by Gail Sattler
“I thought so. I’ll give you directions.”
The Chamber of Commerce dinner was a surprisingly pleasant affair.
Molly dutifully stood beside Ken whenever he spoke to someone else he hadn’t met before and tried not to laugh every time he not-so-discreetly glanced down to her shoes. Her feet were killing her, but she would die before she told him so.
All of the married business owners and executives had their spouses with them, and the few single men present had brought dates. Molly could tell the difference. The wives held their own in conversations, the girlfriends tended to cling. Molly refused to cling and did her best to contribute what she could to the conversations, telling herself that it was just as easy talking to these prominent business owners and managers in person as it was over the phone.
She knew who many of these people were, having spoken to them before. However, she didn’t let anyone know how she knew their names, because she didn’t want anyone to know she was only the receptionist.
All evening, Molly tried her best not to run off at the mouth or get distracted. She was here to help Ken schmooze with those who were to be his peers. Amongst all these important people, all dressed in their fine clothes, it was easy to remember to act dignified and, mostly, to be quiet.
Ken often asked if she knew who some of the people were, and for the most part, Molly could recognize them by their voices once a conversation began.
After allowing a respectable amount of making the rounds, the emcee requested that everyone please be seated for dinner. Cards at the place settings indicated they were to sit at the same table as Trevor Chapman and his wife, and a couple that Molly had never spoken to before.
She wanted to sit down and rest her aching feet, but Ken’s touch stopped her. “I just wanted to give you a word of advice, Molly,” he whispered in her ear. “They won’t be saying grace here, and I generally find it more comfortable to just quietly close my eyes in private for a quick word of thanks, with my hands folded in my lap under the table. It would be different if it were just the two of us, but this is quite a crowd, and it’s a business function. I’ve found out the hard way that if you’re too obvious, it makes people ill at ease, and a chance to speak about it later is lost.”
His words immediately recalled the first time they’d dined together and neither knew the other was a Christian. While she wondered if anyone here was as well, she took his words to heart. For herself, she didn’t care. The people at the office acted a little strange at first, but they quickly got used to her praying over her lunch bag. Only one person had made a snide comment, but she’d told him what she thought of his rude remark, although afterward she was sorry she’d snapped at him. She couldn’t afford to do that here, but like Ken, she also wouldn’t ignore God just because she was out in public.
The meal was served, and conversation flowed at their table.
Heather Chapman tapped Molly on the shoulder, as they sat side by side. “Molly, I just had to tell you this. I thought you’d like to know that Trevor bought that allergy product you suggested, and we asked for Missykins to be freshly bathed before we arrived. The symptoms have been reduced to a minimum. It means so much to our granddaughter to have her grampa play with her little dog. I wish I could find a way to thank you.”
“Maybe Trevor could sign a one-year contr—” A nudge at her ankle cut off her words.
Ken quelled her with one glance, then turned to the Chapmans. “That’s so good to hear. I had a dog when I was a boy. I have nothing but fond memories of all the family playing with him.”
Molly clamped her lips shut. She was only teasing, but obviously Ken didn’t understand the joke.
Heather Chapman pulled out a small pocket-sized photo album entitled Gramma’s Brag Book and proceeded to show off a score of photographs of their granddaughter, a few of which featured Missykins.
Molly couldn’t help but smile. One day she would learn the little girl’s name.
Immediately following the dinner, the mayor stepped up to the microphone. Between the dull monotone of his voice, the aftereffects of the delicious meal, and the relief to be off her aching feet, Molly struggled to keep her eyes open. Her eyes had almost drifted shut when a gentle touch on her hand startled her to complete wakefulness. Ken’s fingers slowly intertwined with hers and remained linked.
Instead of staring at their joined hands, she looked up to his face. He smiled warmly.
“I agree,” he whispered. “It can’t be much longer. You can do it.”
Heat rose in her face. She’d been caught almost dozing off. Abruptly, she turned to stare intently at the podium, knowing that as long as she could feel Ken’s gentle grip, she would remain fully alert.
The mayor’s words droned on into oblivion while Molly tried to figure out first why Ken was holding her hand and, second, what she should do about it.
The first and most common reason for holding hands was mutual affection. She couldn’t deny that she liked him. The memory of his short but very poignant kiss still lingered in the forefront of her memory, which only emphasized that she had allowed things to go too far. She couldn’t let a relationship develop. Ken was her supervisor. Even if he wasn’t, they were working side by side, together most of the day. If it didn’t work out, spending all day at work with him would be unbearable. She couldn’t allow it to continue.
But if she pulled her hand away she would embarrass him. Everyone was supposed to think she was there as his date. But as her date, perhaps his peers expected him to hold her hand. Many of the other couples present were holding hands, she suspected for the same reason.
The thought lifted a weight off her shoulders. This was a business function, not a date. At the end of the evening, they would be back to business-only.
But for the moment, Molly decided to enjoy the comfort of her hand within his, without guilt. Tomorrow life would be back to normal, again.
