 
### Better Off Single

### Vicki H. Cutler

Published by Happy Valley Bookstore at Smashwords.

Copyright 2011 Vicki H. Cutler

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapter 1

"Fat! Fat! Fat!" Dana chanted aloud as she walked briskly along the road to meet her goal of two miles in thirty minutes. "I hate fat!" She remembered again the depressing doctor visit a few weeks ago.

"I'm afraid you're about 40 pounds overweight, Miss Winger," her doctor told her when she had gone in to see him about her back pains. "Walking is the best exercise until you get your weight under control. You've got to walk at least four or five times a week, as briskly as you can. Time yourself and try to cut a minute or two off your time every day. And of course, you know you'll have to diet. I'll have my nurse give you some pamphlets on dieting and some stretching exercises to take home with you. Your back has a slight birth defect and it will give you trouble all your life if you are overweight and don't exercise to keep it limber."

Dana hated to diet. Food was such a comfort. She had been plump since fourth grade. By high school it had become a concern so her mother had taken her to a counselor. He had gently asked if she had suffered any sexual abuse as a child, explaining that often an overweight person envelopes themselves in a barrier of fat to avoid being victimized again.

Dana hadn't been sexually abused. She just liked to eat. It didn't hurt anybody and it provided some comfort to her feelings when people treated her like she was invisible. She hated it at parties or at church when she was talking to someone and out of the blue they interrupted her and either talked about themselves or called to someone else. Was she that boring to listen to?

Her mind whirling with remembered snubs, she arrived back home. Checking the time, she felt a little sensation of pleasure that she had finished three whole minutes sooner than yesterday. It was probably because she had gotten so mad thinking about all the slights she had endured. "Maybe I'd better think of something to be mad about every day to give me a charge of adrenalin," she smiled.

It wasn't in Dana's nature to be angry, though. She had a naturally laid back and forgiving personality and usually thought the best of people.

Entering her house, she looked at the dishes in the sink and the papers strewn around the small living room. "I'd better get busy and clean up a little. This place is a mess," she told her cat, Cruiser. He was black and white and reminded her of a police squad car.

Dana loved her little cottage and land. It was situated on a back country road at least a quarter of a mile from any neighbors. While not having the personality of a budding hermit, she did enjoy the privacy she had here. There were rarely any unexpected visitors except the occasional Jehovah's Witnesses who were easily gotten rid of. The only salesmen that came to ring the doorbell were Girl Scouts selling cookies. No jarring sounds of unceasing traffic or the sirens of emergency vehicles disturbed her sleep. There were only three other houses on the entire road. She knew her neighbors, but they kept pretty much to themselves.

She had moved to Illinois from Michigan after realizing that college just wasn't for her. She wanted to get away from home, not because she didn't love it on the farm, but because she wanted to be independent. Her parents were disappointed that she had dropped out after one year, but they supported her desire to try life on her own.

She had searched advertisements for jobs in this small town area on a whim. Ever since she and her dad had passed through on the way to some farm show or other, she had been impressed by the beauty and fertility of the farms. She was very happy to find a job in nearby Ilion that didn't require a degree and found that she could live frugally on her small income.

It was nothing short of really good luck that Dana had heard about this small house and 5 acres for sale. She did volunteer work at a nursing home and one of the regular visitors had told her she was selling because she was growing older and feeble and needed nursing home care herself. Dana couldn't believe the asking price and asked her parents for the loan of a down payment. The deal was done and she had moved in over a year before.

It was only a two mile drive to work where she had started about three years ago as a file clerk for a trucking company. She liked the people there and they were happy to have her. She got along best with older people and most of the other workers had been there for years. She had steadily progressed from file clerk to invoice typist and then to accounts receivable and customer service. It was an adequate job with reasonable pay but not very challenging.

She didn't need the aggravation of a challenge right now, though. It was going to be enough to change her eating habits and see if she could melt some of this flab away.

Dana woke up the next morning earlier than usual. The late June air was still cool because the sun had not come up yet. She was tempted to stay in bed until the alarm went off. "No!" she chided herself. "Get up and get your walk over with while it's cool. The temperature is supposed to be in the 80's today."

She dressed in cut off jersey shorts and a tee shirt and pulled a brush through her long, straight brown hair. It was so nice not to have to worry about her appearance every minute out here in the boonies. Grabbing a book, she set out on her hike. At first when she started her walks in May, she had enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the birds. The small creatures that ran in the long grass at the edge of the road were fun to watch. The sunshine had been warm and delightful, but after a couple of weeks, she had gotten bored. When she found herself hating to make the effort to get out and walk, she tried to think of ways to keep interested. Dana had discovered that books were wonderful to read while walking. The road was paved and smooth and there were no chuck holes she could stumble into while engrossed in the story.

Deep in her book, she missed seeing the rock that a passing tractor had thrown into her path. Stepping on it with the side of her foot, her ankle twisted badly and she fell hard onto one knee then toppled over onto her side. She skinned her elbow and hand but ignored it because of the agony in her ankle. Groaning in pain, she writhed on the hard roadway for a few seconds to try to endure the sharp throbbing. After a few minutes some of the pain eased, the nausea passed, and she could finally feel her knee throbbing too. She brought it up to see the damage and it was covered in blood.

Dana had fallen just before the crest of a small rise in the road and couldn't see the oncoming car until it was almost on top of her. She heard it just before it came over the hill. Panic erased the pain as she threw herself flat and rolled out of the way. Her speed was such that it carried her not only over the narrow shoulder of the road but down a steep embankment into a ditch before she could get control. Through a daze, Dana heard the tires of the car screeching as the driver braked to a stop.

Coming to rest on her stomach, she raised her head to get her bearings after the dizzying roll. Looking directly into her face and only a few feet away were the beady black eyes of the other occupant of the ditch. The skunk was not happy. Its tail was raised ready for action. Dana knew that the slightest movement might set it off. She froze, all sensation of pain gone from her mind as she confronted this new hazard.

"What happened?" a male voice called from above. "Are you all right?"

The unexpected noise was enough for the skunk to make up its little mind. It whirled, tail high. Dana screamed in desperation and frantically ducked her head, but the creature spewed his load of incredibly noxious spray directly at her.

The skunk took himself off nonchalantly while Dana began retching and gasping for air. She dragged herself a little way up the embankment to try to escape the worst of the fumes.

After the first wave of wretchedness had subsided, Dana became aware that the man watching her was coughing also and had a handkerchief to his face. Realizing that there was nothing that could be done for her without the man smelling as bad as she did, she cried, "I'm all right! You can leave." Her voice came out in a rasp from the horrible skunk oil filling her throat.

"Your leg is bleeding! You've been hurt! Let me help you!" the deep voice called. He was reluctant to get closer as the putrid odor enveloped him, but Dana could hear his footsteps as he began the descent to her.

"No! Get out of here! I'll be fine. There's no sense in both of us getting covered with this stuff." Dana choked and tried to rub her eyes clear. The stench was so overpowering that she couldn't see the man through the tears. She choked and gagged and tried to spit the worst of it out of her mouth. He must be crazy even offering to help someone who had just gotten sprayed by a skunk!

The man backed off a little as if visibly pushed by the odor. "I'm not leaving until I'm sure you're all right," he called through his handkerchief, firmness in his tone.

"I just stumbled and fell on my knee," Dana answered, twisting the truth so he wouldn't feel obligated to help her up. "I live just down the road," she said, waving in the general direction of her house. "I'll go home and get this cleaned off as soon as I can see. Stay away. There's nothing you can do." She was mortified enough without worrying about him being coated with the reeking odor.

"Can I go get something for you? Water? Anything?" he asked.

"No, water won't be enough. I have some cans of tomato juice I'll pour over myself. That's supposed to get rid of the smell. I'll be fine. Go ahead and go." Dana tried to control her retching. She pulled herself to a sitting position but didn't get up for fear that he would notice her twisted ankle and insist on helping her. She just wanted him to go away so she could suffer in peace and hobble home without an audience.

The man coughed again, wanting to leave quickly but feeling obligated to help her. "What made you stumble?"

"A rock, I think. I was reading a book and didn't see it."

"You ought to look where you're going! I thought I had hit an animal," he yelled. "You scared me to death!" Now that he knew he hadn't been the cause of her accident, he reacted with anger.

"Well, you shouldn't drive so fast!" she retorted back. "Now get out of here! I don't want you to get this smell on you. I don't need anything! I'll be fine."

Her eyes finally cleared enough so that she could see his vague form walking away. She kept still until she heard the motor start and the car leave. Raising her face to the sky Dana let out the pent-up bellow she had been suppressing all this time. She howled over and over, venting all her pain and frustration to the heavens, confident that no one could hear her. When she was through, she felt better, but it didn't improve her situation. She still had half a mile to limp on a twisted ankle before she got home. At least the first agony was over and she could move a little easier now.

Hauling herself painfully on her bruised hands and one knee up the slope to the road, Dana stood and gingerly put some weight on the ankle. It hurt immensely but she managed to limp a few steps at a time toward home. She realized she had forgotten the book that had been lost on her mad roll down the hill. She looked around and found it nearby. That was lucky. It was an exciting story and she wanted to finish it.

She came upon a fallen branch that worked as a walking stick and that helped a little. Hopping when it became too bad and resting often, Dana made her way down the road towards her house. She prayed that nobody else would drive by and see her predicament. She couldn't face the embarrassment of having someone see her like this. Limping and reeking of skunk, her eyes still running and blood dripping down her leg, she visualized the pathetic picture she must make.

"I'll never get the smell out in time to go to work. I'll have to call in sick," she thought as reality hit and she began to think about dealing with the ordeal she faced. "They'll die laughing when I tell them. Especially the guys in the shop. I'll never live this down."

Nearly half an hour later she finally reached her house, trembling from pain and exhaustion. Dropping onto the porch steps to rest, Dana philosophically accepted her situation. Bad things happen. It was her turn for them to happen to.

Employing a technique she had developed as the result of a lifetime of accidents, unusual illnesses, and general bad luck, Dana put herself in her "future mode." It was her habit, when things got bad, to project her mind a day or a week into the future and think what effect the present discomfort would have then. "The pain will be gone," she told herself. "So will the smell. Nothing will be left but the memory. I'll be able to laugh at it by then. It will be a big joke. I'll write about it in my journal."

Not wanting to spread the terrible stench through her house, Dana realized that she had to ask someone to come and help her a little. The previous owner had installed a phone in the garage luckily, so she used it to call her friend, Andrea. Explaining her plight, Dana encountered maniacal laughter and the first of what she knew would be many mocking comments. Andrea was sympathetic but she had a nasty sense of humor.

She got some of the same treatment when she called her boss at work and explained what had happened. After he had stopped laughing he agreed that her malodorous presence wouldn't add much to the office moral and she could take the day off. It wasn't a busy day and they could manage without her.

While she waited for her friend to arrive, Dana got out a garden hose and disrobed to her underwear behind the house to shield her from any passing vehicles. She scrubbed her face and hair as well as she could in the cold water but didn't have soap outside so she couldn't tell if it had helped the stench any. At least her eyes cleared up so she could see and she could breathe easier. The knee burned when she washed off the blood but it wasn't a bad cut, mostly just a scrape. It felt better after she picked a few pieces of gravel out of the skin.

Andrea drove in a few minutes later and jumped, laughing, out of her car. Raising a box, she called, "I brought the beer!"

"Beer? You know I don't drink beer!" Dana protested from the bush she was trying to hide behind.

"No, silly! The beer is for the skunk smell. I told my dad about what happened to you, and he said they always used beer on their dogs when they got sprayed by skunks. It worked wonders."

"I'll try anything," Dana conceded. "This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me."

Chapter 2

"Don't come close to me, Andrea," Dana cautioned her friend. "I am pretty disgusting right now."

"I can tell! Whew, you reek all the way over here! What do you want me to do? I called in at work and told them I'd be a little late so I can stay for a while."

"You're a life-saver," Dana sighed. "I don't know what I would do without you. You always rescue me from whatever I've gotten myself into. This is the worst so far, though, isn't it?"

"How bad is your ankle?" Andrea asked, trying to be solicitous but having a hard time keeping a straight face. She loved to laugh and her friends were not spared if she saw something amusing. She realized, however, that this accident was more than just annoying to Dana. She saw the woebegone expression on her friend's face and the pain in her eyes.

"It hurts like heck, but I can't worry about it until I'm cleaned up enough to breathe. This odor is so awful it burns my throat. My eyes are still watering from it," Dana informed her. Her voice was still rough from skunk oil. "Here, hand me the beer. Do I just pour it on?" she asked.

Andrea took pity on her and endured the stench to pour the beer over her head while Dana rubbed it in. While they worked, Dana told the whole sordid story from start to finish, wavering between wails of discomfort and laughter at the stupidity of it all. The gravity of the situation and the power of the odor were sobering even for Andrea. Within a few minutes, Dana was drenched with beer. It stung her eyes and made her gag, but it did seem to diminish the pungent skunk aroma. "Will you run in and get a towel?" she asked.

She dried off when Andrea returned then asked, "Sniff me and see if I smell well enough to go in and have a shower. I don't want to stink up the house and my nose is past smelling a thing."

Andrea dutifully sniffed and pronounced her still pungent. "If you shower two or three times every day, you might be able to go to work next week," she laughed.

"That's not good enough, then," Dana groaned. "Will you go find the cans of tomato juice in the cabinet over the stove? I'll try that next. It's supposed to work well. If I try both remedies, maybe I'll be presentable."

The beer had been bad enough, but the tomato juice was really irksome. She had not noticed the myriad little cuts and scratches all over her body from the tumble down the hill, but the acid in the juice began to sting each individual one. Hopping in discomfort and pain, Dana rubbed the juice in as she had done with the beer and then had Andrea spray her again with the hose to wash away the remaining mess. She squealed and shivered in the cold water and then dried off and limped into the house.

"I don't care anymore how I smell. I have got to get warmed up in the shower!" she said. After a thorough soak and much lathering with fragrant soap, Dana emerged looking clean but still bedraggled. At least she hoped she smelled better.

"I can't believe my bad luck," she moaned, throwing herself into an easy chair. She put her aching ankle up on a stool and finished drying her hair. "Now smell me," she ordered. "Am I at all bearable?"

Andrea again subjected her friend to being sniffed and was happy to be able to tell her that the scent was still present but tolerable. "Do you want me to bring in your clothes and put them in the washer?" she asked. "Then I need to get going. This is going to be so fun to tell about at the hospital." Andrea was a loveable and entertaining nurse and kept the staff and patients eagerly anticipating her next story.

"Is it absolutely necessary to blab the whole story to every person you see?" Dana complained. "At least leave my name out of it, if you have to tell the whole disgusting tale."

"All right, I'll change your name to protect your privacy, but the story is too good to waste! Everybody will die laughing!"

Dana fixed her friend with a very accusatory gaze. "Andrea, you work in a hospital trying to keep people alive!"

"You know what I mean," Andrea laughed. "They'll love it!"

"That's just what I'm afraid of," Dana moaned. "I had to tell the people at work what happened and they'll never let me forget it. At least my boss told me to take a day or two off until my ankle feels better. I think he's more worried about the smell than the ankle, though."

"I'll wrap it for you before I go," Andrea offered. She rummaged in the bathroom drawers until she found an elastic bandage and expertly wound it around the swollen ankle then brought a bag of frozen peas to put on it. She also treated the cuts and abrasions with antibiotic ointment and advised Dana to take it easy. "It didn't help for you to walk that far on a sprained ankle. Why didn't you let that man give you a ride home, you simpleton?"

"I couldn't possibly get that sweet aroma all over his fancy car," Dana defended herself. "Can you believe that he would actually have come down to help me if I hadn't insisted that I was all right? He must have been a nice man. He had a nice voice until he started yelling at me, but I couldn't even see what he looked like."

"Well, next time let the Good Samaritan help you," advised her friend. "You may have done some damage to the ligaments in that ankle. Why don't you let me take you in to get an X-ray?"

"I've sprained it a hundred times before," Dana told her. "It will be okay."

"I'm going to take off, then, if there's nothing else I can do," said Andrea. "I'll stop by tonight and see how you are doing. Be good, now!"

"Thanks, Andrea. You're always there when I need you," Dana answered. "Oh, and just leave the clothes. I'm going to burn them. They're old and not worth the bother."

After she heard the car leave the yard, Dana got up and limped slowly to her room. She lay on the bed and thought about the horrible luck she had. All her life it had been one thing after another. She had been the one who had to have her tonsils out and tubes in her ears. She broke her collarbone in one fall and her arm in another. Her arm didn't heal right and it had to be broken and reset again. When her family got salmonella poisoning, she had been the only one to have to spend time in the hospital. Everything seemed to hit her the hardest. She had been forced to submit to so many intravenous infusions when she was a kid that she started to call them "Poison IV's".

"Mom always said it would help me build character," she mused. "I'm a character, all right! Now, how am I going to get any exercise with a sprained ankle?"

She thought about how her normal reaction to yet another crisis would have been to go get something to eat. "I guess I'm making progress if I can resist the temptation to stuff my face after a combination of bad luck like this," she congratulated herself. "Of course, my stomach is still upset from having that skunk oil in my throat. It still burns. And it hurts my ankle too bad to go back out to the kitchen and search for something good. Luckily I got rid of all the sweets in the house," she thought yearningly.

Picking up the book that had been the culprit in her misfortunes and a few magazines to read, she made herself comfortable on the bed, propped her leg up on some pillows and prepared to get some rest. Cruiser, the cat, jumped up to join her for a cozy nap.

Chapter 3

After a week, Dana's ankle felt well enough so that she could continue some shorter daily walks. She still entertained herself with a book, but now it was an audio one that she listened to on a CD player so she could look around to keep an eye out for any hazards in her way. The incident was all but forgotten by her co-workers finally. She had accepted their teasing and tormenting with good humor and they eventually let it drop.

On Saturday morning Dana had gotten up with the sun to get her yard work done before the heat of the day. She mowed the lawn and then started on her little garden behind the house. She had weeded the rows and found some lettuce and radishes to pick. Sweating and covered with dirt from hoeing, Dana attached the hose to a sprinkler and set it in the middle of the garden. Walking to the faucet, she bent to turn on the water when the old pain in her back grabbed her and she yelped in surprise.

Cruiser opened his eyes at her voice but didn't move from his comfortable perch on the cool cement steps. "I wish I could sleep as much as you do and still be able to climb trees," Dana told him. She carefully straightened her back. It was sore but didn't keep her bent over and in agony as it sometimes did.

"I've lost five pounds, Cruiser," she said. "Maybe after a few more, my back will feel better." She lowered herself carefully into a lawn chair to rest. Hearing a car turn into the driveway, she turned to see who had come. She was expecting Andrea, who had promised to come over today and help her plan the menu for their single's group supper.

There were several fairly young single people who met occasionally at the local church for a meal or an activity of some kind. They were mainly a boring group, but at least it was someplace to go. Dana didn't especially care for most of the activities, but Andrea insisted that she go and not be a hermit.

"Besides, we always have so much to laugh about when we get home," she had told Dana. "I never get tired of seeing what George Fenton will try next to get you to go out with him. He's tempted you with everything from looking at his arrowhead collection to a weekend at the farm show and you'll never give in."

"I just can't stand the man," Dana admitted. "He gives me the creeps with his pot belly and comb-over. If he'd even take a bath it would help."

Dana saw that it wasn't Andrea's car which had entered the yard. A sleek, black sports car pulled to a stop and a young man was getting out. He was striking in appearance, tall and muscular. His dark hair was well cut and a trim moustache and beard gave his face charm and softened the sharp lines of his jaw. Dana struggled to her feet, assuming he needed directions. "Can I help you?" she asked, walking a little crookedly toward him.

"You're the woman in the ditch!" he said. "I've never seen anybody get sprayed by a skunk before. Is it safe to be near you?"

"Oh, I still get a whiff once in a while," she smiled. "I recognize your voice. You must be the man in the car who stopped to help. I couldn't see you through the fumes."

"I'm sorry I wasn't more help," he said.

"Oh, no. No one is obligated to help someone who just got sprayed by a skunk!" Dana laughed. "Unless they are bleeding to death or something," she amended. "I made it home just fine."

"I heard that you had sprained your ankle and had to hop all the way home."

"Where did you hear that?" Dana asked, surprised that her story had reach the ears of a stranger.

"I was visiting someone at the hospital and overheard a nurse telling about it in the hall," he told her. "She didn't mention your name, but I knew it had to be the woman I ran down that morning because it isn't likely to happen twice in one small town."

"You didn't run me down," corrected Dana. "I was already down when you came over the hill. You did scare me to death, though. I was so afraid I wouldn't get out of the way, at the speed you were going."

"My car doesn't like to go slow," he told her, grinning. "Well, anyway, I just thought I'd drop by and be sure you were all right."

"That's very kind of you," she said, impressed. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for stopping."

She expected that he would get back in his car and leave, but he walked toward her and extended his hand. She began to reach out, then realized the deplorable condition of her hand covered with all the garden grime and withdrew it. "I'm sorry. I'm really dirty from working in the garden."

"You have a garden?" he asked. "May I see it? I haven't been in a garden since I spent summer vacations with my grandmother."

Not in the habit of having attractive men desire her company, Dana was surprised, but she assented and led the way to the back of the yard. "I don't normally show my garden to strangers," she said. "Maybe if we were acquainted, I could make an exception. I'm Dana Winger."

"Hello, Dana Winger. I am Scott Harrison. I've been in Ilion for a few days on business. My company wants to develop some of this farm land for commercial purposes."

"Then you can't be my friend," she said, stopping and putting her hands on her hips. "I think farm land should stay farm land and not be turned into concrete parking lots."

He laughed good-naturedly. He met with that attitude often in his line of work. He had learned that most objections could be overcome when money was involved. It did pay, however, to keep the natives happy. He hid the true purpose for the visit behind a mask of friendliness. He was not as concerned for her health as he was to discern her willingness to sell her property. If plots could be bought up in a friendly, quiet way with no vigorous objections from anyone, there would be no public outcry until the deed was accomplished.

They reached the garden and he asked about the various vegetables. He asked to taste the radishes so she turned off the sprinkler and washed one off for him. He got his tongue burned by its strength. Dana laughed at his grimace.

Dana was nervous and embarrassed at having to entertain a handsome man in her backyard. After her hard work of the morning, she looked dreadful all covered with dirt and sweat and dressed in her oldest clothes. He was dressed in cool slacks and a tailored shirt open at the throat. His sunglasses reflected her image, emphasizing her windblown, straggly hair.

"I don't see any rose bushes in your yard. My grandmother had lots of roses. Doesn't your green thumb include flowers?" he asked as they walked back toward the house.

"I have a lot of flowers that will bloom later in the summer. It's still early. I don't grow roses, though. I hate their smell. Give me marigolds or lilacs or even these wild violets," she said, indicating the tiny purple flowers growing wild in the grass. "I'm afraid I prefer silk roses. They are just as beautiful and they don't have that dusty odor."

Scott bent to pick a few of the violets she had shown him. He smelled their sweet fragrance. "You're right. They do smell better than roses. I'll bet they're hard to get in a vase, though. The stems are kind of short. It would take you all day to pick enough."

"That's what makes them so special. You have to work for them," she told him. "I'd rather leave them growing, though."

"You have a very interesting outlook on life, Dana Winger," he told her.

Instead of walking to his car as she expected, Scott wanted to walk all around the outside of the house also. He asked about its age and how long she had been there. "I've lived here less than two years is all. The house is about seventy years old. It is very well-built and has been taken care of. There aren't even any cracks in the basement," she told him.

"Are those your horses in the pasture?" he asked.

"It's my pasture but the horses aren't mine. I rent it out to some friends from work who need a place to board their horses. They keep the fence fixed and take care of the horses and building."

"How many acres do you own?" He was certainly curious.

"I have five acres. Luckily, I don't have to mow it all. It takes a long time just to mow the acre here around the house. I have a good riding mower, though. I just did it this morning which is why I look so dusty and dirty," she told him.

"I think you look fine. You have pretty apples in your cheeks."

Dana self-consciously rubbed her cheeks and left dirt streaks. She didn't enjoy talking about her appearance. It made her feel conspicuous. When would he be done with all the questions and this impromptu tour and be on his way?

"May I trouble you for a glass of water?" he asked, gazing around the well-kept yard. Dana's eyebrows rose in mild puzzlement. She couldn't imagine why he wanted to stay so long. She had no desire to prolong his visit and wanted to get rid of him and get back to her work.

However, good manners required civility so she gave in. Remembering her mother's advice never to let a strange man into her house, Dana invited him to sit in the lawn chair she had vacated under a shady oak tree. She went in to fill a glass with ice and water.

She quickly washed her hands while she was in the kitchen and pulled her hair back out of her eyes into a ponytail. Catching a glimpse in the mirror of the smudges of dirt on her face, she felt vexation as she washed that off too.

"Thank you," he said, taking the glass and napkin she offered. "It's so hot. Why don't you sit down and rest? You've been working hard today."

Dana just caught herself before she thanked him for inviting her to sit down in her own lawn chair. The man was sophisticated and elegant, but she was developing a dislike of his condescending manner. Normally, she would have been nervous and awkward around someone of his good looks, but his air of superiority was rapidly becoming insufferable. She decided to drop her usual politeness and find out his business.

"Why all the questions?" she asked bluntly. "I'm sure you're not here merely to inquire after my health."

"Of course I am," he exclaimed, eyebrows raised over his sunglasses. "I have wondered about you several times the past week and wanted to be sure you were recovered. You are a very attractive young lady."

That did it! Dana knew he was up to something and her hackles arose. Nobody had ever called her attractive before except well-meaning relatives who were trying to build up her self-esteem. And George Fenton, of course. She had always been able to see through their patronizing attitudes, though, and had felt worse than if they had been truthful.

Eyes flashing in her flushed face, Dana stood and was about to give him a piece of her mind when another car drove in the yard. This time it was Andrea. Irritated that she had been robbed of a chance to blister this arrogant man's ears, Dana turned to wave to her friend. "Back out into the street, Andrea," she called. "This guy is just leaving."

"Are you finished with your drink?" she asked him. "My friend is here for the day and I'm sure she won't want to block your car."

Not able to disregard the straightforward hint, Scott thanked her again for the drink, handed her the glass and strode off toward his car. Her antagonism went entirely over his head and he drove off feeling proud of himself for beginning to make a conquest. He could read these country people like a book. They were so predictable. Flatter them a little and you could get whatever you wanted. The acquisition of her property was almost in the bag.

Chapter 4

Dana watched the black car disappear over the hill. Her suspicions were aroused, but she couldn't figure out what motive the man would have to flatter her needlessly. Maybe he was truly concerned about her welfare, but more likely it was something disgusting, like a fat fetish! Laughing to herself, she turned to greet Andrea.

After they had discussed the stranger and his visit, Andrea looked Dana up and down and solemnly reprimanded her for not looking her best at every minute of the day. Just in case something like this ever happened, she needed to be prepared. Finally, they settled down to the business of planning a menu.

"Let's just have soup and salad," Andrea decided, taking over in her forthright way. "That's easy and quick and everyone can bring one or the other. We don't want anything too elaborate if we're going to have time to paint old Mrs. Steinbrenner's house. This way, people can just leave everything outside while we work and then take their own dishes home and we won't have anything to clean up."

"You're a genius," Dana smiled. "We wouldn't want to do any more work than we have to."

They spent the rest of the afternoon writing a blanket email and making flyers to post in all the public places to get the word out so a good crew of helpers would come. There were thirty or forty single men and women who came to their meetings at one time or another from the surrounding towns. Word of their group had spread and there were always lonely singles who welcomed a chance to meet together and have something to do.

