by Curry, Edna
"Oh? How nice." No doubt to celebrate the new employee. Diane didn't feel like doing that. Alice obviously hadn't realized how much she had been counting on that promotion. Evidently, Alice hadn't agreed that Diane was ready for it.
Smiling again, to cover her frustration, Diane indicated the piles of folders on her desk. "I'd better get at these, Mr. Banning."
"Call me Jeff," he said wrinkling his nose. "Alice said everyone is on a first name basis, here. See you later, Diane."
He left, but Diane's mind stayed on him, remembering the interested light in his gaze and the warmth of his skin touching hers. She told herself it was only as a distraction, because she was disappointed about losing out on the promotion. She found it hard to keep her eyes on her computer. Thinking resentfully of all those wasted hours of unpaid overtime she’d put in here, she wondered what good all that extra effort had done?
Somehow she got through lunch. All of the other girls fawned over Jeff. She endured the hour, managing to be as inconspicuous as possible. She returned to her office, relieved that she could work alone the rest of the day, although she couldn’t forget Jeff Banning’s friendly brown eyes or the warm press of his hand around hers.
Late the next afternoon, a phone call from a puzzled client alerted Diane to the fact that she had mixed up the two mailing lists on her desk the day before. When Alice discovered that she’d sent the wrong folders to all the retailers, Diane got a royal chewing out. For all her perfect grooming, Alice had a quick temper and a nasty tongue. Jeff, of course, heard about it, as did everyone else in the office.
Furious with herself, and at Jeff for having the power to distract her, Diane stayed late and re-did the mailing on her own time. In a way, she was hoping the unnecessary gesture would wash the strange attraction she felt for him out of her system.
Knowing the letters were already way behind schedule, she dropped them at the nearest twenty-four hour post office, which happened to be at the airport. Then she remembered she’d promised to buy her sister a copy of the latest bestseller. It was after nine. The mall was closed by now. What a bother, she thought, and drove over to the main terminal building to get it at one of the news stands.
A janitor lethargically pushed a broom down the long concourse. There were few people in the hallways, so Diane was surprised to see Jeff Banning striding toward her.
Apparently seeing someone off, he was carrying an overnight bag and talking with an older man who looked a lot like him. She couldn’t avoid them, so decided to say a friendly hello in passing. Then she realized that they were deep in argument. Jeff's face held a scowl as he talked.
In the moment Diane hesitated, he looked up and saw her. His scowl smoothed out, and he waved as they approached and stopped.
"Diane, I'd like you to meet my father, Vince Banning, from Milwaukee. He's been visiting Minneapolis, for the computer show at the Convention Center. He was showing some of Banning Corporation's new software. Diane works for Special Tours, too, Dad."
"Hello, Diane.” He offered a hand with a grin. “I can see why you like the new office, Jeff, with a lovely woman like this one in it."
"Why, thank you. I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Banning," she said, smiling as she shook his hand. As she looked into his dark brown eyes, she had the oddest feeling that she was seeing what Jeff would look like in thirty years. She liked the idea, because Vince Banning was still a handsome man. He was heavier than Jeff, and his wavy hair was almost all silver-gray, but he was athletically built and virile looking. "I didn't expect to see anyone I knew."
"What are you doing here? Did you see someone off?”
"Just catching the late mail," she hedged. From the quick gleam in Jeff's eyes, she was sure he’d guessed what she was so anxious to have go out after the fuss in the office that afternoon. Then what he’d said sunk in. “Banning Corp.?” she asked. “Your own company?”
“Yes, it’s our family firm.”
Diane swallowed. Yikes. She’d been thinking of Jeff as a rich playboy, because of Carla’s comment, and he really was one. A sinking feeling of déjà vu settled in the pit of her stomach.
Jeff watched, fascinated, as she brushed her curly, blonde hair behind her ear with a slim, neatly manicured hand. Tiny emeralds gleamed on the delicate curve of her earlobe. He wondered what it would be like to kiss the smooth, tanned skin of her throat. Was it as soft as it looked?
