“I guess,” he answered, unconvinced.
Setting down her food, Anna looked at him with hesitation in her eyes. “If you’re bored with this already, I understand. Not everyone is a history geek like me. You don’t have to feel obligated to continue searching. I will, simply because I enjoy the process, and I can let you know what I find.”
“What?” He snapped his head backward.
“You don’t seem as eager tonight.” Her shoulders trembled slightly before she shrugged. “Maybe that’s not the right word. Distracted maybe? Seriously, I’m fine if you don’t want to continue.”
“Good grief, Anna.” He blew out an exasperated breath. “Didn’t we just establish we are friends? If I wanted to give up, I’d respect you enough to tell you. It’s only been a week.”
“Well, the option is there if you ever want to take it.”
“I’m not giving up,” he answered through a clenched jaw. What was wrong with him? He had no reason to speak harshly to her. “I’m sorry. It’s been a weird day, that’s all.”
“Want to talk about it?”
He shook his head. “Thanks, though.”
They returned to eating, finishing the meal in relative silence. Forty-five minutes into their work for the night, he still couldn’t focus.
Finally, he sighed, and gave in to curiosity. “Does Kelly really think I would hurt you if we were to date?”
Anna jerked her head upward and stared at him with widened eyes. “That’s what is bothering you?”
“Wouldn’t you be upset if one of your siblings had such a low opinion of you?”
“Kelly adores you, but you have to admit, you don’t have the best track record when it comes to women.” She shook her head. “Why does it matter? We’re not dating and neither of us have any intention of doing so.”
“Because my honor’s at stake.”
“Your honor?” Her eyebrows rose.
“I admit, I’m not the poster child for a committed relationship, but I’ve never, not once, led any woman to believe I was interested in something I wasn’t. That’s not who I am.”
Anna reached across the table and covered his hand in a sisterly manner. “I, nor your sister, believe you’d ever intentionally cause pain to anyone. But emotions are tricky. You can hurt a heart without meaning to. That’s all your sister meant.”
The sting lessened but didn’t disappear. He forced a smile. “Not that it matters, like you said. We’re friends. You’re like another kid sister to me.”
“Exactly.” She pulled her hand away.
The warmth of her touch lingered, unnerving him further. “For what it’s worth, I’ll call Kelly tomorrow and tell her what’s going on. I probably should have done that to begin with.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Her gaze wouldn’t meet his. “We should probably get back to work if you want to find answers.”
“Right,” he murmured.
For a brief second, he regretted finding the message in a bottle. How could one little event upturn his emotions? He didn’t like it. Not one bit.
Chapter Six
Anna checked the clock for the third time that morning, debating whether to call Jack.
Frustrated that two weeks had passed without finding a single hint to Edwin and D’s identity, she’d stayed up entirely too late last night doing more research. Edwin may not have been as popular of a name as Edward during the nineteenth century, but it was common enough a lead should have appeared. At three in the morning, she’d finally stumbled upon a possible clue.
It was seven-thirty now. Jack had called her early on the day he found the bottle. He wouldn’t mind a call now, would he? She knew the real reason she hesitated.
Last week had been weird.
Her cheeks heated at the memory. She couldn’t believe she admitted she’d had a crush on him. Yet that wasn’t the oddest part of the evening. Jack had always come across carefree and uncaring what others thought of him, which is why she’d been shocked he’d been so hurt over his sister’s perceived opinion of him.