The house-painting project was scheduled to take place the next Saturday morning. When the day arrived, Dana was pleased to see how many had come to help. She hoped they had brought paintbrushes and tools so they could get the job done. It was amazing how many people wanted to come to activities, but didn't want to work.

Dana and Andrea were there early to get things organized and the work started. Most of the scraping was well underway and the painting had begun on the small house by lunchtime. They had set the soups and salads on card tables and people had found places to sit and rest from their labors while they ate. Dana turned to answer a call for more napkins and bumped into the man of the black sports car standing directly behind her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said. Blushing in confusion, she backed away from him. "I didn't expect to see you here." Trying to cover her awkwardness, she said, "I'm sorry, I can't remember your name."

"You look beautiful when you blush," he began, setting her face on fire again. "My name is Scott Harrison, Dana. I couldn't forget yours."

Totally confused by his compliment and the steady stare of his deep, blue eyes, Dana's mind went blank. She was aware that her grubby tee shirt and jeans were covered with paint and she probably had smudges on her face. Finally she was rescued by the ever faithful Andrea.

"Introduce me to your new friend, Dana," Andrea ordered. She had seen him only from a distance that day at Dana's house and was very curious about him. The introductions made, Dana left them talking together and made her escape to busy herself at the serving table.

"What is he doing here?" she asked herself. "He doesn't seem to be the type to come to an activity like this. He obviously doesn't intend to help with the painting. He's dressed in a silk shirt and expensive slacks."

Managing to keep herself busy with the food and mingling with the rest of the crowd, Dana kept glancing at the new man. She was surprised to notice that his eyes followed her too. It gave her a very uncomfortable feeling. She looked at her reflection in a car window to see if there was a rip somewhere in her clothes or her hair was standing on end. There must be something wrong to make him stare like that. He was too good-looking to give her a second glance.

Suddenly there was a loud yell from one of the group and everyone turned to see what caused the commotion. Sally Weldon was sitting on the porch swing with a bowl of soup in one hand and a spoon in the other. "A worm!" she cried, a horrified look on her face. "There's a worm in my soup!"

All faces turned in her direction. Her voice was shrill and had been heard by the whole crowd. Nancy Pratt was sitting next to her and looked into the spoon held out for her inspection. "EEW! It sure is! A little white worm! Yuck!"

"What kind of soup is it?" someone asked, afraid that they had eaten some already.

"It's that split pea soup!" Sally called, holding out the bowl so it could be seen. "Who brought the split pea soup? That's totally disgusting! I think I'm going to be sick!" She rose to her feet and ran for the door.

The crowd reacted with murmurs, shrieks and gasps of revulsion. One woman dropped her bowl, spoon and all into the trash can and called for water. Two or three others turned a sickly green and got rid of their bowls.

Dana shut her eyes in pure agony. She knew who had brought the split pea soup. It was hers. She only had to wait a minute until the identity of the offending cook was made known to one and all. Her name was clearly printed on the crock pot that had already been half-emptied.

Frozen into mortified immobility, Dana waited for the ax to fall. Eyes shut, breath held inside, she heard the call, "It was made by Dana Winger!"

"Who?"

"Dana!"

"Dana Winger?"

"Dana Winger made the soup with the worms in?"

"Let me see!"

Crowding around the pot of soup, the gapers stirred through the remains to see if there were more worms to look at. They managed to stir up not only more of the little white worms that Sally had spooned up, but a couple of black bugs that had flown in the open pot. That did cause a stir. Those who hadn't happened to taste it were quick to rub it in and tease those who had eaten a bowl full.

When the first revulsion and disgust were over, the wise guys of the group began coming up with needling comments and laughing at the situation. Dana stood frozen behind a large lilac bush where she had found a shady spot to eat. She hadn't breathed since Sally's nauseating revelation. Any second she would be seen and she was so totally embarrassed! She prayed for the ground to open up and remove her from the shame. Her eyes glazed from the disgrace she felt. Just as her head started to spin from being without oxygen for so long, she heard the calm, quizzical voice of Scott Harrison raised above the rest.

He had taken a magnifying glass from his keychain and held it close to a spoonful of soup from the bowl. "Look!" he said, peering at it with the air of a Sherlock Holmes. "Isn't that interesting? This worm has a little sign in its hand!" Pretending to have trouble deciphering the words, he read slowly, "It says, 'It's-hot-as-Hell-in-here!'"

The unexpected witticism was just what the crowd needed to diffuse the tension. Those closest to Scott erupted in an uproar of laughter and repeated the story to those who hadn't heard. Sides were held, eyes were wiped, thighs were slapped in an ebullient release of stress. Snapped to her senses by the calm, funny words and the resulting laughter, Dana recognized that she had an opportunity to leave.

Abandoning the offending crock pot to its fate, Dana walked as unobtrusively as possible to her car and slipped behind the wheel, searching for her keys with shaking hands. She finally found them and was fitting the ignition key in the slot when a hand reached through the window to stop her.

"If you leave now, Dana, you'll never live this down." Scott's voice was deep and calm. "You've got to go and face them. Just make a joke of it and laugh it off. They'll get over it in a few minutes. Tell them it's your grandmother's secret high-protein recipe or something. Don't let them know it's getting to you."

"I can't. I've got to get out of here. I'll die!" Dana whispered, her eyes filled with tears.

"Come on. It's not so bad. They're all laughing now. Don't let them see you embarrassed. I know you can put up a good front. I've seen you in action," he encouraged. "You got sprayed by a skunk with an amazing amount of grace and aplomb. You didn't lose your cool then."

"You were the only one to see that," she answered. "I can stand it if it's a stranger and I'll never see that person again, but this is different. These are all my friends. They'll never leave me alone again. Sally hates me anyway and this will be one more thing to badger me about."

"You'll never live it down if you leave," he repeated. "They'll feel bad that they hurt your feelings and drove you away so they'll cover it up by teasing you. Just go back and tough it out. They'll forget it as soon as there is something else to do. Let's go get the painting started." Scott opened the door and pulled her from the car. He put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. "Keep your chin up," he told her.

Guiding her back to the rest of the group, Scott kept his arm around her and shouldered through the crowd to the serving table. "We've found the chef!" he called to the group. "She says it's her great-grandmother's recipe and it's called Worm Soup. Very nutritious! High protein!" Again the gathering was brought to laugher by the witty words of their new member. Dana forced herself to put a somewhat sick smile on her face and laughed along with the rest. It was easier to take the bantering with Scott's arm around her.

Andrea, seeing the distress of her friend, took pity on her. Climbing on a chair, she shouted to the crowd, "Can I have your attention?" Not many people heard her so she put two fingers in her mouth and gave a shrill whistle. "Can I have your attention?" she repeated, calling loudly.

When the clamor had died down, Andrea directed their attention to the house before them. "Let's get down to the business of the day," she said. "We came to paint this wonderful lady's house, so let's get to it! There's still some scraping to be done around back." In martial fashion, she assigned 'volunteers' to various jobs and the group dispersed by ones and twos as they went to gather tools and start up with their work again.

Dana threw herself into the task, working first at scraping one of the white columns of the old, ornate porch and then dipping a brush in a bucket of paint and slapping it on the walls with gusto. She appreciated Andrea's timely intervention. She still heard a few comments and jibes about the worms in the soup but she hoped the subject would soon die down. She kept away from Sally and any others who enjoyed embarrassing her. She found herself near Scott from time to time during the afternoon, but he didn't single her out for any more attention.

As the project progressed from scraping to painting and the house changed from dingy, mildew covered yellow to gleaming white, Dana noticed that, though Scott looked busy, he didn't have a spot on his immaculate clothes. She watched him furtively and observed that he was getting acquainted with the people in the group and giving the appearance of industry but actually doing very little. He didn't even seem to be working up a sweat.

When the last brush stroke was applied and the job was finished by late afternoon, everyone stood back to admire their handiwork. Little Mrs. Steinbrenner hobbled out with her walker and exclaimed over the beauty of it. "This house is one hundred and twenty-seven years old," she told them in her quavery old voice. "I was born ninety-three years ago in this front bedroom here," she said, pointing. "You have made it so beautiful again. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it."

Happy to have accomplished so much and given service to a needy cause, the members of the group crowded around her for hugs and words of endearment and then wandered away in groups or singly to their cars. Soon all of them were gone except Dana and Andrea, who stayed to pick up the cups, napkins and scattered garbage from the yard. Dana noticed that Scott had also remained. He didn't offer to help them, but leaned against his car across the street.

"What's he waiting for?" Dana asked her friend under her breath.

"It looks to me like he's waiting for you, silly. He hasn't had his arm around me half the day," commented Andrea wryly, batting her eyes in mock sadness.

"Half the day! Two whole minutes! That was just his way of forcing me to come back and face the crowd when I wanted to die about that soup. I have to give him credit, though,' Dana admitted. "It worked. Hardly anyone mentioned it again all afternoon."

"Well, we're done here, so go on and see what he wants. Maybe he'll ask you out."

"Yes, and maybe I'll be the next Miss America, too," Dana retorted.

Chapter 5

Dana didn't take Andrea's advice and find out what the overconfident Mr. Harrison was waiting for. She dumped the remaining contents of her crock pot in the garbage and tucked it under one arm then grabbed the basket full of table cloths, napkins and leftover utensils and headed for her car. To her surprise, he sauntered over and opened the door for her, taking the crock pot and putting it in the back seat. This was service indeed. Her heartbeat quickened in spite of herself as she wondered what he would do next. She had mixed feelings about whether she liked him or not. He seemed arrogant and manipulative, but had shown some kindness to her also.

"Can I follow you home and help you unload this stuff?" he asked, taking the basket also.

"Oh, no, thank you. It isn't much. Thanks anyway." She wondered tentatively about his generous offer since he had been standing idly by and watching while she and Andrea worked to clean up the yard and load the baskets. Where was his chivalry then? Dana turned from him and reached for the driver's door handle, but he was too quick for her. He opened it and tried another tactic.

"The day is too nice to be over already. Will you let me pick you up later and we could take in a movie? There are four playing in the mall at Cherryville. There ought to be something you'd like to see among them."

Straightening and turning to look him full in the eyes, Dana searched for any trace of what his true feelings were. She couldn't believe that an attractive and sophisticated man such as he appeared to be would have any desire to even speak to an overweight, unattractive and introverted woman, let alone ask her out. Used as she was to a lifetime of snubs and open derision from boys, Dana was skeptical of any attention.

His eyes didn't waver from her thorough search of their depths. "Satisfied?" he asked, grinning at her suspicion. "What are you trying to find? Are you afraid there's a monster hidden in there?"

"I don't know what I'm afraid of," Dana answered truthfully. "I just feel naturally suspicious of a man who shows interest in a woman who has humiliated herself every time they have met."

"It must be your eyes," he answered, returning her stare and gazing deeply into their dark brown shadows. "You do have extremely attractive eyes."

Dana felt blood suffuse her face and stepped back from him. She didn't feel at all comfortable with the man. She doubted she would ever be able to spend several hours on a date with him alone. "I'm sorry," she said, voice low and trembling slightly. "I'm busy tonight. Thank you anyway." She climbed behind the wheel and reached for the door. He shut it for her, eyebrows up and surprise on his face. He wasn't used to being rejected. He had been in no doubt of her affirmative answer.

Starting the engine and avoiding his eyes, Dana called a goodbye out the window and pulled onto the road. As she drove the few miles to her home, she couldn't help going over every word of their conversation in her mind. Why had he asked her out? Why had she refused him? Well, one thing would be sure. Her phone would be ringing when she got home. Andrea had watched the whole thing from her car and would be dying to know what was going on.

An hour later, her ear sore from being against the phone for so long, Dana was finally free to put away the picnic things and head for the shower. It was a relief to wash away the soil of the day and with it went the tension that had been building since Scott's unexpected appearance at the activity and the mortifying incident of the wormy soup. Obviously the split peas were old. Trust that little local grocery store to sell expired products! She chided herself for not checking more carefully. She knew it would be a cold day in hell before any people in that group would eat any food she made again.

Speaking of hell, Dana laughed again at the words that Scott had pretended to read on the imaginary sign the lifeless worm had held. Where did he come up with such an idea? It had certainly saved the day and made it easier for her to face them all. She had to give him credit for that. Dana remembered that she hadn't even thanked him. Instead, she had rebuffed his effort to ask her out and rejected his offer of friendship.

Even when she thought she was doing the right thing, she did the wrong thing. Well, so what? Dana dried her hair and flipped on the TV. There would be something on to take her mind off her troubles. She ate supper while watching some mindless comedy, but it served to keep her busy and her thoughts away from dwelling on a bearded face and deep blue eyes.

The next week dragged on in its usual fashion. Dana had a weight check-up at the doctor's office. She was proud to have lost a few more pounds. Her delight was short-lived, however. "You are losing weight but you need to lose just fat and not muscle," the good doctor told her. "The walking is doing very well but you will have to start building more muscle to increase your metabolism. I recommend that you start a gentle weight-lifting program to strengthen your back muscles and upper body. Make it gradual and you will eventually see some good results as you progress. See me in a month, Miss Winger."

"Weight lifting?" Dana asked herself as she dressed. "Don't I have enough weight to lift?" She took the card the doctor had given her that listed several fitness businesses in the area where she could start a program. She had taken the rest of the afternoon off for the medical visit so she decided to check out some of the places.

Inquiring at the front desk of the first one on the list, Jack's Fitness Center, Dana was shown through their extensive facility. She was impressed with the array of equipment. Most of the people using the equipment were very trim and muscular. She felt out of place and self-conscious. How could she stand to come here and work out if she had to dress like they were in tight Spandex shorts and revealing tank tops? Maybe she would just invest in dumbbells she could use at home.

Wrapped in thought, Dana didn't notice anyone behind her until someone put his hands over her eyes. "Guess who!" he laughed.

She recognized the familiar voice. "Scott? What are you doing here?" Dana asked, surprised. The man popped up everywhere, she could see.

She turned to face him and was met by the sight of a barely covered, hairy chest. Swallowing hard in confusion and keeping her eyes on his face instead of his rippling muscles, she attempted to concentrate on what he was saying. What else would he be doing here but exercising?

"I work out here four or five times a week," he told her. "Are you thinking of joining? It's a great place. They have all this equipment plus a whirlpool and massage. You'd love it. I'm just heading for the pool. Why don't you join me?"

"Not in a million years," Dana said to herself. Out loud, she said the first thing she could think of, "I'm just looking for someone. I guess they've already left." She turned to go, hoping that the girl who had showed her around wouldn't give her away. "Nice seeing you again," she tossed over her shoulder as she left.

"I'm not going to make a decision until I've seen some other places," she told the girl at the desk. "Thank you for your help. It's very nice here." She walked quickly out the entrance.

Leaving as fast as she could, Dana sat in the car, hand on her pounding heart. Why did the man affect her like that? She always seemed to be out of breath when he was around. Well, Jack's Fitness Center would definitely not be her choice of a health club. She'd suffer a heart attack for sure if she had too many more encounters like that one.

After being shown through several more exercise facilities, Dana decided on the one with the lowest membership fee. Her budget wasn't unlimited, after all. At the rate she built muscle, it would be a very long-term commitment. Inquiring at the front desk about which hours were likely to have the least amount of people using the facilities, she realized that 4 a.m. probably wasn't going to work. She instead set up a schedule to do her hour of exercising four evenings a week right after work. It would feel good to work out after a long day of sitting at a desk.

Next, she visited a department store and invested in the least revealing work-out clothing she could find. She still looked lumpy and dumpy, but told herself that most people just thought of themselves. Maybe if she ignored everyone, they would ignore her also.

Finally, she indulged in one of her favorite pastimes. She stopped at the local nursing home where she visited with a few elderly patients on a regular basis and helped them write letters or just held their hands. She loved to listen to older people tell of their younger, productive days. They had accomplished so much and it grieved Dana to watch them dwindle into uselessness. She tried to encourage them and lift their spirits whenever she could.

Today, old Mr. Nebeker was very upset. He told her that his son had come and tried to get him to sign some papers so that the last sixty acres that he owned could be sold. "Dan wanted me to sign now while I am still able," he exclaimed indignantly. "He's afraid that I'll have a stroke and won't be able to sign and then it will cost him a lot of money for lawyer's fees to get the power of attorney. He's so afraid that he won't get all the money he thinks he's entitled to. How did I raise such a selfish boy?"

"How old is Dan?" asked Dana, wondering what she could do to turn the old man's thoughts into a more cheerful channel.

"He's sixty-four. You'd think he'd have more sense by now. He should have been saving for his own retirement all along and not planning to do it on my money. He's never saved anything his whole life and I'm not about to have him spend what I have left while I'm still alive. I told him I have written a will and that he'll get everything else that I have, but that land is not to be sold. I'm leaving it to a good cause and he's not going to get any of it!"

As he spoke, Mr. Nebeker pounded the table near his wheelchair with an impotent fist. Then to Dana's consternation, he broke into tears. "He told me he's never coming back. I've lost my son."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Dana reached out to comfort the heartbroken man. His health was so frail and she could not understand the selfishness of a son who would subject his father to such treatment. A nurse came up to administer some medication so Dana said goodbye and left the home. The listening ear and comfort she was able to give these people was appreciated by them, but sometimes left her with a terribly depressed feeling. There was so little she could do to help.

Chapter 6

The morning after her first work-out at the fitness center, Dana woke up in total agony. Every muscle in her body hurt. It even hurt to breathe. She struggled out of bed and plodded into the bathroom to take some aspirin. "This is not going to work," she told herself. "I'd rather be fat and have a bad back than hurt this bad."

Deciding against a walk that morning, Dana fell back into bed, not knowing how she could stand to get dressed and go to work. If she took shallow breaths and held very still only two or three things hurt. She lay as still as she could. The phone rang. Rolling carefully over and reaching painfully, she managed to get it to her ear. "Hello?" she croaked.

"Dana? Are you sick? You sound awful!" Andrea was always so honest and forthright. She said what she thought.

"I'm not sick. I'm just totally stiff from lifting weights. I think they made me overdo it."

"You can't blame them, Dana, sweetie," her friend declared. "You're in charge of your own body. You're supposed to stop when it starts to hurt."

"I told them it was hurting but they just laughed and said to keep going. No pain, No gain. That's their motto. It's on posters all over the walls."

"You're going to the wrong place then, Dana. You shouldn't do anything to your body that hurts it. Work up to it gradually."

"Well, I chose the cheapest fitness place I could find. It's going to take forever and I can't afford those expensive ones," Dana defended her decision.

"Some of the doctors here go to Jack's. They say they have the most realistic trainers who are willing to work with each individual on what they need most."

"I went to Jack's but Scott works out there and I don't want to risk waltzing around in my giant size leotards in front of him. I would die of embarrassment. He makes me nervous enough already."

Andrea laughed and teased her a little about her conquest and asked her when she was going out with him.

"I'm not going to go out with him. I doubt if he'll ask me again, anyway. There is something about him I don't trust. I don't know what it is, but something bothers me when I'm around him. He is so sure of himself and seems to have such a knack for manipulating situations. Strange man." Immediately the memory of his hairy chest appeared before her eyes and she shivered.

"You are totally crazy!" Andrea accused. "You've got to be out of your mind to have turned down a date with him. He's the man all the women around would die to go out with."

"Well then they can go out with him. I just want him to leave me alone," Dana stated. "Look, I've got to drag myself out of bed again and get ready for work. The aspirin is starting to work and I can almost bear the pain now. I'll call you later."

With the help of many doses of pain killers during the next couple of days, Dana was able to manage work and taking care of her yard and house. She went back to the fitness center for a very light work-out and insisted on having them let her go at her own pace. She finished up with a few minutes in the pool.

She was walking, towel around her shoulders, back to the locker room after her swim when she rounded a corner and almost bumped into George Fenton. Dana stepped around him but he blocked her path, his eyes running lasciviously over her bare legs.

"Dana! How nice to see you again!" he began, delight in his eyes. "I mean really see you!" He ogled her again, making her skin crawl. He was insufferable at any time, but being leered at while wearing a swim suit was extremely distasteful. Moving the towel so it hung lengthwise in front of her, she tried again to get past him, pasting a smile on her lips.

She forced a weak, "Hi," in a half-hearted greeting as she side-stepped around him, keeping her towel-covered front towards him.

He put out a restraining arm to block her way. "Where are you going in such a hurry? While I have you here, it will save me making a call to you tonight. My mother wants me to invite you over for dinner. She is cooking my favorite meal and said we shouldn't keep it all for ourselves. Besides, I have something to ask you."

"Oh, thank you, George, but I'm busy tonight. I'm sorry," Dana said. She couldn't believe the denseness of this man. He had been refused at least a hundred times and still he kept trying. When would he get the hint?

"It's not tonight," George told her, beaming. "It's tomorrow night. It's for my birthday. You can't say no. I won't take no for an answer this time."

"George, I'm sure your mother is a great cook but I just can't come. You still have time to ask someone else. How about Sally Weldon?" Dana suggested. She couldn't stand him but she still didn't like to hurt his feelings outright. She knew Sally Weldon had dated him before at least once and might again.

"I want you to come, Dana. You know how I feel about you," George pouted. He leaned an arm against the wall by her head and brought his face close to hers. He obviously had been sweating heavily because the aroma of his body odor wafted past her nostrils and brought her close to gagging.

"I love you, Dana. I want to marry you," he told her in a low voice. Then he slapped his forehead and said, "Darn! I was going to wait to ask you until Mother could be there with me. I've told her all about you and she thinks that you are the right one for me."

"You were going to ask me to marry you while your mother was watching?" Dana asked, diverted by the mental image she had of such a scene. "My, how cozy that would have been."

"I could still do it," George said, brightening. "She wouldn't have to know that I've already asked you. Then you'd be ready with your answer and everything would go just right." He was warming to the idea.

Dana had had enough. The only way to get this oaf off her case would be to tell him the truth about her feelings. She would have to be blunt and brutal, but she could see no other way out of the situation. However, now was neither the time nor place for the confrontation. She was already starting to shiver from standing in a wet swimsuit and besides, people were glancing their way. She could see that she would have to agree to meet him one time somewhere to do the dirty job of kissing him off.

Drawing a deep breath, Dana began. "George, there is something I have to tell you." She saw his eyes light up in hope. "Not now, though. I need to go get dressed. Will you meet me out by my car in twenty minutes?"

"I sure will, Dana. I'll go right out there. I saw your car in the parking lot. That's how I knew you were in here. I like to keep track of you and I knew you were exercising here. I've seen your car here several times. I'll go out and wait for you right now. You hurry up. I'll be waiting for you, honey." He turned and walked as quickly as his bulk would allow toward the front door.

She didn't wait to watch him but went into the locker room. Dreading the unpleasant task before her, Dana was tempted to dawdle and make him wait, but she knew that would just be prolonging the inevitable. She dressed and tied back her hair, then, gathering up her bag and purse, she went to beard the dragon.

He was waiting for her, leaning against the car. She toyed with the idea of letting him have it right there, but decided that it would be kindest to do it when he was sitting down and in a fairly secluded place. She didn't like to see a grown man cry and she had a feeling that he would do just that. The whole thing was getting more disgusting by the minute.

"George, why don't we walk over to the Tastee Treet and sit at one of their outdoor tables?" she invited. Maybe if he had a dish of ice cream he would be fortified for the blow she was going to give him.

Without asking her preference, he ordered a banana split for both of them, but she insisted that she just wanted a diet soda. Shrugging, he paid for them anyway and sat down, intending to finish both himself. "This is a cause for celebration!" he said. "Dana Winger has finally let me take her out!"

Dana let him get halfway through his first banana split before she began. "George?" she said, "I don't know how to tell you without hurting your feelings, but I don't ever intend to go out with you."

"You are out with me! The first time is always the hardest for shy girls like you. It will be easier from now on. You'll see."

"No, George. You don't understand. I don't enjoy being around you. I don't want to even date you, let alone marry you." She hoped that those words would be enough, but as she had suspected, they weren't. He had a ready excuse.

"You haven't had a chance to get to know me yet. I'm a nice guy when you get to know me. My mother says that any girl would be lucky to marry me."

"George, please listen. I do know you and I do not like you that way. You just aren't my type. I am not at all interested in dating you. Please stop asking, because I'm not going to accept any dates with you." That was pretty blunt. Surely he would get the idea from those clear words.

No. He still didn't get the hint.

"Dana, I love you enough for both of us. It doesn't bother me that you're a little fat. So am I. Mother says that we're healthy. You'll learn to love me some day. I can wait. I've waited for two years already. Just go out with me more and you'll see how much fun I can be." He shoveled in a few more bites of ice cream to calm his agitated nerves.

Stung by his reference to her weight, Dana drew in a deep breath. She hated scenes. "George Fenton, I am going to let you have the whole truth. I can't seem to get you to understand any other way. Now listen to me. I mean every word I am going to say. Are you listening?"

George looked up, spoon pausing in midair as he waited for her words. "I sure am, honey. You're so pretty when you're excited."

"I am not excited!" she said with teeth clenched. "I'm just determined that you will know exactly how I feel. I do not like you, George. I don't like the way you look. I don't like the way you smell. I don't like the way you keep after me all the time. I don't even like your ridiculous hair. I don't like it that you still live at home. Here you are a grown man and you want your mother there when you're going to propose to someone!"

"My mother doesn't have to be there, Dana. She'll go in the other room if I ask her. Just come and eat dinner. When you meet her, you'll see what a wonderful woman she is. She knows what is best for me. She's the one who cuts and styles my hair. She wouldn't care if you wanted to pick out some other style." George was still missing the whole point. All that his mind grasped was the last sentence about his mother.

"You're not getting it, George. I am not coming to dinner. I don't like you. I could never love you. You disgust me! Can I put it any plainer than that?" Dana had almost reached the end of her tether. How could she get through to this big, dumb lug of a man?

George at last seemed to have some glimmer of the point she was trying to make. His mind had taken in the part about being disgusting. "Dana, I know I smell a little strong. Other people have told me that. But my mother says that I always had dry skin when I was a boy and that I shouldn't bathe too often because water is bad for dry skin. I can't help it. I'm sure you'd get used to it if you were around me long enough."

Dana gave up. There was no point in continuing the conversation. No matter how blunt and brutal she was, he was determined to keep his mind set on his own wants. She realized then that it was no use to keep on talking. She would just have to keep out of his way. He couldn't seem to recognize rudeness so she wouldn't even have to try to be polite about it. Revolted, Dana stood up. "Goodbye, George. Leave me alone. I don't want you to bother me anymore."

She turned and stalked off, trying to keep her temper under control. As she reached the crosswalk, she realized with sinking heart that she had left her purse on the table by George. Closing her eyes and groaning deeply, she turned to retrace her steps and retrieve it.

George looked up from his second banana split when he saw her coming. His eyes lit up. "You changed your mind! I knew you'd come around. Do you want me to pick you up or do you want to drive your own car?"

"I just forgot my purse," Dana said through gritted teeth. She grabbed it, turned without another word and practically ran all the way back to her car. Casting a glance at him as she drove away, she saw him wave to her. She shivered in disgust. How could any man be so totally oblivious?

Chapter 7

Dana was furiously chopping the weeds against her back fence the next day after work when she heard a car honk from the front of the house. Straightening, pushing her hair from her eyes and rubbing her aching back, she dropped the hoe and started for the house to find out what they wanted. She was in no mood for company. Her recent encounter with George Fenton had put her in a bad humor. All men had better stay out of her way for a while. She had few good feelings for any of them right now.

A familiar black sports car stood in the driveway. "Oh, yippee, skippee," Dana said under her breath. Scott was here to visit. "He always catches me at my worst moments. I wonder what he wants this time." She wondered why her heart seemed to skip a beat when he was in her vicinity.

