A Searching Heart Read Online Free Page A

Virginia tried not to stare, but it was hard not to watch them. They were rowdier than other groups had been. Loud laughter punctuated most of their remarks, and Virginia heard speech peppered with words that her friend Jenny Woods might use. Words that Virginia often had not understood but knew were not appropriate for a Christian to use. Inwardly she cringed and diverted her attention back to her Coke. She would focus her thoughts back on her future days at college with Jamison. Jamison would . . .
    â€œI think that fellow is trying to catch your eye,” whispered Francine, nodding toward a seat somewhere behind and to the side of Virginia. “He’s been staring at you ever since he sat down.”
    â€œDon’t be silly,” responded Virginia, jerked back to the present. In spite of her words, she felt her face flushing.
    â€œHe is,” insisted Francine. “He keeps waiting for you to look his way.”
    â€œI have no intention of looking his way,” muttered Virginia with determination and a lift of her chin.
    â€œHe’s rather handsome.”
    Virginia’s chin lifted higher.
    â€œHe has dark wavy hair, deep brown eyes, a little cleft in his chin .. .”
    It sounded as though Francine was describing Jamison. It was all Virginia could do to keep from spinning around to look.
    â€œAnd a scar—just above his eyebrow.”
    Jamison had no scar above his eyebrow. Unless . . . Surely Jamison had not been hurt playing football. In spite of herself Virginia turned around and met the brown eyes that Francine had described. They were not Jamison’s. The young man nodded, gave a triumphant smile and a slight wave of his hand.
    Virginia’s cheeks flamed as she whipped back to face her sister.
    â€œFrancine,” she whispered harshly, “stop looking at him. You are just encouraging him. . . .”
    â€œHe’s coming over.”
    â€œDon’t joke.”
    â€œI’m not joking. He’s coming over. Coke and all.”
    Virginia did not even have time to respond.
    â€œExcuse me,” a smooth voice said. He was right beside her. “Can you tell me where the Chem Lab is?”
    Virginia was forced to look up into the brown eyes again. She felt her face flush and reached self-consciously to slip her feet back into the shoes she had discarded. One toe found its desired destination, but stretch as she could and reach as far as she might, Virginia’s other searching foot came up empty.
    â€œI . . . I don’t know,” she fumbled and wasn’t sure if she was describing her predicament in locating her shoe or her ignorance regarding the Chem Lab.
    â€œYou don’t take Chem?”
    He was sliding into the booth beside her. Virginia had never experienced such forwardness.
    â€œNo,” she managed.
    â€œSo what do you take? I thought you might be in the nursing faculty.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œEducation?”
    Virginia shook her head.
    â€œWe are just visiting,” put in Francine, seeming to have more sense and better use of her tongue than her older sister.
    â€œVisiting?” The young stranger’s eyes had not left Virginia’s face.
    She nodded and tried to swallow. He was making her nervous, though he seemed harmless enough.
    He smiled, showing even, white teeth. “For a long, long time I hope.”
    â€œActually,” said Francine, “just for today.”
    â€œThat’s a shame.”
    He pushed his unfinished Coke aside. “Then if your stay is so short,” he continued in his easy manner, “perhaps I could
    have the pleasure of showing you around.”
    Virginia began to shake her head but no words came.
    â€œThe Chem Lab?” asked Francine coyly, tipping her head to the side and giving him a knowing look.
    His attention focused on the younger sister. He looked genuinely amused. He even laughed, a cheery, chuckling laugh. “Okay,” he said, throwing up his hands.