She met his eyes and flushed slightly, evidently realizing his gaze was fixed on her. "Again, nice meeting you, Mr. Banning. Goodnight." She walked quickly away.
Damn, Jeff thought as he watched her go, now I’ve made her nervous. Had his father noticed her hasty retreat? He glanced at him as they walked down the concourse to his gate.
Vince frowned, saying, “Remember what I told you. Don’t say anything to anyone at Special Tours, even Diane, about your project for Banning Corporation.”
“Of course.” Jeff’s gaze swung around to meet his father’s. “What do you mean, even Diane?”
His father grinned. “I caught those interested looks between you two. Are you dating her?"
"Give a guy time, Dad. I just met her.”
Vince held up a hand in surrender. “Okay, Jeff. Let me know how your work on this progresses.”
Jeff nodded as Vince’s boarding call blared out over the loudspeaker. “You be careful, now, Dad. I don’t like the implications of what’s going on back at Banning.”
“I’ll be fine, Son.”
***
Over the next week, Diane gradually began to relax a little around Jeff. He often appeared preoccupied and seemed to have a lot of assignments outside the office. Not that Diane minded. Life was less upsetting when he wasn't there to set her blood dancing. Her resentment of his receiving the promotion was now reinforced by learning that he was another privileged rich kid like Cory. One bad experience with a guy like him was enough for her.
Diane was determined to remain cool and professional around him. Then, when everything was going smoothly, Alice assigned her to enter some of Jeff's material into a file on her computer.
As she was busily typing it, he came to stand by her desk, picked up some finished pages, and leaned against her file cabinet, reading them. The spicy scent of his aftershave drifted over to her.
"Almost finished?"
"Just a couple more pages," she said, trying to ignore him. He stood where his lean, muscular body drew her glance in spite of herself. As he read, his mouth pulled up in a satisfied curve. She wondered what it would be like to feel those lips. Would his kiss be gentle, or demanding? What would it be like to be held tight in those strong arms? What was the matter with her? She wanted nothing to do with that man.
He met her gaze and grinned at her in that unassuming way he had. In confusion, she went back to typing too quickly and accidentally closed the new file she’d been working on instead of saving it. "Damn!" she exclaimed before she could stop herself. How could she be so stupid? Now he’d really think her incompetent.
“What’s the matter?”
“I just deleted what I’d typed. I’ll have to re-type it, so it won’t be finished for a while. Sorry.”
Jeff frowned, then said, "It should still be there in your temporary files."
She shrugged. "Maybe so, but I don't know how to find it."
"Here, let me."
She relinquished her chair and watched, surprised, as he easily retrieved her file.
"There. Now save it."
"Thanks." She gave him a grateful smile.
He grinned in return, got up and turned to go.
Alice walked in. “Oh, good, Jeff, you’re here, too. I wanted to tell you and Diane that I’ve assigned you two to the senior citizens color tour scheduled for tomorrow.”
Diane caught her breath in dismay. Usually, she and George, the bus driver, handled this "leaf-looking" trip alone, one of many that their travel agency arranged each fall. Taking a busload of people to enjoy the beautiful fall colors in her own home-town
river valley was one of Diane’s favorite assignments, but if she had to do it with Jeff, she’d be a nervous wreck. She just couldn't relax or do anything right around that man. “But, Alice,” she said, “George and I always do that.”
Alice looked at Diane over her wire-rimmed glasses, patted her already perfect hairdo, and overruled her. "Jeff has just been transferred here from our Milwaukee office, and needs to get acquainted with our area," she explained in her well-modulated voice. “You two will probably be working together a good deal, so you may as well start now."
Jeff raised a questioning dark brow and grinned, as though daring Diane to agree to spend the day with him.
She might as well have voiced her objection to the wall. Looking away, she swallowed painfully and nodded her assent to Alice.
Chapter 2
So here Diane was, in her perky navy hat, uniform and walking shoes, on her favorite outing. Her stomach was tied in knots, and she felt sure that disaster was about to fall on her head. She was much too aware of that man sitting across the aisle from her in the bus.
