Free Undaunted by Kate Douglas Page A

either, for that matter.
    Why should he? He was just like his mother.
    In fact, Rose had never noticed before how much the two of them resembled one another. Not a flattering observation at all since she thought Alicia Dearborn looked exactly like the ugly little Pekinese tucked firmly under the woman’s left arm.
    Suddenly it all fell into place: the rhythmic pounding in Rose’s head, Alicia Dearborn’s strident voice, James’s placating tones, even Frank Bonner’s flailing arms as he carried on his argument via speakerphone in his spacious, soundproof office across the hall.
    Then it all drifted away as, once again, the sweet memory of honeysuckle filled Rose. Drawing a deep breath, she inhaled the peaceful, calming scent of her childhood, not the antiseptic, filtered air of her Acme Insurance Company office. Aunt Rosa was absolutely right. She was working too hard.
    Rose drew her hand back from the telephone and all its blinking lights, picked up her heavy leather purse, slung her raincoat over her arm and quietly walked out of her office. She closed the door behind her and straightened her shoulders at the solid sounding “click” as the latch caught and locked her chaotic morning behind her.
    Ignoring Alicia’s imperious command that she explain herself, Rose smiled calmly at her secretary. “Hold my calls, Denise. I’ve decided to take the afternoon off.”
    “Well, it’s about time you came to your senses, Rose. I’m glad you’ve decided to join Mother and me for lunch. We have to talk.”
    Rose turned to James. Why, when she looked into the eyes of the man she’d promised to spend her life with, did she feel nothing stronger than regret?
    “You misunderstand, James. I’m taking the afternoon off by myself.” She fumbled for the right words, finally deciding honesty was best. “Please, I’d like for you to take this back.” She held the heavy gold and diamond ring out to him. “We both know it’s never going to work. We’ve known it all along.”
    He didn’t move. She looked at his face, searching for whatever had made her think she loved him. She’d once been so enamored of his dark blond hair and finely chiseled jaw, in awe of his elegant manners and cultured speech. But the man she thought she loved didn’t exist at all.
    I imagined you. The thought struck like a bolt of lightning. Am I that desperate? Self-awareness brought a sad smile to Rose’s lips, followed by a sudden urge to giggle. James and his mother, her secretary Denise, even that disgusting little Pekinese, all stared at her with their mouths open.
    Finally, a way to silence Alicia Dearborn. Feeling almost giddy with power, Rose tucked the ring into the breast pocket of James’s custom-tailored Armani suit, then quietly left the building. It didn’t even bother her that James hadn’t asked her to stay, hadn’t reached out to her, hadn’t disagreed with her. No, it didn’t bother her at all.
    Somewhere, a peaceful country road beckoned.
     
    * * *
     
    Rose wasn’t certain how long she’d been driving, or how far. The isolated landscape loomed dark and unfamiliar, the heavy clouds were no longer visible in the night sky, and her trusty little Volvo had developed an unhealthy klunking noise.
    She searched the horizon for the lights of Pittsburgh, but no telltale glow marked the sky. In fact, she hadn’t seen any light other than the occasional flash of lightning for at least an hour. Rose glanced at the fuel gauge. Less than a quarter of a tank left.
    At least her headache was gone. “Along with my job,” she muttered as the first fat drops of rain splatted against the windshield. Just what I need. She leaned over the steering wheel, closer to the windshield, and strained to see through the sudden downpour. More proof that my life is totally out of control.
    “Well, not completely.” Stuffing that ugly ring in James’s pocket had been rather empowering. Doing it in front of her secretary, the company president, and