Against the Wind by Gwynne Forster

Author:Gwynne Forster
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-58571-589-3
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2010-10-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Deep in thought, Leslie let her gaze sweep her surroundings, while Jordan parked the car and Clifford dashed into the house to show Julia his cake and tell her about his visit with Minnie Haynes. She entered the house and realized that she was loathe to resume her role as cook and maid. For most of the day, she had been her old self, unencumbered by concern for her safety, enveloped in the affection that Minnie always showered on her and toe to toe with Jordan while they bantered as equals.

“Pull yourself together, girl,” she told herself and headed for the kitchen, where she knew Julia would be preparing supper.

“You cooked dinner today, so I’ll do the supper,” she told Julia.

“Shucks, you’ll do no such thing. If Jordan had wanted you to help with the dinner, he wouldn’t have taken you with him and Clifford. We’ll do it together.”

Leslie thanked her, hurried over to her apartment and changed her clothes.

“You sure do know how to tone yourself down,” Julia said when Leslie walked back into the kitchen. “You came in here glowing, fresh as spring dew. Honey, you’re a genius. Didn’t take you but fifteen minutes to get rid of your sex appeal.”

Leslie knew she was in for a lecture on Julia’s favorite subject when the woman braced her hips with her hands and put an expression of impatience on her face. “Tell me why you don’t take advantage of your God-given attributes. Sex appeal is no disgrace. If you ask me, it’s a disgrace—no, it’s a curse—not to have it.” She patted her perfect coiffeur. “You won’t catch me looking plain and sexless and my Cal starting to get a roving eye.”

Leslie didn’t take offense. Julia wanted every man to look at her, but only Cal should touch her. “You’re hopeless, Julia. I’m not getting dolled up to peel onions and scrape potatoes.”

“No? Men don’t go blind just because they walk into the kitchen. Always put your best foot forward, my mother used to say.”

She heard footsteps on the back porch, and in a few seconds, Jordan stepped through the door. When he looked at her, his face brightened, and he walked over to her and slung his left arm around her shoulder.

“Jordan, I’m…I’m busy,” she stammered and glanced toward Julia to gauge her reaction to Jordan’s familiarity. But Julia pretended not to see them and concentrated on slicing ham for the men’s supper.

When Jordan hugged her, Leslie knew he was telling both her and Julia what he thought of Julia’s attitude toward his feelings for the woman in his arms. She wiped the onion-induced tears from her cheek, and Jordan, misunderstanding their source, folded her into his full embrace.

“What’s wrong, Leslie? Tell me what’s the matter.”

She resisted snuggling up to him and letting herself enjoy the sweetness of his caress. “It’s nothing. Honest. I always cry when I slice onions.”

He didn’t release her, and while she stood sheltered in his arms, Julia walked over to them. “Cut the onion in half, lay the cut side down and then slice.

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