She couldn't see him at first. He wasn't near his car and when she checked to see if he was at the door, she was met with no one but Cruiser. "Where is he, Cruiser?" she asked the cat.

"I'm right here," Scott answered, coming around the corner of the garage. "I was looking at your garden. Do you mind if I help myself to some peas?" He held a handful up, having already picked a few.

"Yes, I mind! Go put those back!" she retorted. She had enough of a scowl that he almost believed her for a minute.

"There is no vegetable in the world better than fresh peas from the garden," he told her, shelling them directly into his mouth. "My grandmother used to catch me stripping the vines every chance I got. When I was about six, I fell asleep in the pea patch and nobody could find me. I had quite a sunburn when I woke up."

"What I'd like to know is if you helped your grandmother with the work or did you just help yourself to the crops?" Dana wanted to know.

"Oh, I see," Scott said. "You want me to work for my food. Are you any relation to the Little Red Hen?"

"First cousins. We had the same grandmother," Dana informed him.

"That explains it, then. Well, what do you want me to do? Put me to work."

"That's all right. I'm sure you didn't come here to work."

"Well, actually, I came here to eat your peas. I remember they had blossoms on when I was here before. I figured they ought to be about ready to eat by now, so I just came on out and helped myself. They are as good as I remember," he said, eating the rest in his hand.

"I'll get a bucket and you can pick some more. I was going to have some for supper, anyway," Dana said. She didn't really want his company but wasn't sure how to get rid of him. Maybe if she offered to send some peas home with him, he would leave.

"What a wonderful idea. Do you have any little onions? Creamed new peas and onions! Ah! I had forgotten one of my favorite dishes in the world." Scott shut his eyes and inhaled as he remembered the savory smell from his childhood.

"I'll see if I can find some. Do you have a place to cook them? You're living in a motel, aren't you?" Dana asked. She couldn't remember having heard him say where he was staying.

"I rented an apartment in Ilion. My company wants me to stay here for as long as it takes to get my business done. I have a kitchen and all the facilities," he told her. "However, I'm not going to cook them myself. I don't know how to make the sauce that goes on them. I was hoping that if I brought the steaks, you would make the creamed peas."

"You were planning on eating supper here?"

"Unless you have other plans. You wouldn't go out with me before, so I had to resort to trickery. If you won't go out with me, I'll have to come here to you. I was pretty sure that you wouldn't be doing anything this evening."

Dana was a little perturbed at his freehanded arranging of her life. Mostly she was piqued that he just assumed she wouldn't have a date for Friday night.

"What would you do if I said I was already busy?" she asked, bending to pick up the cat that was winding around her legs. She wasn't prepared to have someone just walk in and take over her evening. How conceited he was to think she would jump at the chance. Well, she'd show him!

Jaw set, she turned to give him a stinging set down and put him in his place, but he was already on his way toward the car. She watched him reach in the trunk and pull out a sack of groceries and a bag of charcoal. Bringing them over to her, he grinned. "When I saw you working so hard in the yard, I knew you didn't have any plans for the evening. If you did, you'd have been inside getting ready. I know women."

"I'm sure you do," Dana said, hands on hips. She was determined to deliver the diatribe that was festering inside her. "But you don't know me. I think it's rude and arrogant to show up unannounced with dinner plans and expect me to jump at the chance. I am single by choice. I have a very strong desire to run my own life and not have some conceited, self-centered man around to tell me what to do and when to do it!"

Feeling better from having gotten that off her chest, Dana put down the cat and stalked away toward the fence line again. She felt so stupid. He had deserved everything she had given him, but she wasn't usually so blunt. It was not in her nature to criticize or confront anyone. Most of the time she bent over backwards to be nice to everybody. It must have been the depressing episode with George yesterday that had put her in a towering rage. Well, let him leave. She couldn't imagine what he would want with her, anyway.

Glancing quickly backward out of curiosity to see what he was doing, Dana was astonished to see that Scott was calmly pouring charcoal into her barbecue grill. Could it be possible that there were two men in the world so completely dense? She stopped and turned, amazement on her face. Shaking her head in disbelief, Dana couldn't think what to do. Should she go ahead and chop weeds and ignore him, or should she get a big stick and hit him with it? Or maybe she should just go pick some peas and onions and have dinner with him.

Looking up from his work, Scott saw her watching him and laughed at her. "I knew you'd come around," he called. He lit the charcoal. Then, walking toward her, he explained, "I saw you fighting with...George, isn't it? I figured you'd need someone to take your mind off your troubles. I'm not trying to be pushy. I just want to spend a quiet evening in the country cooking steaks and talking with a beautiful woman."

Dana sat down heavily on the steps of the porch, rubbing her forehead and temples. This man was incredible! Speaking slowly, as if to a child or a person from another country, she began, "Look, Scott. I don't know which planet you're from, but on Earth, I am not considered one of the local beauties. Also, it is a custom in this country for people to give a courtesy call to those they are planning on visiting for a meal so that the necessary preparations can be made. I will overlook it this one time because you are obviously unaware of our culture, but it will be better for you if you will learn this new custom in the future."

Scott chuckled delightedly. "You are really something. I haven't met anyone like you before. I never know what to expect."

"Thank you. Now if you will be so kind as to help me pick some peas and onions, we can get started with the meal." Dana was still speaking slowly but the intense irony had gone from her voice and there was a touch of humor now. Well, if he was so unprincipled that he would drop in on someone without notice, he could just deal with a smelly, sweaty faced woman in ragged old clothes in his own way. She was not going to worry about it if she could help it.

An hour later their meal was over and the dishes were even washed, though Dana had been very reluctant to invite him inside her house. For once it was clean, so she hadn't been ashamed of it, but she hadn't felt comfortable with him. She had always been self-conscious around men and having to be alone with one was very unnerving for her. He had solved the problem in his characteristic style by just walking in and out as if he owned the place.

They were sitting on the porch steps watching the sun set when Scott spoke. "It is really beautiful here. You are lucky to have found a house so secluded and with such a view. I'd love to have a place like this. Have you ever thought of selling it?" He turned to her, eyes smiling expectantly.

"Never in a million years!" She stated firmly, shaking her head. "I love this property. The only way I would ever move would be if it burned down."

Scott gave her a penetrating look. His deep eyes searched her face but she couldn't interpret the expression in them. It was almost calculating as though he had plans he couldn't tell her. She wondered what was on his mind.

"Dana?"

"What?"

"What does George Fenton have that I don't have?"

"Is this a riddle? What do you mean?"

"I mean, why did you go out with him and you won't go out with me?"

"I haven't gone out with him. What are you talking about?"

"I told you I saw you with him at the ice cream shop. That looked like a date to me."

"Oh, that. Please don't remind me of that," Dana said, rubbing her temples in weariness. "I had finally managed to get that disagreeable little incident off my mind."

"What happened? I could tell you weren't happy but he seemed to be enjoying himself," Scott observed, an interested look in his eye.

Dana gave him an exasperated glance. "It really isn't any of your business," she told him. She was quickly learning that bluntness was a much more satisfying way of communicating.

"No, it isn't any of my business if it was personal. I just want to know what he's got that makes you want to go out with him when I have to bring steaks and force myself on you," Scott answered. He looked as though he really was interested in an explanation. Could it be that his ego was hurt?

"He asked me to marry him."

Scott sat up in surprise. "You're going to marry George Fenton?" His voice was incredulous. The man was a big fat lout. "You don't seem very happy about it."

"No, I am definitely not going to marry George Fenton! I was telling him no in every way I could think of. He never did get the message. I have never in my life seen anyone so completely obtuse. I got so mad I had to leave."

Scott stared at her for a minute then he threw back his head and started to laugh. Mouth wide open to the sky, he bellowed in mirth. He stood up and did a little jig. When he could control himself, he turned to her. "So that's why you were in such a good mood when I drove up?"

"A very good mood," Dana answered dully, not understanding the cause of his gaiety but uncomfortably afraid that she was the brunt of it.

"You poor girl! No wonder you were so unfriendly. You had just tried to kiss off some big dense lout and then I show up and invite myself to dinner. That's rich! You must have been ready to kill me!"

"I was having a hard time believing that there were two men in the world who were completely dead to plain rudeness. I had every intention of getting a two by four board and hitting you between the eyes with it!" she told him, fire in her eyes.

That set him off again. His big base voice filled the air with laughter. The cat jumped off Dana's lap and went to find some quieter spot to nap.

"I'm glad I didn't take it personally. I just figured you were having a bad day and needed some company in spite of yourself," he said when he could control himself again. "What made you let me stay, anyway?"

"I don't know. I guess I decided that I might as well get a steak out of it as long as nobody was listening to me anyway," she retorted.

"I like you, Dana Winger," Scott told her. He reached for her hand and pulled her up from the steps. To her surprise, he brought her close to his chest and kissed her on both cheeks. "Come on, let's go for a walk. I want you to show me the place we first met."

Chapter 8

Dana and Scott walked to the end of her driveway and turned toward the small hill that had been the scene of so much misery. "Do you walk along all these back roads?" he asked.

"Oh yes. I've been up and back so many times there is nothing new to see," she replied.

"Nothing new to see? Is that why you get so engrossed in reading books? You think there will never be anything different to see on a remote country road in rural Illinois?" He shook his head at her. "You're missing half the fun of life. I can tell that you need to be trained in the finer points of country walking." Affecting a stilted tone of voice, he said, "Let Professor Harrison instruct you.

"There are many things to be learned on a country walk. Please look around and observe the beauties that surround us as we approach and minutely examine the area immediately around the scene of one of the most unlucky accidents on earth. You will perhaps recall some of the exact details of that most unfortunate event. Let us recreate, if you will, the scene of the crime.

"Just picture a young woman out on a deserted country road with the worthy intention of taking the air and exercising her limbs. She has ambled this way many times before so she brings along a book to help her while away the time until the distance that she has resolved upon has been reached. She walks; she concentrates; she neglects to look around for any potential hazards in her way. Suddenly, her foot comes down inadvertently upon an object of some sort. Is it a pebble? Is it a clump of earth? Is it a bolt or other part that has fallen off a vehicle? No matter. The fact is that it is not expected.

"Therefore, her foot is caused to turn in such a manner that the ankle is twisted in a painful fashion. The agony is too much to bear. She falls heavily...."

"At least you've got the heavily part right," Dana broke in, wryly. He was very entertaining. It was uncanny how closely he had come to exactly what had happened. She was interested to see how he would describe the rest of that most eventful day. "And what happened next?"

"Feel free, Miss Winger, to break in at any point if you have a word or a description which will make the narrative more clear. We don't want to miss a thing," he instructed her.

Adopting his mood, Dana answered, "Yes, Professor. I'll be sure that everything is exactly as it happened. So far it has fit nicely."

"Yes, well, where were we?"

"She falls heavily," Dana quoted.

"Oh, yes, yes. Unfortunate choice of words, but very descriptive. Our young woman falls, writhing, no doubt, in agony. The mischance that caused the accident is made doubly dangerous and regretful in that it happened right before the crest of a small rise in the road where oncoming traffic is out of sight. She would not have been able to see a vehicle, and the driver of the vehicle also would not have been able to see our young woman.

"So there she is, lying in the dirt, wracked with pain. Suddenly her worst fears are realized. She hears a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed. She is in the lane where the vehicle will pass. She is in grave danger. She must think quickly and react in haste.

"Summoning all her energy, rousing the forces at her disposal, invoking the blessings of heaven, she rallies, straightens her body, and rolls out of harm's way just as the speeding car, for so the vehicle proves to be, hurls itself over the very spot she has just vacated."

Dana placed her hand to her heaving chest in mock relief and entering into the spirit of the story, breathlessly sighed, "What a close call! I think I may have to swoon!"

To her surprise, Scott put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. "Now Miss Winger, you're not allowed to swoon!" he said, still in his stilted voice, "Pull yourself together. There are many adventures yet to be described. We mustn't get emotionally involved. We must have clinical detachment to examine all the events in depth."

"Scott," said Dana in her normal, practical voice. "Enough is enough. I really have no desire to relive that day. It is not among the most pleasant of my memories. I thought you were going to point out the finer things of a country walk and not make me go through the worst day of my life over again."

"Miss Winger, the beauties of this view will never be apparent to you again until you can face the ugliness that happened that day and overcome it. You must allow yourself to relive the experience that caused you so much pain before you can get rid of it and see past it. Now admit it. You hate to walk this way because of what happened, don't you?"

"You sound like a shrink," she told him. "As a matter of fact, I do walk this way quite often. I'm usually listening to a book so the scene doesn't bother me at all. I didn't come here for a while until the skunk smell went away, but nothing else bothers me. I'm too used to having bad luck to get paranoid about it. Bad things happen."

"What a very amazing person you are, Dana." Scott's eyes bored into hers. There was surprise in them and admiration, and a puzzling look that Dana couldn't identify. She was drawn into their depths and felt herself spinning into their intensity. Their faces were very close. Dana could feel his breath on her lips and inhaled the musk smell of his aftershave. She felt herself being pulled closer into his arms and suddenly realized with a jolt that he was going to kiss her.

At the last instant, she pulled away. The man was dangerous. What could he possibly see in her? She had grown to be suspicious of men who gave her a second glance. Turning and trying to diffuse the intense moment, Dana swept the landscape with an outflung arm and asked, "So, Professor. What can you point out about this view that may be new and different to a jaded observer?"

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice quiet and sad. "I was drowning in the depths of two brown pools of light and have lost my train of thought. Let me gather my senses for a moment."

Dana began walking again, widening the distance between them. Scott quickened his stride and soon caught up with her. He reached for her arm and pulled her to a stop, facing him. "Why did you pull away from me?" he asked. "I wanted to kiss you."

"I can't imagine why," Dana replied.

"Why I wanted to kiss you or why you stopped me?" he asked

"Either one," she said, exasperated. She had no idea what either answer might be.

"You don't need a reason to kiss someone," he answered. "It's just a feeling you have. Didn't you feel it, too?"

"I just felt fear," Dana blurted.

"Fear?" That startled him and he took a step back. "You're afraid of me? What have I done to scare you?"

"You were born a man," Dana said over her shoulder, having detached her arm from his grasp and turned away. She walked hurriedly away from him, very embarrassed. She couldn't explain her behavior. Nobody had ever wanted to kiss her before and she didn't know how to react. Even George with all his professions of love had never offered his lips. Not that she would have taken them! She didn't know how to handle it. It was obviously time to go home.

Scott let her walk a little way before he again caught up with her. He had never encountered rejection twice from the same woman before. With his good looks and suave manners, he had been on the rebuffing end several times, but no one had ever turned away from his kisses. He had to think a little to try to analyze her behavior. What had he done to scare her? She was like a flighty little bird that would never let anyone too close.

"Dana," he said when he had closed the gap and was walking by her side again but not making any contact. "I didn't mean to upset you. You looked so beautiful just then in the light from the sunset. It looked like fire was dancing in your hair and your eyes were so dark. I just did what came naturally."

Dana gave him a side glance of dubious skepticism, eyebrows raised. "Fire was dancing in my hair? Do you always wax poetic when you want to kiss someone?" His words had touched her but she still felt some element of distrust.

"Not always. I'm usually the one on fire." The scared-fawn look Dana threw at him at those words recalled him to his desire to put her at ease. "Dana, hasn't anyone ever kissed you before?"

She decided that the best defense was an offense. "Of course not, stupid, look at me! The original Ms. Five by Five-- Five feet tall and five feet wide! "She did a little jig while she chanted the old nursery rhyme and finished with a flourish, arms outstretched. "Most people can't even get their arms around me! Now let's drop the subject and go back. I've got things to do."

Dana crossed to the other side of the road and continued homeward. He followed her and they walked in silence for a few minutes. Finally, wanting to get back to less stressful topics, she said, "Professor Harrison, what is your opinion of the different cloud layers in the western sky? Would you care to comment on the scientific ramifications of cumulous billows at a summer sunset?"

"Excellent observation, Miss Winger," he answered, ruefully following her lead. He would have liked to pursue the previous subject much further until he reached an understanding of her feelings and found a way to overcome her objections to a very pleasant pastime, but he complied with her obvious wishes. "I have some doubt about your conjecture that those are cumulus, however. I believe that they may more accurately be said to be cirrus clouds."

"Whatever you say, Professor. I would be sure of myself, however, in saying that those birds flying toward the pond are geese," she said, pointing at a flock flying over a wooded area a short distance down the road.

"Yes, Miss Winger. You are right. Those are geese," Scott agreed. "Did you say there is a pond around here?" he asked, dropping his professor guise in mid-sentence. "Where is it?"

"It's over in the middle of those woods," she told him, pointing. "It was an old quarry at one time that has filled up with water. The owner keeps the public out so they don't mess it up. There are some beaver in there and lots of deer and other wildlife. I like to go for walks around it sometimes. There are wild raspberries and blackberries. It's like a private refuge."

"Let's go look at it," he suggested.

"It's getting late. It's dark in there with all the thick trees and the roadway is kind of rough," she excused herself. "You know me, I'd probably fall down and break something and you'd get a hernia dragging me out."

Scott turned to her and grabbed her shoulders. "Let's get something straight," he said, determination in his eyes. "You have the mistaken idea that you are unattractive because of your dress size, but to me you are beautiful. I want you to stop belittling yourself. It is very annoying and it is not true. Is that understood?"

He had such an earnest expression in his eyes that Dana was caught off guard. This was another first for her to be admired for her beauty. She was tempted to laugh and make a joke of it, but his emotional appearance stopped her. Maybe there really were some men in the world with a fat fetish. She'd have to discuss it with Andrea. Now wouldn't that be a hoot!

In spite of herself, Dana had to laugh. It wasn't at him, but at the thought of having someone attracted to her for her fat. What a heavenly thought! She chuckled out loud.

"What are you laughing at?" he growled. "I'm completely serious. It is one of the great turn-offs in the world to have people belittle themselves. Especially those with great natural beauty. I'm not talking only of physical beauty, which you have whether you admit it or not. I'm talking about an inner beauty which shines out of your face. I don't know you very well yet, but I've seen the kindness glow in your eyes. You have the natural gift of loving people. I don't see that in many people."

"Why, thank you, Professor," Dana said, shaken by his intensity and desirous to get her own emotions back on an even keel. "I am much gratified by your wonderful revelations on human nature and will certainly add it to my collection of beautiful thoughts."

Scott didn't loosen his grip on her shoulders. Instead, he took her in his arms and, with no warning, kissed her soundly on the lips. Releasing her slightly for a moment, he said, staring deeply into her shocked eyes. "There! That's what it feels like! There's nothing to be afraid of. Let's try another one." Not waiting for permission, he kissed her again.

Too stunned to enjoy the unfamiliar sensations pulsing through her body, Dana froze momentarily. Eyes wide open, she looked in wonder at the dark fringe of eyelashes around his closed eyes. She noticed a small mole above his eyebrow and felt the bristles of his hairy face poke her tender flesh. She was impressed by the strength of his muscles as he held her to him, but she missed completely the passion of the kiss.

Chapter 9

When he opened his eyes and saw her staring at him, he drew away. "Did you like it?" he asked, satisfied with his expertise as a lover.

"Not at all," she answered truthfully, eyes wide and a little offended. "I always dreamed that a kiss would be the result of mutual attraction and consent. It is disappointing that it can be stolen from one person by another. It kind of robs it of any sentiment." Dana shrugged and turned away. "Well, live and learn."

Scott was left standing dumbfounded and lonely in the road. Never in his life had he been met with such indifference. There had been some women who had pretended to be nonchalant to pique his interest, but Dana seemed to be totally sincere. The kiss had meant nothing to her except a loss of freedom. What a strange woman she was. In spite of himself, his own interest was now stirred.

He followed slowly several yards behind her until she almost reached her house. He wanted to let her think about what had happened and maybe feel some remorse for the off-handed way she had treated him. When he judged that she had been thinking long enough, he sprinted to catch up with her.

"I'm not going to go for improving nature walks with you anymore. I don't learn a single thing," she said, deciding the easiest thing to do now was to lighten the mood by teasing. "You probably don't even know what chicory is or the name of the woodpeckers that were on the power poles. Some professor you are. I'm going to just keep listening to books while I walk."

"Dana, don't you realize what has happened? I have made a romantic overture to you and you are supposed to respond in like manner."

"Mr. Harrison, there was nothing romantic about it. All that happened was that a man found himself alone in a beautiful country setting with a single, unattached woman. Driven by the craving all men seem to have to prove their virility, he felt the need to make a pass at her. He feels no attachment; she feels no attachment. It was done just for the sake of doing it."

"You don't think I was sincere in wanting to kiss you?"

"I'm sure you were sincere in wanting some physical contact. I read somewhere that men have ten sexual thoughts a minute. It doesn't matter who the woman is, if she is female, he has sexual thoughts about her," she told him. "I actually think it is quite disgusting. There are so many other beautiful things to think about and do. Why does it all have to be so physical?"

"I haven't thought about it, Dana," said Scott, diverted by her novel way of expressing herself. "I just know that I wanted to kiss you so I did. There's no harm in that. It was a gesture of friendship. You really don't like men, do you?"

"I actually haven't found much to like in many of them. A lot of the married men I know are insensitive, selfish and rude to their wives. The unmarried men generally have nothing on their minds but sports and sex. As far as I can tell, they only complicate a woman's life."

"I can see that you need an attitude adjustment, Dana," remarked Scott. "I'll have to spend some time convincing you that men are wonderful, caring, sensitive people who just like to touch women."

"I'm sure there are many men who are," she replied, smiling. "I just haven't happened to run across them. I seem to draw the other kind."

Getting uncomfortable with the turn the conversation had taken, Dana said, "Thank you, Scott, for a very nice dinner. The steaks were done perfectly and were a marvelous change from my normal diet." They had reached his car and she stood by it obviously hinting that it was time for him to leave.

"You keep the rest of the bag of charcoal," he said. We'll use it the next time I have a craving for new peas and onions. We'll have to do this again sometime," he promised, taking the hint and folding himself into the car.

"Just remember to call first. It is a custom in this area," she reminded him, softening her implied reprimand with a smile.

"I don't have your number," he said. "Would you mind giving it to me?"

"Of course," she said. "You can't very well call if you don't have my number. And I'll need yours in case I need to call and cancel." He gave her his business card then jotted down her number also. She stood back, expectantly waiting for him to start the car.

"You're an enigma, Dana Winger," Scott stated in a quiet voice, looking up at her. "I have my work cut out for me to get inside your tough outer shell. How about if we start by pretending that the kisses didn't happen. It got us off on the wrong foot. We'll back up and return to a friendly mode and try another path. Is it a deal?"

"Certainly. I am willing to offer friendship. You are a fun and interesting man. And very creative," she said. "I appreciated your little bit of original humor on the occasion of my feeding the singles group my famous worm soup," she told him in a warm voice. "It got me out of a tight spot. I would still be wallowing in self-pity if you hadn't made me go back and face the music."

"I've never seen you wallow in self-pity. That's what I admire most about you is your ability to keep going in spite of great discomfort. That is a quality that is rare nowadays. Most people love to be victims and whine and complain about everything that doesn't make them happy."

"Thank you," Dana said, embarrassed by his praise. He seemed to be so sincere and those blue eyes! She knew that they would remain in her thoughts for a very long time. She could still smell the lingering odor of his cologne. It would be nice to find out what brand it was--without his knowing she was attracted, of course. She stood back from the car and said, "Well, thanks again. I'll see you later."

Scott couldn't resist one last jibe and as he started the motor, he said, "Dana, are you sure you didn't like the kisses just a little tiny bit?"

"I'm sure they were very nice kisses," she told him. "Far be it from me to pass judgment when I am so inexperienced and have no grounds for comparison, but they seemed to be professionally done. You no doubt have many years of experience and have reached virtuoso status."

Dana was a little disconcerted to see a look come into Scott's eyes that made her fear she had hurt his feelings. He looked like a puppy that had just been caught in some mischief. She found it hard to believe that a man with as much experience as he probably had would be wasting his time on her. He would lose interest soon and she would be left alone as she always was. She could tell she'd better guard her heart well from possible attachments so that she wouldn't have to feel a sense of loss when the parting took place.

She heard the phone ringing through the open window of her home and, waving to Scott, she ran to answer it. It was Andrea. She wanted to talk and they spent a comfortable hour discussing Scott and all his mysterious attentions.

Andrea was of the opinion that Dana was crazy to be so casual about it. "I would jump at the chance to let a guy like that get interested in me," she said. "When he kissed you, why didn't you kiss him back? You should have flattered him and made him feel good. Whatever possessed you to treat him so badly? He must have felt like a jerk. Are you proud of yourself?" Andrea was always so blunt.

"I might feel bad if he was really sincere," Dana said. "I just can't bring myself to believe that he is interested in me as a person. I'm just a diversion to while away his time while he's stuck with his job here in the boonies. He's going to be gone soon and what point would there be in letting myself get attached and then have him leave? Trust me, Andrea. It's better this way."

"I think you should take what you can get, Dana. If you are so picky, you'll never get a man." She paused for a moment, then asked, "If you're sure you don't want him, could you put in a good word for me?"

"Sure! I'll sing your praises to both Scott and George. You can have your pick!"

"Not George! Not George!" said Andrea quickly. "I've met his mother several times when she comes in for tests at the hospital. She is a hypochondriac and drops in every time she gets a hangnail. Everything is some emergency or other. I have never met such a pushy woman. She puts the whole hospital in an uproar. I will definitely not prod you to reconsider George's offer. His wife's life would be hell!"

"Well, tell me about your love life, Andrea," encouraged Dana. She wanted to get off the subject of herself and knew her friend was constantly on the lookout for men. Getting married was her greatest desire in life.

"I finally got Dr. Weber to say something good about my charts," she said. "I've been trying to get him to notice me for months. All he'd ever do was criticize my writing, so last week I brought in a portable typewriter and typed all my entries on the charts. He was so surprised he actually came to find me and tell me how nice they looked."

"That's wonderful, Andrea," Dana said, happy for any small triumph in her friend's life.

"Yes. That was wonderful. However, Old Witch Hazel chewed me out royally for wasting time typing when I should have been emptying bedpans or giving baths. I tried to convince her that I did it on my lunch hour but she wouldn't believe me. I am not permitted to use a typewriter any more. She even reported me to the administrator. What a witch!"

Dana offered the appropriate comfort and listened to her friend a little longer. They were both trying to fill up an otherwise empty Friday night. Dana had her house and yard and a lot of hobbies and interests that kept her busy, but Andrea had narrowed her life by her almost obsessive need to be around people. Dana loved solitude and was never bored by it. She liked people, but didn't need them around all the time to feel happy and fulfilled.

As soon as she hung up the phone from Andrea's call, it rang again. It was Scott. "Hi! I just wanted to be sure you had given me the right number," he said. "Who have you been talking to for so long?"

"It was Andrea. She's lonely tonight. Why don't you call her and cheer her up?" Dana said, seizing the opportunity to promote her friend's interest.

"That's all right," he said, refusing. "She's a nice girl but she's just a little too loud for me. I'm drawn to the quiet, shy types that need protecting."

"Is that why you noticed me?" Dana asked, diverted. "Do you think I need to be protected?"

"You most definitely do. You get in more trouble than anyone I've ever seen."

"It would be a twenty-four hour a day job to keep me out of trouble," she said, laughing.

"I have a theory about that," he said. "Professor Harrison has been thinking. I read somewhere that people who are accident-prone may have a deep psychological need for attention and they unconsciously cause their own accidents to get someone to notice them."

"What a crock!" Dana hooted. "I suppose you think that I trained that skunk to hold that position and spray at exactly the moment when you were there to see it."

"Yes, well, there may be some holes in the theory, but I'm sure they can be explained away if I'm given enough time. I'll also have to spend many hours studying the accident-prone person. That means you'll be required to be in my company a great deal for purposes of investigation."