Ken smiled to himself. The mayor continued to drone on and on, but Ken’s plan was working. Not only was Molly staying fully awake throughout what was surely the most boring speech Ken had ever heard in his life, but the feel of her hand in his kept him awake too. A few discreet glances around the room confirmed his suspicions that more people were affected than just them. Unfortunately, the mayor was the only one not to notice his effect on the crowd.
Ken glanced down for a moment at Molly’s small hand clasped in his. While he felt bad that the main event of the evening had turned so boring, he appreciated the excuse to hold her hand. Yet, he couldn’t forget that Molly was an employee. He had told himself before they arrived that he had no business crossing the line, yet he was doing it again.
Instead of paying attention to the mayor’s droning speech, Ken thought about Molly. For now, he might manage to fool himself that he was holding hands purely to keep them both awake. However, at the end of the evening, their relationship had to go back to purely business and church-related functions. As much as he regretted his decision, it couldn’t be any other way.
At the close of the speech, it was almost painful when they had to separate their hands and applaud.
Coffee and wine flowed as the crowd mingled once again, signaling his cue to leave. They said their good-byes and were soon back in his uncle’s car. The entire drive, Molly chattered incessantly. Ken listened politely, nodding on cue, hoping she couldn’t see him trying to fight a grin. He was actually getting used to the way she chattered continuously. Still, he liked the musical quality of her voice. As he looked for an empty space in the visitor parking at Molly’s apartment complex, he smiled at yet another amusing anecdote.
Even though she knew Ken was only being a gentleman, Molly smiled politely and allowed him to escort her all the way to her apartment. Too late, she realized she had let herself get carried away with her motormouth, but she couldn’t help it. She was past nervous, she was scared to death.
She couldn’t help it, she liked him. A lot. Too much. The man was her boss. But it wouldn’t work. It couldn’t. If she
encouraged him, one wrong moment could mean disaster, both for her personal life and her career.
If she were smart, she would have told him she could see herself inside, yet when he turned off the engine and exited the car, she didn’t say a word.
Once at her apartment door, she could barely keep herself from shaking as she dug the keys out of her purse and inserted the key in the lock. The second she stepped inside, she toed off her shoes, vowing never to wear them again. She turned to thank Ken for the evening and send him on his way, but he followed her inside and closed the door.
Molly blinked. “Would you like a cup of coffee or some tea, maybe?”
“No, I just wanted to thank you for accompanying me in a more private setting than the community hallway.”
Molly gulped. The only reason a man would want a private setting would be for a good-night kiss. Which was exactly what she knew couldn’t happen.
Her mind raced while she thought of something to say, while she forced herself to breath.
Ken spoke before she could think of the right words.
“I want to tell you how much I’ve come to value you in the short time we’ve known each other. You’re a tremendous asset to the company in the way you greet people when they come inside for the first time, in addition to the way you handle everyone on the phone.”
She knotted her brows. Company? Asset?
“You’ve also been a tremendous help to me both at the office and now tonight. I wanted to say thank you properly.”
A million thoughts zinged through her head as she tried to figure out what he meant by “properly.” As different as the evening was from a typical date, she had enjoyed herself, except for the mayor’s boring speech, but the meal was lovely. The dessert was absolutely heavenly. If his idea of a proper thank-you was to offer to pay for the dress, she just might scream.
Her heart pounded as he stepped closer, but instead of bending to kiss her, he reached out his unencumbered hand and grasped one of her hands. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as he ran his thumb up and down her wrist.
“I appreciate everything you’re doing for me. I look forward to working with you as my assistant. I believe tonight will be the only time we’ll need to see each other outside of the office for a business function, so I won’t be interrupting your social calendar again.”
At his smile, her heart constricted. She didn’t have a social calendar. If he was saying what she thought he was saying, then he didn’t want to see her again except for at work. While it was exactly what she had convinced herself she wanted to hear, it hurt to hear him say it.
“Of course, that doesn’t include this Wednesday night’s Bible study. I look forward to that very much. I enjoy answering your questions and hope I can be of continuing help to you as you continue to grow in your Christian walk. It will be nice to attend a study with people my age.” He smiled, showing off the little crinkles at the corners of his gorgeous blue eyes, making her heart beat faster. “You’ve got to admit, the average age of my uncle’s congregation is at least a decade and a half beyond me.”
Molly gulped. She didn’t want to see whatever was happening between them end and go back to being business-only, yet she knew it was for the best. By him still offering to attend Bible Study meetings with her, she truly was getting the best of both worlds. Ken was a great boss, and a wonderful Christian example. He had a wealth of knowledge accumulated since childhood, and she wanted to learn all he had to teach her.
Yet she didn’t want the best. She wanted Ken, and that was wrong.
He leaned down. Molly closed her eyes to feel the softness of his lips on hers, but it didn’t happen. He brushed a soft kiss against her cheek, then stood upright once more.
“If there’s ever anything I can do for you, you be sure and let me know.”
All she could do was stare up at him.
“I’ll see you Sunday morning. Thanks for inviting me.”
Molly’s heart pounded. She seemed to recall that he had invited himself, but her mind was reeling too fast to contradict him.
