Drive and Determination

by Louise, Kara

  An uncharacteristic blush tinted her cheeks as she answered as nonchalantly as she could, “Will… William Denton came down to Guatemala while I was there.”

  Maddy and Edward raised their eyebrows in unison at this news. As they walked on, they came to photographs of the line of Dentons who had held the esteemed position of President of Pemberleo.

  The last picture was of Will, and as Elyssa gazed upon it, she almost felt as though his eyes looked back at her.

  The overprotective side of Edward was aroused and he said, “I certainly hope he behaved himself around you. I can’t say I trust a man around my Elyssa who claims to be one of the top 50 bachelors in the country.”

  A nervous laugh betrayed Elyssa’s composure. “I don’t think he owns up to that claim. I rather believe it’s been more of a nuisance to him.”

  “Elyssa,” her aunt turned to her, “why didn’t you tell us you saw him down in Guatemala? Do you still find him reprehensible?”

  Elyssa let out the breath she found she had been holding. “No, not really.” A remorseful laugh brought a longing look to her eyes. “But he still has the uncanny ability to unsettle me with some of the things he says or does!”

  Maddy was prevented from asking anything further about one William Denton when a tour guide appeared and called the group together. She introduced herself as Patty and told them she had been with the company for over twenty years. She informed them that the tour would take about an hour, concluding with an opportunity to enjoy some Pemberleo coffee and pastry in their visitor’s lounge.

  Before walking out into the plant, the group of about fourteen listened with interest as Patty explained how the coffee beans were grown and harvested by small farmers, some of whom only farmed an acre of land. She shared how these farmers did almost everything themselves, sometimes with only the help of their family. She told how after harvesting, they dried the beans on large slabs of concrete for a few days before they were shipped to America.

  Elyssa couldn’t help but think of Pedro’s family.

  The tour group followed Patty out the door and down a hall. The first area they came upon was a room that they could look into through a large glass window. A handful of people were manually picking out coffee beans from a conveyor belt. In front of the window was a plaque giving a description of what could be seen in the room. Elyssa looked down to read it as Patty began to speak.

  “Most of the farmers sort through the beans before they arrive here, removing the ones of inferior quality, but inevitably some get through. Our employees know exactly what to look for and pick out the bad ones.”

  “Isn’t that terribly boring work?” asked someone on the tour.

  “Yes, and that’s why we rotate that position. We figure about an hour is about all anyone can take at a time before they begin to lose focus. We try to vary the jobs so an employee doesn’t become totally bored. When that happens, you end up with an unhappy employee and a less than superior coffee product.”

  After answering a few more questions, Patty moved the group on. They watched the conveyor belt carry the beans into the next area where they went through the roasters. Patty told everyone how the beans were subject to a variety of temperatures as they were roasted to perfection.

  As the group traversed down a long hallway, one of the women asked, “Is William Denton one of the highlights of the tour?”

  Patty laughed as though she had heard this question many times. “Well, if you had been on the one o’clock tour, you would have had the pleasure of seeing him. He was down in the tasting and packaging room. He rarely comes down to the plant so it was a surprise, but I doubt he is still there now.”

  Upon hearing this, Elyssa inhaled sharply and a look of concern colored her features. Her hand went up to the wall, as if she needed a little added support.

  Maddy looked curiously at Elyssa as several of the ladies expressed their disappointment with a round of regretful sighs.

  As the group walked toward the tasting room, everyone’s curiosity about William Denton was piqued.

  “So what is it like to have him as your boss?” the same woman asked.

  Patty stopped and turned around. “There are some who say that he is difficult to work for and that he is very demanding, but I don’t think there could be a finer boss.”

  “Yeah, and handsome, too!” called out another.

  Patty laughed. “Yes, even a woman my age can appreciate his fine features. But there is more to him than that. He truly cares for the company and its reputation of distinction. The ones who bemoan him usually are the ones who aren’t committed to excellence in their work.” With a shake of her head she continued, “They probably would complain wherever they worked.”

