Read Online Loving Hearts by Gail Gaymer Martin - Free Book Online

expansive terrazzo foyer. She was greeted by voices and laughter coming from a great room that lay ahead of her. Feeling terribly out of place, she edged behind Rachel as they entered the room.
    Through an archway she spotted a formal dining room enticing people inside to investigate the trays of hors d’oeuvres and platters of desserts she could see in the distance. Stepping sideways, she hoped to vanish into the less occupied room, but before she escaped, Jeff dragged over the first prospect.
    “Esther, this is Jim Mason. He works the registration desk.”
    Esther nodded. “Hi. I believe we’ve met.”
    For a heartbeat his face blanched with no obvious recognition, but Esther saved the day.
    “I dropped by a few days ago to talk with Ian Barry. You buzzed him to say I was on my way down the hall.”
    “Right,” he said, looking relieved. “I remember.Yes.” He moved closer to her side. “I didn’t know your name then. Now I do.”
    “You do,” Esther said, watching Rachel and Jeff glide away into the crowd, filled with hope. “I was just heading in to look at the buffet.”
    “May I get you a drink?” he asked, moving along beside her. “Wine or a cocktail?”
    “Nothing alcoholic. Just a soft drink. Thanks,” she said.
    A curious look spread across his face. “Okay, a soda it’ll be.”
    He scooted past her, heading for the beverage table beyond the overflowing dining-room table. Esther paused and eyed the fare. Shrimp, mushroom caps, ham roll-ups, pâtés, cheese, veggie tray, crackers, dips of all kinds. Not really hungry but needing something to distract her, she lifted a luncheon-size crystal plate and selected a sampling of appetizers.
    When Jim reappeared, she accepted the drink, then stood beside him with both hands full, trying to figure out how she could juggle them to taste the snacks.
    “Let’s join the others,” Jim said, beckoning her to follow.
    If she’d had a choice, Esther would have dropped both items and dashed for the elevator, but she clung to one hope—Ian. He’d promised to save her. Esther hadn’t seen him when she arrived, but thinking back, she realized she’d made a dash for the dining room without looking around.
    Praying Ian was there somewhere, Esther followed Jim into the great room. Observing him with unbiased eyes, she admitted he was a clean-cut, nice-looking guy. Though she saw nothing wrong with him, she knew he’d been primed to get to know her better, and that in itself turned her into a warrior.
    Guests mingled around the room—some standing in clusters, others seated in conversation areas, but Esther was intrigued by filtered sunlight spreading patterns on the beige carpet. She directed her gaze toward the French doors that opened to a wide balcony. As she neared, she could see fading sunlight spilling over the Lake Michigan horizon.
    Though she preferred the quiet and less crowded second-floor terrace, she followed Jim, trying to balance her plate and drink as she maneuvered. He finally halted beside a small group of what she assumed were co-workers. As she tried to hold her drink while grasping a mushroom cap from her plate, a hand touched her shoulder, and her heart leaped when she turned and saw him.
    “Hi. I’ve been looking for you,” Ian said.
    A sense of security flooded her, and she felt her tension ease. “I wondered where you were.”
    Jim drew back and eyed Ian, his face unsmiling. “I take it you two are friends,” he said.
    “That’s right.” Ian rested a hand on Esther’s shoulder. “I’d like to borrow her if you don’t mind.” He sent Esther a comforting look.
    “No problem,” Jim said. A slight frown settled on his face.
    “Philip Somerville wants to meet you. He’s pleased with the proposal,” Ian said, linking Esther’s arm in his. “I told him you’d be here.”
    “You didn’t,” Esther said, her emotions giving way to disbelief. “Did he wonder why I was here?”
    “He acted as if he knew,” Ian said.