CHAPTER 13

Jonathan sprinted across the busy street beside Corinne, Will, and Emma, trying not to gawk like a tourist. The flashing sign for Ruby’s Roller Palace bathed the sidewalk below with a reddish-orange glow. Corinne and Will continued toward the entrance, chatting amiably, but Emma came to a full stop, staring up at the lights as though heading to the guillotine.

Jonathan gave her a nudge with his elbow. “Relax. This will be fun.”

He couldn’t believe how much he was looking forward to this evening. When was the last time they’d done something enjoyable? Randall’s words kept ringing in his head. “Sometimes we have to fight for the people we love.” Maybe Jonathan wasn’t one hundred percent ready to be so self-sacrificing. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to keep fighting to win Emma’s heart.

“Easy for you to say,” she said. “I haven’t been on skates of any kind since I was ten years old. And even then my sense of balance wasn’t the best.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll catch you if you fall.” Jonathan winked at her. “It could even be romantic.”

Emma’s eyes widened and her cheeks blazed crimson. Jonathan held back a grin. It was certainly entertaining to keep her off-balance, saying things she least expected. And once they were out on the rink, Emma would be physically off-balance too. He hoped it would afford him the opportunity to get close to her and, if possible, begin to woo her with his charms.

“Why couldn’t Corinne have chosen a nice restaurant or a night at the theatre? Something less physical?” she groused.

“Perhaps she loves to skate.”

“That she does.” Will and Corinne stood before them, likely having come back to see what was keeping them. Will laughed. “From what I’ve heard, Corinne’s an expert roller skater, as well as an ice skater in the winter.”

“Oh, now ice skating is something I’d love to try.” Emma’s eyes lit with enthusiasm. “I’ve always loved the winter. I understand you get much more snow here than we do at home.”

“We do,” Will said. “You have to learn to love outdoor activities, like sledding and skiing, in order to make the most of the winter months. Otherwise, you’ll end up feeling like a prisoner until spring. Isn’t that right, Corinne?” He smiled at the girl beside him.

“True.” A strong gust of wind whipped blond strands of hair across her face. She patted them back in place with red-gloved hands. “I feel bad for Marianne though. There’s not much she can do in the winter since it’s so hard to wheel her chair through the snow.”

Emma’s face softened. “That poor dear. What hardships she’s had to endure.”

“Which is why Papa is so protective of her.” Corinne sent Emma a rather frosty stare.

Jonathan held back a sigh. Corinne seemed to be jealous of Marianne’s instant attachment to her new sister. And also, if Jonathan’s hunch was correct, jealous of Emma’s burgeoning friendship with Will.

“Let’s head inside, shall we?” Will motioned toward the door.

Together, they entered the dimly lit building. Jonathan blinked, trying to adjust to the lighting. The smell of popcorn and cotton candy filled the air, along with the slightly sour odor of sweaty feet. The closer they got to the rink, the louder the piped-in music became.

Corinne led the way to a long counter, where a man greeted them. Will took out a few bills, given to him by Professor Moore before they left, and paid the required skate rental fee for everyone.

Although he was excited about the evening, Jonathan still had his reservations, but at least Emma was along so he could keep an eye on her. He knew she hoped she could make some headway with Corinne, yet something niggled at Jonathan as to Corinne’s true motive for inviting him on this outing in the first place.

Corinne and Will, both clearly good skaters, whizzed onto the rink as soon as their boots were laced. Emma had trouble getting to her feet and held onto the wall in a rather undignified fashion.

Jonathan bit back a grin, knowing she would not appreciate him finding humor at her expense. “Let me get my legs under me with a few laps around the rink,” he said, “and I’ll come back to help you.” He hated to leave her alone, but it wouldn’t do Emma any good if he were as wobbly as she.

“I’m not going anywhere.” She looked adorable in her bright blue jacket and matching hat.

Gingerly, Jonathan stepped out onto the rink, keeping near the wall until he gained his balance. When he finally felt confident enough, he glided out among the skaters. He’d finished one full lap when he felt a tug on his arm.

“There you are.” Corinne wound her arm through his. “You’re not so bad at this after all.”