"Oh, is that so?" she asked, bristling at his unceasing efforts to get close to her. "And I suppose I don't have anything to say in the matter."

"Of course, there will be some sacrifice on the part of the subject if she wants to arrive at a solution to her propensity for misfortunes. I'm sure she will consent to being studied when she realizes what a relief it will be to be free of her malady."

Dana's eyes narrowed as she listened to this relentless man. "She might be willing to suffer discomfort if she was sure that it would make any difference," she retorted. "However, she is still not convinced that there is anything to be gained by a study of her disorder. It could be that it is her destiny and cannot be changed."

"'I am the Master of my Fate,'" Scott quoted. "'I am the Captain of my Soul!'"

"My, my, you are poetic!" remarked Dana. "No wonder you think you're a professor. I liked you better when you were just a plain realtor or whatever it is you do."

"I'm crushed," he said in mock sorrow. "First you reject me as a lover, and now you reject me as a poet and scholar. Is there no feeling in your being? Do you have a heart of stone?"

"I guess so," she said calmly. "What is it that you do, anyway? I have realized that I know very little about you. You're always waxing so poetic that you don't talk about yourself."

"I'm a boring subject, but if you insist, I shall be most happy to tell you all about my life history. Do we have to do it on the phone, however?"

"It's kind of late to be going out tonight," she said, alert to the possibility that he would want to come over again.

"I wouldn't bother you at home again without giving you the proper notice," he said with an injured air. "However, we could meet on neutral ground where you wouldn't feel so threatened by the big bad man. How about meeting me at your favorite hang-out, the Tastee Treet?"

"Hmm," Dana stalled, considering. "I guess that would be all right. You sound kind of desperate. I imagine this is an unusual occurrence for you to be alone on a Friday night."

"It is most unusual and I am in desperate need of some company. If I don't have someone to talk to, I can't be responsible for my actions. I might be found down at the local bar drowning my sorrows if you don't come and save me."

"Well, if you're in the habit of drowning your sorrows at the local bar, I certainly don't want anything to do with you," Dana told him, frankly.

"I wouldn't have any sorrows to drown if you'd quit talking and start driving," he answered back. "How does half an hour sound?"

"Fine. I'll be there. You behave and get back to being yourself," she told him. "Whomever that may be."

"Yes, Ma'am," he answered. "I will do my best." His voice changed from a bantering tone to a more sincere and happy one. "See you soon, Dana. Hurry!"

Dana hung up the phone and went to get ready. She wasn't sure why she had consented to see him, but her heart was doing some flip-flops. She hadn't had any of those symptoms for a very long time. It was kind of nice. She hummed a little tune as she jumped in the shower she couldn't take earlier because of his unexpected visit. At least she could look nice if this was going to be a real date.

Chapter 10

All the way to town, Dana was going over and over in her mind what had possessed her to agree to meet him. What would he think after she had been so rude about his kisses? She was not acting with any consistency at all. He must think she was very strange. But still, he had called and wanted to see her again. She pulled into the parking lot, still musing over the foibles of her mind.

Scott was waiting for her inside and waved to her when she came through the door. "What do you want?" he asked, indicating the menu above the serving counter.

"Just a diet Coke will be fine," she told him.

He carried his strawberry sundae and her drink to a table outside. They sat down and he began, "I was afraid you wouldn't come to meet me again. Am I forgiven for stealing those kisses?"

"No, you can never be forgiven unless you can replace what was stolen," she told him. "I came because you promised to tell me about yourself."

"Oh, yes. Well, like I said, I am quite a boring subject. You, on the other hand, are a mystery. It looks to me like there is a little less of you than when we first met."

"A polite gentleman never comments on the size of a lady," she told him, primly. "I do try hard to make allowances for your bad manners because you aren't from this galaxy, but you need to study up on Earth etiquette."

"I can't do anything right, can I?"

"You cook steak exceptionally well. Where did you learn to do that?"

"My dad taught me. The cook always burned them."

"Ah!" Dana commented, delightedly. "Now we are getting somewhere! We have established that you have a father and a cook. Let us hear more!"

"I was born on January 30, in Stratton, Missouri. I am twenty-eight years old. I am the oldest of three children. I have two sisters. My father is a real estate developer and my mother plays bridge and tennis. I graduated from the University of Missouri in Business Economics and have been working with my father for the last several years buying and selling real estate."

He stopped and said, "Now it's your turn."

"Already? You've hardly said anything," she said, shaking her finger at him.

"I'll tell more when you tell me about yourself," he promised.

"All right. I am twenty-five years old. I was born in Paw Paw, Michigan. I have three brothers and two sisters. I am number four in the family. My father is a fruit farmer. My mother works with him. I went to college only one year. I work at Armitage Diesel in accounts receivable. End of story."

"What are your hobbies? I know about gardening and walking, but there must be others. What do you do for recreation besides painting houses for little old ladies?" Scott was full of questions.

"You said you'd tell about yourself now," she reminded him.

"Okay. I like to work out. I enjoy movies and fresh peas. I like fast cars and strawberry sundaes."

"I already know all those things," Dana said. "Tell me about your work here. Are you finding that people don't want to sell their property to you for developing?"

"On the contrary, people are jumping at the chance to unload their land. Not many younger men want to be tied down to a farm. The older ones are getting too old to do the work and the younger ones are too lazy. The costs are too high. It is easier to just sell out and live in luxury."

"How sad," Dana said. "We feed the world, but how long will it last? The small farmers can't make a living and the rich developers are ruining all the farmland."

"There will always be farms. Some people just won't leave the land. They hang on to it for dear life. That's what makes my job so hard," he told her. "I get a tract of land all bought except for one little piece in the middle and some die-hard just won't let go of it."

"Hooray for die-hards!" cheered Dana. "They are a dying breed. Without them, the whole country would be covered with ugly factories or golf courses or malls. There are entirely too many people crowded together. They need to spread out more."

"They like to be close to their work. People want to have more stores and malls and places to go for recreation. They need the golf courses and amusement parks to spend their money on. They work hard and want to have some place to play." Scott eyes were bright as he told about the work of his life, which was to provide places for these amusements.

"I can see that this discussion is getting nowhere," Dana said. "We will never see eye to eye on this issue. I know I'm right and you seem to be deluded that your outlook is better. Let's change the subject."

"Excellent idea, Miss Winger. Let's talk about health clubs. You weren't really looking for someone at Jack's the other day, were you? Danielle at the front desk told me you had come in to check out the facilities."

"I was trying to find a place to lift weights," Dana admitted. "My doctor said I need to build some muscle."

"I did some checking before I joined and Jack's is the highest rated place in the area," Scott informed her. "Why didn't you join there?"

"I didn't like the crowds of people," she said. "I am kind of a hermit and like people in small doses."

"I hope I didn't run you off," he said, watching her in amusement.

"It's a little expensive for my income, too," she said, evading his glance. She felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, she saw that it was George Fenton. He was accompanied by an older woman, very loudly dressed in hot pink capris and a halter top. She was not a small woman, either in height or expanse, and her clothing was most unbecoming. Her bleached hair was dyed carrot red which clashed terribly with her outfit.

"Dana, honey, I want you to meet my mother," George said, proudly. "I was so glad to see you here. She's been waiting to meet you for a long time."

Dana had bristled at his first words and said through clenched teeth, "George, I am not your honey!"

Without waiting for the exchange of names that normally accompany an introduction, Mrs. Fenton burst out with, "I hear that you turned my son's marriage proposal down, young lady. I think that was very rude of you. You hurt his feelings and I think you owe him an apology."

Dana was dumbfounded. She shouldn't have been surprised at his mother's behavior after having known George for so long, but she was embarrassed by her loud demand. Everyone in the area had turned to watch the skirmish.

"Well? He's waiting!" said Mrs. Fenton, hands on hips and towering over Dana who was still sitting.

Trying to get some control of the situation and hoping to defuse a most humiliating predicament, Dana rose to her feet and said, indicating Scott, "I would like you to meet Scott Harrison, Mrs. Fenton. I'm sure George already knows him."

Scott rose and offered his hand, lips twitching as he tried to master the overwhelming impulse to break out in laughter.

"What are you doing here with my son's fiance?" bellowed the redoubtable Mrs. Fenton, turning a hostile eye on him.

"I am NOT engaged to George, Mrs. Fenton," Dana insisted. "I've never even dated him." She raised her voice even though she hated calling attention to herself. She couldn't bear to let all the interested observers think that she was in any way connected to this eccentric couple.

George took exception to this statement. "You did too date me," he said. "We had banana splits right there at that table together."

"Don't interrupt, George," commanded his mother. "I'll handle this."

Dana was about to remind him that he had eaten both banana splits but thought better of it. She just repeated, "I am not George's fiance!"

"You will be soon. You're just playing hard to get. I would have thought you're too old to play such silly games. It's not as if you're going to have anyone else ask you at your age. George could have his pick of anyone. Why he chose a plump, quiet mouse like you, I'll never know, but he did. Now quit toying with his feelings and give him your answer!" George's mother seemed to be as dense as he was when it came to accepting a decision that wasn't to her liking.

"I have decided, Mrs. Fenton," Dana broke in. Her face was bright red and fire sparked from her eyes. She was so angry and so mortified that she was shaking. "There was never any question. I hate George!" She turned on her heel to walk away, but the two large people blocked her way.

True to form, Scott jumped into the fray to her rescue. "If you'll excuse us," he said, "We were just leaving." He took Dana's arm and shouldered his way between the bulky bodies in their way.

"Not until you apologize!" insisted George's mother, highly incensed and following closely. "My George shouldn't have to take such abuse," she said. "He gets depressed easy and you've broken his heart. What do you have to say?"

She was so belligerent that Dana was halfway afraid of being assaulted, but she turned and hissed between gritted teeth, "I don't have anything to say to you. Tell your 'little boy' to leave me alone!"

Dana pushed past the overbearing woman and left the area. She kept to the shadows and walked rapidly toward her car. She remembered reading a comic book years ago where a character carried a hole with him wherever he went. Anytime he got into a position where it would be wonderful to be swallowed by the earth, he just put down his hole, jumped in, and pulled it in after himself. How she wished she had a portable hole! She would have many occasions to use it.

Scott caught up to her when she was almost to her car. "I'm sorry that had to happen. What a spectacle! I've never seen such a battle-axe before. In hot pink pants, no less. If I hadn't felt so bad for you, I'd have laughed myself silly."

"I guess that is intended to comfort me," Dana said. "I wish I would have had the sense to stay home. I'm always safer and happier at home."

"It wasn't your fault in any way. I was watching the crowd and they were all on your side. Didn't you hear the cheering when you left?"

"No," Dana felt even more disgrace. "I didn't hear the cheering. I'm getting out of here."

"You spend too much time by yourself," Scott told her. "You need to get out and have some real fun and see what normal people are like." He turned her to face him and said, "I have a great idea! Let me take you to Great America tomorrow! I haven't been there for years." He was interrupted by Dana putting her hands to her temples in an agitated gesture he was becoming familiar with. "What's wrong?"

"I just want to go home and go to bed and listen to the quiet. I want to hear the crickets and the owls and the wind blowing. I am sick to death of people. I just want to be a rock!" Dana was so upset that she started crying. She was angry at herself for her lack of control. Usually she was able to keep calm and put up a front of self-command, but there had been too much to bear today. She turned blindly and groped for the door of her car.

"Oh, Dana. I can't stand to see you cry. Crying women have always gotten to me. Here, let me hold you. Don't cry." Scott's voice was low as he took her tentatively in his arms, afraid that she would push him away as she had done before. She did stiffen, but the comfort was too much to resist. She relaxed and let him pull her to him. She could hear the beat of his heart. He rested his cheek on her head and murmured soothing words into her ear.

They stood together for several minutes until Dana collected her emotions. Her tears had wet the front of his shirt and she put up her hand to wipe at it. "I'm sorry, Scott. I've ruined your silk shirt. This just hasn't been my day!" A fresh bout of sobbing made her shoulders shake but she wouldn't let him pull her close again. The best he could do was to offer a handkerchief. She took it and wiped his shirt off then dried her running nose and eyes. "I'm going home," she hiccuped. "I'll wash this for you. Thanks for the soda. I'm sorry I ruined your night."

Dana turned and unlocked the door. She climbed in and started the motor. Rolling down the window, she said, "Thanks for trying to cheer me up. You'd better go to Great America with someone with a little better luck. If I got on a ride there, it would be sure to break and kill a hundred people. Good night!"

She put the lever in reverse and backed out of the parking space. Scott was still standing there when she turned onto the street. She wondered what he was thinking and if he would ever have the nerve to get friendly with her again. Nobody was that dumb.

Chapter 11

It was hard to see the road through her tears, but Dana managed to get home safely. She drove in the garage and got out of the car. It was such a relief to be back on familiar ground. She walked around the yard for a few minutes, smelling the fragrant night air and letting the peace and serenity of the countryside soak into her troubled mind. Soon she was feeling back on an even keel and could actually begin to laugh at the ridiculous scene that had just occurred. It would have been hilarious if she hadn't been the one involved in it.

Cruiser accompanied her on her walk, tearing himself away from his normal nightly prowling. She didn't often let him in the house, but tonight Dana felt the need for a warm, comforting body to stroke. She carried him in and put him on the floor while she locked up. After she had changed into a light robe, she turned on the television and flipped through the channels to find an interesting movie. Cruiser jumped on her lap and soon was purring his pleasure at this unexpected treat.

The only movies showing were either about war or psychotic killers on the loose, so Dana turned the TV off and got out a book. Soon the cat was tired of being inside and ambled over to the door to be let out. When Dana opened it, she noticed through the bushes a vehicle of some kind parked across the road from her house. She couldn't see it well so she turned all the lights off and closed the drapes, peering out through a crack. In the dim beam of the yard light, she could see the outline of a car and what looked like a man leaning against it.

Dana's heart leaped into her throat in fear. Who was it? What could he want? She was rarely afraid in her secure little home but at the back of her mind was always the fear that a sicko of some kind would come and attack her. Hands shaking, she pushed the programmed button on her phone for the county sheriff and waited for an answer.

Her voice was so low and trembling at first that the receptionist couldn't hear her. Realizing that the person outside wouldn't be able to hear her voice, she spoke up. She reported what she had seen and her fears and asked if they could send someone to check it out. They took all her information and said that there was a car just minutes away and to lock all the doors and windows.

She had already done that, so she sat trembling, hands shaking in her lap for what seemed like forever. She watched the minutes go by on the clock and got up periodically to peek out the window again. He was still there.

Finally, she heard a car on her road. There were no sirens or flashing lights. They must not want to alert whoever was out there and scare him away. Peering between the curtains, Dana watched the sheriff's car pull up and stop by the man. He had made no attempt to jump in his car and get away. He just stood there in his relaxed pose and talked to the sheriff as if he didn't have anything to be afraid of. Who could he be? She couldn't identify him in the dim light.

After a few minutes of conversation, the man climbed slowly in the car and drove away. The sheriff pulled into her driveway. Dana ran to turn on the porch light and let him in.

"Hello," she said with relief, opening the door. "Who was it and what was he doing?"

"Hello, Dana. Remember me? I've been to a couple of the singles group meetings," the officer said.

"Oh yes, I do recognize you," she answered. "You're Brent Baxter, aren't you?"

"Baxton," he said, indicating the name plate on his uniform.

"I'm sorry. I only met you once." She was a little perturbed that he would be talking about himself when she was afraid of the night watcher. "Who was that out there?" Dana was still shaking and wanted to be assured he wouldn't be coming back.

"He said his name is Scott Harrison and that he's your boyfriend. He said something had upset you tonight and he just wanted to be sure you were all right. Do you know him? I didn't believe that you had a boyfriend until I saw you. You're looking good."

Dana's face flushed, but let the personal comment pass. "I do know him. I was out with him tonight."

"Was he the reason you were upset tonight? Has he been bothering you?" The officer felt that he needed to get the facts straight.

"No, he's all right. I'm surprised that he would have come out here, though. I wonder why didn't he come in?" Dana couldn't understand what reason Scott would have had to drive out from town to keep a watch on her house. Maybe he was afraid that George and his mother would come and bother her.

"He wanted to come in and explain what he was doing out there so you wouldn't be afraid, but I sent him on his way. He won't be back." The officer was sure of himself. He had that arrogant swagger that characterizes many law enforcement people. Dana had noticed it before when she had seen him at the activity.

"Thank you," she said, grateful that her fears had been groundless. It occurred to her briefly that she really didn't know very much about Scott and that he could be a psycho in disguise. She dismissed that notion, trusting to her judgment. He wasn't the type. He had been too kind to her.

"I'm sorry you had to come all the way out here. I really was afraid, though."

"It's my job, Dana. Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Was the world full of men who just bulldozed their way wherever they wanted to go? Dana was very surprised and at a loss for words. She was in her robe, obviously ready for bed and this officer of the law wanted to be invited in?

Stammering, she indicated her clothing and made some excuse about not being dressed.

"I'll take a rain check, then," he told her. "When is the next meeting of the group? I wish they'd do something more interesting than paint houses or go to concerts. I'd like to see some bowling parties or bike races. They're going to lose people's interest if they don't quit the stupid sissy stuff."

"I'm sure they'd welcome any suggestions, Brent. You ought to come to more of the meetings so you could have your say." Dana was getting a little irritated. It was too late at night to be standing arguing with a deputy sheriff about singles group activities.

"I guess we wouldn't have to wait for an activity, would we? What would you think about going out to the rifle range with me tomorrow? I could show you how to shoot a gun so you could protect yourself from people that bother you." Brent didn't sound like he was expecting to be refused.

"I'm sorry," Dana told him. "I've been invited to go to Great America tomorrow." She didn't worry about the fib. Scott had invited her. She didn't mention that she wasn't planning to take him up on it.

"Well, I've got to work Sunday so we'll plan on next Saturday, then," Brent said. "I'd like to show you how a real marksman can shoot. It takes practice and some natural talent, like I've got."

"I'm sure I'll be impressed," Dana answered, intrigued by his self-confidence.

"Great! It's a date then. I'll pick you up about ten in the morning and then we can go out to lunch. I'm busy in the afternoon with my bowling league so I'll drop you off--unless you want to watch me bowl, too," he said.

Diverted by the man's enormous ego, Dana politely refused that extra treat. "No, that's all right. I'm sure I'll be overwhelmed by your shooting skills. I don't want to take up your whole day."

"Wear something sexy," Brent said. "You're looking better all the time. What are you doing, dieting?"

"Yes I am, and working out, too. I'm thinking of taking up martial arts, so I can defend myself against the men of the world when I get beautiful," Dana said, provoked by his instructions and personal questions.

He laughed at her. "You've still got plenty of time. Keep working at it!"

Dana was sorry that he turned to leave just then because she wanted to see his face. Did he know he had just offended her by his bantering comment? She wanted to lash out at him but he was gone too fast. Why hadn't she refused his offer to go out with him? He was another insufferable, annoying male. She wondered if his number was in the book so she could call and cancel what would be sure to be another humiliating date.

Shutting the door and locking it again, Dana shook her head. "I don't understand it," she said aloud. "Here I have gone for months without one single date and now I am deluged by men clamoring for my company. Well, a deluge of three men, anyway. It's too bad two of them aren't worth it and the other one is just here temporarily. It's just my luck!"

After she climbed into bed, she lay thinking of all the things that had happened on this outstandingly stressful day. She couldn't remember having had such a trying time for a long while. It was full of the most unexpected events. She listed them in her mind. George's oh so romantic proposal while wolfing down banana splits; Scott's surprise visit bearing steaks; the walk with him, her very first kiss; his calling to invite her to meet him when she had just been so rude; the ludicrous scene with George and his loving mother at the Tastee Treet; the fear of the unknown person spying on her; and the amazing Brent Baxton and his invitation to watch him be macho.

"Wear something sexy, he said," she repeated to herself. "I've got to break that date. I can't see that anything good will come of it. He just needs someone to admire him and "Ooh and Ahh" at his manly skills. Disgusting!"

Dana turned on her side and shut her eyes. They snapped open as she remembered the words of the deputy. "He said that he's your boyfriend." Had Scott really told him that? She had no reason to doubt Brent's words. Why would Scott have said something like that?

Dana was amazed to find a warm, fuzzy feeling spreading over her body. Did he really think of her as a girlfriend? She recalled the way he had held her when she was crying so uncontrollably after the confrontation with George's mother. He had enveloped her with his arms and rested his cheek on her hair. He had talked the whole time in a low, comforting voice. What had he been saying? She couldn't remember. She wished she had listened instead of being so upset.

Too excited about the novel idea that she might be someone's girlfriend, Dana couldn't stay in bed. "I've got to write all this stuff in my journal," she said. "This day should be recorded for posterity. There aren't likely to be many like it, thank goodness." She wrote steadily for the better part of an hour until she felt that all the day in its glorious detail had been chronicled.

Climbing back into bed at last, Dana let her mind dwell on the most pleasant part of the whole day. In retrospect, it had been the evening of cooking steaks and picking peas. Her last thought was of Scott as she drifted off to sleep. She could visualize his deep blue eyes looking into hers just before he had kissed her. It hadn't been such a bad kiss after all. Why hadn't she just relaxed and enjoyed it? Well, if it ever happened again, she might do just that.

Chapter 12

Dana woke up Saturday morning later than usual. She felt so relaxed as she stretched and sat up in bed. The sun was shining through the curtains and leaving shafts of light in the air. She felt refreshed and happy. She liked having a whole new day to live. After all the events of yesterday, she was glad that she had turned Scott down on his offer of an amusement park. It would be nice just to spend the whole day alone in the peace and quiet of her own yard.

She dressed and ate breakfast then went out to start mowing the lawn. She wasn't even discouraged when she had trouble starting the mower. It just needed the battery charged. While that was being done, Dana went for a quick walk. She was on her way back when she saw a flock of geese getting ready to settle on the pond. She decided to hike over and watch them. It had been a while since she had been there.

The berry bushes were covered with ripening fruit, promising a tasty crop. Dana found some that were ready to pick and enjoyed their juicy flavor. Her presence scared the geese and they rose honking into the air. She loved to watch their big wings bearing them up high into the sky.

After she had tramped up and down the mounds of brush-covered earth that had been thrown up decades ago by the workers of the quarry, she was exhausted. She sat down in some shade and rested against the trunk of a tree.

"There you are. I wondered where you had gone." Scott's voice startled her and she yelped and jumped up. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he said.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. "I thought you were going to Great America."

"It's no fun to go alone. I'll wait until you will go with me."

"Persistent, aren't you?" she asked, shaking her head.

"I drove out to apologize for scaring you last night. I would have come in to see you after the deputy talked to me, but he told me to be on my way. I didn't think I'd better argue with him. I was in the wrong to be parked out there watching a woman's house," he told her.

"If I would have known it was you, I wouldn't have called him," she said. "I was scared silly when I saw a car parked out there and a person standing by it. I couldn't see anything but a dim outline."

"I'm really sorry. I drove out because I wanted to be sure George and his mother weren't going to keep harassing you. I sure didn't want that to happen." He walked up to her and looked out over the pond.

"It must have been embarrassing for you to be ordered off by a deputy sheriff. Yesterday was quite a day for both of us." Dana could laugh about it now. She felt much more relaxed now that she had reason to believe that Scott was genuinely interested in her.

"So, what are you going to do today?" he asked. "I saw your lawn mower hooked up to the battery charger. I figured you couldn't be too far away since you left your door open. When the geese flew up, I decided to walk in here and take a look at the pond until you came back. Luckily, I found you instead." His eyes were warm as they looked into hers.

Dana shivered even though the day was already warm. These were new sensations. She wanted to stay and see what he would do next. The look in his eyes was the same as it had been yesterday when she had turned away from his lips. He seemed to be more wary about forcing his kisses on her today, though.

"I'm sure the battery is charged by now," she said, tearing her eyes away from his. "I'll go get the mowing done. Thank you for coming to check on me again."

"I've never driven a riding mower," he said. "Why don't you teach me how to run it and I'll mow your lawn."

"How nice you are! I might even feed you lunch if you work so hard."

"Are there any peas left in your garden? I'm afraid we about finished them off yesterday."

Dana started walking through the trees toward the road, Scott by her side. "We can check. There is some spinach ready if you like spinach."

"I've never liked spinach before. But then it always came from a can. Canned peas are awful, too. If fresh spinach is as good as fresh peas, I'm willing to give it a try."

They carried on a light conversation as they walked the short distance to her home. She demonstrated how to work the mower and he started off, enjoying his new skill. Dana watched him for a few minutes, pointed out a strip he had missed, then went to the garden to harvest the spinach. She washed it in the sink and put together a spinach quiche. After it was in the oven, she sliced fruit for a salad, lining the bowl with fresh spinach leaves, and mixed a batch of muffins. It was actually quite fun to cook for someone other than herself.

She heard the mower shut off and went to the door to see what was the matter. "I'm all done." Scott shouted from the shed, seeing her in the doorway. "Do you park it in here?"

"Yes, that's fine," she called in answer. "Come and get cleaned up, lunch is almost ready."

By the time Scott had washed the dirt off his hands, the muffins were out of the oven and Dana had the table set. They sat down together. "I know that real men aren't supposed to eat quiche," Dana ventured, "but I hope you'll make an exception in this case. It's got spinach in it. Here, put some sour cream on top if you want to. I think it's really good."

While they were eating, Scott tried to convince Dana to go with him the next day to Great America or anywhere else she might prefer. She was tempted, but decided that her prior commitments came first. "I'm sorry, Scott, but I'm always busy on Sundays. After church, I go to the nursing home to read to some of the residents or help them write letters. They really count on me. Some of them don't have anyone who visit them and they are so lonely. They feel so bad when I don't come."

"You are a continuous source of wonder to me, Dana," Scott marveled. "I don't know a single other person who donates so much of their time to helping other people."

"You must have a very selfish group of acquaintances then," Dana laughed. "Almost everyone I know does some service in their church or the community. It must be because you're from the city. Where do you live anyway?"

He was interrupted in his answer by a commotion out on the front porch. Loud barking accompanied by scuffling sounds was followed by terrified yowling. Dana jumped to her feet and raced to the door, followed closely by Scott. They saw that two dogs had cornered Cruiser on the porch and he was fighting for his life. Before they could interfere, the cat leaped for the railing and scrambled over, narrowly missed by the gaping jaws of the dogs. He was injured and limping badly, but he gamely ran for the closest tree. Before he could get up the trunk out of their reach, the biggest dog had the cat's leg clenched in his teeth.

Dana screamed at the dogs and both she and Scott raced to help the panic-stricken cat. By then, both dogs were mauling him and stretching his quivering body between their powerful jaws, fighting over the prize. Sick with dread, Dana saw Scott pass her and reach the scene first. He kicked and beat at the dogs to make them release the cat, but he could see that it was too late. The dogs ran off as Dana joined the fray and left the hapless Cruiser lying broken and bloody on the ground.

Dana sunk to her knees and touched the cat, feeling for signs of life. There wasn't a flicker. The cat was dead. Tears came to her eyes as she knelt there. "Oh, no," she sobbed. "It happened so quickly. He was a good cat. I hate to see an animal die in such a horrible way."

"Whose dogs are those?" Scott asked. "We ought to report them to their owners. When they run in packs they cause all sorts of havoc."

"I think they belong to the people through the field, there," Dana said, pointing. "I remember seeing them before over that way."

"Do you have a shovel?" Scott asked. "I'll dig a hole and bury your cat if you want me to."

"Thank you, Scott. That's nice of you. I don't think I could stand to watch Cruiser get covered up with dirt." Dana started to cry again. "I should have watched him closer. He didn't have a chance."

"There's nothing you could have done," he told her. "It happened too fast."

