Free Send Me a Cowboy by Joann Baker Page A

hand. She was rapidly texting. Katie sighed. Jessica and her
phone were rarely parted for long.
    “Come on, already,” she pleaded when the
other woman held up her hand indicating she would be just a minute
more.
    Katie walked to the window and looked out
over the city. The snow was continuing to fall and she hoped that
wouldn’t hider John from showing up tonight. She loved John more
and more every day. Even though it had been only a little less than
a month since they’d met, she knew he was the man for her.
    “Okay, all done,” Jessica said, coming to her
feet. “What are you doing over there? Let’s go.”
    Katie rolled her eyes and followed her sassy
friend from the office.
    As they passed through the department, Katie
suddenly noticed no one was at their desks. While it was lunch
time, many employees chose to eat at their desk or work through
lunch so they could leave a few minutes early. The silence was
almost scary.
    The cafeteria was several floors down and the
women took the elevator even though Katie knew she should be taking
the stairs. While John said he loved her, curves and all, she knew
she needed to eat healthier and exercise more. Not because she
needed to lose weight, but because she wanted to stay healthy and
be around for a long, long time.
    “So what are you having today?” Jessica asked
as they neared the cafeteria doors.
    “Maybe a salad?”
    Jessica laughed.
    “What’s so funny? I can eat a salad if I want
to.”
    Jessica stopped at the door, one hand on the
large stainless steel handle. “I think tomorrow might be the day
you’ll want a salad. We’re having a special lunch today. Prime rib
with all the fixings.”
    “Oh, is that why there was no one at their
desk?”
    Jessica laughed. “Yeah, that’s why.”
    She opened the door and ushered Katie
inside.
    After a few steps Katie came to a dead stop.
The lights were dimmed and the room was decorated like a movie set.
Hearts in all different sizes hung from the ceiling and more lined
the entire perimeter of the room. Their colors ranged from the
palest of pinks to the darkest red. Some were covered in glitter
while others were made from silk and satin. Each one was more
beautiful than the last.
    The middle of the cafeteria was empty, the
tables having been swept to the side. Each was dressed with a white
tablecloth, an arrangement of colorful flowers and heart shaped
candles. Fog-like smoke rose from the floor, giving the whole room
a magical, other-worldly quality.
    “What in the world?” Katie spun around to
question her friend.
    “Jessica told me how you felt about
Valentine’s Day, Katie-cat. I want to make this Valentine’s Day
extra special.”
    John stood behind her dressed in a dark gray
suit. Jessica stood by the door, a huge smile on her face. Now that
Katie’s eyes had adjusted to the light, she saw most of her
co-workers were huddled in the back of the room on either side of
Jessica.
    “What are you doing?”
    He stepped toward her, seeming to float
across the floor, a bouquet of at least two dozen red roses and a
shiny heart shaped box of candy in his hands. She had to be
dreaming. He cleared his throat as though suddenly nervous. A
smiling Jessica stepped forward and took the flowers and candy.
Katie’s hand flew to her mouth when John dropped to one knee. A
small red velvet box appeared in one hand. He opened it slowly.
    “Will you do me the honor of becoming my
wife, Ms. Katie Lenard? And allowing me to spend the rest of my
life showing you how much I love you?”
    “Oh, John,” Katie whispered as tears flowed
from her eyes.
    He took her trembling hand in his and slid
the diamond solitaire on her finger, placing a lingering kiss there
before looking up at her.
    “I’m taking that as a yes, sweetheart.” He
rose and took her in his arms. “Happy Valentine’s Day,
Katie-cat.”
    Tears of pure joy streamed down Katie’s face
as her friends and co-workers cheered loudly. Everything was
beautiful. She had