Where the Heart Lies Read Free Page A

I’ve become more mindful of the importance of family in my life.”
    “Well, I’m sure they’re happy to have you back.” Jordan forced a smile, but her anxiety persisted. For heaven’s sake, what did he want after all these years? The tension crackling between them suggested this was more than a friendly social call.
    Clay opened his mouth as though he intended to speak again, then snapped it shut. After a pause he said, “I have to run. It was good seeing you again, Jordan. Nice to meet you, Adele.”
    As he disappeared out the door, Jordan released a long, shuddery breath. She busied herself preparing books for sale, hoping Adele wouldn’t notice her fingers trembling.
    “What’s the story with him?” Adele inquired, her thin brows arched.
    “He’s just an old friend from university.”
    Adele’s hand went to her hip. “You look as pale as a ghost. He looked shell-shocked when he left. I think there’s a lot more to this story. I think you two were a serious item at one time.”
    “It was a long time ago.” Jordan’s shoulders jerked up. “Last time I saw Clay, he was boarding a plane for Peru.”
    “ Peru ?”
    “He’s an archeologist. He was offered an internship on a two-year excavation of Incan ruins, his first big opportunity after graduation. He went, I stayed, and that was that.”
    Drawing a sudden sharp breath, Adele snapped her fingers, her eyes widening. “I knew I recognized him. He was the host of that TV show, Secrets of the Ancient World . I thought an archeology show would be dry and boring, but it was fascinating. He travels all over the world, to the most isolated locations, exploring ancient caves and cities and temples—famous places and ones I’ve never even heard of.”
    “Just his element,” Jordan remarked. She well remembered Clay’s burning desire to discover for himself all the cultural treasures in the far reaches of the planet.
    “I thought Clay was handsome in person,” Adele went on, grinning wickedly, “but I have to say, astride a horse in the hot desert, or slashing his way through the jungle, he’s a drop-dead sexy man.” She crossed her arms in mock indignation. “Jordan, we’ve been friends for years. I’m shocked you’ve never even mentioned him to me.”
    “Some things are better left in the past.” Jordan drew another deep breath to settle herself. Clay was gone now, it was over, and nothing in her life had changed as a result of the encounter. Then why had it rattled her so much?
    “You must have a pretty good reason for leaving a gorgeous man like that in the past,” Adele persisted.
    “As it happens, I do.”
    “I wonder why he came by.” Her friend cast her a sideways glance. “He said you knew each other eleven years ago. Maybe he thinks Molly is his child.”
    Startled, Jordan stiffened. “Don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t even know how old she is.”
    Adele lifted her shoulders. “Sorry. It’s just the way he was looking at her, like a deer caught in headlights, I thought that might be the reason.”
    “He just came by because he was curious to see how I was doing,” Jordan insisted, though not as confident of the fact as she sounded. “And now he’s gone. I’m sure that’s the last I’ll see of Clay McAdam.”

     
     
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    “So when are you going to confront her?” Sheryl asked, impatient, as she grated mozzarella cheese with brisk strokes into a bowl. She glanced up briefly to skewer Clay with a probing look.
    He shook his head, leaning heavily against the kitchen counter. “I told you, I couldn’t say anything yesterday. Molly was there.”
    His sister didn’t speak again as she continued her vigorous grating, her lips pressed into a tight line. Then she set what remained of the block of cheese on the counter and turned her full attention on Clay, splaying her hand absently over the swell of her pregnant belly. Though her second child was due in four weeks, Sheryl showed no sign of slowing