“It’s been a long time, but it comes back pretty quickly.” He twisted to look over his shoulder. “Where’s Will?”

She frowned. “Skating with some girl from work.” Corinne’s fair hair streamed out from under the red tam she was wearing. She pulled Jonathan forward. “Come on, let’s show them how fast we can go.”

Before he could argue, she propelled him forward, closer to the center where the faster skaters flew by, and he was forced to concentrate on keeping up with her or risk being trampled. Clearly an expert, Corinne kept a firm grip on his arm while weaving them in and out of the crowd in time with the music. Gradually Jonathan found himself enjoying the rush of the air as they glided, and as his confidence grew, his muscles relaxed, allowing him to skate with more fluidity.

“See, isn’t this fun?” Corinne laughed up at him as they turned a bend.

Jonathan caught a glimpse of a woman in bright blue gripping the side walls and guilt tugged at him. “It is, but I promised to help Emma.”

“Let Will take care of her. After all, I asked you out this evening, and if it hadn’t been for my father, we’d be here alone.” She moved her face closer to his, and for an instant, Jonathan thought she was going to kiss him.

He pulled back and attempted to disengage his arm from hers. What had gotten into the girl? “There’s Will now.” Relief flooded him as he waved the chap over. “Will, take over here for me. I have to help Emma.”

Ignoring Corinne’s scowl, Jonathan made a quick escape and headed in the direction he’d last seen Emma.

The loud music finally changed to something slower in tempo, cueing the skaters to reduce their pace around the rink. Couples seemed to pair off, moving in time to the romantic song as though waltzing across a dance floor. At least for the moment, Emma didn’t fear being mowed down by the speedsters. She released a breath and attempted to move away from the wall. There was no way she would stand on the sidelines while Corinne monopolized Jonathan. Not if Emma had anything to say about the matter.

Jonathan had promised to be right back, yet it seemed he’d forgotten all about her, becoming totally enthralled by skating with Corinne. At one point their heads had been so close, Emma was sure they were kissing—and in public no less. Had Jonathan lost his mind?

The fact that she was so annoyed by his behavior only irritated Emma more. She did not need Jonathan in order to have a good time. She would make her way on her own.

The heat of her anger shored her courage. Emma lurched around the oval rink, taking as much care as possible to avoid the infatuated couples. Where was Will? Perhaps he’d come to her aid and steady her.

“Emma! Wait up.”

Startled, she turned to see who had called her, but in doing so lost her carefully held balance. Her arms flailed out in a wild attempt to right herself. Just as she braced for a hard landing on the cement floor, a pair of arms pulled her upright.

“I told you I’d catch you.” Jonathan’s voice sounded near her ear, his breath stirring the tendrils of hair that had escaped her hat.

“Jonathan.” One foot slid out at a precarious angle.

“Steady now. Hold on to me.”

His right arm clasped her around the waist and the other gripped her hand. The heat from his body enveloped her, along with the scent of his aftershave. When he looked down into her eyes, her legs suddenly felt like jelly. If not for his arms supporting her, she’d be a heap on the floor.

“That’s it. One foot at a time. Just like you’re floating.”

Shivers rippled down her spine. What was the matter with her? Skating shouldn’t make her this jittery.

“There you go. It’s just like riding a bike. You never really forget how.”

“Riding a bike is a lot easier than this.” Her foot slipped and again she almost went down.

Jonathan tightened his grip and lifted her against his chest. To confound matters, her hat slipped down over one eye, along with several unruly curls. Jonathan slowed them to a gradual stop, then reached out to tip the brim of her hat back up. With one finger, he brushed the hair from her cheek. The intensity in his eyes stole her breath.

“Emma.” He whispered her name with a longing that spoke to something deep inside her.

She stared at him as though seeing him for the first time. Her lips parted, and her gaze fell to his mouth. Everyone around them faded to the background. The only thing that registered was Jonathan’s quick breathing and the heat from his body.

Ever so slowly, he lowered his head toward her. Emma’s heart took on a crazy rhythm of its own, thrumming louder than the beat of the music. Her eyes drifted closed, anticipating the touch of his lips to hers.