After the burial, during which Dana cleaned up and washed the lunch dishes, Scott put away the shovel and came in the kitchen. "The deed is done," he said. "Would you consider letting me take you to a pet shop so you could pick out another cat?"

"No, thank you," she smiled through brimming eyes. "I'm not ready yet. Maybe the next pet will be something I can keep inside. I'll have to wait and see how I feel in a few days." She turned away to hide her tears, but Scott had seen them. His heart twisted inside him and he came up behind her and clasped her in his arms. He kissed her hair, then her cheek, and then, turning her to face him, he held her face in his hands and very tenderly kissed her mouth. It was a short, but very sweet kiss. He pulled her to his chest and encased her in his arms. She had never felt so safe before. It was a unique feeling for her and she reveled in it, hardly daring to breathe for fear that it would break the spell.

They clung together for a minute then Scott lifted his head and kissed her again. "I think I like you, Dana Winger," he whispered.

"I think the feeling is mutual," she answered, looking into his eyes. "You are the most comforting person I've ever known. You've saved me from lots of grief lately."

"So--," he said, giving Dana a final squeeze then holding her at arm's length. "Are you going to send me away this time? I want to spend a lot of time with you. What shall we do together the rest of the day? Do you have more work to do? Let me help with your chores and then we can go play."

A guarded look came into Dana's eyes as she remembered all her mother's warnings about men. She desired nothing more than to spend the day in his company, but she was not going to let it get out of hand. "I won't send you away yet, as long as you behave yourself," she said. "I might as well get as much work out of you as I can, since you're willing."

Dana listed all the work she had planned to do that day. Selecting from her list, Scott volunteered to wash the car and the outside windows while she did the laundry and cleaned house.

She got him a bucket of soapy water but was concerned about his fine clothing. "They're just clothes," he laughed. "I have a closet full of others just like them." He finished the car quickly and started on the windows. After working for a while, she heard him calling for more paper towels. When Dana brought them, he grabbed her hand, pulled her to him and kissed her. She laughed it off, cheeks flushed from the novelty of it. The second time it happened, after she brought him more soapy water, the kiss was much warmer and Dana decided that he needed to be cooled off. The next time he called for something, she answered by spraying him with the cold water of the hose. Her plan backfired, though, because he grabbed it from her and held her while it poured over her head. They were both soaked to the skin and gasping in the icy water.

"Now look what you've done to my silk shirt!" Scott complained. "You worried last night about a few tears and now you've completely soaked this one."

His chiding tone made Dana repentant. "I know cold water won't hurt silk," she said. "But the iron in the water will probably stain it. I'm sorry. Take it off and I'll go wash it out by hand."

"What? In front of a lady? Miss Winger, I'm surprised at you!" nevertheless, Scott started unbuttoning his shirt and Dana turned beet red. She turned her back in confusion at his laughter. He didn't display any modesty about baring his torso in front of her.

"I'll go get you a towel," she said, keeping her eyes lowered as he handed the dripping shirt to her.

He followed her in the house. She got out two towels but wouldn't let him touch her when he offered to dry her back. "I'm fine," she lied, shivering. "I'll go change as soon as I get this washed out."

The shirt was soon hung on a hanger to dry on the porch. Dana went into her bedroom to change into dry clothes. As a precaution, she quietly slipped a chair under the door knob, but she needn't have worried. She heard Scott leave the house. When she came out a few minutes later, he was back at his window washing job. She tried not to stare at his rippling muscles, but it was a stimulating sight. She decided she'd better get back to work before she needed the hose turned on herself.

Chapter 13

Andrea called while Dana was vacuuming. "I haven't heard from you for ages," her friend complained. "What have you been doing?"

"Well, I just got done having a water fight with Scott, and before that, we went walking by the pond. Then he mowed my lawn while I fixed lunch...."

"Hold on!" Andrea was overwhelmed. "Back up to the part about the water fight. Is Scott there now?"

"Yes," Dana answered, smugly. "I have him out washing windows right now. He just got done washing the car after he mowed the lawn."

"What on earth did you promise him, Dana?" Andrea was almost scandalized by her friend's behavior. She saw no harm in indulging in snatches of hanky-panky when the opportunity presented itself to her, but Dana had always been Miss Goody Two-Shoes. She had principles. Andrea had often reprimanded her for her strict morals, warning her that they would condemn her to a life of loneliness. However, now that it looked like Dana may be succumbing to temptation, Andrea was worried about her. She secretly admired her very much for her strength of character.

"I promised him I would go somewhere with him this afternoon after the work was done. He wants to take me shopping and to a movie," Dana answered, putting Andrea's mind at ease.

"Well, you watch out for the man," she advised her. "He will have ulterior motives. You can bet on it. What are you going to shop for?"

"I have to get some groceries and some stationery and stamps for tomorrow when I promised to write letters for some of the people at the nursing home."

"Scott is going grocery shopping with you?" Andrea was highly dubious. "There is more here than meets the eye. Why is he suddenly so domestic? What is he after unless it's your body?"

"I won't let a situation arise when he has a chance to get my body," Dana laughed. "I put a chair under the doorknob when I changed out of my wet clothes. But he went outside and continued washing windows." She didn't think it necessary to describe to her friend the bare, rippling muscles that had kept her staring until she was ashamed.

"Either I misjudged the man, or he has a very different type of personality than I gave him credit for. I wouldn't have believed to look at him that he would fall for a cute little fat thing like you," Andrea said.

"Maybe he is looking at the real me inside instead of the disguise I'm wearing," Dana suggested, not in the least offended by Andrea's words. She liked the idea about her well-padded body being a disguise. It had always been her dream that there would be a man somewhere who actually valued character and personality over outward appearances.

"Maybe he is," Andrea agreed. "But you still be careful. He could be in disguise too, you know. A wolf in sheep's clothing and all that."

"You sound like my mother, Andrea," Dana laughed. "I'll be all right. He is becoming a good buddy. I think he realizes that I won't let him go too far. Men respect that. Most of them won't force themselves on a woman without her consent."

"Don't ever believe that," Andrea cautioned her. "Almost all men will take whatever they can get away with. Believe me. Where have you suddenly gotten all this amazing knowledge about men, anyway?"

"Andrea, I think I'm in love. Let me enjoy myself. It can't be for long. He's only here for a few weeks and then he'll be gone. Can't I enjoy a date or two while it lasts? Maybe even a little huggy body, kissy face? I am in complete control. He won't get anything out of me I don't want him to have." Dana was positive that she could manage her emotions. Scott was very conscious of her feelings and had not made her fear him--except that first kiss. And on reflection, that wasn't really fear of him so much as fear of something new.

Dana hung up the phone and continued her vacuuming. She was just finishing when Scott sneaked up behind her and hit the off button. Grabbing her, he said, "I'm here for my payment!"

She didn't resist his encircling arms. She stood calmly with arms at her sides and looked steadily into his eyes. "I understand the agreement to be that after the work was done, we could play," she stated. "What kind of payment were you expecting?"

The playful and ardent look died out of Scott's eyes. He scrutinized her face for several seconds. He could see the intelligence there, and the firm devotion to principle that led her to commit herself to trying to make the world around her a better place. But there was more. She was trying to tell him something but didn't know how. Intrigued by unseen depths in her character, Scott wanted to explore them and communicate with her.

"Talk to me, Dana. What are you thinking?" He led her to the couch and sat down with an arm across the back. They weren't touching. Thankfully for Dana's peace of mind, his shirt had dried quickly and he had put it back on.

"I was wondering how I'm ever going to get the house clean with all these interruptions," Dana said, covering her sudden discomfort with humor.

"Are you still afraid of me?" Scott asked. "You seemed to be enjoying the new closeness we've felt today. I want to know how you feel. That look you just gave me--you're worried about something. Tell me what it is."

"I was just thinking that maybe all men really aren't the big scary ogres that my mother always told me to be afraid of. You're kind of nice."

"But you don't want me to get too close, do you?"

"Of course not, Scott. I can't afford to lose my head over someone who will be gone in a couple of weeks. I know almost nothing about you. I don't even know where you're from. I know you're from a whole different background and economic level than I am. I don't want to get serious. It's just fun to have someone around to do things with. If it gets to be a problem, I will send you away. I don't need to be attached to someone. I'm doing fine by myself."

"Dana, that's what I thought at first, too. Normally, I wouldn't have given you a second glance. I am usually pretty narrow-minded that way. I'm a sucker for a gorgeous babe." He laughed at himself then got serious again. "I've come to realize for the first time that there is gorgeous and then there is beautiful. You are a beautiful person, Dana. I can't wait to get to know you better."

Dana was sincerely flattered. She couldn't quite imagine what he saw in her, but it felt good to be told she was beautiful. The man was definitely becoming very hard to resist. She wanted to get to know him better, too, and said so. "But I do have one thing to make clear so that there aren't any misunderstandings, Scott."

He looked at her, suddenly knowing what she was going to say, and amazed that for some odd reason, it didn't make any difference to how he felt about her. "You're going to tell me to keep my hands to myself and my mind on your brain instead of your body, right?" he laughed.

"That's about right," she said. "I know there's a lot of me to have to ignore, but if that's going to be a problem, let's just part friends right now. I couldn't stand to worry about it all the time. It would ruin all the fun."

"Dana, before I met you, I would have said that that is all the fun. Somehow, though, my mind has changed. I enjoy just being around you. Well, maybe an occasional kiss or cuddle." He paused, took her chin in his hand and looked in her eyes again. "You did like the kisses, didn't you? You seemed to enjoy the cuddling, too, a little. I thought I heard a little sigh or two."

She allowed his arm to come around her shoulders and draw her closer. "Yes, I have to admit that I did sigh. It felt nice to be the object of someone's affection for a minute. I can see where a person could come to get very fond of those feelings, especially if it was someone they loved deeply."

"Then why fight it? Why not just enjoy it? You're all grown up now and your mother is far away. There is nothing wrong with letting yourself relax and maybe even fall in love a little." Scott talked to her as though she was a child who needed reassurance.

Dana smiled. "When I fall in love, it won't be just a little. I know the kind of person I want to fall in love with. A lot of people get sidetracked by lust and wake up to find out that it wasn't love at all. I won't let that happen. The consequences are too important."

Scott shook his head. Somehow he knew what she was saying was true. It went against the way he had conducted himself for most of his life. Self-denial had seldom been required of him and he was enough of a salesman that he usually found a way around it. In the deepest, darkest recesses of his mind, though, he realized that he had always felt a twinge of something. Could it have been conscience? Nothing he had done was any worse than the way almost everyone else he knew was living. He knew his own father had strayed a time or two and had never taken it seriously. Scott had wondered, when he discovered his dad's wandering, how it would affect his mother if she found out. He had put the thought out of his mind. It had been too uncomfortable.

"Now I think it's your turn to explain your thoughts," Dana said. "You have a very faraway look in your eyes. Are you wondering how to gracefully bow out of a situation you thought was going in a different direction? All you have to do is walk out and drive off. No hard feelings." Dana was offering him the chance for a quick getaway. This whole thing was getting a little deep for her peace of mind. Why were relationships so unsettling?

"I can tell that if I continue to see you, Dana, I will have to have several attitude adjustments. I might even have to change my outlook on life. That is a lot of effort on my part and I might be too selfish to do it." Scott's tone of voice was bantering, but Dana could see that his eyes were troubled. He was wondering if such a short friendship was worth it.

Dana shrugged off his arm and stood up. "Well, that's the end of that," she thought to herself. "It was almost nice while it lasted. Maybe my ideals just don't exist in the world. No matter. I'm okay by myself. I don't need anyone else to be happy." She walked to the vacuum and wound up the cord. She carried it to the coat closet by the back door and put it away. Scott was standing in the doorway to the living room when she turned around.

"All right, Dana Winger," he said, raising his right arm to the square. "Until midnight, I promise to keep my mind on your brain and not your body and to keep my hands to myself. If I have an overwhelming urge to hug you or kiss you, I will do so only with permission."

"Cross your heart and hope to die?" she asked, raising her eyebrows and looking archly at him.

"Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a finger in my eye, may my blood spill if I lie!" Scott recited, still at attention, eyes straight forward.

"You can bet it will!" Dana promised, laughing. "I take pledges seriously. Your first offense will result in my finger in your eye and any subsequent offenses will definitely be bloody!"

"Are we done with the work, Wicked Stepmother?" Scott appealed. "Cinderfella is worn out and ready for some relaxation."

"We are done. For all your labors this day, you will be rewarded with a dinner at the sit-down restaurant of your choice, my treat. We will forego grocery shopping. I can do it later. I won't starve before then."

"Oh, thank you, Wicked Stepmother." Scott held his hands clasped in front of him in a supplicating pose. "My fingers are cracked and bleeding from all this hard work. You won't object to stopping at my apartment first and letting me shower and change into something appropriate for the occasion, will you? This shirt is kind of wrinkled, don't you think?"

"I have an excellent idea, Cinderfella," Dana said. She had been wondering how to gracefully excuse herself for the same reason. "You go home and get cleaned up and I will do the same here. Then we can meet at the place we're going to eat. Where are we going to eat?"

"We are going to eat at Luigi's. I love their food. It's pretty good for being in such a small town. But I don't want you to have to drive your own car. This is our first proper date and I will come out and pick you up."

"Negative!" Dana refused. "This is my treat for all your hard work. I asked you out and I am going to drive. Just tell me your address and I will pick you up. I have your cell number."

"I'll write my address for you. It's right on Main Street across from the bowling alley. Very picturesque area."

"Excellent, Mr. Harrison. I will be there to collect you at seven o'clock sharp. Please don't keep me waiting." Dana bowed formally from the waist inclining her head majestically. As she began to straighten up, the muscles in her back cramped. "Oh, no!" she exclaimed in pain, both hands at her back.

Scott helped her to a chair. "What happened?" he asked.

"It's been a whole day since anything went wrong," Dana explained, wincing in agony until she found a position that felt better. "My defective back is just reminding me that it's there. I haven't lost enough weight yet, I guess."

"What can I do for you? Do you need to lie down? Let me help you." Scott was all solicitation and concern.

"No, it will be all right in a minute. I'll just take something and it will be fine. It's always sore after I vacuum. If I would have washed windows, too, I would have been in bad shape. You saved me again from a lot of pain." Dana hated to think about calling off their date. She was sure that a hot bath would relax the muscles and the pain would go away.

After many assurances that she would be fine, Scott got in his car and drove away. Dana undressed and lowered herself into the steaming bathtub. It felt so good to relax and soak. She lay with her eyes closed waiting for the combination of ibuprofen and hot water to work their magic. What a nice day this had been. And the best part was that it wasn't even over yet. And if they were home before midnight, his promise wouldn't be broken so she wouldn't have any worries of that nature either.

Chapter 14

Dana drove to church Sunday morning deep in thought. Her mind wasn't anticipating the warmth of fellowship at church as it usually was, or even looking forward to spending the afternoon at the nursing home. She was still glowing from the pleasure of beginning her first relationship, even if it was a temporary thing.

Last night had been fun beyond her expectations. He had not been waiting outside his apartment so she had been obliged to go to his door and knock. When he opened it, he invited her in to see where he lived. "No, thank you," she had said. "If we hurry, we can get done eating in time to go to the nine o'clock movie."

"One shouldn't rush their meals, Miss Winger," Scott said severely. "One might end up with an upset stomach. I have an alternative plan which may be to your liking if you would care to hear it."

"Certainly, Mr. Harrison." Dana curtsied this time, remembering that bows hurt her back. "I'll consider listening, even though this is my date."

"I thought we might eat a leisurely dinner and then come back here to watch a movie of your choice. There is a video rental store only a block away."

"Thank you, Mr. Harrison," Dana shook her head. "I have no wish to appear rude, but you are far from trustworthy and a man at that, and I would be ever so much more comfortable if we were around other people."

"Untrustworthy? Miss Winger, I am crushed! I have given you my word of honor. Surely you can't believe that I would ever break my word of honor?" Scott affected being seriously wounded, placing a hand to his heart.

Dana dropped her Victorian masquerade and laughed. "Sorry, Scott. I had my heart set on seeing Star Trek IX. I haven't had a chance to go yet. Andrea and I were going to go tonight but she said she would cancel since my having a date is clearly more important--and rare."

The dinner had been delicious and the movie was entertaining. He had been very gallant throughout the evening. They had talked and laughed and enjoyed a moonlit stroll through the city park. She had given him permission to kiss her just one time and he had rolled his eyes when she indicated the location of the kiss was to be on her cheek.

They had been sitting in her car outside his apartment when the church bell tolled midnight. "Agreement's over!" he cried, clasping her in his arms when the last chime had sounded. "At last! You are in my clutches."

Dana had reached up and poked his cheekbones hard with two fingers. His head jerked back in surprise. "Unhand me, villain!" she had said, feigning contempt. "Remember that you are a gentleman."

"It's past midnight," he protested. "You can't stick your fingers in my eyes now."

"Tough toenails, my man," Dana had replied. "Desist or leave!"

"Dana, you are enough to drive a man crazy," Scott muttered. "I don't think a nice little warm kiss would be out of order. I didn't even invite you in to see my etchings or anything. I am being a gentleman."

"Yes, you are," Dana had agreed. "And as a reward, you can have one little kiss. Then I have to be going." It had been a nice, warm little kiss that left her breathless. He held her close, hoping for another. She had planted a peck on his cheek then reached over him and opened his door. "Goodnight, Mr. Harrison."

She had watched him enter the building then had gone home in a happy mood. It still persisted this morning. Dana wondered if their paths would cross today or if he had endured enough of a platonic relationship and would go looking for more willing fish.

She sat through the services with her mind far from anything spiritual. During the closing hymn, she hauled her thoughts back to the present. "I've got to come down out of the clouds," she told herself. "This will not do at all."

Dana got to the nursing home in time to have lunch with some of her friends there. Mr. Nebeker was happy to see her. He wheeled his chair over to where she was sitting with old Mrs. Cline. "Hello, Dana," he said. "We're having a group come in later to lead us in some of the old time songs. Will you join us?"

"Of course, Mr. Nebeker," she told him. "How are you today?"

"My son still hasn't been back," he told her sadly. "Maybe I did the wrong thing by not giving him my land." He hung his head for a few moments, then raised his fists and pounded them on the arms of his wheelchair. "No, I'm not going to be bullied into giving in to him. I've promised that land to the hospital. They can use it for a children's wing or a care center or whatever they want to do with it. I want to leave something behind so people will remember me. My son would have it spent in a year."

Dana was sympathetic. She encouraged him to follow his heart and do what he thought was right. She spent the afternoon going from one room to another visiting her special friends. She wrote letters, admired handwork, and just talked. They were so lonely, living out their last years in semi-confinement. It was heart-rending to see the quiet acceptance of their lot in life.

Dana was walking down the hallway to say goodbye to Mr. Nebeker before she left for the day. She heard voices coming from his room and paused. She didn't want to interrupt if his son had come back to see him.

The voice she heard was a familiar one, though. It was Scott's distinctive voice speaking and she listened, in spite of her dislike of eavesdropping.

"I understand from your son that you don't want to sell the sixty acres you have out west of town," he was saying. "I've come to see if I can change your mind. My company is buying up a large tract of land in that area and we will pay you a good price."

"No, young man. I've left that land to someone else in my will. My son already has his inheritance and he doesn't need to have the money from this land too. He is a selfish fool if he thinks I'll give in to you." The old man's quavery voice was raised in defiance.

"Can you tell me to whom you have left it? Maybe some other arrangements can be made," Scott said, his voice pleasant but firm.

"It's none of your business who I have left it to," insisted the old man. "Now leave me alone! I need some rest."

"I would like to leave you my card in case you change your mind. We could make it very much worth your while to sell your land," Scott told him. "I have looked it over and it is a prime piece of property."

"Vultures! That's what you all are. Vultures waiting for me to die! Get out! Get out!"

Dana started to enter the room to prevent Scott from further upsetting her old friend. She was in the doorway when she saw him put his card on the night stand and turn to leave, an exasperated look on his face. His eyebrows shot up when he saw her. Glancing back, he saw that Mr. Nebeker had turned his back to the door. He pulled Dana back into the hallway.

"I thought you had already gone," he said. "I didn't see your car in the parking lot."

"I walked over from the church. What did you have to upset Mr. Nebeker like that for?" she asked.

"I need his land," he told her. "It's the perfect location for the new development we have in mind."

"It looks like you'll have to look somewhere else then," she said. "He is pretty set in his ways."

"Do you know him well?" he asked. "You could put in a good word for me. We don't want to rob him or anything. He might as well sell it to us as leave it to someone else who will eventually end up selling it to us anyway."

"He's leaving it to the hospital so they can build a children's convalescent center. He told me once that he and his wife lost two of their children and he has always wanted to do something for the hospital so other children can be taken care of."

"That's very touching," Scott said. His eyes had that calculating look in them that Dana had noticed occasionally before. For a moment he looked like a shrewd, hard-hearted businessman who would do anything for the bottom line.

"You're not going to keep bothering him, are you?" she asked. "He's afraid he's lost his son over that property and he doesn't need you to keep after him. His mind is made up."

Scott took her arm and they walked down the hall. "I'm not an ogre," he smiled. "Are you ready to leave? I'll give you a ride to your car."

Dana was halfway hoping that he would suggest spending the evening together. He seemed to be preoccupied and didn't say much as they drove the short distance to the church parking lot. He stopped by her car and left the motor running while she got out. "Thanks," she said. "When will I see you again?"

"I have to go out of town tonight for a day or two," he told her. "I'll call you when I get back. There's some business I have to take care of."

Dana was a little hurt that he hadn't been his usual jovial self. Maybe he had taken offense at her insistence that he leave Mr. Nebeker alone. He could at least have kissed her goodbye, she thought.

"Men!" she said aloud as she put her key in the ignition. "Give them an inch and they'll worm your way into your heart." She drove slowly home, thinking about all the events in the past month since she had met Scott. It had all been very interesting. She wondered how close he was to finishing his work and leaving. He was certainly close-mouthed about his work. "I think I'd better cool it," she sighed. "He can't be here for much longer. What is the point of getting all excited when he'll be leaving and I'll be staying? It was fun, though," she mused, "What there was of it."

Chapter 15

Dana didn't hear from Scott until Thursday afternoon. He had called her at work to say that he was back and had a surprise for her. She was a little amazed at the great leap her heart had made when she heard his voice on the phone. She had missed him but had very sincerely tried to keep her mind on her work and her own interests and keep it away from his handsome, bearded face.

He was such fun to be with. They were very different in personality but seemed to have great rapport. Andrea called it being "soul mates", whatever that was. Dana only knew that it had been a very long time since she had felt any lasting interest in a man. She grinned ruefully to herself when she realized that the last time any man had quickened her pulse was during the one year she spent in college.

There had been a guy in her biology class who had caught her attention. They had become lab partners and occasionally shared class notes. His name was Steve and they had talked a lot as they dissected their assigned dead baby pig but he hadn't seemed interested in her until out of the blue, he had asked her out.

The date had been fun until he tried to put some moves on her, which she quickly but politely refused. After that he hadn't paid her much attention, but her innocent and lonely little heart had been well on its way to falling in love with him. A few days later she discovered by accident what his real motivation had been. He was pledging a fraternity and they obviously had a "Date a Fat Girl" requirement.

Dana's eyes had been opened abruptly in the student union one day when she heard Steve's laughter on the other side of a divider. She started around to say hello to him when she was brought up short by the comments she overheard. "How did your fat girl date go?" another voice had asked.

Steve had replied that he hadn't gotten far because "Fatty, Fatty, Two by Four" was a prude. "I thought that anybody that fat would give me anything I wanted, but I was wrong," he had said. "She's missed her chance, though," he bragged. "I filled the requirement and got the signatures of Dean and Paul who saw me out with her. That's the end of that! I don't want to ruin my reputation by being seen too often with a dog!"

Dana had been so humiliated that she had cut the next two classes to avoid him and cried the rest of the day. She arranged to transfer to a section of the lab which met at a different time so she wouldn't have to work with him again.

It was that experience which helped convince her to grow a thick skin. She could not allow herself to get hurt by jerks like Steve. She was a good person with many talents and abilities and she wasn't going to be stifled by letting the sick attitudes of some people get her down.

Since that time, Dana had been very careful with her heart. She met several men who were attractive to her, but it seemed like they all had major flaws. The really good-looking ones were usually insufferable because of their huge egos from all the feminine attention they attracted. Even the ones who were average looking usually turned out to be so self-centered that it would be impossible for them to love anyone besides themselves.

Some of the men had strange habits or ideas, too. She met one who had pet snakes and was very offended by her fear of them, insisting that he could never live with a woman who didn't like his snakes. Another was so totally engrossed in sports that there would have been no room in his life for any woman with a shred of self-respect. His whole life revolved around one sports event after another.

All in all, Dana had convinced herself that there were many, many worse things in life than being single. The freedom involved made it worthwhile by itself. She had often been irritated and dejected after her close friends had gotten married. When she had wanted to keep up the relationship and spend time with them, they had made excuse after excuse, saying that they couldn't do this or do that because their husbands didn't like to or didn't want them to or whatever. She couldn't understand why any man who loved his wife would expect her to give up so many of her own interests and friends for his convenience. It was still a mystery to her.

Bringing her thoughts back to the present, Dana hurried to finish her work so that she could go home. Scott had said that he would drop by her house around six because he had a meeting at eight o'clock and wanted to bring her the surprise before it started.

As she rushed through the data entry, she kept making mistakes. Her hands were trembling in anticipation of seeing Scott again. She went to the rest room and washed her face and tried to calm down. It was very out of character for her to be so delirious with joy. "He's just a man," she chanted to herself in the mirror. "He's going to be gone soon. I can't let myself get this way. Calm down, girl."

When she had finally managed to batter her unruly feelings back into order and resumed her work, the electricity had suddenly gone out in the office and the computer went down. The phones were dead also so Dana walked out to the shop to see what had happened. She discovered that a truck had backed into the power pole that carried the current to their office and knocked it over. It would be some time before it was fixed. Meanwhile, today's invoices had to be sent out.

Her boss wouldn't hear of her putting them off until tomorrow so she could leave on time tonight. No, she would have to hand type them and get them out today no matter how long it took. Heart sinking, Dana pulled her cell phone out and dialed Scott's number, hoping that he answered. It went to voicemail so she had to leave a message. After telling him that she had to work late and wouldn't be home for hours, she asked him to call her when he got a chance.

It was well after eight o'clock when she finished typing the last invoice on the old manual typewriter and bundled it with the others. She was the only one left in the office so she locked up. Her trembling hands and racing heart had settled down long ago. She felt so bad that she had been forced to miss seeing Scott. "I've got it bad," she told herself as she dropped the envelopes into the post office drop box. "I need to wake up and get myself straightened out before I get my heart broken."

As she drove home, Dana thought of asking for a couple of days off to visit her parents in Michigan. It had been a long time since she had felt homesick but now she needed to see her family and get her life back into perspective. Having Scott around to flatter her and seek her out had turned her head. She needed to remember who she was and get back to being the quiet, busy, useful person she had always been.

After she had fixed a late supper, she settled down to read a book. She chose a biography because she couldn't face reading about romance at all. Her heart was too bruised right now. It wanted to expand and reach out to Scott and she kept beating it back with the sure knowledge that it would be broken if she let it free.

Deep in the life of a famous movie actor, Dana was snapped out of her concentration by the phone. It was Scott.

"I saw your message but was in my meeting so I couldn't call back. We're taking a break now so I have a few minutes. I'm sorry I had to miss you."

"Me too, Scott. It's been quiet since you've been gone," Dana said.

"I'm tied up all day tomorrow, too. Are you free Saturday? I don't think I'm busy in the morning," he told her.

"I'll be home. It will be good to see you."