Diane listened to the excited chatter of the senior citizens who were her charges, and smiled at their pleasure.
"Oh, how lovely!"
"Gorgeous view!"
"Let me get a picture!"
She turned to stare out the window again, feeling the usual glow of awe and happiness as the tour bus rounded the familiar rock-lined curve and swept down into the beautiful St. Croix River valley.
Each time she came home to ‘Happy Valley’ as her father called it, she appreciated it more. Few places had such a variety of trees that changed in the fall to a broad spectrum of hues. Also the steepness of the hillside set off the picture so well. Before them, yellow, gold, orange and red lay against a background of evergreens and rocks. Far below, the blue ribbon of the St. Croix River snaked, forming the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The gray, trap rock cliffs of the Dalles stood two hundred feet tall above the rapids that gurgled over the rocks below.
The panorama spread out below never failed to thrill her. If it weren't for that one impossible-to-ignore man seated across from her, she would be content.
Diane's gaze nervously roamed to Jeff’s rugged features, broad shoulders, and wavy brown hair. He was attractive, yes, but there was something else, a sincerity in his gaze and genuine warmth in his eyes, that sparked her interest.
The same warm sensation rippled across her midriff that had attacked her every time she'd been near him since they'd met. That was why she’d objected to working with him today.
She wasn't sure why she reacted to him, but her heart had started its series of warning flip-flops when they'd been introduced, and repeated them whenever he was near. She’d thought, after that disaster with Cory, she would be immune to these feelings, but apparently not.
He glanced up now, caught her gaze on him, and smiled. Embarrassed, she looked away. He was the most disconcerting man she'd ever met. Why couldn't she just dislike him for getting the job she’d wanted and ignore him? Instead, her middle melted as fast as an ice cream cone on a July day whenever his eyes fastened on her. Why couldn’t he be easy to dislike, instead of sincere and nice?
She deliberately kept her eyes averted as the bus swept past the lookout and around the final curve into the little town at the bottom of the valley. Smoothing back the short hair above her ear, she fingered the emerald earring that had been a most precious gift from her grandmother.
When the bus pulled up in front of the restaurant where they were to have lunch, she stepped down quickly.
Inside her younger sister, Paula, dressed in her fresh white uniform and bright red apron, was hosting. Paula's long ash blonde hair, so like her own except in length, was tied back in a ponytail. Diane's heart warmed in pleasure at the sight of her sister.
When Paula saw Diane, her welcoming smile changed to a frown of dismay. "Diane!" she exclaimed. "With a tour group? Why no reservations?"
"What do you mean, 'no reservations?'" Diane said, appalled. Fifty senior citizens were crowding onto the sidewalk outside. Through the large windows, she could see George helping the more disabled ones down from the bus. Now Paula was telling her the impossible: there was no luncheon prepared for her charges.
"I called Bob myself, weeks ago! It should have been on your calendar!" Diane insisted. Her stomach clenched. Of all the days for something to go wrong, just when she wanted to make a good impression on Jeff, and show off her lovely valley.
"I don't know what happened, Diane," Paula said miserably. "I checked the calendar myself this morning as usual. I know you weren't listed. I certainly would have noticed your name. Somebody goofed."
"It's my own fault, Paula," Diane hastened to assure her. "I should have called yesterday to double-check the arrangements." If it had been any other restaurant, she would have. She’d been confident of this one because it was so familiar to her. All through high school, she’d worked here part-time and now Paula did the same.
Now she saw Jeff coming toward them, obviously wondering what was keeping her. Quickly, Diane turned and asked Paula, "Can you fix it?"
"I'll try," Paula returned. "Go on in."
"What's the problem?" Jeff's deep voice rumbled behind her.
"No problem," she lied, quickly introducing Jeff and Paula. "Bring them on into the dining room."
Paula met her frantic look, nodded and scurried away to the kitchen to find Bob, the manager.
