Through Jenna's Eyes

“Almost ten.”

“I can’t believe I slept so late.” But then, she hadn’t slept all that well last night knowing Logan had been only a few paces away.

“And that’s why we need to get a move on,” he said. “Before Avery finds out you’ve been gone all night.”

Jenna wouldn’t be surprised if her dad had already called home only to connect to the voice mail. “My personal life isn’t my father’s business, and what happened last night doesn’t qualify as questionable. I slept on your couch, and you kept watch over me from a chair.”

“I still plan to have you home well before he arrives.” He caught her hand and wrapped it firmly in his. “Come on. I’ll help you get dressed.”

Plainly, he was more than ready to be rid of her. “I can dress myself, thank you.”

“I’ll hang around, anyway, to make sure you’re okay.”

“Suit yourself.”

Jenna allowed Logan to guide her into the bathroom where she took care of her morning ritual while he played watchdog outside the door. She managed to slide the blouse over her head, but when she attempted to close the skirt’s back zipper, it wouldn’t budge. At times like these, she wished she had a closet full of shapeless shifts and elastic waistbands, or the return of her sight.

Only one option existed at the moment—swallowing her pride. “I need some help, Logan.”

The door creaked open. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing serious,” she said, keeping her back to him. “Just a malfunctioning zipper. And if you’re like most guys, you’ve had a lot of practice with women’s zippers.”

“I’m better at lowering them, but I’ll give it a shot.”

Though his voice held a touch of amusement, Jenna couldn’t quite shake the sudden images his comment evoked as he moved behind her. “If you can’t fix it, then I guess I’ll have to wear your shirt home, after all.”

“I can handle it.” Bracing his hand on her hips, he tugged her toward him and went to work.

After only a single attempt, Jenna felt the zipper dislodge, followed by Logan saying, “You’re all set.”

She turned to thank him, swayed forward and in order to right herself, landed her hands on a wide expanse of powerhouse bare chest. “You’re not wearing a shirt.” A brilliant observation on her part.

He clasped her waist. “You have my shirt.”

Clearly, her brain’s command center didn’t feel the need to remove her hands. “If that’s the only shirt you own, you need to ask my father for more money.”

“I own several shirts. I just haven’t put one on, yet.”

She’d found that out the pleasant way. “I see. Or maybe it’s because I don’t see. You could be naked, and I’d never know.”

“I’m not naked.” He shifted closer. “I’m wearing a smile.”

Without thought, her hands drifted down his firm sides until she contacted a denim waistband. “Very funny. You really had me fooled for a minute.”

“Anything else you need from me?”

She could think of several things, most of which wouldn’t be wise. Interesting, yes. Prudent, no. Reluctantly, she dropped her arms to her sides. “I should probably go home now. I need to take a shower.”

“I have a shower, and I’d be glad to help.”

How simple it would be to take him up on the offer. How very easy to forget why she couldn’t acknowledge this overriding chemistry between them. “Believe me, I’ve showered by myself before. Every morning, in fact.”

“Fine, but if you decide on the way home that you’d like my assistance, just let me know.”

“Do you know where you’re going, Logan?”

Straight into a ditch if he didn’t keep his eyes on the road and off of her. “I’ve been to your place before.”

“Really? When was that?”

He glanced at Jenna to find her frowning. “About two years ago, when I first contracted with your dad. He invited me to a dinner party.”

“Apparently, I wasn’t in attendance at that little soiree.”

“No, you weren’t there.” Without a doubt, he would’ve remembered if she had been.

“I must have been busy, otherwise I’m sure I would have been playing the perfect hostess to my father’s perfect corporate crusader.” Her sarcasm was unmistakable.

“You don’t sound like you enjoy that scene,” he said.

“Not really, but I view it as a favor to my father.”

Logan could relate to family loyalty. “What else do you do in your spare time these days, aside from being a hostess?”

“I listen to audio books, mostly nonfiction, although I do enjoy a good legal thriller now and then. I’ve been learning Braille and several foreign languages, and when Calvin’s not carting me to doctor’s appointments, he drives me to the library twice a week where I tell stories to preschoolers.”

He wasn’t all that surprised by the revelation, although he was impressed. “I could tell you like being around kids when I saw you with my nephew.”

“Yes, I do.” She sighed. “They don’t pass judgment or patronize me. Basically they view me as a storyteller who happens to be blind, not the other way around.”

He sensed that was important to her—being treated like an average person. As far as Logan was concerned, Jenna Fordyce was anything but average.

“What do you do when you’re not working?” she asked.

“I go to sporting events when I have some spare time. And on Sunday, I have lunch with the family.” Although, he’d missed those gatherings several times over the past few months, something that didn’t sit well with his mother.

“That means you’re going to be late to your lunch because of me,” she said.

“It’s not going to matter if I’m late.” He would receive more grief from his sister for not jumping back into the dating loop, and from his brothers who claimed he’d lost his touch with women. Come to think of it, he could remedy that harassment—at least, temporarily—with one suggestion. “Since Avery won’t be back until later, you should come with me. The food’s simple, but the company’s good.”

When she didn’t immediately respond, Logan glanced in her direction to find her deep in thought. “Well?” he asked.

“I should stay home in case he arrives early.” She sent him an apologetic smile. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll have to pass.”

Logan couldn’t explain his disappointment, nor did he want to acknowledge it. But he did feel it. “Not a problem.”

The conversation waned for the next few miles until Logan approached the estate—a house that looked as if it could hold five families. “We’re at the entrance,” he said as they pulled into the drive.