"Okay. Well, I've got to go. It looks like the meeting is about to get started again. I'll see you Saturday." Scott hung up quickly before Dana had a chance to say goodbye.

He had said he was meeting with some people who couldn't make up their mind about selling their land. He was going to propose a whole new deal to them to try to convince them how great it would be to get rid of their farms. Dana had lectured him about what he did for a living. She had described to him what she would do if some high-pressure salesman tried to talk her out of her land. It involved hanging by the thumbs from the top of a tree and having eyes pecked out by crows. Scott had just laughed and said that he would love a challenge like her.

She returned to her book but found that her thoughts kept flying forward to Saturday. She had mentally planned lunch and was even imagining his arms around her and the scent of his aftershave when she drew herself up short. "Hold it, sister!" she scolded herself. "What happened to the decision to cool this relationship before you get yourself hurt?"

It was useless trying to get interested in the book again. Dana got up and paced the floor trying to work out the conflict within herself. Her head told her to forget Scott and her heart argued just as strongly in favor of letting herself love him.

In her usual organized manner, she got out pencil and paper and made two columns. "Pro," she wrote, then listed below it all the reasons, flimsy though they may be, why she should go ahead and fall in love. She came up with some creative ones, such as: practice for developing a stronger heart; maybe he'll fall in love back; my mother says I should get married; and I should have new experiences. The only really important one, though, that made any sense was that she just plain wanted to.

There were lots of reasons to list on the "Con" side: he doesn't love you; you'll get your heart broken; you'd have to give up your freedom; you'd have to move to wherever he lives; it would upset your whole life; you'd get even fatter if you had babies.

"That's enough of that!" Dana declared out loud. "I have jumped from deciding whether to fall in love all the way to having babies. That is totally stupid. The whole truth of the matter is that I am already in love. I don't know why I'm fighting it so hard. It's already happened. The only thing that hasn't happened is that he hasn't shown any real indication that he is in love too."

Putting all thoughts of love out of her mind as far as possible, Dana showered and went to bed. She was afraid that she would be awake for hours, hashing it all over again in her mind. To her relief, sleep came easily and she slept deeply until the alarm tugged her back to reluctant consciousness. She had been dreaming of walking through a beautiful, sunlit meadow with flowers blooming and birds singing. Scott had been holding her hands and looking at her with love-filled eyes. She had been thin and graceful. Oh well, all dreams come to an end, she thought, as she lingered another moment or two in the serenity she had felt.

Her day was busy. The power had been restored so there was all her normal work plus helping the others in the office catch up on their data entry. She was by far the fastest typist on the computer so she did much of it after she had finished her own job. Her boss was so pleased with her efforts and her willingness to stay late the night before that he told her to go home two hours early. She was ecstatic to have some extra free time.

Dana went to the health club and swam for an hour, then relaxed in the water and let her mind wander. She had weighed herself and happily noted that she had lost a total of twelve pounds during the last month. The exercise and diet were beginning to show some results. She did feel better all over. There was still a long way to go, however.

When she got home, she called Andrea and invited her to go to a movie. It was getting harder and harder to be alone with her thoughts. She needed to keep busy. Andrea's ceaseless chatter would keep her mind occupied. Her friend had been complaining lately about being neglected, anyway.

Andrea was willing and they met at the theater. After the show, they stopped for a Coke and caught up on each other's lives. Andrea had still not been successful in getting her doctor to ask her out and was getting discouraged. She told about all the people in the hospital.

"Claude Nebeker is one of the people you visit at the nursing home, isn't he?" she asked.

"Yes, he is. Is he in the hospital?" Dana was concerned, remembering his weak condition and how upset Scott had made him by his visit.

"He had a stroke Sunday night. He's been in intensive care ever since. He isn't expected to live much longer. I'm sorry." Andrea had caught the look in Dana's eyes at this news and broke off. "Were you quite attached to him?"

Dana's eyes were wet. "He is one of my favorite people," she said. "Can I visit him? Is he aware of people around him?"

"I think you could see him. He's very weak and paralyzed on the right side, but he's alert most of the time."

"Scott was trying to get him to sell some land he owns when I saw him last on Sunday," she told Andrea. "He was very upset. Do you think that caused his stroke?"

"It's possible," Andrea agreed. "His condition has been very bad for a long time, though. It might have happened even if he had been asleep in bed."

Dana left for home soon after and decided to go visit her elderly friend Saturday afternoon when Scott left. She pursed her lips. "I'm going to let Scott have a piece of my mind about badgering old people about their precious property, too," she said. "Even if I love him, he shouldn't go around making people have strokes just so he can grab their land."

Giving the matter further thought on the drive home, Dana conceded that Scott hadn't really been brutal in his desire to buy the Nebeker land. He had been very polite in his request and only a little pushy. She hadn't heard anything that should have made Mr. Nebeker so upset. He was more upset by having his son lost to him than by anything else.

"I guess I can't blame Scott for the son's selfishness," Dana said, mollified by her train of thought. "I don't think he's the kind of person who would try to trick or cheat anyone."

Chapter 16

Dana woke extra early Saturday morning. She wanted to be done with the yard work and have a shower before Scott got there. First, she weeded the garden and harvested the vegetables that were ready. She put them in the sink to be cleaned later. Happily, the lawn mower started the first time she tried and she spent over an hour mowing. When she finished that, she got out the weed whip and trimmed around the bushes, trees and fences.

The day was going to be hot. Dana went in the house for a drink of ice water and tied a bandanna around her forehead to keep the sweat out of her eyes. By nine o'clock the outside work was done. Dana took a quick shower so that she would be presentable before Scott came. She cleaned quickly through the house and started some laundry then stood at the kitchen sink and washed all the produce she had picked. She was just putting the last of them in the refrigerator when Scott drove in the yard.

She watched him get out of the car and reach in the back for something covered by a large cloth. Curiosity got the best of her and she ran out to meet him. It was a very rare occasion when someone gave her a present.

Scott greeted her by putting down the object on the hood of his car and gathering her into his arms. "There you are, my beauty! I have missed seeing your pretty face." He planted a kiss on both of her flushed cheeks then held her at arm's length. "What do you have for me?"

Confused by his question, Dana asked, "Is it your birthday?"

"No," he laughed. "I meant do you have anything to plant on my lips?" he said, pointing as he pursed out his lips for a kiss.

Dana happily obliged him. She had intended to make it a short peck but he held her so close that it turned into a long, breathtaking one. She clung to him for a minute afterward until her head quit spinning. His kisses were becoming intoxicating and irresistible. She glanced up and saw a look in his eyes that was different from any she had seen there before. It was hard to describe. He looked almost guilty. She dismissed that thought. What could he be guilty of? Still, she couldn't read his expression and backed out of his arms, momentarily disconcerted by it.

"It's good to be back," Scott said, the expression gone as quickly as it had appeared. "I can't take the cover off your surprise until we're in the house, though."

He picked up the rounded object and walked toward the house. Dana opened the door for him as he carried it into the living room and set it on a table. "Now sit down and prepare for the unveiling," he instructed. She took a seat on the edge of the couch, her eyes brilliant with anticipation.

Scott removed the covering with a flourish, revealing a beautiful parakeet in a cage. The bird was a mixture of several colors and started squawking as soon as the cover was off. Dana was delighted. She jumped up off her seat and knelt to admire the bird. "It's beautiful, Scott," she breathed. "Thank you so much! Is it a male or female?"

"They told me at the pet shop that it is a female. See the fleshy part above its beak? It's turning brown and that's supposed to mean it's a female." Scott took a thin book from the paper bag he carried. "I got you a book to read," he said. "It will tell you all about the care and feeding of budgies, which is what these birds really are, even though everyone calls them parakeets."

"I've never had a bird before," Dana breathed, admiring the colors and markings on the bird. "What shall I call her?"

"Before we decide what to call her, I need my payment," he said, again indicating his lips.

This time, Dana was too quick for him and gave him a quick peck. "It's too early in the day for all this making out!" she laughed.

"I will not forget that you owe me," Scott said with an injured air. "I intend to collect payment in full for my great generosity before the day is over."

In her excitement over her new pet, Dana didn't notice another car pull into her driveway. She was so engrossed in making friends with the bird that she was startled when a loud knock sounded on the screen. She went to the door. There stood Brent Baxton. All at once, Dana remembered that he had asked her to go shooting with him today and she had intended to cancel the date. It had completely slipped her mind. Now both men were here and it was going to look very strange to both of them. She had really bungled it this time.

Brent didn't even wait for her to open the screen door before he said, "Jeans and a tee shirt? That's not sexy! Don't you have anything that shows a little bit more of you?"

Dumbfounded by this brazen request, Dana's eyebrows shot together and she put her hands on her hips. "I find that I'm busy this morning, Brent. Why don't you just go on without me?"

Brent pushed through the door but was brought up short by the sight of Scott appearing from the living room. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice surly.

"I came to see Dana. I've been out of town for a few days and I brought her a bird." Scott was patient in explaining his presence because he recognized this man as the deputy sheriff that had run him off the other night. He didn't want him to think that he was bothering Dana in any way.

"Well, she's got a date with me now so you can leave," Brent said, putting his arm around Dana's shoulders to indicate possession. She shrugged his arm off, her mind desperately seeking a solution to this problem.

Dana was caught in a ridiculous dilemma. She had totally forgotten to cancel her date with Brent so she felt that she did owe him. He didn't look like he had paid any attention to her invitation to go ahead without her. She hated to leave Scott when he had just gotten here. She was in a quandary. This particular predicament had never happened to her before. "This is what comes of letting men get anywhere near you!" she thought to herself.

Dana had been offended by Brent's possessive, demanding attitude toward her and she was afraid that it would only get worse if she went with him. Her mind racing, she decided she would rather offend Brent than Scott. Scott was a much more pleasant person to be around. Taking a deep breath, Dana said, "Brent, I completely forgot to call you and cancel our date. As you can see, I'm busy this morning. I really apologize and hope that you'll forgive me."

"No, I won't forgive you," Brent growled. "When I make a date, I expect the girl to be ready to go when I come pick her up. Get your things. And change out of that top you've got on. You look like you're wearing a tent."

"That was uncalled for," Scott broke in. His tone was calm, but there was a hint of steel behind his expression.

"What business is it of yours?" Brent demanded belligerently, raising his voice. "You're the one out of place here. I'll move my car so you can back out. Dana, you go get changed while I'm out there."

Trembling slightly, Dana tried again to defuse the situation. "Brent, I said I'm not going to go with you. It was wrong of me to forget to call you, but I never had any intention of going out with you. I'm afraid of guns. You wouldn't enjoy having me scream every time you fired." Dana tried to keep her voice from shaking, but the situation was getting out of hand.

"You won't be afraid of guns when I show you what they can do. You'll never have to worry again about prowlers hanging around in the night." Brent looked significantly at Scott, jaw jutting and leaning aggressively toward him.

Scott wasn't intimidated in the least. "It seems to me that the lady is trying to bow out gracefully, Baxton. Why don't you humor her and leave?"

"Like hell I will!" Baxton roared. He grabbed Dana's arm and pulled her toward the door. "I told the guys I was bringing a new babe to the range today. I don't want them to think I got stood up."

"Take your hands off her," Scott said in a quiet, firm voice. He walked slowly toward the pair, eyes boring into Brent's with a look like flint. Dana was seized by an urge to run to her room and get out of the middle of what looked like a budding brawl. This was certainly a new development. She popped into 'future mode' again and imagined what she would write in her journal about this turn of events.

Tempting as it may be to see if two men would actually come to blows over her, Dana decided that enough was enough. No matter what she preferred to do, it looked like the best thing would be to give in and go with Brent as she had agreed to do. It wouldn't be for long. She remembered him saying that he had a bowling league this afternoon. Maybe Scott would understand.

Stepping between them, Dana turned to Scott. "Scott, maybe it would be best if I just went with him for the rest of the morning. I'm really sorry this happened. Could you come back this afternoon?" She turned then to Brent. "What time do you think we'll be back here? What time is your bowling game?"

"Oh no, sister. It doesn't work that way. If you come with me, you're mine for the rest of the day. I'm not running you all the way back just so you can see the silk shirt, here. What's it going to be? Me or him?" Brent had reached a hand around the back of her neck and held a hank of her hair. He wasn't pulling, but Dana could feel the power in his grasp. It frightened her a little. The man was a brute. She didn't know what to do.

Never in her life had the ringing of a telephone come at a more opportune time. She jumped at the sound but was relieved to have an excuse to escape Brent's clutching hand. He didn't resist when she excused herself and went to pick up the phone.

"Hello?" she answered breathlessly.

"Dana? Is something wrong? You sound like you've been running."

"Mom! How good to hear your voice. How are you?" There was such relief in her tone that her mother immediately grew suspicious.

"Dana, tell me what is going on," she said. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Mother."

"I called to tell you that we're driving over tomorrow afternoon to see you. Are you going to be home?"

"You're coming to see me? How wonderful!" Dana's voice was exuberant. She was overjoyed to have an opportunity to curb the situation behind her. She glanced at the men and saw Brent snort in disgust. He didn't wait for any explanation, he just shoved the door open and stalked out to his car, driving off with a squeal of tires and flying gravel. Dana looked at Scott to see what his reaction was. He had turned and gone back into the living room. She finished her conversation and hung up the phone.

"I'm so sorry for that mix-up," she apologized to Scott when she returned. "He is like a bulldozer. I never actually agreed to go with him. He invited me that night when I called the sheriff on you and he had it all worked out without leaving me any choice."

"You always have a choice, Dana," Scott told her quietly.

She was consumed with curiosity. "What would you have done if he had taken a swing at you?" she asked.

"I've done a little boxing. I think I could have dodged his blows and gotten in a few of my own. It wouldn't have been a pretty sight in your kitchen, though. I'm glad he took himself off."

"So am I. I'm really sorry it happened. Don't I lead a life of one crisis after another, though?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"I have observed that you do take some looking after," he smiled and ruffled her hair. "How did you manage to take care of yourself the whole time I was gone?"

"I've taken care of myself alone for several years now, thank you very much," she said defensively. "I'm used to the crises. However, this particular time was a whole new one that I've never encountered before. It would have been a unique experience to have two men fighting over poor little me. I can't think what either of you find that is worth it."

"He seemed to have some designs on your body," Scott commented, leering at her. "Maybe I've missed something." He walked full circle around her, inspecting her from top to toe. She blushed bright red and sat down in confusion.

"Please don't," she begged. "There is nothing more disagreeable than being stared at. It makes me feel like a freak."

"Some women like it," Scott said. "They spend a long time fixing themselves up just so men will stare at them. They wear low-cut tops and short, tight skirts or pants. They want us to notice."

"Well, I've spent my life trying to cover myself up so I wouldn't be noticed. It makes my skin crawl to have someone ogle me. It's disgusting." Dana shivered in revulsion and tried to think of some way to get off this subject. "Let's name the bird," she said, hitting on an idea.

They suggested and discarded several names before Dana said, "Scott, what is your middle name? Maybe we could adapt it to be a girl bird's name."

"That would be great. Then I could be remembered every time you looked at her," he said. "My middle name is Theodore but I defy you to change that to a female name."

"Hm," said Dana, pursing her lips. "Teddy can be a girl's name as well as a boy's. Let's call her Teddy."

"Teddy it is. I'm glad that's taken care of." Scott sat down beside Dana and took her hand. "Now there is something I need to talk to you about," he said. "Something very important that I need to ask you. You don't need to answer right now. In fact, I would prefer it if you would think about it for a while before you give me your answer."

Dana looked at him in amazement. Surely he couldn't be going to propose. She couldn't believe that their relationship had progressed that far already. She believed that she was beginning to love him, but he had shown little beyond a liking for physical affection in their encounters. It couldn't be that. She hardly dared to breathe, so acute was her tension. What did he want? "What is it?" she asked, voice breaking at the end under the stress.

Scott began by slipping an arm around her. He looked deeply into her eyes with that odd expression she had seen earlier. "Dana," he hesitated and then blurted, "I need to buy your property." He saw her mouth fly open and her eyes fill with doubt.

"What do you want with my little bit of property?" she asked, perplexity in her voice. "This is miles from town where you're buying up land."

"Now don't fly off the handle," he said. "Let me explain."

"There is no explanation," she insisted, shaking off his arm and moving away from him. "I told you I would never sell my property in a million years. I love it here. It has taken me a long time to find this place and get it fixed up how I want it. I'm not going to throw it all away just so some corporation can make some more big money on people's weakness for recreation!"

"You don't understand," he told her. "Please just listen for a minute and let me explain." He reached for her hand again but she wasn't ready for his touch yet. "Will you agree just to listen to me?" he pleaded.

"I'll listen, but it's not going to change my mind," she insisted.

"I've managed to buy up every acre on the south side of the road between here and Ilion except your property and the Nebeker land. I've got his son working on that so it should be wrapped up soon. All the farmland surrounding your house will be part of the development. You'll be sitting in the middle of a whole subdivision of condominiums. It won't be a pleasant place to live then. You'll be glad you got out from under it. Come on. Sell it just for me." Reaching for her now, he pulled her to him and nuzzled her neck with his lips, running his hands up and down her arms.

Dana stiffened and pulled away from him. She had never before hit anyone, but now she dealt his face a ringing slap. Jumping to her feet, she pointed to the door and said, her voice quiet but filled with fury, "Get out of my house! I knew it was too good to be true. I'm a pure idiot for thinking that it was me you were interested in. All you wanted was to cozy up to the homely owner of a plot of land you needed for your precious development. You make me sick!"

Chapter 17

Dana was shaking with rage and disappointment. She had been so ready to fall in love with this man. He had seemed to be sincere in his attentions. Then she thought back to the first day he stopped in to see her and remembered thinking that there was something to be wary of in his demeanor. She wished that she would have indulged her intuition and kept him at a distance. All these thoughts sped through her mind as she stood pointing at the door. Scott stood facing her, a myriad of expressions flitting across his face. His guilty look was back and Dana could also see annoyance and exasperation. They stared at each other for several moments before Scott turned slowly and left the room.

Just as she heard the screen door bang shut, Dana remembered the bird. As much as she hated to part with it, she grabbed the handle at the top of the cage, scooped up the book and the sack of bird supplies, and ran to the door. "Mr. Harrison!" she called. "You forgot your bird."

He stopped and hunched his shoulders with his head down for a minute before he turned. "You keep Teddy, Dana," he said in a sober voice. "I can't take care of her in my apartment."

"Then take her back to the pet store." Her voice was determined. Dana held the cage out for him to take.

"Please, Dana. You don't understand. I didn't mean to make you so angry. The development is going to surround your acreage. You'll have a little plot in the middle of a big tract of buildings and golf courses. I doubt that you will enjoy living in the middle of hundreds of condominiums."

Dana stood still, stunned. If what he said was true, her little, quiet, secluded place in the country would be ruined. She had no idea that his property development deal would encompass two miles and reach all the way out here to affect her. It was unbelievable. What could a corporation want with all that land? It would change the whole face of the countryside.

The look on her face must have given away her feelings because Scott took the cage from her hand and sat it on the ground. The bird was chirping furiously at being left outside. Dana didn't hear anything. Her mind was reeling from the revelation Scott had made. Her whole life would change if she had to move. It would take forever to find another country house. She would have to live in an apartment again and put up with noisy neighbors, traffic, hoards of people. Tears began running down her cheeks.

Feeling dazed, she turned and went toward the house. Scott followed her. "Dana?" he said. "Are you all right?"

She looked at him with unseeing eyes and then turned away again. "Go away," she said, her voice flat and emotionless. The tears still coursed from her eyes. Her heart felt like a big, black hole in her chest. She didn't know which felt worse, the thought of losing her home, or realizing that Scott had no feelings for her. She stopped and focused on his eyes. "You never even liked me, did you? It was all just an act." Dana waited for confirmation to show in his eyes, but he was looking at the ground. She took that for answer enough and then repeated her request. "Go away. I need to think."

Scott grabbed her arm and tried to turn her toward him. When she shook him off, he stepped in front of her and faced her. "Dana, the whole thing is a big misunderstanding. It can't be helped. I'll pay you more than your property is worth. You'll be able to buy another house. This isn't the only one in the world."

"Don't do me any special favors!" she hissed at him through clenched teeth. The dazed look was gone from her eyes now and they were shooting fire. She had just remembered a small detail that gave her a ray of hope. "You said you still don't have the Nebeker land. I promise that I will do everything in my power to be sure you never get it. I'm not going to let you intimidate poor old Mr. Nebeker like you did everyone else. You are despicable!"

Her hand itched with the urge to strike him again. "If only I were a man," she threatened, "I would knock you down and stomp you flat!" She wiped her wet cheeks with shaking hands and then went into the house, slamming the door in her frustration.

Scott watched her go with increasing irritation. He had enjoyed the time they had spent together. His initial interest in her had been purely to set her up for a big sales pitch. In the preliminary plan for the development, her land had not been in an important position. It would have been nice to have, but not essential to their overall plan. However, the hassle over the Nebeker land on the other end of the plat had forced them to rethink their objectives. If that land was to be tied up in a bequest, they may not be able to obtain it. With that tract out of reach, they would be obliged to expand in the other direction, which left Dana's five acres more to the center of the development instead of at one end.

Scott's father, as head of the corporation, had been extremely annoyed by the turn of events. That was what the meeting had been about that he had gone to on Sunday. His father hadn't been happy and had ordered him to apply all the pressure he could to the old man whose philanthropic propensities were throwing a wrench in the works of their profitable undertakings.

Scott had done all he could, but unless the old man changed his will and left the land to his son instead of the hospital, it looked like they would lose that end of the proposed plat. Scott's father had been incensed that the old man had chosen this particular time to have a stroke. He had insisted that Scott push the son to get the will changed before Mr. Nebeker died. Failing that, Scott had been ordered to buy an equal amount of land on the other end of the development, which would include Dana's land.

He had spent the week in negotiations to buy the farmland which surrounded Dana's property on three sides. The deal was almost ready to be signed. Scott's intentions had been to let Dana know the situation and offer her a very fair price to sell her little plot to him. He had bungled it and made her angry instead.

That was the thing Scott liked least about his job. He hated to have to push people into doing things that went against the best interests of themselves and their family members. In his career, he had been forced by his father to do some very ugly maneuvering to get hold of property they desired. He had made more than one enemy along the way and still felt the discomfort of knowing the shambles and deprivation he had caused in the lives of some good people because he had influenced their greedy relatives to sell away their property. It wasn't a good feeling but he had managed to push it to the very back of his consciousness. Until now.

As Scott walked toward his car, he was struck by the depth of the guilt he felt in this case with Dana. His father had ordered him to buy the land at any cost. He had been insistent that there be no orphan plots of land in the middle of his property. Scott had been the brunt of a loud tirade about having personal feelings for any land owners. He had been mocked and accused of being a wimp. His father contended that they had no responsibility to people. "All we worry about is getting the most land for the lowest price!" he had shouted at Scott when he had suggested at least paying her a little more for her land. "If you want to be big-hearted, do it with your own money!"

To his credit, Scott had been willing to do that. His part of the profit in this multi-million dollar deal would be barely affected by paying an extra high price for Dana's five acres. He knew the deep affection she had for her land. He had originally thought that talking her into selling would have been accomplished easily with a few kisses and some flattery. Most girls would have caved in to his charms. He was discovering again, though, that Dana was not a stereotype. She had very different ideas and values than any other woman he had ever met.

He put the chattering Teddy in the passenger seat of the car and covered the cage. He hoped that the shop would take the bird back. Scott put the key in the ignition and then stopped. "This is stupid!" he said aloud. Getting back out of the car, he walked around, got the cage and sack of supplies and strode up to Dana's door. Without knocking, he thrust open the door and set the bird cage down inside. He couldn't see Dana, but he called, "I'm leaving the bird anyway. Take care of it! She's yours." He hesitated a minute, hoping for an acknowledgment, but when he heard nothing, he left the house and drove away.

Dana had been sitting in her room when she heard him open the door. She had jumped up, ready to attack him with tooth and nail if necessary. She had heard his words and muffled her sobs until he shut the door. When she heard that he was gone, Dana came out of the bedroom and looked at the bird cage. Obviously, there was nothing to do but to take care of the bird.

"The name Teddy was supposed to remind me of a handsome, wonderful man," she told the bird. "Now it's going to remind me that men are jerks. I am certainly better off single. How could I have been so deluded?" The bird chattered cheerfully back to her and Dana reached in a tentative finger to let the bird get used to her and to make friends. "At least birds don't stab you in the back and try to cover it up with a hug and kiss," she said bitterly.

Dana was too up-tight to eat, so she changed her clothes and left to visit Mr. Nebeker in the hospital. She found Andrea on duty at the nurse's station. "How is Mr. Nebeker?" she asked her, wanting to be aware of his condition before seeing him.

"He surprised everyone and improved enough so that he has been moved to a regular room," her friend told her. "He has lost most of the movement on his right side, but he is much stronger and is getting physical therapy." Andrea walked with Dana to his room and left her there with him.

Mr. Nebeker was glad to see his young friend. He held out his good hand to her. She took it and stroked it softly. "I was sorry to hear that you're in the hospital," she said. "How are you feeling now?"

"I'm better," he nodded. "I'm better. I thought that it was my time to go for a while there, but I guess I'll have to hang on a little longer. I am getting kind of anxious to see my dear wife. I miss her so much. She's been gone for eight years now." He got a faraway look in his old eyes and a tear left the corner of one eye and slowly rolled to the pillow.

"You're going to get better," Dana encouraged him, patting his thin hand.

"There are a lot worse things than dying, you know," he said, looking up at her. "My son has been in here every day trying to get me to hurry and change my will before I die. I guess I will do it. I told him to get the lawyer and come in on Monday. I know Maddie and I had decided to leave some land to the hospital for a children's care center, but I just can't die with my only son hating me so. He is greedy and selfish, but he's still my son. I want to make him happy before I die. I'm going to change my will."

Dana didn't let her disappointment show in her face. She felt nothing but scorn for a son who had made his father so miserable in his weakened state. She would dearly love to meet him and be able to see what a monster looked like. How she would like to voice her contempt to his face if she ever saw him.

Mr. Nebeker held tightly to Dana's hand. His tears were flowing freely for a few minutes and she was at a loss as to what to say or do to make him feel better. Finally he looked up at her and said, "Thank you for coming to see me. You are a lovely girl. I like to think that our daughter would have been like you if she had lived." She dried his cheeks and tenderly patted his hand for a few minutes, murmuring soft words until he closed his eyes and appeared to be asleep.

Just as Dana was rising to leave, the door opened and two men came in. The older of the two was easy to recognize as the son of Mr. Nebeker. Their resemblance to each other was marked. Dana's ire arose, but she realized that this was no place to attack him with a verbal list of his deficiencies. He didn't even glance her way as he walked straight to the bedside of his father and shook him. "Wake up, Dad!" he said in a raised voice. "I've brought the lawyer today. Let's get the will changed."

"Be gentle," Dana broke in, astonished that anyone would be so rude in a hospital room. "Can't you see he's sleeping?"

Now that the man was made aware of her presence, he turned on her. "Who are you?" he asked. "Get out of my father's room. What are you doing here?"

Dana began to explain who she was, but the man went to the door and held it open. "We have business here," he growled. "Get out!" He motioned toward the hallway with his head and Dana reluctantly walked out of the room.

She went to the nurse's station to ask that they send someone down to protect the poor old man from his obnoxious son. Just as she reached it, a call buzzer went off. The nurse turned to tend to it but was interrupted by shouts from the direction of Mr. Nebeker's room. "Help! I can't wake him up! Nurse! Get down here! Hurry!"

