The sound of his amusement followed her as she went below.
The mood became more serious as their discussion continued on other subjects.Although their opinions varied, and they were just as prone to argue over something as agree, their differences were not so far removed.Except for one—God and a personal relationship with Him.
Jordan’s knowledge of music surprised Skye, and she noted how he cleverly steered the conversation to her singing.
“You have a marvelous talent,” he reminded her.“I’d like for you to reconsider my offer and let Dan Murphy listen to you.”
Skye laughed and dismissed his offer with a shrug.
“You can be persistent, can’t you?Singing for money would take all the fun out of it for me.Besides, I already am a professional.”
His eyes widened curiously.
“Teacher,” Skye added.
“Do you enjoy teaching that much?”
Dragging her fingertips along the surface of the water, Skye straightened.“There are days I wonder, but then I’ve always loved children, and teaching is what I do best.”
“You actually enjoy children?”He made it sound like a character defect.
“I’m a teacher, I’d better,” she told him adamantly.“I think the younger the better.It’s difficult for me to watch Janey grow up.I see her developing into a young woman and it tears at my heart.I don’t want her to become independent and self-reliant.In the beginning it was almost as if Janey were my own child.She’s named after me, you know.”Skye laughed at his expression.“Poor kid, getting stuck with an ordinary name likeJane.”
His eyes held hers with mocking reproof.“There’s nothing plain about you.But if you’re so keen on children, why don’t you have one?”
“I will, if I marry.”
“In case you haven’t heard, a girl doesn’t need to be married to have a baby,” he countered quickly, some of the teasing gone from his voice.
“This girl does.”
“I see.It’s like choking down your vegetables before being allowed to sample the delights of dessert.”
Her eyes fell, avoiding his.“If that’s the way you want to look at marriage, then I guess so.Do you find marriage so objectionable?”
His facial muscles softened, and the smile he gave her was warm and gentle.“No.As a matter of fact, I agree with you.I wanted to get married once, but the lady was more interested in a career than in a family—or in committing herself to one man, for that matter.”
The woman had been mad, Skye decided, to reject Jordan’s love.“Do you still love her?”The question popped out before she had a chance to censor it.Just thinking Jordan loved another brought a sharp pain to her midsection.
“No.Whatever I felt for her died long ago.”
Skye risked a glance at Jordan and relaxed.
“Do you still love him?”Jordan asked unexpectedly.
“Who?”
“The one you’ve been eating your heart out over.”
Confused and unsure of how to respond, Skye looked away.“Yes, I guess I do.”
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.