  Patty pointed up ahead. “Now, if there are no further questions about William Denton, let us continue on and we’ll see where samples of the coffee are tasted and packaged.”

  As they walked toward the next room, Elyssa couldn’t help but consider the fact that they had originally planned to be on the one o’clock tour. She wondered what would have happened if Will had seen her there. Obviously he had returned from Guatemala and he would have no idea that she was here.

  The tour group came to a standstill in front of a large glass window that looked out over a group of people who truly seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was very apparent to Elyssa that they were actually sampling cups of coffee.

  “In this room,” explained Patty, “a small pot of coffee is made randomly from a batch of coffee beans and then it is tasted.” She turned to the group with a smile on her face. “This certainly has got to be the toughest part of the whole job!” Everyone laughed.

  Patty continued. “Each batch of coffee is brewed and tested for taste, aroma, and texture. Anything that doesn’t meet our standards is discarded. If it does pass our exacting criterion, the coffee beans are then packaged in those machines in the back, both as full beans and ground.”

  Elyssa noticed a group of people who were gathered in a small circle. One person held a clipboard and was writing down what the others were saying. She then turned her attention to the sign below the window and began reading.

  A door opened in the tasting room and Elyssa’s eyes darted up as a gentleman walked in. Her quickening heart slowed, however, when she saw that it wasn’t Will.

  She shook her head. Obviously he was gone. She could finish the tour in peace, but she didn’t know whether she felt disappointment or relief.

  The door had begun to slowly close when it stopped and began to open again. Elyssa looked up as another person strode through. She took a small step backward into the crowd of people behind her when she realized it was Will.

  He was intently staring at a clipboard and when he lifted his hand to summon someone’s attention, his eyes casually drifted to the glass window. He came to an abrupt halt as he saw Elyssa on the other side.

  The small group of people on the tour pressed in around Elyssa as their tour guide exclaimed, “Oh, look, William Denton is still here!”

  Elyssa was too stunned to even move. She couldn’t bring herself to smile, nod, or even mouth a “hello.”

  Will seemed to be taken aback at seeing her, but directed a nominal nod in her direction. He then turned and ripped off the white apron he had over his suit. As he hurriedly walked out of the room, Elyssa closed her eyes as she wondered what he must be thinking about seeing her. Their last meeting had not been the most cordial.

  “Well, that was a treat, wasn’t it? Twice in one day!” Patty said. “He is a very busy man, though, and must have had something urgent come up to make him leave like that.”

  “Oh, I think he is so much more handsome in person!” said a lady who was standing behind Elyssa.

  Patty laughed. “I think he would be positively embarrassed if he heard the remarks about him that I hear from the ladies on the tours.”

  Elyssa was eager to move on and leave the plant. It was apparent that he was not happy to see her there.

&n
bsp; Patty explained about the final steps involved preparing the coffee to be shipped to stores and shops around the country. When she finished, she asked if there were any more questions, and when there were none, she directed the group into the lounge for their coffee and pastry.

  As Elyssa stepped through the door, she couldn’t prevent her eyes from searching for Will, thinking that out of politeness he might join them. When she saw that he was not anywhere to be seen, her heart sank in disappointment.

  “You’re welcome to stay here until five o’clock if you like,” Patty told them. “At that time, the lounge will close for the day. Thank you all for coming on the Pemberleo tour. I hope you enjoyed it. We, at Pemberleo Coffee, hope you will always look for our coffee when you shop, and if your store doesn’t carry it, we hope you will ask for it by name.”

  Elyssa felt numb as she followed the others into the small eating area. She was barely aware that Maddy had gently wrapped her hand through Elyssa’s arm, giving her a little support as they followed Edward to a table.

  When they sat down, a young lady came by with good-sized coffee mugs, plates, and silverware. She asked whether everyone wanted coffee, and when they all answered in the affirmative, she asked whether they preferred regular or decaf. She then told them that she would bring out a pot of coffee for them and a tray of pastries shortly.

