Heart in the Field Read Online Free Page B

she doing anyway? He was her co-host. This
was a business supper, not a date. Straightening her shoulders, Serena moved
ahead of him and forced herself to become the person she was seen to be on TV,
a cool, beautiful woman. Not some fumbling, swooning fool.
    •
                The pub was decorated with
traditional beams across the ceiling and dark paneled walls hung with country
landscape photographs and horse brasses. The appealing aromas of the food mixed
with malt ale whetted Nick’s appetite, making him realize he was hungry. He
caught the eye of a pretty waitress and wheedled a booth from her. Soon another
young woman was clearing the table and setting it up with fresh placemats and
cutlery. A waitress stopped by their table to place menus in front of them. He
saw Serena glance at hers and place it down on the corner of the table. “I’ll
have a salad,” she said.
                Nick noticed she sat with her body
erect. Nervous? No. She didn’t look nervous. More like unyielding. Or reluctant. That was it. She seemed reluctant to be with him.
                Silence stretched between them as
the waitress served their drinks. Beer for Nick, coffee for
Serena. She came back a little later to take their food order. He
ordered fish and chips and Serena ordered her salad.
                Nick drank some beer and looked
straight into her unusual dark blue eyes. “I know it’s difficult for you, with
your co-host changing before the show has even begun. However, this is the way
it is. I’m here to stay, for a while. So be reasonable. Help me.”
                She slipped a lock of her wonderful
silky hair back over her shoulder. “I was under the impression I was helping
you.”
                “No. You’re not. You’re being
awkward. We’re going to be alone together like this a lot during the weeks to
come, so get used to it.”
                “We won’t be alone much. As well as Cam, and others, we have Paul Kryker on our team.”
                Added apprehension slithered down
Nick’s spine. “Paul’s at Steel?”
                “Yes. He’s been with us about a
year. Do you know him?”
                “I’ve met him.”
                She raised her eyebrows. “You don’t
like him?”
                “Let’s be honest. I’m ambivalent
about him. I know he considers himself a high-class photo-journalist, and he is.
But in a danger zone he can go to pieces.”
                “I doubt if Neon Nights will put
Paul in any danger.”
                “Exactly. So he might work out just fine.”
                “But you still sound apprehensive
about him.” She leaned her arms on the table. “I understand where you’re coming
from. I called him a videographer when he first came to Steel, and he shot me
down. He’s a photo-journalist. Not even a cameraman.”
                Nick grinned. “That sounds just like
Paul.”
                “But he’s good. I’ve been quite
impressed. You can’t judge him by his past work. He must have learned a few new
tricks by now. As we all have in our time.”
                “If you think he’ll work out, then
that’s okay.”
                “If he doesn’t, Don will soon
replace him. Paul knows what he’s up against with Don. Don’s a perfectionist.”
                “And so am I. What about you?”
                “I like everything in order.”
                “Which is why you are resenting my
intrusion?”
                “Truthfully. Yes. I had everything in order. At least I thought it was when I got up this
morning. Now the future is cloudy.”
                He saw her cheeks flush as she spoke
and he smiled. “I like honesty. It’s good of you to admit that. It’s my belief
that we have to come down to a certain level