Sentimental Journey Read Online Free PDF

know where I lived?" she breathed incredulously.
    "I called your office and explained to your uncle that we were having dinner together tonight, but that you'd forgotten to give me your new address. He was kind enough to provide me with it." His answer did not hold any underlying tone of mockery, as if he genuinely believed the omission of her address had been an oversight.
    "But—" it was too much for Jessica to take in "—how did you know where I worked?"
    "Simple deduction." Brodie straightened and stepped over the threshold, forcing her backward into the living room. "I couldn't believe that a Thorne would be left entirely on her own. There had to be some member of the family who would be in frequent contact with you. Luckily for me I remembered your uncle owned an advertising agency."
    "Yes, it was lucky, wasn't it?" Jessica was breathing unevenly, not quite sure that he believed what he said. "If you hadn't remembered, we both would be dining alone tonight."
    "Something neither of us would have enjoyed, isn't that right?" For all the smoothness of his of response, there was the barest trace of a challenge in his voice.
    It was the first indication that perhaps he believed she had not given her address on purpose. But Jessica couldn't be certain. At this point, it would be ill mannered to admit it. It was imperative that she somehow conceal the truth.
    Some of her poise had returned, but her pulse had not yet regained its normal rate. Turning away from him, she nervously licked her lips and made up a story in her mind.
    "I don't know what possessed me to overlook such a vital thing as my address." She laughed stiffly. "I didn't realize it until I was back in my office, and by then it was too late. And I didn't know where to reach you."
    On the last word, she turned to face him, lifting her hands in a gesture that indicated there had been nothing she could do. The half smile remained in place, the blue eyes unblinking and bland.
    "You could have checked the hotels. There aren't that many of them in Chattanooga," Brodie pointed out. Dark lashes lowered to screen the blue eyes as he shrugged. "I'd forgotten. A Thorne wouldn't call various hotels searching for a man."
    Jessica almost breathed her sigh of relief aloud. "It would have been awkward. But I wasn't even sure if you were staying in a hotel."
    "And you didn't check," he said with faint accusation.
    "No, I didn't check," Jessica admitted quite freely. "Do you blame me?" she countered. "I barely know you."
    "I don't blame you at all. If the roles were reversed, I might feel the same mixture of regret and indifference." He released her gaze and glanced at the walnut-cased mantel clock. "Have youeaten yet?"
    Should she lie and claim she had eaten? Jessica toyed with the thought. But she was hungry and the growling of her stomach would tell him she was lying. His sharp gaze was back on her, waiting for an answer.
    "As a matter of fact, I was just fixing myself something when the doorbell rang," she admitted. "So I haven't eaten."
    "Good, then we'll be able to have dinner together." His eyes briefly noted the blouse and slacks she wore. "There's no need to change. Where we're going, anything else would be out of place. If you're ready to leave, we can go now."
    "Give me a couple of minutes to put away the food in the kitchen," she asked as he inclined his head in silent agreement.
    Her hands were shaking as she set the chicken and salad back in the refrigerator, and she took a deep breath and tried to calm her rattled senses. She would get through the evening Somehow without letting him see how his company affected her, she vowed to herself.
    "Ready?" A dark brow lifted when she reentered the living room.
    "Yes." Jessica took her bag from the coffee table and slipped the long strap over her shoulder.
    Brodie held the door open for her and waited in the hallway while she locked the dead bolt. Side by side, they walked outdoors. His hand came up to rest on her backbone