  Elyssa was grateful that her uncle knew her tastes and answered for her, for she couldn’t quite concentrate on the conversation. Her attention was drawn to the door in the back of the room. Each time it opened, she turned to see who was coming in or going out.

  “Very interesting tour, don’t you think?” Edward exclaimed when the server left. “Now I know I’ll appreciate each and every good cup of coffee I drink.”

  The door opened again and Elyssa turned her eyes in its direction.

  “Yes, it was, dear,” his wife answered, giving Edward a concerned look as she tilted her head toward Elyssa. He gave his shoulders a small shrug.

  Elyssa pushed down a sense of anger -- whether it was directed at Will or herself she was not sure -- as she realized he was not going to come out to see them. Even though her heart ached, right now anger was easier for her to hide from her aunt and uncle. She decided it would be prudent for her to attend to them and their conversation.

  Edward commented with enthusiasm on what he had learned anew about the process of making coffee. His wife agreed as she tried to keep a pulse on Elyssa’s demeanor. Even though Elyssa was now paying attention, sometimes nodding her head to what her uncle said and other times only murmuring an agreement, Maddy could see something was most definitely wrong and she was fairly certain it had to do with William Denton.

  As Maddy watched Elyssa, she thought back to the few times since her niece’s arrival that the subject of William Denton came up. At first she believed her niece still held him responsible for her sister’s death. Now, as she furtively examined Elyssa’s features, she had to conclude it wasn’t anger that she was dealing with. It was something just as powerful, though.

  Elyssa sensed her aunt’s scrutiny, so she sat up tall, squared her shoulders, and smiled. “Well, we have the weekend before us, Aunt. What shall we do?”

  Maddy smiled at Elyssa’s attempt to act as though nothing was wrong. “Well, we can see if there are any good movies out. Or would you rather sit around the house and relax?”

  “A movie would be fine. Perhaps some exciting adventure movie.”

  Maddy pursed her lips together as she thought it odd that Elyssa would opt for an adventure movie when her greatest preference was romantic chick flicks.

  At length, her uncle finally said, “Ah, here comes the young lady with our coffee, now.” A wide grin appeared on his face and his said, “Well! Isn’t this a treat?”

  “Oh, my! He’s bringing it over himself!” exclaimed Maddy.

  When Elyssa looked up at her aunt and uncle, both were looking beyond her, with fervent smiles on their faces.

  She heard footsteps behind her and her heart took a faltering leap when a very warm, familiar voice spoke.

  “Hello. I believe you all wanted regular coffee?”

  Elyssa didn’t even have time to turn around. Will was suddenly standing next to her at their table with a pot of coffee in one hand and a small tray of pastries in another. He put the tray down on the table and began pouring the coffee.

  Casting a faltering glance down at her, he said. “Hello, Elyssa.”

  She had to swallow before she could answer. “Hello, Will.”

  When he had filled all three mugs with coffee, Edward stood up and reached out his hand. “I’m Edward Garner, Elyssa’s uncle, and this is my wife, Maddy.”

  Will took the extended hand into his in a firm grip. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Garner, Mrs. Garner. I’m William Denton.”

  “Mr. Denton, won’t you join us?”

  Will looked over at Elyssa as if securing her permission to join them. A gentle smile and nod from her gave him the assurance that she would accept his company.

  He looked back at Edward. “Thank you for the invitation, but I will join you only if you call me Will.”

  Edward laughed. “I will if you call me Edward.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  Will pulled out the one empty chair and sat down. The dynamics that occurred at that moment around the table was not difficult for Maddy to discern. She brought her hand up to her face and covered an emerging smirk with her fingers as she noticed repeatedly the furtive glances that her niece and Will cast at each other. It was almost as if each was carefully testing the waters.

  “How is your family, Elyssa?”

