his father
said softly. Steven met Dan’s eyes and saw the reassurance there.
He took his father’s advice to heart. He would be patient. Anna was
worth the wait.
It turned out to be easier than he
had thought. Early the next morning, he received some information on
Cofax Chemicals that would affect their case against the company. Cofax
had several plants around the country but their main office was in
Seattle. The president of the company was claiming that the main office
did not sanction the chemicals that had been mixed in Holton. He invited
Steven to Seattle to discuss the company’s practices and the current situation.
He arranged for a late afternoon
flight and then went home to pack before returning to the office. As he
was going to be out of town, Steven thought this would give Anna some breathing
room. It would also be easier for him if he didn’t see her every
day. He wanted to call her but he knew he had no reason. It was
possible that Anna was still angry. Steven knew his little macho act had
not gained him any points with her. He just hoped it had not ruined
things beyond repair.
Just before leaving for the
airport, Julie cornered him. “I just wanted to tell you to be back by
Saturday,” she said in an excited voice.
“Why?” Steven asked with a
laugh. Julie’s delight was enjoyable to see.
“Because Mom has volunteered to
take the children for the whole day and …” she paused dramatically, “…for the whole
night. She, Dan, and Patricia are taking them and Mark and Melissa to the
Fort Worth Stock Show and then they are spending the night in the city.”
“Okay, I understand your
excitement,” he said slowly, “but what has that to do with me and Saturday
night?”
“Well, since I’m free, I’ve decided
to have a dinner party and you are invited.”
He gave her a quick hug and a
grin. “Okay, Julie, I’ll try to make it back in time.”
Steven started for the door but
Julie’s voice stopped him. “You do that, Steve. By the way, Anna
will be there.”
On that parting note, Julie picked
up some folders from her desk and headed into Andrew’s office without looking
back. Steven watched her go with an admiring smile. She knew
exactly what to say to ensure his cooperation. He would definitely be back by
Saturday.
Chapter 4
The phone rang breaking the silence
of the apartment and starling Anna out of her half dream state. She was
exhausted and didn’t welcome the interruption. She gave the offending
instrument an ugly look. She gently pushed Sophie off her lap and then
rose from the chair to answer it. The cat protested and walked away in a snit.
“Hello?” Anna said after picking up
the phone.
“You haven’t forgotten about
tonight, have you?” It was Julie’s happy voice on the line. Anna
felt some of her tiredness melt away and she smiled at the excitement she heard
in her friend’s question.
“No, of course, I haven’t
forgotten,” Anna replied quickly. She hadn’t forgotten. She just
hadn’t realized it was so late. One glance at the clock told her she had
less than an hour to get ready. Good thing Julie had agreed to call her
with directions to her house or Anna would still be half-asleep in the chair.
“Good. I was just calling to
tell you that you don’t have to worry about directions. Steve said he
would pick you up and you can ride with him.”
“Steven?” Anna said sharply.
When she had accepted Julie’s invitation to dinner she had not expected Steven
to be there. She had managed to avoid him all week but it appeared her
luck was about to change.
“Yes, Steve,” Julie replied.
“Oh, Julie, there is no need for
him to pick me up. I will drive myself.” Anna tried to keep the
desperation out of her voice. She wouldn’t know how to explain it to
Julie.
“Nonsense. It’s right on his
way. His house is just around the block from your apartment. He’ll
be there
said softly. Steven met Dan’s eyes and saw the reassurance there.
He took his father’s advice to heart. He would be patient. Anna was
worth the wait.
It turned out to be easier than he
had thought. Early the next morning, he received some information on
Cofax Chemicals that would affect their case against the company. Cofax
had several plants around the country but their main office was in
Seattle. The president of the company was claiming that the main office
did not sanction the chemicals that had been mixed in Holton. He invited
Steven to Seattle to discuss the company’s practices and the current situation.
He arranged for a late afternoon
flight and then went home to pack before returning to the office. As he
was going to be out of town, Steven thought this would give Anna some breathing
room. It would also be easier for him if he didn’t see her every
day. He wanted to call her but he knew he had no reason. It was
possible that Anna was still angry. Steven knew his little macho act had
not gained him any points with her. He just hoped it had not ruined
things beyond repair.
Just before leaving for the
airport, Julie cornered him. “I just wanted to tell you to be back by
Saturday,” she said in an excited voice.
“Why?” Steven asked with a
laugh. Julie’s delight was enjoyable to see.
“Because Mom has volunteered to
take the children for the whole day and …” she paused dramatically, “…for the whole
night. She, Dan, and Patricia are taking them and Mark and Melissa to the
Fort Worth Stock Show and then they are spending the night in the city.”
“Okay, I understand your
excitement,” he said slowly, “but what has that to do with me and Saturday
night?”
“Well, since I’m free, I’ve decided
to have a dinner party and you are invited.”
He gave her a quick hug and a
grin. “Okay, Julie, I’ll try to make it back in time.”
Steven started for the door but
Julie’s voice stopped him. “You do that, Steve. By the way, Anna
will be there.”
On that parting note, Julie picked
up some folders from her desk and headed into Andrew’s office without looking
back. Steven watched her go with an admiring smile. She knew
exactly what to say to ensure his cooperation. He would definitely be back by
Saturday.
Chapter 4
The phone rang breaking the silence
of the apartment and starling Anna out of her half dream state. She was
exhausted and didn’t welcome the interruption. She gave the offending
instrument an ugly look. She gently pushed Sophie off her lap and then
rose from the chair to answer it. The cat protested and walked away in a snit.
“Hello?” Anna said after picking up
the phone.
“You haven’t forgotten about
tonight, have you?” It was Julie’s happy voice on the line. Anna
felt some of her tiredness melt away and she smiled at the excitement she heard
in her friend’s question.
“No, of course, I haven’t
forgotten,” Anna replied quickly. She hadn’t forgotten. She just
hadn’t realized it was so late. One glance at the clock told her she had
less than an hour to get ready. Good thing Julie had agreed to call her
with directions to her house or Anna would still be half-asleep in the chair.
“Good. I was just calling to
tell you that you don’t have to worry about directions. Steve said he
would pick you up and you can ride with him.”
“Steven?” Anna said sharply.
When she had accepted Julie’s invitation to dinner she had not expected Steven
to be there. She had managed to avoid him all week but it appeared her
luck was about to change.
“Yes, Steve,” Julie replied.
“Oh, Julie, there is no need for
him to pick me up. I will drive myself.” Anna tried to keep the
desperation out of her voice. She wouldn’t know how to explain it to
Julie.
“Nonsense. It’s right on his
way. His house is just around the block from your apartment. He’ll
be there
Similar Books