The younger Nebeker was in the hall frantically shouting. Dana stood rooted to the spot, holding her breath. She saw nurses appear from rooms and hallways and run to his room. Andrea sped by pushing a cart loaded with some kind of equipment. Dana decided that the best thing to do was to stay out of the way. She waited, wringing her hands, to see what happened.

Chapter 18

The younger Mr. Nebeker and the lawyer had been asked to leave the room while the hospital personnel gathered to try to revive the elderly man. Dana had gone to the small waiting area at the end of the hall to be out of the way. A nurse ushered the two men into the room and asked them to sit down. Dana's presence was noted by the agitated son and he glared at her, but he was too distraught to speak to her.

"You've got to wake him up," he insisted to the nurse. "He's got to change his will. He's not dead. You've just got him drugged up."

The nurse patted his hand gently. "There was no pulse, Mr. Nebeker. They will do all they can to revive him, but he was very weak. Were you aware that he had left instructions that he didn't want to be attached to machines to keep him alive? He just wanted to go when it was time."

A light of hope appeared in his eyes. "If you hooked him up to a machine, would he be able to sign these papers?" the man asked expectantly. "Just wake him up long enough to get his signature on this new will. That's all I want."

Dana gasped at such rudeness. She exchanged glances with the lawyer and saw that he was aghast also. He was very embarrassed by his client's tactlessness. Such coarse behavior was out of line and extremely disturbing.

In spite of the delicacy of the situation, Dana could contain herself no longer. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself," she told the son. "Your father is a wonderful man and you've brought nothing but grief to him ever since you found out someone wanted that land. I've never seen a more selfish, ungrateful son in my whole life!"

"What business is it of yours?" he snarled, glaring at her. "He's my father. You keep your nose out of my business. Who do you think you are?"

"I'm a friend of your father's. I visited him every chance I got. He told me all about your greed and how you've already gone through the rest of his estate. He and your mother had been planning that bequest for years. He was so miserable thinking that you cared only for the money and not for him." Dana's voice broke after this tirade. She got up and left the room, searching her bag for a tissue.

Wiping her eyes, she saw Andrea coming toward her in the hall. Her face was sober and Dana's heart fell. She knew what the outcome would be.

Andrea put her arms around her friend. "I'm sorry, Dana. Mr. Nebeker is gone. Were you with him when he died?"

"I...I don't know. I talked to him a little. He was crying over his son. I held his hand for a few minutes and he went to sleep. I was just getting up to leave when his son and the lawyer came in and tried to shake him awake."

"He must have just stopped breathing," Andrea told her. "It is a very peaceful way to go. I'm glad he got to spend his last moments with you instead of that son of his. I've never seen anyone so demanding and rude."

"He's awful," Dana agreed. "I just gave him a piece of my mind. Do you have to tell him about his father?"

"No, the doctor will do that," Andrea said. "I saw you here and wanted to tell you myself. He didn't want to be revived by machine, so we just checked to be sure he wasn't in a coma. He is gone."

"I shouldn't have been so mouthy to his son," Dana said, contrite. "He was insufferable going on and on to the nurse about reviving him just long enough so he could sign those papers. I couldn't stand it any longer." She saw the doctor come out of the room and walk toward the waiting area, his face grim.

"I'm glad I don't have his job. I think I'll leave before that man raises the roof with his screams. He's sure to be upset and threaten to sue the hospital because they didn't keep his father alive long enough to sign a new will."

Saying goodbye to her friend, Dana was waiting at the elevator when she heard the commotion from the waiting room. The man's voice was raised in a belligerent bellow. She shook her head in disgust. One more strike against men. As she entered the elevator and rode to the lobby, she thought about making a list of all the loathsome things she knew about men. She was getting to be a regular man-hater.

"No," Dana said to herself. "I shouldn't hate men as a whole. I'm sure there are as many revolting women as there are men. Mrs. Fenton for one. I seem to be a magnet for repulsive men, though."

Her heart was leaden as she walked to her car. She felt so sad about losing her dear, old friend. It was comforting to know that he died peacefully and that the desire of his heart would be carried out. She only wished that his parting from his son could have been loving.

Feeling that some hard exercise would give her low spirits a lift, Dana drove to the health club and dressed in some work-out clothes from her locker there. She climbed on an exercise bike and set the timer for thirty minutes. It felt good to use up some of her energy on the pedals. While her legs worked, her mind wandered through the events of this day. She relived the joy of seeing Scott again and his gift to her. She remembered her shock at his proposition to buy her property. She thought of the blind rage she felt when she knew she was trapped into selling her lovely home and lost her temper. It had felt so good to throw Scott out of her house.

Dana wept again at the pain her dear old friend had felt. His tears had wrenched at her heart. She felt vexation at her encounter with the Nebeker son but couldn't feel remorse for her harsh words. One thing led to another and each caused her more pain than the last. She was unaware that tears were streaming down her face until one of the attendants happened by and put her arm around her. "Slow down, honey. You don't need to hurt that bad. You'll damage something."

Embarrassed, Dana wiped her face with the towel around her neck. "No, I'm not hurting myself, I just have sad thoughts today," she said. The timer dinged just then and she excused herself. "I think I'll go swim for a while."

She had done some laps and was floating on her back in the water just relaxing with her eyes shut. Worrying about other people was a drain of energy. Now she didn't have anyone to worry about. Mr. Nebeker was in a happier place; Scott was out of her life. She could get on with being a normal person again.

Something splashed in her face. It felt like water dripping from above. Dana wiped her eyes and looked at the ceiling to see if the roof leaked. "I did it," Scott laughed from the poolside. "You looked too comfortable. Are you about ready to get out? I need to talk to you."

"What do you want?" Dana was self-conscious about her roly-poly body on display in a swim suit. She hid under the water, only her head out. "How did you get in here?"

"I just asked for you and they told me where you were."

"Just tell me what you want and then leave. I'm not getting out of here with you watching," Dana told him.

"I'll wait out in the lobby, then," he said. "I've got something to tell you." Dana waited until Scott had gone and then slipped out of the pool. She showered and dried off and dressed. She determined that their conversation would be conducted in the lobby. She didn't want him near her. As much as she had lost faith in him, he was still very attractive and she wasn't going to let herself be tempted by his charm and good looks again.

As she walked into the lobby, Dana saw that Scott was seated on a bench by the window and was waiting for her. She walked up to him, resolving to be cool. "What is it?" she asked, her voice low and her eyes guarded.

He stood up and reached out to put his hands on her shoulders, but she stepped away from him and leaned against the wall. "Just talk and then leave. I don't want your hands on me," she said, tiredly. It had been a long day.

"Oh, Dana," he said, hurt in his eyes. "I'm so sorry for what has happened between us. Please let me explain."

"I already told you that there was nothing to explain. I can figure it out pretty well myself. If that's all you've got to say, I'll be going."

"Dana, wait. There is something else. I just got a call from Elmer Nebeker. He's the son of your friend in the nursing home. He told me some bad news." Scott hesitated, not wanting to be the bearer of bad news, but anxious to get it over with.

"I already know," Dana sighed. "I was there." Her voice caught as she tried to speak around the lump in her throat. "I suppose the son called to let you know that his father died without signing a new will. I've never in my life seen a more revolting man. He's even worse than George Fenton."

"I agree," Scott said, grinning wryly. "He was worse than upset that his efforts to get there with a lawyer and a new will were too late. He still thinks he can contest the old will and get in control of the land if he has some time."

Dana looked into his eyes grimly. "I suppose there will be a loophole of some kind. And you will do everything in your power to help the cause along. Then your precious development will be complete." She turned and walked toward the door, not trusting her voice any longer. She was on the verge of tears. How she wanted to go home and be alone. There were many decisions to be made.

"Dana, wait. I've got to talk to you." Scott grabbed her arm and turned her toward him again.

Removing her arm from his warm grasp, her eyes sober and full of the remembered hurt he had inflicted only this morning, Dana backed away from him. "I can see that I have little choice but to sell my house," she choked out. "I realize that we need to work out the details of the sale. I will have to find an attorney to be sure everything is legal." She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Her control was almost gone. "But do we have to do it today?"

"Dana, I'll be more than fair with you. You can't imagine how badly I feel about how this has all turned out." Scott's voice was more serious than she had ever heard it before.

As the full realization of her losses hit her, Dana's brimming eyes overflowed. Ceasing to care at all about appearances, she croaked, "I just can't deal with it now, Scott. Please leave me alone. Call me on Monday. Maybe I can handle it by then." She fled out the door and with shaking hands and wet cheeks started her car.

Her heart was empty as she drove home. This had been a terrible day. She had been betrayed by someone she had begun to love, lost a wonderful friend, and was now to be cornered into selling her comfortable cottage in the country. It would have been easy to sink into a well of despair and depression, but Dana was resilient. Her years of various set-backs and disappointments and bad luck had taught her that life is full of the bad with the good. She remembered her father's wise axiom: "It isn't what happens that is important, but how you react to it."

Well, she wasn't going to let all these things get her down. She would think of the future and plan what to do next. "Oh, my parents are coming tomorrow," she remembered, practicality rising to the surface. "I don't have a thing to fix for dinner."

She stopped the car and made a U-turn. Backtracking to the grocery store, she parked the car and cleaned up her face then went inside and stocked up on some food for the meals during her parents' visit. It was nice that they were coming. They always lifted her spirits and helped her see life in a more sensible perspective. Arms loaded with heavy bags, but heart a little lighter, she made her way to her car and headed home.

Chapter 19

The first thing Dana heard when she entered her house was the cheerful chirping of her parakeet. She put the groceries away and then sat down near the bird cage. Maybe reading the book about the care and feeding of budgerigars would get her mind off the losses she had just experienced.

Settling herself comfortably, she got out the book and read it aloud to the bird, who seemed to agree in her loud twittering voice with all she read. Dana saw that Scott had acquired all the necessary equipment, cuttlebone, water and food containers, and vitamins she would need. There was an ample supply of food. It was all very interesting to read about the habits and care of this little, cheerful pet. Dana carefully read the section about making friends with your bird and began to apply the principles she learned.

Within an hour, the bird was friendly enough to hop on her finger and submit to being petted very gently. "Pretty bird!" Dana said over and over. "I guess you won't learn to talk in one lesson," she smiled. "I'll be patient and give you some time."

It had been sweet of Scott to bring her a new pet. She remembered the day only a week ago when Cruiser had been mauled and how gently Scott had comforted her and taken care of the burial. She had thought she wouldn't want another pet for a very long time, but this bird was proving to be a wonderful way to get her mind off her troubles. Pets have a way of doing that.

Finally, Dana got to her feet and busied herself around the house. She didn't want to let her mind dwell too long on the tall, handsome, wickedly teasing friend who had begun to mean so much to her--until this morning. How quickly it had all come crashing down. Her little cloud castle had evaporated into thin air. Just as she was beginning to admit to herself that maybe she could fall in love with someone, he had revealed himself for what he really was. Why she hadn't seen through him from the first, she didn't know. It must have been that streak of trust and optimism that ran through her personality. Well, put another tally on the side of experience. Listen to your intuition and don't trust so easily.

Thrusting these depressing thoughts out of her head, Dana got out fresh sheets and made up the bed in the guest room. She was grateful that the house was big enough to accommodate company. She didn't have anyone stay with her very often, but it was nice to have an extra room when someone did come.

She remembered her father's fondness for reading in bed, so she put some books she thought he would enjoy on the nightstand. She picked a few flowers from the yard and arranged them in a vase on the dresser. The room looked nice. Her mother had mentioned that they would only plan on staying for one night. Her father didn't like to be away from the crops very long, especially at this time of year when things were beginning to ripen.

"I wonder why they are coming at all," she pondered. "It's highly unusual for Dad to leave the farm during the summer." As she worked, she searched her memory for anything her mother may have said as a reason for coming. Her mind had been so distracted by the antagonistic drama going on in the room between Scott and Brent during the conversation that she really hadn't paid much attention to what her mother talked about. She had been so relieved to have a reason to get out of the middle of the confrontation that she hadn't listened very well. "I wonder if something is wrong," she worried.

Deciding that there was no point in dwelling on it, Dana went in the kitchen and warmed up some leftovers for supper. She turned on soft music and spent the early evening repotting geraniums that had grown too big for their containers. The dusky scent of them set off a childhood memory and her mind wandered back to the time when she and a brother had complained too much about her mother's overgrown geraniums.

The geraniums had been growing in rows of gallon sized containers that lined every window sill in the living and dining rooms. They had grown so tall that they reached nearly to the tops of the windows and it was hard to see through them to watch for the school bus. Dana and Denny, her younger brother, had complained almost daily. Their mother had defended her flowers, telling them where she had gotten each different color. She had been collecting slips for years from friends whenever she saw a color she liked until she had a beautiful assortment of geraniums. She was so busy with her large family and the duties of a farm wife that she had let them get away from her.

Their mother's promise to repot them and cut them back when she got a chance hadn't stopped Dana and Denny from complaining, though. One day when they got home from school, they saw a big pile of dead plants and dirt in the back yard. When they went inside, all the window sills were standing empty and their mother had tears in her eyes. "I got sick of your complaining and just threw every geranium away," she had said. "I guess that if you hate them that badly we don't need geraniums." She had gone on with her chores and Dana and Denny had been left with guilt feelings as big as the geraniums.

Dana had felt bad about that experience for years until she grew more mature. Then she realized that there was a lesson to be learned from it. The message was that sometimes people destroy things that are important to them out of pique or spite. However, the destroyer is the one that is hurt the most by it. Dana and her brother were certainly not wounded by the loss of the geranium screen in the window. They felt badly for goading their mother into such a rash action, but after all, it was easier to see out the window. What her mother had lost, though, was a whole variety of specimens that had taken years to collect.

Dana smiled at the recollection. She would have to ask her mother if she remembered the incident and how she felt about it now. Then Dana began chuckling as she remembered a related episode in the saga of the Winger family.

When one of Dana's older sisters had been six or seven, she had gotten in trouble for something or other. All she got was a scolding, but so hurt was she at what she perceived as too severe a reprimand that she had gone out onto the gravel driveway and lay down on the sharp rocks just to teach her mother a lesson. Of course, her mother had never known about it until years later and certainly hadn't suffered from it, but Carol had carried the conviction for a long time that she had surely paid her mother back by lying on those sharp rocks.

Dana laughed. Kids were so silly, thinking they were punishing someone else by inflicting penance upon themselves. "And not just kids," Dana reminded herself. "Mom did pretty much the same thing with the geraniums." The thought flashed through her mind that Dana herself might be acting in the same irrational manner by flying off the handle and judging Scott too quickly and harshly. She put the idea hastily out of her mind.

The plants repotted, the dishes washed, the house spic and span to impress her parents, Dana settled down by the phone to call Andrea. She needed someone to talk to who could cheer her up. Andrea was always good for a laugh or two when she needed it.

Just as she heard the phone begin ringing, Dana saw Andrea herself pulling into the driveway. Dana hung up and ran out to greet her.

"Hi! It's good to see your face!" she told her friend. "I just called your apartment because I needed to talk and here you are."

Andrea got out of the car and bounced around the yard. "I love it out here," she said. "What do you need to talk about? I'm all ears. I hope it's something juicy. I haven't had anything fun to tell about since George's touching proposal. That got many a laugh at the hospital." She caught a glimpse of Dana's dismayed face. "And no, I didn't use your name," she laughed. "Your reputation is safe with me."

Andrea noticed from Dana's face that something was very wrong, but for once she had enough tact to let it come out naturally when her friend was ready to talk. They went in and sat at the kitchen table munching on fresh fruit and vegetables. "You're no fun anymore," Andrea complained. "You used to have doughnuts and brownies and now all you have is raw rabbit food." Dana was not offended, but stood up with arms out and twirled to show Andrea the rewards of her sacrifices.

Dana introduced Andrea to her new pet and let them get acquainted. Andrea put a hand in to pet the bird, but it flew around the cage in a panic. "You'd better give her some time to get used to you," Dana told her. "Everything is so new to her around here."

Gradually, Dana told her friend all the happenings of the day. Andrea laughed wide-eyed at the predicament of the two men almost coming to blows and the timely phone call. She listened with sympathy and indignation as Dana told her tearfully about Scott's plans for her property. She cheered loudly when told that Dana had thrown him out of the house. "I will now regard the man as a scoundrel and snub him at every turn. What possessed you to keep his bird?" she wanted to know.

"He came back and put it inside the door when I was crying my eyes out in the bedroom," Dana said. "I decided that it would be worse to try to take it back to the pet shop than to keep it and remind myself every time I look at the bird that men are not to be trusted."

"I'm going to miss this place," mourned Andrea. "I wouldn't want to live out here so far away from civilization and be bothered by skunks and wildlife, but I like to come and enjoy the country. Will it be so hard for you to have to give it up? How much are you going to ask for it? I think you ought to demand thousands in compensation for his treachery, the old snake in the grass!"

Dana agreed. "I'm certainly not going to give it away. I'll get all I possibly can for it. "I guess I'm lucky that I found out what kind of a jerk Scott is, too. I was really beginning to like him. He seemed so genuine and nice. He sure took me in."

"Well, look on the bright side, kid. You got some wonderful dates and a few hugs and kisses that you wouldn't otherwise have been able to enjoy. The best thing is that you didn't have to get married to find out about him. Now that would have been a tragedy."

"Yes. Well, I don't think it would ever have gone that far. He was very obviously not attached to me. He would never have fallen in love. It was just a job to be done for him. Assignment: soften up the fat Winger woman so she'll sell her land." Dana was getting tired of the subject. It didn't do anything for her fragile ego to realize that it had all been a pretense.

"I wish you could get even," said Andrea. She was not one to let bygones be gone. "We ought to be able to come up with some sort of plan to get back at him." She thought for a minute. "I know! You could lose a whole bunch of weight and get all beautiful and disguise yourself and make him fall in love with you and then reveal your true identity as you drive off into the sunset. What a beautiful plan!"

"But highly impractical. By the time I lost a whole bunch of weight, he would be long gone and have forgotten me completely," Dana said ruefully. "I don't believe in revenge anyway. I'll just take my money and try to put the whole thing behind me."

"Shoot!" Andrea retorted. "It was a good plan. I think you still should work on it. Find out where he's from so you can locate him when you're skinny and pay him back."

"Calm down, girl," Dana laughed. "He's not worth it. I'll just go back to being a normal fat lady. Now for heaven's sake, let's get off the subject of men," Dana said. "They are entirely too boring. So--what do you want to do? It's your job to cheer me up. This has been one of the worst days of my life."

Chapter 20

Dana went straight home after church. She left a message at the nursing home that she couldn't make it in today. She wasn't ready yet to face it without Mr. Nebeker there. She also needed to get lunch started. Her parents were going to arrive around noon.

They came a few minutes early and Dana ran out to meet them. She was so happy to see them that she shed a few tears, which was so uncharacteristic that immediately her mother began to suspect that something was terribly wrong. She had to face a barrage of prying questions about her personal affairs. She and her mother had never been ultra close and she just wasn't comfortable baring her soul today. She excused her tears by saying she had been homesick lately and everything was fine.

They had brought some nice fruit, so while her mother fussed in the kitchen, Dana showed her father the garden and yard. He was proud of her efforts and her fine crop. "I'm happy to see that the farm is still in the girl," he said, hugging her to him. "We could never get this much work out of you when you were at home," he accused, laughingly.

"It was work then, Dad. Now it's recreation. There is a big difference in motivation, isn't there?" she told him with a smile.

To her surprise, her father got a very serious expression on his face. "That's what we've come to talk to you about, Dana."

"Motivation?" she asked, a puzzled look in her eyes.

"Well, in a way," he said. "Look, let's eat lunch and then there are some things we've got to talk about. We've been going around to visit all our children and discuss the same things with them. It's your turn now."

"Dad, what is wrong?" Dana asked, fear striking her heart and replacing puzzlement.

"I shouldn't have opened my big mouth so soon," he smiled dolefully. "Your mother will ring a peal over my head for that. She'll say it will spoil your dinner to be worrying while you eat. What's for lunch, anyway?" Dana had not come by her rotund propensity by accident. The family on her father's side were all well-fed and considered food the center of their lives.

"You can't just drop it like that, Dad," Dana berated him.

"Yes I can. Now just pretend I didn't say anything so I won't get in trouble with your mother. We'll talk right after lunch."

Seeing the look in her father's eyes, Dana realized that he wasn't going to budge. She would just have to bide her time until he was ready to talk. It wouldn't do to seek out her mother and ask for enlightenment because then the next hour would be spent listening to the argument that would ensue. Her mother and father loved each other, but they also loved a good argument. Dana would have to curb her impatience until they were ready to talk.

Luckily, lunch was all ready to be put on the table, so in short order they were sitting and enjoying the meal she had prepared. Her mother had many comments and suggestions as usual, but Dana listened to all of them with only half her attention. Her mind was whirling with speculation about what she would be told as soon as lunch was over.

Her dad offered to do the dishes while she took her mother out to see the garden. This proposal was so unusual that Dana, knowing her father's utter dislike of doing anything domestic, looked at him with real concern. Whatever it was that they were going to tell her, she felt that it would have a real impact on the rest of her life. Her chest constricted in apprehension.

Dana expected her mother to reveal the secret, whatever it was, but to her surprise and frustration nothing was said. Her mother admired the flowers and garden and gave more suggestions about the care and keeping of a house and yard. Dana didn't dare ask what the problem was but could tell her mother was trying to hide something. Her mind filled with possible diseases and disasters and she could barely contain her curiosity and foreboding.

At last the amenities were over and they were seated in the living room. Dana was frustrated when still her parents talked about the parakeet, wondered where Cruiser was and had to hear the story of the death of her cat, and asked about some of her friends with whom they were acquainted. Dana didn't mention anything concerning the forced sale of her home. It was a subject that was burning in her mind but it would have to wait until later. First, she wanted to find out the reason for this sudden and mysterious visit.

Finally, everyone fell silent. Dana saw her parents exchange glances. She could contain herself no longer. "What is going on?" she asked. There was a barely perceptible nod from her father and her mother began.

"Dana, you know that your father turned sixty-five a few months ago."

"Of course, Mother," she said, looking from one to the other.

"You know how much he loves the fruit farm business and how hard he, and all of us, have worked over the years."

"Mother, what are you trying to tell me?" Dana's voice was unsteady.

"Oh, let's get to the point!" her father broke in, an exasperated look on his face. "Quit pussy-footing around. I am going to retire. That's the whole of it. We're just giving all the kids first chance at buying our farm before we put it on the market."

Dana had been expecting a much more serious revelation than this and couldn't believe that that was all they had to tell. "Are you retiring now in the middle of the season? Is there some health problem you have?" she asked. It was almost unbelievable that he would quit in the height of the summer.

"Nothing is wrong with me that a few months of fishing and traveling and laying around won't cure," her father blustered.

"Then there is something wrong," Dana said, fear again surfacing.

"Nothing is wrong with him," her mother said, waving an arm in the direction of her husband. "He is just sick and tired of it all. And so am I. We've both worked for so many years and we've been saving for retirement. We just decided that there is no reason we can't quit and take it easy now. We both feel good and want to do so many things before we die. It would be stupid to wait until one of us gets sick and we're forced to retire before we get to do some of the things we've always wanted to do."

"You're serious?" Dana asked. "Nothing is wrong with either one of you? You just want to retire and take it easy?"

"I know it sounds strange to you. We've always worked so hard. There never was time to enjoy life. Don't begrudge us a few years of leisure." Dana's father sounded defensive.

"Who am I to begrudge you anything?" Dana answered. "I think it's great. You deserve to slow down and enjoy life. You've always worked a lot harder than you had to." She was so relieved that nothing serious was wrong. "When do you plan to start your retirement?"

"As soon as we can get someone to run the place. I'll stay long enough to help them get started and then we're out of there," her father said. "We can hardly wait."

"You're the last one of the kids we needed to visit," her mother told her. "Do you have any desire to run the farm?"

"What have the others said?" Dana asked. It had not been a surprise to her when every one of her siblings had left the farm as soon as they could. It was back-breaking work. The income was good, but the labor was intensive. With the whole family working, her father had still needed to hire migrant worker crews and all the local people who wanted a job. Even during the winter there had been equipment to repair, buildings to clean, animals to take care of.

"Denny and Vance both expressed an interest in investing in the operation, but they don't want to do any of the work. They have no desire to change careers. Terry hates farming and has no interest whatsoever. Neither Carol nor Beth nor their husbands want anything at all to do with it," her father said. "Do you have any feeling on the subject?"

"I can't believe that I'm saying this," said Dana, surprised at her own feelings. "But I actually think I'd enjoy running a fruit farm. I wouldn't be able to do all the heavy work like you do, and the only money I could invest would be my equity in this house, but it would be fun."

"You're not serious!" her father said. "I really doubt that a woman could run such a big operation. Maybe if you were married, you could handle it together, but you'd never be able to do it on your own."

"Leonard, I've always thought you were a sexist," Dana's mother accused. "This proves it. Now why couldn't Dana manage a farm by herself? I'll bet I could have run it by myself. Who do you think did all the paperwork and made most of the arrangements? You were always so busy worrying about the bushes and trees and soil that you didn't have any idea half the time how anything else got done. All Dana would need would be to hire a reliable foreman and some workers who know fruit and farming and she could manage just fine."

Dana had known all her life that the farm would never have been a success without the hard work and good management of her mother. She had learned to love the earth and plants from her father, but she knew that it was her mother who took care of the bulk of the details.

She rose to her feet and paced around the room. An idea was forming in her mind that was beginning to fill her to bursting. She had never been satisfied with the mundane requirements of her office job. It was always the same. She may have been able to advance and have different responsibilities, but in the back of her mind was always the wish that she could be outside. She was never as happy as when she was growing something or eating the fruits of her labors.

"I need to think about this," she told her parents. "This may be just what I've waited for all my life. Do you really think I could do it?"

"I still think it would be impossible for a woman alone!" her father maintained, but her mother broke in.

"You don't know anything about women," she said bluntly to her husband. "Dana, haven't I always told you that you can do anything you put your mind to? There isn't a reason in the world why you wouldn't be able to learn the business and manage the farm. We'd even finance you ourselves, wouldn't we, Dad?"

"I'd finance any of the kids," he agreed, "But only if they made a serious commitment. It isn't something you could just do for fun for a year or two and then drop out of it. It's a long term deal."

"That's hogwash and you know it, Leonard! We could have sold out any time we wanted to," Mrs. Winger declared. "We've had several offers through the years. Nobody ever held a gun to our heads and said we had to keep it. We just wanted to, so we did. Dana would have the same freedom. She would have no trouble selling it if she found it wasn't what she wanted to do."

"Is there anyone you know who would make a good foreman?" Dana asked.

"Oh sure," her dad said. "There are two or three men who have worked for me for years who know as much as I do about it. I'd recommend Chester Olson first. He's as hard working as they come and he'd do a good job for you." He was gradually coming around to the idea that it would be possible for his little girl to learn to manage a big operation.

"This is so exciting!" Dana could not contain her enthusiasm. She sat down and then jumped right back up again. "It would be so wonderful to move back home and be in charge of everything."

She went to her father and sat by him. Taking his hand, she said, "You know, Dad, I've never told you, but there have always been some things that I would have done differently if I were in charge. I knew you wouldn't listen so I never said anything, but I've got so many ideas!"

Dana closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "I've got to think about it. There are so many things to consider." Her eyes opened and she fixed them on her father. "Do Vance and Denny really want to invest in the farm? That would be great. Then you could have more retirement money and travel all you want."

"Well, we've got enough saved up to last us for quite a while," her mother informed her. "If they want to be your partners, I'm sure you could work that out between yourselves. You'd have to work with a lawyer to set up all the legalities so everything is fair. We just want to be out from under it all, though. No more worry, no more work, just rest and relaxation from now on."

