Space in His Heart by Roxanne St. Claire Read Free Book Online

big announcement. Are
you planning to marry Gwyneth?”
    A shadow of disgust crossed his handsome
face. “I thought you wanted to talk about the space station.”
    Jessica had no idea if he was talking to her
or the imaginary interviewer. In either case, she didn’t like the
answer.
    “Might be a long afternoon if you don’t play
the game, Commander.”
    “I am playing.”
    And fighting every inch of the way. Fine. Two
could play his game. No more softballs. “Commander Stockard, is it
true NASA has cut safety programs to the very core in an effort to
save money? Are lives at risk every time we watch a shuttle
launch?”
    His eyes flickered for a moment, then cut
through her. “Risk is a part of our business.”
    She scratched a note on her pad. “What about
the media leaks that something very nearly went wrong in the
shuttle Columbia during the last launch?”
    “It was a hydrogen leak, not a media leak.
Ma’am. Miss. Jessica.”
    “Would you consider an acting career when
you’ve finished being an astronaut?”
    “I’m acting like I enjoy this.”
    “Why aren’t you married?”
    His lips curled slightly. “Gwyneth’s busy
schedule.”
    “Can you give me just one example of how
America benefits from the millions of dollars we send into—well,
into thin air?”
    “Haven’t you heard of Velcro?”
    She shook her head a little, not wanting to
let him see his volleys had scored a point of frustration.
    “Okay, Commander. Let’s try something else.
Medical achievements. I think it’s an excellent way for you to
highlight the impact NASA has on the world. I read that for every
dollar spent on space travel, we receive eight dollars in benefits,
such as improved tools and insulated clothing. Can you highlight
some of the medical breakthroughs that are a result of space
exploration?”
    He shifted in his seat. “Maybe you ought to
get a doctor to do that. I’m a pilot and an engineer.”
    “I realize that.” She snapped off the
microphone attached to her collar and searched his face for a chink
in the armor as she leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Listen,
I get your drift. You don’t want to do this. I don’t particularly
want to be here any more than you do. But I’d really appreciate it
if you’d humor me. The sooner you cooperate, the sooner we can both
get back to our real work.”
    “I thought this was your real
work.”
    She offered a sweet, but fake, smile. “As
compelling a project as you are, Commander Stockard, I do have
other accounts, other clients, and a whole life that I’d like to
get back to. Help me succeed and I’ll take as little of your time
as possible.”
    He stared at her, and despite the
sixty-degree temperature of the studio, a warm rush shot through
her.
    “Please?” she whispered.
    He brought his face closer to hers and she
could smell a mix of aftershave and soap. “You’re really very
tolerable when you let down your guard,” he said softly.
    She swallowed hard and fought a smile.
Genuine this time. “Tolerable? Is that a notch just above or below
mediocre?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t do mediocre.”
    “Then we have something in common after all,
Commander.”
    He said nothing for what seemed like an
eternity, studying her with the faintest spark in his navy-rimmed
eyes. Finally, he settled back into the seat. “Okay. Let’s just
make it fast. Pacemakers, CAT scans, laparoscopic surgery,
motorized wheelchairs, hearing aids. We’ve had a piece of ’em
all.”
    His careless tone teased another hesitant
smile out of her and she jotted a random, meaningless note on her
pad, trying to still an unwanted thump in her chest.
    After a few more minutes of what she feared
might be stupid questions, Jessica suggested they rewind the tape
and review the interview on the monitor. She tried to explain the
technique of answering a different question than the one that’s
been asked and advised him on how to deflect safety questions.
    In response, he crossed and