say all the things we need to say.” He paused. “I know it bothers you that I don’t believe in God the same way you do. All I ask is that you be patient with me.” With that he slowly drew her into his arms.

  He’d asked her to be patient, and Skye realized that she’d wait until doomsday for this man. She trembled, anticipating his kiss, then savored the moment with all the longings of her soul. Jordan shuddered, his breathing ragged and barely controlled. He rested his forehead against hers, as if fighting for command of his senses.

  “You go to my head,” he murmured heavily, the warmth of his breath fanning her flushed face.

  “Good thing,” she whispered. “I’d hate to think I was feeling this way alone.”

  Again, he folded her tightly into his arms. “I’ll phone Wednesday evening.” His own voice was as shaky as hers.

  “I’ll be waiting.” Suddenly she was free. She felt cold and dazed without his arms around her …

  “How you doing, Sprout?” Playfully Skye ruffled the crop of short blond hair.

  “All right, I guess,” he said without enthusiasm.

  “Aren’t you feeling well?” Concern knitted her brow; Billy so seldom complained. This subdued behavior was very unlike the gregarious youth Skye had come to love and admire. “Are you going to tell me what’s the matter?” Gently she began to stroke his head, as if to ease his discomfort.

  Indecision moved over his young face. “I … I overheard my mom and Dr. Warren talking,” he began shakily, close to tears. “They didn’t know I could hear them. They thought I was asleep. Dr. Warren told Mom there may be a chance I could walk again, but I’ll need this new kind of operation.” A solitary tear escaped and slid from the corner of his eye onto the white pillowcase. Embarrassed, Billy fiercely wiped his eyes. “My mom needs me to take care of her. Ever since Dad left, she’s been so unhappy. She used to cry all the time—she still cries—but she tries not to let me know. I don’t want to walk just for me. I need to walk for Mom. I’ll be able to look after her then, instead of her looking after me.”

  Billy’s unselfish concern for his mother brought tears shimmering to Skye’s eyes. “Then we must pray very hard, Billy. But most of all, we must believe Jesus loves you and your mother and He knows what’s best for both of you. We must trust Him to do what’s right.”

  “Will you pray with me?” he whispered, almost as if he were afraid prayers were a sign of weakness instead of strength.

  “Of course I will, every night, if you want,” she promised.

  The troubled face relaxed.

  “If you’re able to have the surgery, would you like me to stay with your mother? We could wait and pray together for you.” Billy’s sense of duty was so strong toward his mother, Skye knew this would help him.

  A smile brightened his face. “Would you?”

  “Sure thing, Sprout,” she promised.

  Later that evening, after Skye had sung and entertained the children, Sally joined her in the nurses’ lounge for a cup of coffee.

  “Dr. Warren has begun some of the testing on Billy,” Sally announced.

  “And?” Skye couldn’t disguise the concern that heavily laced her voice.

  “Thus far, it looks favorable, but everything rests on Dr. Snell’s opinion,” Sally explained with tight-lipped anxiety. Elaborating on the details the operation would entail, Sally was interrupted by a volunteer.

  “Skye, there’s a call for you on line one.” Joyce Kimball stuck her head around the door frame. “I had it transferred in here. You can use the phone on the countertop.”

  “Thanks, Joyce.” Setting her cup on the table, Skye moved to the phone. “I wonder who would be phoning me here.”

  Sally slouched indolently and batted her eyelashes teasingly. “I bet it’s Jordan Kiley. He’s fallen for you, my dear girl.”

  “Hardly.” Skye dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand and turned her back on Sally’s wicked gleam.

  “This is Skye Garvin,” she said hesitatingly.

  “Hello, blue eyes.”

  It was Jordan, and the tender affection in his voice brought a tingling sensation to the ends of her nerves. But before she could express her surprise, Jordan continued.

  “Are you free tomorrow afternoon?” The question was abrupt, asked in a brisk voice.

  “Yes.” She moistened her suddenly dry lips. “I can’t think of anything offhand. Why?”

  “Good. I’ll pick you up after school; wait there for me. I haven’t time to explain now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” As quickly as the conversation had begun it was over. Skye turned back to Sally, her expression showing her confusion.

  “Jordan?” Sally asked with a know-it-all attitude.

  Skye nodded, deep in thought. “He’s coming tomorrow but … but he didn’t say why.”

  “This sounds serious to me,” Sally teased, twitching her eyebrows.

  Still thinking about the brief conversation, Skye didn’t notice the dramatic scene Sally was enacting until she glanced upward to witness a paper towel draped over Sally’s head as she slowly marched up an imaginary aisle, singing in her loudest voice the reprise to the wedding march.

  “Here comes the bride … tall, skinny, and snide …” Before she could complete another witticism, Skye threw a pillow in her direction and burst into laughter.

  The afternoon beams of sunlight filtered through the window of Skye’s classroom. Looping a long strand of honey-colored hair behind her ear, she stood from her position on the floor with the children and stretched. A warm sensation grew within her at the beauty of the unspoiled day. With the warm weather the children were anxious to be outside and rose eagerly when the bell rang announcing the close of another day. Within minutes her classroom was empty as the children exploded onto the playground.

  When Skye returned to her desk to straighten a few papers, she caught sight of Jordan through her windows, walking across the school grounds, weaving his way among the children. Unbidden, her senses clamored at the sight of him, and she recognized anew the depth of her feeling for this vi
rile man. His face looked drawn and tired, as if something were weighing on his mind, but the look they exchanged when their eyes met was anything but jaded.

  He entered her classroom, his smile warm and disturbing. “Why is it none of my teachers was ever this beautiful?” he murmured.

  Skye smiled contentedly, standing to greet him.

  “On second thought—” His hand cupped her face, and he peered into her eyes. “—I may never have completed school if you’d been around. It would have been too tempting to flunk.”

  Unable to resist the temptation, Skye planted a tiny kiss at the corner of his mouth. More and more, touching him, kissing him, loving him, was becoming second nature.

  “Are you ready?” his controlled voice asked.

  “In a minute.” Reluctantly she broke from his arms and withdrew her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. “Do I have time to freshen up? I’ll only be a few minutes.” Her fingers rose unconsciously to her colorless lips before running through the tangles of her long curls.

  “I don’t see why you need fresh lipstick. I’m going to kiss it off within minutes anyway,” he teased, the corners of his mouth curved in amusement. “But take all the time you need.”

  When she joined him again, she found him leaning against her desk, glancing through her students’ papers and their still-awkward attempts at letters and numbers. He straightened when she entered, but the drawn look was back in his eyes before he could mask it from her.

  A feather-light kiss brushed her lips. “Mmm, that tasted good.” His head drew back slightly to examine her trembling mouth. “I’ll have another,” he said, and with a diminutive chuckle, he tenderly folded her into his arms.

  “How did you know where I taught?” Skye asked, still descending from the delight of his kiss. The question had troubled her all day. She was sure she’d never mentioned it.

  “You told me at one time or another.” He dismissed her question. “Or perhaps it was Billy.”

  She relaxed. Billy knew, of course. Yet she couldn’t help feeling a little apprehensive. Jordan’s call last night had haunted her most of the day, and looking at him now, she could see he was equally troubled.