Diane glanced back at Jeff and found his disturbingly intense gaze still on her. He knows something is wrong. She flushed, then admitted, "They lost our reservations. They'll feed us as planned, though, I'm sure. But it will probably mean a wait, and throw us off our schedule."
Jeff nodded without comment. He turned away to guide the older ladies coming in behind them.
Diane sighed with relief at his calm reaction and quickly assumed Paula's role as hostess. She led them all into the dining room and, with the ease of long practice, showed them where the restrooms and coat racks were. Thankfully, the tables were all set up as usual so the dining room gave no indication of the foul-up. From the window in the kitchen door, she saw Bob sign her a thumbs-up. She let out a relieved breath.
Chatting and smiling to cover her discomfort, she took the seniors through the seating routine as slowly as possible to gain time. She was aware of Jeff's gaze on her several times, and knew that her cheeks were hot because of it.
Her mind whirled as she attempted to plan ahead. What could she do to keep them all happy for the half hour or more that they would have to wait? She knew this wasn’t the first time a busload had arrived here unexpectedly, so she wasn't afraid that the restaurant couldn't serve them. No, it was only the disturbing presence of Jeff, who kept watching her with those unsettling brown eyes, that was turning her into a nervous wreck. Why did this have to happen today of all days?
You'd better be nice to him, she scolded herself. Remember, you may be in charge today, but later you're going to be working for him. If you come off looking like a babe in the woods on this trip, you'll never get a good assignment!
She remembered that they had a one o'clock appointment to tour a historical house, and excused herself to go back to the public telephone. Mr. Hanes, the caretaker, thanked her for calling and agreed to the time change. Next she re-scheduled their boat ride. It certainly was helpful to know the person on the other end of the phone. Yet, it made her feel worse to cause problems for people she knew.
Paula saw her at the phone and came over to whisper, "All set, but we need a little more time. Think of something to keep them busy."
"Like what?" Diane shrugged desperately.
"How would I know? You're the tour guide. Can't you sing or something?"
"Oh, funny! Paula, be serious for once in your life."
"I was." Giving a shrug, she disappeared back into the kitchen.
She’d have to be really desperate if she took Paula’s suggestion that she sing to them, Diane thought. He
r attempts at singing had been a family joke for years. On the other hand, she mused, going back to the dining room, she was also the butt of family jokes for her non-stop chatter. Didn’t these people spend a lot of time alone with no one to talk to them? They would probably enjoy just talking and listening.
She waited until most of them were settled comfortably and the waitress had placed glasses of water and full coffeepots in front of them. Then she began to talk as though her life depended on it.
"As some of you know, I lived here in this beautiful valley all my life until a few years ago," she began.
"Wow," Jeff teased lazily. "That must have been ages. Like maybe a hundred years or so?"
Smart-ass. Could he possibly be fishing to find out her age? Why would he want to know that? He's just helping me entertain them.
She decided to tell him. After all, she'd never been self-conscious about her age. "Like twenty-six, actually," she returned, feeling the heat rise up her throat. Would she ever outgrow this ridiculous trick of blushing when someone teased her?
"Really?" his left eyebrow went up in genuine disbelief.
"Really. Probably ten years less than you," she shot back. Two could play this public question and answer game.
"Eight." He smiled with satisfaction and leaned back in his chair.
Diane noticed that there’d been a trace of irritation in his eyes at her guess that he might be older. "Anyway, this area has an interesting history," she continued. "I'd like to tell you a bit about it while we're waiting for our food. It was once called the 'Valley of the Bones,' after a very bloody battle between the Fox and the Chippewa Indians in the 1770's. Most of the Fox tribe were killed and the Chippewa then opened the area to the white man. The famous Chippewa chief's name was Waub-o-jeeg. You'll see his name on historical markers and various other things in this valley."
She told them about the ‘glacial gardens’ or ‘pot-holes’, as the local people called them. Those were deep holes in solid rock, the largest of which was sixty feet deep and twelve feet across. They were made in the glacier age by whirlpools of swirling water containing smaller rocks.
