Free Winds of Heaven by Karen Toller Whittenburg Page B

eyes, she sank up to her chin in the warm water of the bath. It promised to be a very long night.
     

Chapter Four
     
    In the days that followed, Kylie told herself that the scene in her bedroom had been an absurd dream, a ridiculous flight of imagination. For a week and a half, Nick did nothing to discredit her theory. In fact, she often thought he couldn’t possibly have been more charming.
    During the training sessions and over dinner Nick was courteous, attentive, and friendly. He was businesslike and professional during the evenings, giving her information on the plant and employees. But always the evenings ended as the grandfather clock in the hall chimed eleven, ended with a cordial good-night that would have restored the faith of the most anxious mother. In every way Nick proved himself a perfect gentleman, and Kylie vacillated between feelings of confused relief and irrational pique.
    It wasn’t fair, she decided on Thursday morning as she listened to the expectant hum of voices in the cafeteria-turned-auditorium. She should be concentrating on the morning’s lecture or any number of other important things, but her thoughts centered increasingly on Nick.
    Day and night he was a tiny paper cut in her mind, an annoying ache that simply wouldn’t leave her alone.
    “Here’s the data sheet you wanted.” Stephanie extended the page for Kylie’s inspection.
    Blinking aside thoughts of Nick, Kylie scanned the list and nodded. “Can we have copies for everyone by tomorrow—early?”
    “No problem.” Stephanie looked over the crowded room, her blue eyes seeking and hopeful. “He’ll be here today, Kylie. I made a point to remind him this morning.”
    Kylie knew there was only one “he” who rated that wistful note in Stephanie’s voice. Alex had a perfect record of absence at the sessions, but his secretary seemed certain that would change at any moment.
    It wasn’t fair. Kylie returned to her original conclusion as she gathered together her notes and approached the podium. Stephanie wanted Alex here, and Kylie wished Nick was anywhere else. Placing her notes on the stand, she looked to the back of the room.
    He was there, of course, in the same chair, in the same corner of the room that he occupied during each and every session, impeccably dressed and looking impossibly handsome. In the artificial light his hair glinted like the patina of polished wood. His dark brows were a shadowy emphasis over eyes of indeterminate expression. Distance made the contours of his face indefinite, but she knew the chiseled lines by memory, knew how they firmed with determination and gentled with laughter. He caught her glance and smiled.
    You and I are going to be lovers, Kylie.
    Right on cue his words were in her mind again. Just as they always were when he smiled at her or touched her hand in a casual way that somehow didn’t seem casual at all.
    She focused her attention on the assembled employees. “Good morning. It’s time to begin.”
    As an interested hush fell over the room Kylie shoved Nick to the far corners of her mind and paused to let her confidence build. Here at least she knew she was in charge. Despite Nick, despite Alex, despite numerous little problems the seminar was going beautifully, and that fact alone was sweet satisfaction.
    “Today I’m going to present some suggestions on setting realistic goals and the positive steps you can take toward achieving them. Then we’ll divide into discussion groups. Any questions? Good, let’s get started.”
    The morning sped to a hurried lunch, consisting of salad, a soft drink, and a perusal of the afternoon training material. It was past three o’clock before Kylie, with Stephanie at her side, opened the door of her tiny office and sank into the only chair.
    “Sorry I can’t offer you a place to sit.” Kylie kicked off her navy leather pumps and wearily massaged her feet. “My request for another chair must have gotten hijacked on its way to your