Read Diamonds and Dreams for Free Online Page B

Think you sprained your ankle?”
    A sharp pain shot down the calf of her leg to the length of
her foot and she clenched her teeth.   “I’m afraid so.   Would you mind
helping me walk the rest of the way?”
    “I’ll do better than that.”   Scooping her up into his arms, he carried her inside where he put her
down in a soft chair in the lobby.   “Good
thing I saw the protesters outside or you might have been stuck out there if
you can’t walk.   I stood near the door
waiting for you to return so I could warn you, but I missed seeing you get out
of your car.   By the time I caught sight
of you, it was too late to spare you of the crowd’s animosity.”
    “Why are they out there?”
    “They hope they can convince us to ban one of the songs we
played on the air last week.   The
protesters insist that the album in question contains a song on it that
promotes cult worship.”
    “You can’t be serious!”
    “Come with me.   I’ll
show you what I mean.   Still need me to carry you?”
    “Just let me lean on you.”   The closeness of him, the fresh scent of his musky men’s cologne, his
warm hands on her waist, was so disturbing that her heart started pounding out
of control.
    Soon he played the song in question as Lindsay listened
attentively to what had quickly become one of her favorite songs.   “I don’t understand why the protesters are
trying to ban a song that’s about springtime weather and happy times.”
    “Listen carefully when I play this same song backwards.”
    She concentrated on the lyrics.   What she heard now shocked her as much as if
someone slapped her.
    “Lovely demon lady, daughter of Satan, you’re the goddess of
life.   You’re here—I feel your presence
in my heart like the turning of a knife.”
    “You see, Lindsay?   Sometimes musicians conceal hidden messages in strange ways through
songs.   Some folks, like the ones
outside, discover the deceitful ways a song can influence others, especially
children, in forming their beliefs.   When
they find this out, they don’t usually like it!”
    She was appalled.   “I
understand!   Those people are right—this
song should be banned!”
    He arched his brows in surprise.   “Whatever for?   It’ll probably make the top ten before long.”
    “Surely you don’t want to be responsible for promoting
something as underhanded as this song?”
    “There’s publicity to be gained by playing it.   The song will undoubtedly become popular
since it’s already controversial.   Scandal usually breeds curiosity and that’s what attracts new
listeners.”
    “But I’m not interested in obtaining a new audience that
way, Brant!”
    “Okay then.   How about if we meet each other halfway?”
    “What do you mean?”
    He gestured with his hands as he explained.   “We don’t agree on this subject, so why don’t
we disagree on the air as well?   There
are bound to be listeners who are against this sort of thing while others will
try to promote the record.   You could
represent the protesters’ side and I’ll defend those who favor playing the
song.”
    Lindsay didn’t like the idea, but she had to admit that his
suggestion sounded fair.   “So you want to
debate the pros and cons of the issue?”
    “Exactly.”
    She frowned.   “Okay,
if Desi agrees, we’ll do things your way this time.”
    “I’ll gather the rest of the facts so we’ll be more familiar
with the situation.   You talk with Desi about it.”
    “Thanks.   You left the
hard part to me.”
    “Can you get around on that ankle?”
    “It doesn’t hurt badly now.   I’ll be all right.   You go
on.   I can’t thank you enough for
rescuing me.”
    “Why don’t you try?   Have dinner with me later.   Will
you meet me at The Buxton Inn at seven?   Know where it is?”
    “In Granville…25 miles east of Columbus.   Yes.   See you at seven.”
    Leaving her alone, he departed by using
the rear exit while she stared after him.   Even