Chapter 8

Danielle's attention focused on her job. In the next two days, she dwelled on the plan for a power producing dam in Alaska. Besides submitting photos of the dam site, she had to work on writing up details on a valuable electric source. It had to be correct and ready to encourage an approval from the Alaska State government.

She realized that getting state approval and setting up dam construction could take years, and, in an odd way, she felt comfort in knowing that. Right now, she needed to keep working on it and subdue her temptation to search elsewhere for a new job.

When away from her desk, uneasy thoughts invaded Danielle. At home, her mind wandered remembering friends in Alaska, mostly her last friend. A slight, masculine smile in a handsome sun-soaked face would appear. But Ginger gave her distraction in conversations. She welcomed that.

"Dani, your romantic Kevin is not seeing you until Saturday-night? That handsome admirer hasn't gazed at you for six weeks. Yet he's not knocking on our door?" Standing at the counter, Ginger blended flour, yeast and spices together then added milk and butter.

"He calls me, but I know it's a huge task he has to successfully conduct a conference for the Company. Kevin is tied to it day and night."

"I think of him as an opportunist. Bet he gets help from many attractive women." Ginger spoke loudly as she banged slaps onto bread dough to shape it into perfect buns.

"You know, I used to have thoughts about that." Danielle dropped her book on the couch and sprang up to sit across from the baker at the counter. "I know there are others who, like me, are impressed with Kevin. He is strong-willed, yet has a good sense of humor, and is admired and respected by everyone."

"You also know he is used to getting his way. He's a man with confidence who believes you won't do whatever he wants. I'll bet he never gives up asking you to move in with him." Ginger spread a towel over her dough to let it rise.

"Hmm, he had no word about that today. Think I trust him too much?"

"Maybe I do, but did he say he was coming over to see you tonight?"

"No, he's busy. He just asked what my new dress for the dance looks like."

"But you didn't buy a new dress yet, Dani. He wants to impress all those top execs with his stylish, good-looking girlfriend."

"That sounds like Kevin. You know what? I'm not getting a fancy new dress. I'll see what he thinks when I will show up in a dress he has seen me wear before." Danielle laughed and Ginger joined in.

Relief stayed happily with Danielle until bedtime when Ginger asked, "Send that pic of yourself to that good-looking pilot? I see your dresser is decorated with his picture."

"Yeah, I'll mail it to him tomorrow." Danielle felt a mysterious heat sweep through her. Inside her bedroom, she picked up the pictures she had taken with Stewart Bryant. A smile burst on her lips at the sight of colorful flowers beside his luxurious, log ranch house adorned in stonework. The strong, handsome man standing beside his horse gave her a warm shiver. With a groan, she turned the picture upside down.

Grabbing notepaper and a pen, she wrote: "Hello Stewart, My thoughts are frequent about the special day and flight we had. I want you to know my appreciation for touring your ranch, riding the pinto, flight in your amazing plane, and landing above the Susitna River. Generous of you to give me a meal up there, and heroic of you to save my life from that bear. You also gave me patience for the way I reacted with a bit of passion. Please know I apologize for that. Enclosed are photos you wanted. Thanks again. Sincerely, Danielle."

To avoid rereading the note, she quickly addressed a photo mailer, then headed for a shower. Lying in bed Danielle vowed that after the mailing, Stewart's distraction from her everyday life would end. Yet twice in the night, she awoke to vague dreams of him.

The next few days kept Danielle working extra hours at her office. In the evenings, Kevin gave her calls. He excitedly mentioned names of important guests expected at the party. Then when his phone beeped, he clicked away to answer, excusing each call as being highly important. On Saturday afternoon, he called her again.

"Picking up my beautiful date early tonight. I got to meet and greet every guest coming to the party. We need to be at the main entrance twenty minutes before it starts."

"I'll get ready early, Kevin. Around six-thirty, okay?"

"You're good at rushing, Babe. That will get us there in plenty of time."

Ginger opened the door to let him in well before six-thirty. "Kevin, she's busy fixing her hair, pinning it up in real style."

"Hey, it looks best falling down to her waist. All that blond makes her look extra sexy."

"I'd call it strawberry-blond. There's red in her hair. You notice?"

"Yeah, yeah. Will you go tell her I'm here waiting?"

"I will, Sir." From her tall stature, Ginger dipped her head down to him and hurried off.

He was left waiting only a few minutes before Danielle appeared in a light blue dress with a satin sheen. She wore a light shawl over bare shoulders. Long silver earrings fell delicately near loose strands of hair.

"Not a new dress. Looks okay, but you wore that one the last time we went to the lodge." Kevin grabbed her hands, holding them out as his eyes poured over her.

"I had no time to shop, Kevin. Shall we get going?" Danielle kissed him gently then twisted toward the door.

A gift from his parents was a shiny new Buick. It made a prompt arrival before the lodge's front door. That is where they ended up standing for almost two hours. There, Kevin shook hands, gave smiles and introduced Danielle as his beautiful date. It was hard for her to feel patient with him, especially when he introduced her to people she already knew. But she did like the way he made people feel welcome.

They reached their assigned table as dinner was being served. However, only a few minutes later, Kevin had to move to the podium where he could joyfully introduce speakers. As he left, others at the table showered Danielle with praise on him. One young woman named Charlotte, swooned over his good looks and hospitality. It became a time when Danielle had her wine glass refilled again and again, and the speeches went on and on.

Dance music filled the room before Kevin returned to the table where she sat alone. All other couples were dancing. He reached out a hand to her.

"Fantastic speech, right Babe? Now it's time for a sexy dance with my sweetheart."

"No, Kevin. It is not time for us to dance. Not tonight, not ever." She weaved unsteadily away from the table and wiggled toward the door.

With a look of embarrassment, Kevin escorted her to his Buick. Once buckled in, their hot-tempered conversation began.