Read Online Song of Solomon by Kendra Norman-Bellamy - Free Book Online Page A

. . .”
    Neil leaned back and broke into a hearty laugh that caused the children in the seats nearest them to briefly turn and look before resuming their own conversations. He was probably getting too much pleasure from the exchange between Shaylynn and him. Although her words were straightforward and her facial expressions matched them to perfection, Neil felt a twinge of toying in Shaylynn’s interaction. He knew that it was most likely all wishful thinking, but he enjoyed it anyway.
    â€œCome on, Mrs. Ford. Cut us a break. Besides, the Hawks are playing a whole lot better now than they’ve played in recent history. You have to give us that much.”
    â€œAnd I will.” She returned his smile. “Yes, they are doing better. Their games don’t get blacked out on the cable networks like they used to. They’ve been impressive in a couple of playoff challenges in recent years. There’s hope of a championship for them yet.”
    Neil laughed again, and then said, “Your knowledge of sports is commendable.” His eyes followed her hands as they reached into her purse and pulled out a pair of sunglasses of her own. The studded Baby Phat emblem showed on the frame. “Not many women that I know are sports fans. Where did you get your love for the game?”
    â€œThe words fan and love are far too strong, Dr. Taylor. I assure you that.” She paused as she blew her warm breath on the lenses of her glasses and wiped them with the end of her multi-colored silk blouse. “I don’t have a love for sports, and I can’t say that I’m a fan of any particular team. I just got into the habit of watching the games with Emmett, and occasionally, I still watch with Chase.”
    Although she looked directly ahead and not at him, Neil could see the sadness gradually return to Shaylynn’s eyes. “Emmett?” He had little doubt that he didn’t already know the answer, but Neil fished for assurance.
    Shaylynn took a moment to slip the sunglasses on her face, and then she relaxed her head against the back of the seat. “My husband.”
    Shaylynn’s voice that had once been strong was barely audible when she spoke the two words, but they were loud and clear to Neil’s ears. Not her former husband, not her deceased husband, not her late husband . . . but her husband. Neil bitterly took note of that. Shaylynn’s body language clearly stated that she didn’t want the conversation to continue, but as Neil caught a new sparkle from her wedding set, he knew he had to keep talking. Not necessarily about Emmett. As a matter of fact, he didn’t even want to talk about Emmett. But he needed to talk about something . He needed to establish a level of trust between them so that he could get to know her better. Neil’s fascination was too strong to let go now.
    â€œSo is there anything about Atlanta that you like?” He thought he’d take it back to their original conversation, and when Shaylynn turned in his direction and delivered to him a faint smile, Neil figured he’d made a good decision.
    â€œHave I led you to believe that I hate the city?”
    â€œYou don’t?”
    Shaylynn sat up straight. “Of course not. I wouldn’t live here if I hated it. I do have options, you know.”
    â€œI don’t doubt that one bit. I’d guess that you have more choices than most.” Neil tried to mask his allusive tone, but from the look Shaylynn tossed him, he knew he’d failed. Quickly moving on, he asked, “So what do you like about Atlanta?”
    After a thoughtful pause, she replied, “Well, for starters, I like Kingdom Builders Academy.”
    Neil couldn’t have withheld his pleasure if he’d tried. “That’s good to know. I take that as a personal compliment. Whenever the school gets a high mark from a parent, it makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”
    Shaylynn looked