Read Online Song of Solomon by Kendra Norman-Bellamy - Free Book Online Page B

toward Chase, and then back at Neil. “When my son is happy, I’m happy.”
    Agreeably, Neil nodded. “Anything else about Atlanta that you find . . . attractive?” Now he was just plain flirting, but from Shaylynn’s reply, Neil doubted that she’d picked up on it.
    â€œI like the potential for success that a new business like mine has.”
    Neil leaned forward. “What business is that?”
    â€œI’m an interior decorator.”
    â€œOh?” He never would have guessed, but as meticulously dressed as Shaylynn always appeared to be, a job that involved beautifying and coordinating was a perfect fit for her. “Is it a sole proprietorship?”
    â€œYes. Now that we’ve been here a few months, and Chase has adjusted to our new surroundings, I’m laying the groundwork for my company.”
    â€œWill it be home based?”
    â€œFor starters, yes. Cuts down on the overhead.”
    â€œDefinitely,” Neil agreed.
    â€œI may branch out into a separate workspace later.”
    â€œThat’s economically smart. Have you chosen a name yet?” The more Neil talked to Shaylynn, the more he wanted to talk to her.
    â€œI had the business about a year ago when we lived in Louisiana. It was called Ford’s Home Interior and Designs then, so I plan to stick with that name as I restart it.”
    â€œFord’s Home Interior and Designs.” Neil mulled over the name like a cud-chewing cow. It was too wordy and just seemed too ordinary for the extraordinary woman who would be running the business. Neil’s thoughts must have shown on his face.
    â€œWhat? You don’t like that name?”
    Neil turned to look at Shaylynn. She had removed her sunglasses and was turned in his direction, leaning forward and looking directly into his eyes as though his opinion mattered. For a brief span, her pecan-shaped eyes grabbed his tongue and held on, not allowing him to form the words for a prompt response.
    â€œWhat’s the matter with Ford’s Home Interior and Designs?” she pressed, breaking his momentary trance.
    Neil’s mouth suddenly begged for moisture. “Nothing’s wrong with it,” he managed to say, licking his lips for relief, and then continuing. “I think I was just expecting you to say something different. Something with a little more . . .”
    â€œMore what?” Shaylynn urged when his voice trailed.
    â€œI don’t know. Just something a little catchier, a little jazzier, I guess.”
    A lasting period was placed on Neil’s response when the school bus slowed and came to a brief stop as the driver maneuvered the large vehicle into the parking lot of the aquarium that had made special allowances for field trip visitors. Generally, tours such as the one Kingdom Builders Academy had planned, began at noon, but the Georgia Aquarium had acquired two new whale sharks, the only ones known to be in any aquarium outside of Asia, and elementary schools from all over the city were taking advantage of the exclusive Tuesday morning four-hour tour invitation.
    Their tardy arrival forced the driver to park farther away than most other school buses had, and the children’s excitement level rose as the engine was turned off and the driver opened the door in preparation for their exit. Neil stood and Shaylynn followed his lead. Her petite stature made him feel taller than he really was. He liked that.
    â€œChildren, children, children,” Miss Berkshire said in an attempt to gain the attention of those who had marveled by the mere sight of the outside of the facility. “Have a seat for a moment and quiet down. We cannot get off of the bus until you quiet down.” When the children complied, she continued in a tone that seemed mastered by grade school teachers. It was a slow, rhythmic speech that paralleled one used when speaking to a foreigner who wasn’t fluent in English. “Remember the