Free Woman of Substance by Annette Bower Page A

said when the music stopped.
    “I am. I have a good feeling about this evening’s event. You’re beautiful. And I’m lucky.” Brad placed his arm around her waist as a camera flashed.
    “You’re fortunate that Sam likes me or he might be jealous,” she said.
    “He knows we’re doing this for the two of us,” Brad whispered in her ear as the bandleader announced dinner.
    Brad put his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the front and center, near the head table.
    Robbie silently thanked the universe because the seats facing the speaker’s podium were taken and she couldn’t see Dr. Jean Clifton or Dr. Jake Proctor without turning her chair.

Chapter 5
    Jake enjoyed the Saskatchewan pickerel with wild rice and the baked apple in puff pastry with warm spiced cream. So far the evening had been full of pleasant surprises. Because Jean studied and worked in Regina, she knew many people. He’d been reintroduced to men who were on his midget hockey and high school baseball teams. He thought he recognized some of the women, but he couldn’t be sure. High school was such a long time ago.
    When Jean had asked him if he would replace the scheduled speaker, he’d accepted. Introducing his research to sated dinner guests was a great way to get his cultural project out in the public, and prairie people were known for their generosity. After the introduction, he stood and walked to the podium. He placed his notes where they could be accessed should he lose his way. After a sip of water, he glanced at the faces in the audience. The overflow light from the stage illuminated a familiar face. No, it couldn’t be the student who had crashed her nose into his chest. This was a pricey dinner to raise money for charities. She turned her chair and tilted her head to watch and listen. The movement felt strikingly familiar, as if he’d seen this often. But he had a presentation to give. He cleared his mind and he looked down at Jean Clifton. His colleague gave him thumbs up and he began.
    Robbie shifted her chair slightly and peered between the other guests watching Jake straighten his notes and take a sip of water from a glass. She felt as if Jake had looked straight at her for the first few seconds, but that had to have been wishful thinking. She’d looked so different in her jeans and fleece jacket. Now, she carried an evening bag instead of a backpack. As he addressed the audience, Jake’s voice grew strong and full of conviction.
    She felt safe watching him now that he was absorbed. The thought that had skidded across her brain that maybe, just maybe, he remembered her from one little collision in a busy hallway had sent her heart fluttering. In a small corner of her mind, she hoped he felt confused and recognized something about her that reminded him of his association with Robin. After all, he studied people so why hadn’t he noticed her disguise? Whenever they met at Frank’s, he was considerate. Or had he accepted her as she presented herself to him? The research side of her brain turned off and she put her hand on her heart. Now that would be the type of man that would be a keeper for her future.
    She tore herself from her wayward thoughts and forced herself to focus on the presentation. Jake’s passionate voice described the ancient San in the Kalahari Desert. They continued their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle even though their hunting areas were invaded by commerce. Food was shared among the whole group. The !Kung San believed it was wrong to eat in front of someone who did not have food, even if he was a big, visiting stranger.
    The audience laughed.
    While he spoke about the clicks and pops in their language, Robbie felt cocooned in the anonymity of the crowd. She could indulge a fantasy that Mr. Broad-shouldered, dark- blond professor with a passion for his work was speaking to her and her alone. She discerned that they shared common interests. While Jake tried to understand whole cultures, she