  “They are fine, thank you,” she replied, just as a young lady came up alongside of them and snatched a picture.

  Will appeared a little flustered, but answered, “I’m glad to hear that.”

  As the murmurs in the lounge increased, Elyssa couldn’t help looking around at everyone. All the eyes were on the gentleman who had just joined them.

  Tapping his fingers against the table, Will finally asked, “Would you mind terribly if we continue this in our private lounge?” He shifted his eyes to Elyssa and then back to the Garners. “I get a little uncomfortable around people with cameras. Do you mind?”

  Elyssa looked down at his remark, a blush coloring her cheeks. She knew exactly what he meant.

  Edward stood up. “That would certainly be a pleasure.” He began to pick up his coffee and plate, but Will stopped him.

  “I’ll have someone bring all this in for us.”

  “I’m going to go out the door I came in to ensure we can have a little privacy. Your server will come in and show you to the private lounge in a minute or two.”

  When he departed, both Maddy and Edward looked at each other and let out a delighted laugh.

  “This must be because of you, Elyssa,” Maddy said. “I’m sure he doesn’t often give people on the tour this special attention!”

  Edward chimed in, “He must be a busy man!”

  Elyssa’s thoughts had begun racing as quickly as her heart was beating. Her aunt didn’t miss the look of anticipation that swept across her face.

  The young girl came with a tray and picked up their coffee cups and plates. “Follow me, please.” Elyssa was grateful for her prompt arrival, which negated her having to compose a response to them.

  All eyes in the room watched as the threesome followed their server out of the room.

  They came into the plush lounge and she seated them at a small table in the corner. Will walked in and joined them.

  “Thanks,” he said. “I just didn’t want a lot of interruptions.”

  “No problem!” laughed Edward. “And if you heard what some of the ladies said about you during our tour, you would have had several come by and want their picture taken with you.”

  Will seemed uncomfortable by this comment, but turned to Elyssa, hoping to change the subject. “What brings you to Chicago, Elyssa?”

&nbs
p; “I have a design job here.”

  “Do you really?”

  Elyssa nodded.

  Will turned his attention back to Edward and Maddy. “Do the two of you live in Chicago?”

  Maddy answered. “We live in Lamstone.”

  “Lamstone! Why that’s just fi…” Will’s voice trailed off and he looked awkwardly at Elyssa. “That’s a very fine little town.”

  “Yes, we truly love it. We only moved here about a month ago.”

  “Have you explored all the walking and biking paths out there yet?”

  “No, we really haven’t had the time,” Edward said. “But what I’m really anxious to find is some good fishing spots.”

  “Oh, I can recommend several that are fairly close to you.”

  “You know the area, then?” he asked.

  Will paused before answering, as if carefully considering his words. “I know a little about it. I don’t often get out that way, though.”

  Edward engaged Will in conversation about the many opportunities for recreation around the area. Maddy was impressed with the attention Will was paying them. She couldn’t help but recall his stoic demeanor a few months back at the funeral. Even at the wedding two years ago, he seemed aloof. It was obvious that something had changed.

  Knowing that Elyssa hadn’t had the opportunity to thank Will for what he did for Janet and Chad, Maddy drew Elyssa’s attention and slightly nodded her head toward him. Bringing her hand up to the side of her nose as if to scratch it, she mouthed the words so Will couldn’t see or hear, “Thank him!”

  Elyssa pursed her lips together, feeling as though she were a little girl who had just been admonished for forgetting her manners.

  Edward mentioned to Will that Elyssa had just informed them that he had been down in Guatemala with her. He turned to her and they both looked awkwardly at each other.

  “Well, yes, I was. I wanted to make sure she had everything she needed and was well taken care of. I knew how difficult it had been for her.”

  Elyssa met his eyes as he turned toward her and she smiled. There was so much she wanted to say to him, but she couldn’t right here -- right now. She hoped he could read in her eyes her appreciation and her apology for all that had happened.