Flash and Fire by Marie Ferrarella Read Free Book Online

come to regard Carla as more family than employee. But this was an exception.
    Amanda dropped the ragged piece of paper towel on the desk and eased herself into the swivel chair. Despite the air-conditioning, the leather felt the slightest bit clammy against her bare legs and back. There was no reason for her to feel this nervous. Maybe she hadn’t gotten over her teenage crush on Whitney after all, at least not totally, despite the years that had passed.
    She shook her head. Her hormones were definitely getting out of hand. “First Alexander, now Whitney. Mandy, you have got to start dating again, before you jump on the next man who smiles at you.”
    Amanda could just hear the trailer now: “Five o’clock anchorwoman attacks pizza delivery boy outside of house. Story and pictures at eleven.”
    And wouldn’t the station manager just love to hear that? Grimsley had been eager to find a reason to break her contract since she had threatened to take him to court on harassment charges if he didn’t cease literally backing her into corners.
    Smiling, feeling somewhat composed, she pulled out her cell phone and entered the telephone number on the keypad.
    Whitney answered on the third ring. When she heard his voice, low and resonant, Amanda knew that somewhere within her there still existed a young, awkward girl who was undyingly grateful for the kind attentions of such a debonair, handsome man.
    “Granger here.”
    She closed her eyes and saw him. Tall and as unsettlingly suave as they came. “Whitney, this is Amanda.”
    “Amanda.” He said her name with deep, resounding pleasure. It filled her with a warmth and a sense of homecoming. Speaking to her father had never even begun to approach this. Conversation with Henry Foster, at least for her, was like entering the enemy camp. She had to guard every word against attack. Now comforting waves of nostalgia came with every syllable.
    “How have you been?” Whitney asked.
    He really wanted to know. The genuineness was still there, just as it always had been. That was what she liked the most about him. He cared about people, he took an interest. It was an attribute, she had discovered while growing up, that was rare.
    “I’m fine, Whitney. It’s been a long time.”
    “Yes. Yes, it has.” Was it her imagination, or was there just the slightest tinge of sorrow in his voice? “I watch your broadcast whenever I’m able. I’m impressed, Amanda. I meant to call before now, but...”
    A sense of contentment flowed through her veins. She leaned back in the chair and began to rock slowly. Maybe this was just a social call after all. Maybe he just wanted to catch up on old times and pick up their friendship where they had left off. She was quick to spare him any undue guilt.
    “That’s all right. I’ve been too busy to draw two breaths in succession. It’s a hectic way of life, but I love it.”
    “That’s easy enough to see.”
    The pause that followed was overly long and unusually awkward. There had never been pauses like this before. Her nervousness returned. Something was wrong.
    “My housekeeper said you called,” Amanda prompted. She twirled the phone wire around her finger.
    It was time to take the step. He had no choice. “Yes, I’d like to see you if I could.”
    He sounded . . . troubled. That was the word she was looking for. Troubled. She didn’t like admitting it, but that was the best description of his tone. She just couldn’t envision him that way. He was too full of life, too sure of himself. In all the years she had known him, she’d never even seen him so much as frown.
    She stifled the impulse to ask what was wrong. If he wanted her to know, he’d tell her. Reporter’s instincts warred with personal feelings.
    Mentally, she flipped through the pages of her schedule. “I could come by tomorrow—“
    “Today.” The word vibrated, urgent, commanding, across the wire. She heard him sigh on the other end. “I know it’s an imposition, but