Down from the Cross Read Online Free Page A

Miss Delaney.”
    Jane nodded and then watched until the curtain closed behind him. Turning to Mildred she asked, “How soon do you think I can leave?”
    Before the nurse could answer, the doctor entered, wearing a warm smile. “I’ve already signed your release papers. You can leave as soon as you’re ready.”

    Keene sat in the hospital lobby, waiting, unable to think of anything except Jane Delaney. Even with that nasty bump on her head and her dark hair pulled back in one of those ponytail things, he could tell she was beautiful. One look at those wounded blue eyes, and he knew he had to do whatever he could to right the wrongs he had caused. She looked so vulnerable lying there on that bed, her head bandaged, her leg broken. He had wanted to sweep her up in his arms and take care of her, tell her everything was going to be okay. Good thing he’d had a chance to speak to that doctor as he’d left her room. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known she was being released right away.
    What a day this had been. He had left the state capitol area, fully intending to drive past the convention center and then return to his condominium to get a little work done. Instead, he had spent the last hour in the hospital emergency room. Not that he minded, because he didn’t. The accident
had
been his fault. The least he could do was try to make things up to the poor, unfortunate woman who had been driving the other car.
    He snickered audibly as their conversation about her God filtered through his mind.
Too bad she is willing to put her faith in a myth. How can she possibly believe there is a God?
Although his years of training had centered on his voice and his music, he had taken a few scientific courses in college that totally disproved God’s existence. Surely, no one with any sense at all could believe in such a fairy tale.
    Well, her beliefs were her own. As long as she did not try to force them on him, they would get along fine. Drumming his fingers idly on his knee, he glanced at the big wall clock. How long could it take to check out of the hospital? He had already told the accounting department he would take care of all her bills.
    “Could you call a taxi for me, please?”
    He turned quickly toward the voice coming from near the reception desk, and there she was, sitting helplessly in a wheelchair, her foot propped up on the footrest. Jane Delaney. The woman whose life he had ruined in one careless second. He rose and hurried to her side. “You don’t need a taxi. I’ll take you home.”
    The look she gave him told him that his plans were not her plans. “Thank you, Mr. Moray, but that won’t be necessary. I–I know you’re a busy man. You’ve already done enough by paying my bill.” Her voice was gentle but firm, leaving him unsure of what to say next.
    “But I insist. I’m the one who upset your life.”
    With a sigh that could only mean exasperation, she gave him a disparaging look. “I’ve already asked this nice lady to call for a taxi. I don’t mean to be rude, and I
am
a great fan of yours, but—”
    “You’re afraid to ride with a stranger, is that it?”
    “I–I guess so.”
    “I’m completely harmless, I can assure you.” He moved a step closer. “Taking you home is the least I can do.”
    She turned to the woman at the desk, who sat waiting for further direction, the phone still in her hand. “Go ahead, please. Call a taxi. I can’t impose on this nice man.”
    Keene had never taken rejection kindly, in any form. “You’re sure you won’t change your mind?”
    Jane fiddled with her purse’s shoulder strap, and he knew she was avoiding his eyes. “I–I’d better take the taxi home.”
    He stood staring at her, thinking how people crowded around him at the end of his concerts, begging for his autograph. And how he couldn’t go anywhere without someone literally hanging on to his coat sleeve, trying to strike up a conversation about one of the arias he’d sung or their favorite CD