Whispering Hearts by Cassandra Chandler Page B

Bye.”
    She disconnected the call, then set the phone on the coffee table. Her lips were pulled into a broad smile.
    â€œThank you for doing that for me,” she said. “For believing me, for letting me stay here, for…everything!”
    She threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. Garrett rested his hands on her back and closed his eyes, letting the feel of her soak in—warmth and joy and the brightest essence he’d ever felt. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with her scent.
    Something shifted in her embrace. For a moment, she softened against him. Her cheek grazed his, her breath tickled the fine hairs on his neck.
    Warmth turned to heat and the thought of cradling her face in his hands and kissing her senseless became almost overwhelming. But then she stiffened and pulled away. Again.
    It didn’t surprise him anymore, but it still hurt like hell.
    â€œI need to get my books,” she said. “To research the talisman for Elsa.”
    Garrett nodded. “I’ll help. Any way I can.”
    She wouldn’t meet his eyes and her cheeks were flushed. There was attraction between them. He knew she felt it too. But there was something else standing between them—something he couldn’t see, couldn’t touch, couldn’t tear apart.
    Damned if he knew what it was.

Chapter Eight
    The coffee table was covered in open books when the doorbell rang. Rachel didn’t jump at the sound. She let out a little sigh, realizing she was more relaxed than she’d been in months.
    She felt safe. Safe enough to convince Garrett to take a shower and leave her on her own for a little while.
    â€œComing!”
    She ran to the counter to grab the censer before heading for the door. She had already refilled it and lit fresh incense, knowing Jazz would arrive soon. Now Rachel had the fun of explaining why she needed to smudge Jazz when she came inside.
    The windows along the side of the front door let Rachel see Jazz standing on the stoop, holding a bright green bag decorated with a picture of a dragon lying on its back and reading a book. Its tail wound around a crystal ball.
    Rachel smiled as she opened the door. “Hi!”
    Jazz hesitated before saying, “Hi.”
    Her dark eyes glittered strangely in the late-afternoon light and her long black hair hung around her shoulders as if she hadn’t done more than brush it. She still wore her signature black leather pants, but instead of her usual white V-neck T-shirt, she had on a dark, oversized sweater that practically engulfed her slight frame.
    Rachel panicked. Where was the cocky smile and knowing gaze? Aside from a few times when Jazz lost her temper, Rachel had never known Jazz to be genuinely upset.
    â€œWhat’s wrong? Did something happen?”
    â€œAre you kidding me?” Jazz’s voice was shrill instead of her normal rich tenor. “Yes, something happened. I haven’t seen you since you left the hospital, and you’ve barely texted or called!”
    She stepped over the threshold and swung the door shut, then grabbed Rachel in a crushing hug. Rachel wanted to make a joke to try to lighten the moment, but she couldn’t. Jazz’s affection was usually lots of light touches and quick hugs. She had never hugged Rachel like this before.
    A tight ball of emotion filled Rachel’s chest, making it hard to breathe, to think, to do anything but not cry. Careful of the censer, she hugged Jazz back.
    â€œAre you okay?” Jazz asked. “You look better.”
    â€œI am better. Getting there, anyway.”
    â€œWhy does it smell like a temple in here?”
    Rachel laughed, finally pulling back from the hug. “That would be from this.” She lifted the censer, streamers of smoke following its movements.
    Jazz arched an eyebrow and waited patiently for an explanation. Much more normal for her.
    â€œIf you don’t mind, I need to smudge