He gave her hand one last gentle squeeze and released her. “Good night, Molly.”
The door closed behind him. Ken’s muffled footsteps faded down the hall and disappeared.
Ken frowned as he left the elevator and headed back to the car. He had clearly outlined his position, and Molly had readily agreed. He hadn’t wanted to separate business from pleasure, but he had no other alternative. To do otherwise wouldn’t be proper.
From now on, the only personal interaction they would have would be for the purposes of evangelistic outreach, which was helping a new believer become grounded.
It wasn’t exactly what he wanted, but there was no other way. Outside of work, he would only see Molly for Bible studies and church services.
But there was one good thing that had come out of the situation. He’d never looked forward so much to Sunday.
Chapter 9
Ken pushed the button for Molly’s apartment, then headed for the elevator when she buzzed the lock open. She was waiting for him when he arrived at her door.
“You’re wearing a tie.”
“Yes, I …” Ken raised his hand and out of habit wiggled the knot. Today Molly was wearing a casual outfit that he’d seen her wear to work.
“You’ve got to take it off.”
“We’re going to church, Molly. I haven’t gone to church without a tie since I was a boy. As it is, I should be wearing the jacket.”
Before he could protest, Molly reached forward and tugged the tie into a wide circle around his neck. He didn’t want to fight her, especially when she seemed so determined, so he let her remove it. Unfortunately, before he realized how far she’d pulled it, she’d pulled it all the way open instead of simply slipping it over his head.
Ken stiffened and mentally counted to ten. He was getting tired of asking Uncle Walter to tie all his ties for him. He’d only just come to the point where he had enough strength without pain in the fingers of his left hand to squeeze a bit of his hair gel into his right so he could fix his hair by himself. If nothing else, he was experiencing lessons in humility like never before.
Ken cringed as she threw the tie inside, hoping it had at least landed on the table. “Let’s go,” she said and physically turned him around and pushed him out the door before he could make an attempt to retrieve it.
They pulled into a parking lot bustling with cars and people. A few young boys who were playing catch in an empty portion of the lot stopped when a woman called to them from somewhere Ken couldn’t identify. He was surprised the woman would allow the children to play outside before church, taking the chance they would mess their clothes. As the boys approached, he noted they wore jeans and sneakers.
On their way past, one of the boys dropped his softball. Instinctively, Ken picked it up. Once it was in his hand, he realized he wasn’t in a position to throw it with any degree of accuracy.
“You’re not thinking of throwing that, are you?” Molly asked, confirming that she also doubted him.
“You don’t think I can throw this without hitting a car, do you?”
Molly’s cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. “You don’t really want me to answer that, do you?”
He tossed it in the air a couple times as they continued walking toward the building. Ken caught it just fine, but he always caught with his right hand. It was his throwing hand that was out of commission.
He decided that dignity came before pride. He handed the ball to Molly. “Here. You throw it. If you can.”
Instead of throwing it, she motioned to the boys, who came running once they saw their ball was in the hands of a woman who had no intention of throwing it back to them from the parking lot.
“That’s what I like about you, Molly. I never have to guess what you’re thinking.”
Her brows knotted. He wanted to assure her that he hadn’t meant his comment to be an insult, but before he could speak, they arrived at the main en
trance. A pleasant older couple handed them a bulletin, and they entered the building.
Once they were out of earshot, Ken nudged Molly and leaned toward her. “See. He’s wearing a suit and tie.”
Molly snorted. “I’ve only been here a couple of times, but I can tell you that besides the pastor, this man is the only one wearing a tie. The pastor won’t even be wearing a suit.”
Ken could barely believe his eyes, or his ears. The lobby was filled with people, almost every one of them chatting or laughing. The children weren’t standing with their parents, but instead, they gathered in swarms in various groups throughout the room.
Just as Molly had promised, not a single man he could see wore a suit or a tie. Many people wore jeans, both men and women. He’d never seen anything like it. Music echoed from what he assumed was the sanctuary, only it wasn’t an organ, it sounded like a whole band, and he thought he recognized the song from one of his CDs.
As they continued to walk toward the sanctuary, he saw a young couple about their age standing in the middle of a small group of people. The woman held a young baby in her arms, and the man was showing pictures to everyone surrounding him. Everyone around them chorused oohs and aahs as he proudly displayed them.
Like a typical woman, Molly gazed at the group with stars in her eyes. Ken thought Molly would make a wonderful mother and wondered if he would be a good father someday. He’d come from a happy home, his parents were still happily married, and they had been good role models. In the back of his mind, he wondered what kind of wife Molly would be for whatever man could keep up with her.
Before he could ask if Molly wanted to join them, a deep voice behind him called Molly’s name.
Ken turned to see a tall man standing directly behind him. A short, little blond woman gave Molly a big hug.
“This is Robbie, my best friend, and this is her husband, Garrett.” Molly beamed ear to ear. “I introduced them to each other. Garrett’s a forest ranger.”
Ken blinked, unable to figure out what one had to do with the other.
