Page 14 of Evan

“I think that I know my way. Goodbye Ms. Daley.”

As soon as he had disappeared through the doorway, she sank down on one of the ottomans, her knees trembling.

*****

“Is he available?”

The very proper and prim Mrs. Adina Jones looked up from the document she was perusing and made the necessary changes in the right-hand corner.

Kim waited while the woman had finished jotting down her notes, knowing that it was prudent to wait until she was through. Adina Jones was feared and held in the utmost respect and awe among staff as well as upper management because she guarded her boss’ office like a bear guarding her young cubs.

“He is currently taking a very important phone call.” Light blue eyes peered over wire rimmed spectacles, a hint of disapproval in the look. “That appointment at the chapel pushed him back drastically. He is running to make up for the lost time.”

Kim had to stop herself squirming on the padded seat facing the woman’s desk and reminded herself that she was a grown woman, with an important position.

“He agreed to the extra time,” she muttered.

“Be that as it may….” Holding up one skinny hand, Adina pressed the interoffice intercom and picked up the receiver. “Yes sir.” She listened for a minute and responded quietly.

“Ms. Lawes is here to see you and she does not have an appointment.” She listened again. “Of course.” Hanging up the phone, she nodded to Kim. “Go right in. You have five minutes.”

“That’s all I need.” Popping up from the chair, she hurried towards the double doors and pushed them open.

Evan barely looked up from the contract spread in front of him. He had shed the jacket, and the sleeves of his powder blue shirt were rolled up to his elbows. A lock of hair was hanging over his forehead, the perpetual frown marring his brow.

“I am getting ready for a meeting.” He looked over at her. “Whatever it is, you are going to have to be succinct.”

“Ms. Daley from the church told me she invited you to services on Sunday.” Ignoring the glower, he was sending her, she rushed on. “She also told me that it’s to be a special service honoring veterans. Several members of your family were in the service…”

“You are wasting my time.”

Ploughing on despite the forbidding expression on his face, she put forth some very good points. “It would look good if you were to follow up on the contribution by attending the service.

A few well-placed reporters in the congregation can be persuaded to attend as well and they will see that you were not just handing over a check and washing your hands of the project,” her expression turned pleading, “it would go a long way in helping to fix the image of the company.”

“Did she put you up to this?”

“Ms. Daley? No!” Kim shook her head decisively. “I picked up a newsletter at the front table and saw that it was mentioned. And I asked her about it.”

Leaning back in his chair, he eyed her for a minute before jerking his head curtly. “Have Ms. Jones put it on my calendar.”

“Great!” She clapped her hands in delight. “I am going to write up a press release in preparation. This is going to turn things around, you will see. Thanks.” Gathering up her stuff, she rose and hurried out of the room, closing the doors behind her.

Picking up the ballpoint pen he had been using to jot down some suggestions, he stared at the words in front of him, until they ran together, making him realize that his concentration was shot. Flinging the pen down in frustration, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

He had been back for three hours now and during that time had tried to get his head in the game. An associate had been waiting for him in one of the conference rooms. After rushing into his office to collect some things for the meeting, he had rushed back in and spent several minutes barely hearing what the man had to say.

Her laughter sounded in his ears. Her dazzling smile had made a distinct impression, and he was unable to put the sound of her voice out of his mind. He had found to his shocking surprise that he had enjoyed sparring with her.

He never discussed religion with anyone, believing it was the individual’s business who or what he or she worshipped. As far as he was concerned, he was on the fence when it comes to believing that there was a God. He had seen too many atrocities in the world to make him think otherwise.

But her conviction had been so strong and her arguments so sure, that it had intrigued him. He had come right back to his desk and did a deep dive into the history of the church. Her picture was among the management staff and to his surprise, he read that she was a college graduate with a Degree in Art.

The glossy photo had not done her enough justice. Her flawless caramel complexion had not been properly highlighted. Nor had the camera picked out the light in her dark brown eyes.

And her lips! He had stopped right there because he had no business noticing how alluring they were. As a matter of fact, he had no business thinking about Ms. Cassandra Daley at all.

*****

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