Head Over Heels Read Free Page A

quite a bit of research, first on the history and infrastructure of the old building, and also…on you.”
    She held the newspaper out to him, and Russ’s hand trembled as he accepted it. Was it possible the newspaper knew more about what had happened than he did?

Chapter Two
    M arielle watched Russ’s eyes widen, then squeeze shut after he read the front-page headline: Near Death at Downtown Office.
    â€œI don’t believe this….” He opened his eyes and continued reading. “I’m not nearly dead. It was only the third floor! And they’re being really vague about whether I jumped or fell. I don’t remember what happened, but I certainly didn’t jump.” He reached up to touch the bridge of his nose, but stopped when his fingers brushed the bandage. “They even quoted a few people I work with as saying they didn’t know what happened.” He lowered the paper to his lap. “In one sentence the reporter insinuated that I jumped, and then in the next says it’s unconfirmed. How can they print this?”
    Marielle looked into his face. All the training and courses she’d taken for her position as volunteer counselor at her church told her that he was sincere. Hereally hadn’t jumped, and she’d been worried about him for nothing. It was simply an accident.
    â€œBecause sensationalism sells, I guess.”
    â€œI suppose. The truth is often boring.”
    A silence hung between them for a few minutes.
    â€œI guess you’re here to make arrangements for your car. I probably left a pretty big dent. May I see your estimate?”
    Marielle felt her cheeks heat up. “I haven’t got an estimate yet. I was busy last night, and I’m on my way to work right now. I actually came just to see how you were, and to return your wallet. I had better get going or I’m going to be late.”
    â€œLet me give you my phone number, then, and call me as soon as you know. Would you give me your phone number, too?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œI want you to know that if you hadn’t been there, I would have been seriously injured, maybe even permanently disabled. I know your car was damaged. I don’t want to be more of an inconvenience to you than I’ve already been. If you go to your insurance agent and this raises your rates for the next few years, I want to know, and I’d like to pay the difference.”
    Marielle stood and smiled. “Thanks. That’s really nice of you.”
    She turned to go, but she’d only taken one step when a man of average build and height who looked to be in his mid-forties appeared in the doorway. When he saw her standing beside the bed, he quickly turned his head to check the number on the door, then continued inside.His polite smile, easy demeanor and friendly brown eyes immediately made Marielle feel relaxed.
    When he turned to Russ his smile faltered, but he recovered quickly. “Hi, Russ. You’ve looked better.”
    â€œThanks. I needed to hear that. I’ve felt better, too. Grant, this is, uh, Mary Ellen, is it?”
    â€œYou’re close. It’s Marielle. But don’t worry about it. It happens all the time.”
    â€œI’m so sorry. Grant, this is Marielle, the woman whose car I landed on. Marielle, this is Grant, my boss.”
    Grant immediately grasped her hand. “I’m so glad to meet you. I asked about you when the ruckus died down, but no one knew who you were, or where you came from. You were like Cinderella, disappearing at the stroke of midnight. You were in the paper with your statement—but then things get so busy. And the calls…”
    Marielle smiled sympathetically. “I’ve had lots of questions about yesterday, too.”
    â€œI want to do something to make it up to you. After all, Russ is my best employee. But now that we’re face to face, I wish I knew what to suggest.”
    â€œI was simply put in the