LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter Three

      Later that same afternoon, Fanny found one excuse after another to return to the hotel lobby. If she was called away, she took care of the matter quickly and then hurried back to her post behind the registration desk. She was probably overreacting, but she couldn’t shake the notion that Jonathon needed her.

      She knew the exact moment he reentered the hotel. Even if she hadn’t been watching for him, the air actually changed. The atrium felt somehow smaller, his presence was that large and compelling. Everyone else in the building faded in comparison.

      Or maybe that was Fanny’s singular reaction to the man. None of the guests milling about seemed quite as captivated by Jonathon Hawkins as she.

      Of course, she’d been watching for his return. Her concern had grown exponentially with each passing hour. Catching a glimpse of his face and the way he held his shoulders, she knew she’d been right to worry. He was still as distraught as when he’d left.

      He hadn’t seen her yet.

      She took the opportunity to study him without interruption.

      His steps were clipped, purposeful, a man in complete control of his domain. But his eyes. Oh, his eyes. Fanny had never seen that look of raw emotion in his gaze before.

      Hurrying out from behind the registration desk, she cut into his direct line of vision.

      His feet ground to a halt.

      “Jonathon.” Unable to mask her concern, Fanny spoke his name in a rush. No good, no good. That would only entice him to put up his guard.

      She adopted a breezy, businesslike tone and began again. “Tell me what you need. Name it and it’s done.”

      He looked at her oddly, then cracked a half smile. “I appreciate the offer, but everything’s under control.”

      She frowned at the rasp in his voice. “Why don’t I believe you?”

      “Go back to work, Fanny.” He shifted around her and continued on toward his office. Not sure why she couldn’t leave him alone, she grabbed her coat from behind the registration desk and then hurried to catch up with him again.

      His pace slowed.

      She easily fell into step beside him.

      He cast her a sidelong glance but didn’t tell her to go away. Progress.

      “You do realize, Jonathon, that you have the look.”

      His footsteps stopped altogether. “What look?”

      “Whenever something goes wrong in the hotel, a groove shows up right...there.” She pointed to a spot in the middle of his forehead.

      A strangled laugh rumbled out of his chest. “You know me well.”

      Not really. A mild glumness took hold of her. She didn’t know him nearly as well as she wished, but enough to know how to lighten his mood.

      She took his arm and steered him back in the direction he’d just come. “The snow is falling and you owe me a walk. I’m even prepared.”

      She gestured with her coat.

      He stared down at her for an endless moment, so long, in fact, that she thought he might turn down her offer a second time in one day. But then he nodded and started for the exit with quick, even strides.

      She had to break into a trot to keep up with him. Much to her relief, he slowed once they were outside.

      They walked at a reasonable pace, falling into a companionable silence as they headed toward the heart of downtown Denver. The afternoon air was scented with fresh snow and a hint of pine. Fat, languid flakes floated softly around them, creating a surreal, almost wistful feel to the moment.

      Fanny treasured these brisk walks with Jonathon, when it was just the two of them working out an issue in the hotel.

      Although today she sensed the problem was more personal in nature. Something from his past?

      She thought of what little she knew of his difficult childhood, so very different from her own. One of seven siblings, Fanny had been raised in a large, gregarious family on a ranch ten miles north of Denver. There’d always been plenty of food on the Mitchell table. Love and laughter had been abundant, as well, with the added bonus of parents who lived out their faith daily.

      Fanny couldn’t imagine the hardships Jonathon had endured. The thought made her stumble. He caught hold of her elbow, letting go only when she regained her balance.

      “I failed to ask you earlier,” he said, resuming his quick pace. “Did Mrs. Singletary have any questions about or concerns over the setup for her ball?”

      “None. She seemed quite pleased with the preparations.”

      “Good to know.” He drew to a stop.

      Fanny followed suit.

      Something quite wonderful passed between them.

      “I appreciate you taking over in my absence with Mrs. Singletary.” He plucked a snowflake off Fanny’s shoulder, tossed it away with a flick of his fingers. “You always manage to make me look good. Thank you, Fanny.”

      “It’s I who should thank you,” she countered, meaning it with all her heart.

      Prior to working at the hotel, she’d been caught up in the various roles others had assigned to her. The dutiful daughter. The adored sister. The accomplished beauty. She’d found favor wherever she went, had never taken a misstep and certainly never let anyone down.

      Perhaps that was why her family had been confused and deeply concerned when she’d broken her engagement to Reese Bennett Jr., a man they had deemed her perfect match. Though her parents had been quick to support her decision, her behavior had set tongues wagging all over Denver. The ensuing scandal had been nearly impossible to bear.

      Jonathon had come to her rescue, offering her the opportunity to manage the registration desk at his Chicago hotel. She’d leaped at the chance to leave town. Or rather, to escape the gossip.

      Fanny wasn’t particularly proud of her cowardice, but some good had come from her attempt to run away from the problem. She’d spent a lot of hours in her rented room in Chicago. After much prayer and soul-searching, she’d come to the realization that she was more than a pretty face, more than what others expected her to be.

      Now, back in Denver once again, she would like to think she’d found where she belonged. At the Hotel Dupree. She knew better, of course. She loved her job, but...

      Something was missing. Her very own happy-ever-after that four of her six siblings had already found and were living out on a daily basis.

      Gazing up into Jonathon’s remarkable blue eyes, she felt a hopeless sense of longing spread through her. He’s not for you, she reminded herself. He doesn’t want what you want.

      If only...

      She knew better

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