Waiting by Erin Dennington ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 31 Aware that she must look a mess, Christina shoved her hands into her pockets and stood there, awkwardly, as her children quieted down and carefully observed their rescuer. She was aware of a quiet strength emanating from him and was hardly surprised; she was well aware of who this man was. Stella, on the other hand, seemed in awe of this gentle giant, caught in a schoolyard crush, as she gazed up at Davis Jackson with an intense expression. It was not like Davis Jackson was unaware of her gaze, either, as he couldn't seem to tear his gaze from Stella. Christina sensed, however, that their mutual attraction was not physically based, nor was it attraction in the most widely understood sense, but, still, she was amused by its intensity. She, herself, felt some of it, too, as she felt like a complete person with Stella nearby. They were all startled when a car horn honked behind them and a male voice called Stella's name. "That's my father," she said, "I better be going now." She started walking backwards away from them, and Christina felt a sudden loss. She didn't know what to say to keep Stella nearby a little longer. Tommy had no qualms, however, as he yelled, "Hey, Stella, that's not safe. You could fall on your tush like I did!" They all laughed and Davis, broken out of his hypnosis, strode over to the rental car and leaned in the window. "Sir, may I invite your daughter over for an interview?" he asked. Christina couldn't hear the reply, but she heard Davis say, "Well, I am being interviewed tonight at 6:00 and I thought she would make a good addition to the story. She and the accident victim really seemed to hit it off, and it would give a good human interest angle." Davis listened for a moment, reached inside, and shook the man's hand. "I gave your daughter a card, earlier," he said. "Have her call me at 5:00." Grinning broadly, he stepped back from the car and waved as it turned the corner and headed down the road, back towards the museum area. Brushing off his hands, Davis returned to Christina and said, "The same goes to you. I would like you here at my interview, too. Would that be alright with you?" Too stunned to speak, Christina merely nodded and accepted the business card that he held out to her. She stood in silence as he headed into the building without another word or backwards glance. 16:04 - 11.09.02 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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