Then an ear-splitting shriek pierced the air.

Emma jerked back and almost fell again. “That sounded like Corinne,” she said. “We need to make sure she’s all right. Randall asked me to watch out for her. He’ll have a fit if she’s injured.”

A flash of disappointment crossed Jonathan’s face, but he nodded and steered them across the rink. “Why is he so worried about her?”

“I get the impression Corinne has a rebellious streak. One he’s determined to curb until she’s married to an appropriate man.” Emma snorted. “Clearly neither you nor Will fall into that category.”

“Fine by me. I have no desire to be in the running for that position.”

A bit of the tension left Emma’s shoulders. Perhaps Corinne’s feminine wiles were wasted on Jonathan, and he was merely being polite. She must have been mistaken when she thought they were kissing.

He slowed to a stop at the edge of a crowd gathered around a fallen skater.

Emma peeked through the group until she saw her sister on the ground. “Corinne? Are you all right?”

Corinne grimaced, clutching her leg. “No, I’m not.”

“It’s all my fault.” Will hovered over her. “I distracted her.” His cheeks blazed red, and he wouldn’t look at Emma.

“Let’s get her off the rink and see if she needs a doctor.” Jonathan moved toward Corinne to help her up.

Right away Will swooped in. “I’ll carry her.” He gave Jonathan a pointed look, then bent closer to Corinne.

Emma watched the interplay with dawning awareness. Did Will have feelings for his boss’s daughter?

“Get away from me.” Corinne shoved Will hard. “You’ve caused enough problems already.”

Will blinked in surprise and fell backward with a grunt. His legs splayed out in front of him, the wheels of his skates spinning in helpless circles.

Jonathan gave Will an apologetic shrug, then lifted the girl into his arms.

A bolt of heat flared in Emma’s chest at the way Corinne draped her fair head against Jonathan’s shoulder and clung to his neck.

Emma skated painstakingly over to Will, who had pulled himself to his feet and was brushing the dust from his pants.

“What on earth happened, Will?” She didn’t think his complexion could get any ruddier, but she was wrong.

“Nothing. Just an accident.” Will shook his head. “I have to make sure she’s all right.” He skated off, leaving Emma teetering.

A boy who looked about seventeen reached out to steady her. “Careful, miss. You seem a little shaky.”

Under normal circumstances, Emma would have been insulted by his cheeky grin. But she was too preoccupied with getting to Corinne and making sure she wasn’t badly hurt. “Thank you. Could you help me over to the benches, please?”

“Sure thing. Wouldn’t want you to end up like that other girl.” He grinned again.

“Did you see what happened, by any chance?” she asked as the boy steered her over to the exit.

“Did I ever! The pretty blonde threw herself at that guy in the tweed cap and tried to kiss him.”

Emma clutched the fellow’s arm. What would have possessed Corinne to do something so brazen? First, she seemed to be kissing Jonathan, now Will. “Are you certain?” Emma asked the boy.

“Sure am. She caught him by surprise, but he pushed her away. That’s when she lost her balance and fell.” He chuckled. “If it had been me, I wouldn’t have turned down a kiss, that’s for sure.”

Emma couldn’t believe it. No wonder Will looked so uncomfortable. Not only had he rejected Corinne’s advances, but he’d been partly responsible for her fall.

They reached the nearest bench, and Emma sank gratefully onto the seat. “Thank you for your help.”

“My pleasure.” He gave a quick wave and skated away.

Emma scanned the area but couldn’t see Jonathan, Corinne, or Will. She quickly bent to unlace her skates, knowing she’d get nowhere until her feet were on solid ground again. As soon as she found her shoes and shoved them on, she rushed to the counter to turn in her skates. Voices drifted out from an open door. Emma peered inside the tiny room, and her stomach dropped.

Corinne was seated with her leg up on a crate, her face contorted in pain, tears streaming down her cheeks, while Jonathan studied her swollen ankle.

Will stood behind him, his brow furrowed.

Jonathan looked up as Emma entered. “We’d better take her to the hospital. There’s a good chance her ankle is broken.”