"How big of a hurry are you in to start resting?" Dana asked. "Would you give me a week or two to think it out and make arrangements?"

Her father put an arm around her. "Take all the time you want, girl," he said, smiling. "As long as I'm gone before the apple season! I don't know why, but I've never liked the apple season. If I don't have to face that this year, I'll be happy."

"Well, that's two months away. I'm sure I can make up my mind by then," Dana said. Her mind was whirling with new possibilities. She knew she would have to get out her trusty pencil and paper and list all the pro's and con's before she made a final decision, but her desire was strong to make this major change in her life. It may be just what she needed, but she didn't want to enter on such a drastic change if it was only to escape the recent emotional events that had happened to her. She needed to find out if this excitement she felt was really a desire to be a fruit farmer, or just a way to block out the unpleasant circumstances that had plagued her the last month or so. Her heart was still tender from the bruising Scott had given it, and it would take time to feel better.

"Mom and Dad," Dana said, deciding to tell them of yesterday's blow. "This couldn't have come at a better time. I just found out yesterday that all the land around here will be part of a recreational development with condo's and a golf course and little shopping malls. My little piece here will be in the middle of it if I don't sell. It wouldn't be the same if it wasn't surrounded by farmland. I couldn't enjoy living here anymore."

"What a shame!" said her mother. "I get so irritated when they take all the best farmland and turn it into city. Why can't they do that in wasteland? Why do they have to destroy the farms?"

"It's going to get so bad that there won't be any place to raise the world's food anymore," predicted her dad. "Don't get me started on that! But don't let that push you into a decision that you may regret later. Be sure you're going to make this big change for the right reasons."

"Yes, that's why I want to think more about it," Dana answered. "My instinct tells me that I would be happy beyond my dreams if I could live on a farm again, though. I always loved it there--except the hard work, of course. I hope I've matured since then. I quite enjoy working now." Dana put on a smug face. "I'm even quite good at what I grow around here, if I do say so myself."

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent pleasantly. Dana and her parents discussed all the aspects of the fruit farm business. They gave her some idea of the different crops and obstacles she would be encountering should she decide to try it.

Dana, in turn, listened to the plans her parents had made for their retirement. She hadn't known before that they had such a desire to see the world. They had dreamed for years about the places they wanted to visit, always thinking that it could never be. Dana discovered that the event that had precipitated her parents' conclusion that it might be better to retire earlier rather than later was the death of a close friend.

He and his wife had always planned for their retirement. For one reason or another, they had waited for this and waited for that. Both had been in good health when suddenly the wife had been diagnosed with cancer. She had undergone extensive treatment that left her weak, but cured, and she was well on the road to recovery when her husband had suffered a stroke. He was bedridden for several months before he died. Both friends separately had lamented to the Winger's that they should have had a little rest and enjoyment before it was too late.

Dana's parents had been affected by the hind sight of their friends and had resolved that it wouldn't happen to them. They had given the matter much thought and decided to contact all their children and then to unload the place and get themselves off on a cruise to Tahiti. That had been first on their list of places they wanted to visit.

Dana listened to their story with admiration. "I think you are so wise to make this decision," she told them. "You will have so much to enjoy since you are both feeling good and still young enough to have fun."

Her mom and dad were pleased to hear that Dana's response was similar to what their other children had told them. With her possible desire to buy them out, they were growing more and more excited with the prospects that lay before them. Their farm had given them a good living and they loved it, but now it was time to restyle their lives. They wanted to go on to something even more enjoyable. They had worked for years for this privilege and felt that they deserved a change and a rest.

The rest of their visit was full of anticipation on the part of both parents and daughter. Dana saw them off on their return trip on Monday morning then left for work with a heart light with possibilities. She didn't divulge her thoughts to her co-workers yet, but wanted to keep them to herself until she was sure of making the right decision.

Chapter 21

Before end of the week, Dana had made up her mind. She confided her plans and aspirations to Andrea on Thursday night. Her friend's jaw dropped and she was aghast that she would even consider such a drastic change in her life.

"But Andrea," Dana had told her. "It isn't a drastic change. I grew up there. I know every inch of that land. I've picked peaches, apples, pumpkins, blueberries, strawberries. You name it. We've tried growing everything that will grow in that climate. All my life up to five years ago was spent on that farm. I love it. I want to go back and run it. Now that my parents will be gone and I can manage it my own way, I really want to give it a try."

"How do you know your parents won't try to take over and drive you crazy with advice? My parents never get tired of giving me advice."

"It's hard to manage anything from the beaches of Tahiti!" Dana retorted. "I'm sure they'll always want to give me their opinions. I'll need their advice. It's not as if I'm taking it away from them. They are sick of it and really want out. I don't think it will be a problem. When they do get tired of traveling, they plan to buy a house somewhere in the south where it is warm. They won't ever be breathing down my neck. I wouldn't do it otherwise."

"I just wish it could have worked out between you and Scott. I've never seen you as happy as you were for those few blissful days when you were seeing each other." Andrea's voice was wistful. "I wish someone would look at me the way he looked at you. It made me tingle."

"He's a pretty good actor, isn't he?" Dana wanted to change the subject. It still tore at her heart to think of Scott. Her feelings for him had been more involved than she realized. It was only by constant effort that she could keep him from being the center of her thoughts. Secretly, she yearned to see him again, but she knew that if she did, she would still treat him with revulsion.

"So your mind is pretty well made up then?" asked Andrea.

Dana's thoughts had been wandering and she asked, "About what?"

"Becoming a fruit farmer, silly! Where have you been?" Andrea laughed. "What do you call a female farmer, anyway? Farmerette, farmeress?"

"And you pride yourself on being anti-sexist!" Dana accused her. "A farmer is a farmer no matter what the gender, sweetie!"

They had finished their salads and left the restaurant. The purpose of their dining together had originally been to plan the next single's club meeting coming up a week from Saturday. For various reasons, the other members of the committee had begged off so it was left up to the two of them. Dana's heart wasn't really in it now that she had such big plans to make. Andrea had been afraid that she would have to carry the whole thing herself.

"I'm not going to desert you," Dana had assured her. "I'll see this one activity through and then I'm out of here. I'm giving two weeks' notice to my boss tomorrow. I can't wait to get packed up and move to Michigan."

"It's happening too fast," Andrea complained. "I don't know what I'll do when you're gone. Who will I talk to? Who will have all sorts of interesting and funny things happen to them that I can tell about at work? I'm going to miss you!"

"I'll miss you too, Andrea," Dana said soberly, putting her arms around her friend. "Leaving you is going to be the hardest part about moving. You've been a good friend. We can still call and visit each other. I'm not moving out of the country. It's only four hours away."

"I know, but now I'll have to break in a new local friend," Andrea grumbled. "It always takes so long for people to get to know me. They never understand my jokes and always think I'm laughing at them. You have always been able to understand me. I feel free to say anything I want to you without being afraid I will offend you. You're so good natured you know I wouldn't hurt your feelings on purpose."

"I have always liked the way you say what's on your mind," Dana laughed. "You're right. I don't get offended easily. I guess that's why we get along so well. And you find something to laugh about in all my horrible experiences. Remember the day I got sprayed by that skunk? It didn't seem so bad when you got there to help."

"I never felt that I had to compete against you, either, Dana," Andrea told her. "Even when Scott picked you out for his attentions instead of me, I was glad. Jealous, but glad."

"Well, it turns out there was nothing to be jealous about, was there? It was all an act."

"It appears that way now, but it looked to me like there was something real there for a while. It just seemed like you two belonged together. You almost glowed when you were with him. And the look in his eyes really seemed to be genuine. I hope somebody makes me feel that way before my life is over." Andrea let out a deep sigh. "Someday my prince will come!"

"In the Millennium!" Dana finished for her, laughing. They had often sung the cute little song from the Cinderella movie, changing the words to suit their hopeless situations.

The next day, Dana went in to her boss and asked to speak to him. When she told him her plans, she was met with many objections. He tried to get her to reconsider. He was of the older generation like her father and had serious doubts about a young lady being capable of running any business, let alone a farm. He regarded her almost like a daughter and felt called upon to offer her much sage advice. Of course, he didn't want to lose a good worker, either. She had done well and proved her worth in the company.

Dana appreciated the concern of her boss. When she announced her decision to the rest of her co-workers, nearly everyone else raised questions and objections too. She let them all know that her mind was made up and she was looking forward to her new vocation with great hopes. Word of her decision spread through the company and the next several work days were spent explaining and discussing her plans. She had made many friends in the company and felt sad to be leaving them. Not sad enough to change her mind, however.

Most of the questions had died down by the next Friday. A new girl had been hired during the week and Dana was to begin training her the following Monday. All her plans were progressing nicely.

Dana had received an official letter from Scott's company giving the information she would need to complete the sale of her house and land. She met with the company lawyer who was working with all the land owners to work out the details. She was happy that all the arrangements could be done through him and she would have nothing to do with Scott directly. She knew the time would come when the closing would take place and she may have to face Scott, but until then she would keep her distance.

Dana was spending most of her spare time sorting through her belongings, discarding or donating some and packing what wouldn't be needed before the move. She woke up early Saturday intending to spend the day packing. She wanted to be ready to load up and move on the following weekend if possible. At least there would be no point in cleaning anything or getting the house in top shape for the next owner. It would be demolished completely before very long.

Dana chafed at the knowledge that the evening would be taken up by her last single's club activity. She suspected that Andrea was planning a surprise going-away party for her. The thought made her nervous. She was uncomfortable being the center of attention, but kept telling herself that most people were concerned mostly with themselves anyway and wouldn't really be paying much attention to her.

She had just finished breakfast and was going out the door to start the lawn mower when she saw a familiar black car drive in her yard. Dana hadn't seen or spoken to Scott for almost two weeks. She thought she had managed pretty well to stifle her feelings for him. Seeing him get out of the car, however, sent her stomach quivering and her heart doing strange flips.

She forced her face into a mask of indifference and waited for him to come to her as she stood on the back porch. "What do you want?" She wanted her voice to be cold, but it came out high and squeaky instead.

"Dana." Her name hung in the air as Scott said the word in a longing, emotion-filled voice. He climbed the steps but stood a long arm's length away from her. "Today is my last day in Ilion and I wanted to say good-bye." His eyes were concealed behind dark glasses, but his face was pale under the tan. Dana was puzzled by the reserve in his manner. He was usually much more confident and in charge.

"Oh, so you've inflicted all the damage you can around here and you're off to greener pastures?" she asked brutally.

He closed his eyes as though she had physically struck him again. His voice was not calm as usual but shook slightly when he spoke. "Dana, can we sit down and talk? Out here is fine if you don't want to invite me in."

Her first impulse was to deny his request, but then her natural kindness asserted itself and she reasoned, "What harm can it do? Maybe he just wants to apologize. I can at least give him the chance to do that." She waved at a lawn chair under the tree and unfolded one for herself. They sat, tension nearly crackling the air.

Dana was perplexed to see that Scott's shoulders, usually held so straight and wide were bent in an attitude of defeat. His elbows were resting on his knees. He put a hand to his face and removed the glasses, rubbing the top of his nose where they rested.

"The world is falling down around my ears," he began. His voice was quiet and almost without inflection. "Dana, the whole deal fell through," he said. "My own father fired me."

Dana was shaken out of her hard-hearted pose. "Whatever happened?" she asked.

"Somebody dug up some obscure mineral rights from a hundred years ago when they were doing the title searches. There are all sorts of legal entanglements that will take months or even years to work through and we don't have that much time. Somehow I've gotten the blame for it all. Dad roared at me that I should have had people checking all that out long before any purchases were made. I've spent days listening to people calling me every name in the book. The worst one was that Nebeker guy. He has called every day wanting to know if something can't be done. He wouldn't even go to his own father's funeral because he was working so hard to contest the will."

The voice Dana heard was filled with sadness and regret. "I've never been so miserable in my entire life," he said.

Dana's natural comforting instinct surfaced and, though she was happy and relieved that so much beautiful countryside would be spared, she sought to cheer him up. She picked up her chair and brought it close by his side. "I'm so sorry you're having such a bad time, but you don't need to have a pity party about it," she said, her voice light. "When I feel miserable and defeated, I have a game I play called 'Count Your Blessings.'

"Come on! What are some of the things you do have? You're healthy, aren't you? You can see and hear and speak and walk. You live in America. You have a family. You have friends. You've got food to eat and a place to stay. You've got the car of your dreams...."

She stopped when she saw him look up and shake his head at her, smiling through his discouragement. "I wish I had your attitude," he said. "You somehow have the ability to take the worst case scenario and see past it to what's beyond. That's one of the things I lo..., admire, about you."

Dana had caught the slip in his words and looked into his eyes. What she saw in their depths touched her heart. "Scott, you're really down, aren't you? Do you want to just talk about it? Tell me everything that has happened."

"No. I didn't come here to talk about me. At least, I didn't intend to. I came to tell you that the only good thing about the wreck of my career is that you won't have to sell this beautiful little house and land. It makes me so happy and relieved to know that you can stay here where you love it so much."

Dana started laughing. The irony of the whole situation was not lost on her. "This is great! Just like Romeo and Juliet."

Scott looked at her and waited for an explanation, a perplexed expression on his face. He had expected relief from her, and joy, but not amusement.

"I would sell anyway, now," Dana enlightened him. "I have decided to go back where I was born and be a fruit farmer. My parents came to tell me they are retiring and are going to sell the farm and wondered if I was interested in buying it. And I am! They are going to sell it to me and my brothers."

Scott was stunned. Shakily, he stood and paced back and forth with agitated steps. "It isn't because of me is it, that you're making this major change in your life?"

"Why would it be because of you?" Dana wanted to know.

"Dana, I remember the look in your eyes when you still thought you loved me. It has haunted me ever since. I dream about it at night." Scott leaned forward to grasp her hand and pulled her from her chair. "You were in love with me, weren't you?"

Dana gazed into his eyes. There would be no point in denying it. "Yes," she said. "I guess I was falling in love with you. It was easy to do. You're a very attractive person. Nobody had ever treated me so nicely before. It was a new and very pleasant experience."

"And now you can hardly stand the sight of me, can you?" His eyes were bleak as they looked into hers.

"On the contrary! You're still pretty good to look at," she smiled. "I've just learned that looks aren't always to be trusted. I knew that before, but I guess I forgot." Dana wanted him to recognize that she still considered him a worthwhile person even though he had hurt her deeply.

"Dana, I want you to know that I really did come to care for you. A lot." He looked out toward the fields and sighed. "It was all a plot at first to wheedle your land out of you without a whimper, but as I got to know you, it was much more than that. You're quite a woman." He had put the shades back on and Dana wished that she could look into his eyes.

"Well, thank you, I guess. I did enjoy the things we did together. I really appreciated the times you got me out of some tight spots. And you did nutty things that made me laugh a lot."

"Until I made you cry." He reached for both her hands and looked intently into her face. "Nothing about this whole mess bothered me as much as knowing that I really hurt you. I never intended that to happen. Please believe me." His voice was tense with feeling. "I couldn't leave without telling you how sorry I am. If I could erase the last few weeks and do it over, I would never disappoint you again."

Scott stood looking at her. "You're so beautiful," he whispered. To her surprise, she didn't resist when he hesitantly took her face in his hands and kissed her very gently and with deep feeling. "Oh, what might have been," he said against her lips.

Then he took a step back and released her hands. He looked into her eyes and straightened his shoulders. "I wish you well in your new career. Is there any chance that you would let me come and visit you and see your fruit farm? I would like to have a guided tour and get a few free samples."

Dana was fighting down her rising emotions with every ounce of energy she possessed. Her inclination was to grab him and hold him to her and pour out her heart to him. She was only kidding herself if she believed that she no longer loved him. Every cell in her body was crying out for him. But her reasonable and practical side won as usual and she let no indication of her feelings slip out. He still was who he was and the kind of person he had shown himself to be was the kind of person Dana could never live with.

He was waiting for an answer but her throat was constricted with emotion. She finally croaked, "Sure. Just drive into Ten Penny, Michigan, and ask for the Winger farm. Everyone knows where it is. I'll be the fat lady in the bib overalls."

"I wish...," Scott began, still keeping his distance. "I wish that things had worked out differently. There are so many things I would like to share with you." He reached out to touch her hair and Dana shivered. "I want to fight off all your dragons. Who's going to save you from the Georges of the world? Or the sign-carrying split pea worms? I always wanted to tell you that I love the softness of your hair. I could exercise with you. You're really looking good."

Dana was swaying with emotion. How she wanted to cast all discretion to the four winds and let him envelop her in his arms. A tiny voice of warning sounded in her mind, though, and she restrained herself. She still didn't entirely trust him. He would have to do a lot of changing to earn her confidence again. She decided that at least she could hold out a ray of hope to him.

"Scott?"

He looked down at her, his eyes yearning and hopeless.

"I might be persuaded to give you another chance after a while. If you change your ways and become an ethical and honest man AND if you're still interested, why don't you come visit me in a few months after I've gotten the hang of running a farm? Maybe, if we both feel the same, we can start over again. It's best to wait a while. Who knows, we might both lose all interest in each other when we're back around our own friends. I'm just a chubby country girl with no sophistication. I'm sure you will realize that your old life was better and then you'll be glad you're out of the relationship. Go home and get your normal life back. Maybe learn how to be nicer in your work."

"You're too good for me, Dana," he whispered.

"Boy, that's an old line," she chuckled. The emotions of the moment were getting too thick and she had to inject something lighthearted or she would start crying. "I'd better get my boots on. It's getting pretty deep around here."

Scott looked out over the surrounding fields and tree hedges. "It is so beautiful here. Don't you hate to leave?"

"Yes, I do," Dana answered, gazing out at the view. "I have loved it here. But it's good to leave before you get sick of living someplace. I'm so excited about going home that my regrets about leaving here have nearly evaporated. I'll always have the good memories and the pictures."

"Will you give me your address and phone number in Michigan?"

"I guess so. If you'll give me your address and phone number wherever it is you live. Do you know, you've still never told me where you live. Is it a big secret?"

"It's no secret," he said, smiling. "It's just not that important. It's just a house. I'll write the address down for you."

"Come in and I'll write my new address down for you too," she invited. While she wrote, Scott went in the living room and talked to the bird. She stood in the doorway and watched him. "She likes you," she told him. "She pecks at most people. She must remember that you were her first friend."

"Goodbye, Teddy," Scott said, stroking the soft feathers. "Maybe your mama will let me come and see you again soon."

"Her mama? Do I look like a mother bird to you?" Dana asked, hands on hips.

Scott didn't answer her frivolous question but just looked into her eyes. "I'd better go," he said, taking the address card from her hand. "Be good and I'll be in touch." She thought--hoped--that he would kiss her, but he didn't. He just searched her face with somber eyes, then he was gone.

Dana watched his car pull out of the driveway and disappear down the road. With a long sigh and glistening eyes, she went in to tackle the packing. Why did everything have to be so hard?

Chapter 22

Dana was up before dawn. She loved this time of morning. The brightest stars were still shining and the birds were just waking up. She dressed warmly for the chilly air and walked through the orchard. It was late fall and the apple trees were finally empty of their crop. It had been a good harvest. Dana felt the satisfaction her father must have felt each time he walked through these trees. It was such a wonderful feeling to watch things blossom, develop and mature.

The income this year had been good. Her parents were pleasantly surprised that she had a head for business. She learned the ropes quickly from both her mom and dad as they taught her their own part of the farm operations. She had found markets for the bounteous crop of apples and had even kept up the tradition her parents had started of donating several hundred pounds to food pantries. The farm would show a good profit this year.

Dana sat on an overturned bucket, not minding the wetness from the dew. There was no frost this morning, but the air was crisp. She sighed and closed her eyes, breathing in the fragrance of early morning.

Her fingers closed around a letter tucked in the pocket of her jacket and she brought it out to read one more time. After all these months, after Dana had long since given up hope that he would call, a letter from Scott had been delivered yesterday. She had almost memorized it already. In the dim light of dawn, Dana held the letter close to her face with shaking fingers and read the words once again.

Dear Dana,

I've started to call you several times, but I always hang up before the first ring. I guess I'm afraid to hear your voice. It is something I've wanted to hear for months, but now I'm too chicken. Can you believe it? Me! Tough old Scott Harrison! I'll write to you because then I can think about each word and get it right. I say things in the wrong way sometimes and people misunderstand. I can't let you misunderstand what I want to say to you.

Dana, will you marry me?

Whew! Those words didn't burn a hole in the page!

Will you spend the rest of your life with someone who loves you with every ounce of his heart and every other vital organ and cell in his body?

When we were together last, I had just been fired from my father's company. I was depressed about the worst failure in my life. I had hurt and deceived the only woman I ever wanted to make a commitment to. Life was not going well for me. When we said goodbye, I knew that you loved me but wouldn't be willing to marry the kind of person that I was. You are too ethical and principled for that.

When I drove away from your little country cottage, my heart felt like it had been blasted by a bomb and left in little, painful, quivering pieces. (Professor Harrison would approve of that wondrous simile, wouldn't he?) I drove all the way home without seeing the road. I've never been so devastated in my life. It was a very rude awakening for a spoiled city kid who never had to face the real world before.

Do you know what brought me out of my depression and made me decide life was worth living? It was the words you said while we were sitting in your yard. You said, "Count your blessings," and then you started naming some of them. They didn't register at the time but later I went over every conversation I could remember having with you and suddenly my mind focused on those few words of wisdom.

You said, "You are healthy. You can see and hear and speak and walk. You live in America. You have a family and friends. You have food and a place to stay." Those things had always seemed like a given to me. It had never before occurred to me to appreciate them and wonder what it would be like to go without them.

Well, I decided to punish myself. (See what a mental state I was in? My mother would have had me into therapy in a minute if she had known.) I decided to deprive myself of some of those blessings for a while so I could feel what it must be like to be poor and destitute and hopeless. I had caused several people to suffer that way in some of my business dealings by appealing to the greed in the weakest members of a family. I have even bought up mortgages and foreclosed on them, forcing families into homelessness.

I was sure that would be a just punishment for a reprobate like myself. I was having the deepest pity party (another of your apt phrases) imaginable.

So--I sold my car, closed out my apartment, sold all the furniture and worldly goods I possessed, paid off all my debts and put what was left into a scholarship fund for needy children. I even donated all my clothing to a charity. I only kept one change of old ratty clothes and a few dollars. No more silk shirts for me! To prove to myself I was really serious, I even cut up every credit card I owned. It was pathetic!

I didn't tell anyone what I was going to do. I didn't think anyone would care anyway. I rode a bus to downtown Detroit and became a homeless person.

I know, I know! You think I am totally crazy! And I was. It was a nightmare! I didn't dare go to sleep because I was afraid someone would kill me for my shoes. I had to fight almost constantly to keep what little I had.

It didn't take me long to realize that this self-inflicted punishment was actually life-threatening and that I didn't want to die after all. I had proved a point to myself. I really did appreciate the little, insignificant things in life I had been overlooking for these twenty-eight years.

To make a long story short, (and I kept a journal so I'll have to tell you all the details sometime,) I scrounged around and found enough change to ride the bus back home. I showed up on my parents' doorstep looking like the bum that I was.

The butler wouldn't let me in the front door even after I finally convinced him it was me. He said the front hall had just been waxed and would I mind coming in by the kitchen entrance. I didn't care. I wanted to hug the old boy, but he looked like he would have a seizure if I did.

I went up to my old room and lo and behold, there were still some of my clothes there. I made myself presentable and went down to meet my parents when the dinner bell rang. Mom and Dad had vaguely wondered what had become of me but didn't waste too much thought on it. They knew I was a big boy and could take care of myself so they hadn't worried. I had seriously offended my father and he was still very angry.

The whole homeless experience became worth it when I watched my father's face as I was regaling them with details of the full adventure. He turned purple and yelled at me for being an idiot. My mother was horrified at the danger I had put myself into. She was also mortified and concerned that her friends would find out. I'm sure she was terrified that she would be the laughingstock of the bridge club.

Dana, this whole long story has been told to bring out the one little point that I am a changed man. Now I understand why I was so attracted to you. You love life no matter what it hands you. You see the good in people no matter how deeply it is buried. (I'll bet you could find some good in George Fenton! And maybe even his mother!)

I want to be like you! I want you to teach me to love the world and people like you do. I need you to keep me sane and to appreciate the little things in life that make us happy. Even if you can't stand the sight of me and don't want to consider seeing me again, please just teach me to love others like you do!

I feel like a whole new man! I was penniless for a few weeks until I found a job. My dad finally got over his anger and offered to help me out by giving me my old job back. I wouldn't take it, though. I wanted to get into a whole new field and do something that would be good for people instead of wrecking their lives.

My first job was in a fitness center as a towel boy, but they soon discovered my gift of salesmanship and now I have worked up to giving motivational seminars, convincing people that fitness is a great way to live. I'm getting rich on all the commissions from the people who sign up for memberships. It's a very rewarding job. I actually go home happy every night.

Now, back to the point of my letter. If you've made it this far through this long epistle, stay with me just a little longer. I figure you have four choices.

A. You can tear this letter up and I'll never hear from you again.

B. You can rip my heart out and decide the answer is NO. If so, (and I beg you to think long and hard before choosing this option,) mail the NO postcard I have enclosed, stamped and self-addressed. That way I won't keep hoping and wondering forever. I'll have the bad news right away.

C. You will say YES. (This is the option I'm hoping and praying that you will choose.) If you decide on Option C, please send the YES postcard as soon as possible. I will then call you and make arrangements to fly into your arms. (Aren't I romantic, though? Plus I get credit for remembering that you need to be called in advance of visits!)

D. Of course, I suppose that you may be undecided as yet and will need some time to consider. If you want to see me or talk to me, I've included a MAYBE card, but feel free to call me instead. I'll enclose my new business card with my cell phone number (I can pay my bills again!)

Dana, Love of my Life, I need to see you and spend some time with you. I know it's probably stupid to ask you to marry me in a letter. I'm afraid of you, though, don't you see? You are up on a high pedestal in my eyes and I'm a little intimidated. I don't want to be rejected. I love you so much. I want to put my strong, manly arms around your soft, little shoulders and hold you against my beating heart and smell your hair and kiss your soft cheeks and taste your sweet lips.

I'd better stop before I slobber all over the computer! I have missed you to distraction. I want you to learn to love me again. So whatever you decide, PLEASE do it FAST! But take your time and don't feel any pressure!

All my love,

Scott Harrison

Dana held the sheets of the letter in her hands. She knew already what her answer would be. As hard as she had tried through the busy months since she had seen him, she never quit loving him. However, she still needed to reassure herself that this change he claimed to have made was real and lasting. People don't normally make drastic changes permanently without having relapses and returning to their old familiar patterns.

She would send him the MAYBE postcard and tell him to call her. She would even give the day and time so she would be sure to be in the house. She took wicked delight in wanting him to have to pluck up his courage and call her. She would sound cool--if she could--and give him a little bit of a hard time by having him answer some penetrating questions about his attitude before she invited him to come tour her farm. She wanted to have him squirm just a little. It was a novel idea that he would even be capable of appearing weak or intimidated. It wasn't in his nature.

She hurried back to the house to write on the card and send it on its way. She reflected that it was good her work load was going to be light today. She knew her mind would be far from apples.

Chapter 23

It was Thursday at seven o'clock in the evening. Dana was sitting by the phone. This was the day and time she had written on the postcard for Scott to call her. She had been here for fifteen minutes already and watched the minutes tick by with her emotions oscillating between wild anticipation and jelly-kneed fear. "Come on, Scott," she said for the twentieth time to the phone. It just sat there silently.

Five after seven; ten after. Dana couldn't sit any longer. She threw down the book she had been holding and stood up to pace nervously around the room. She went to the knick knack shelves her mother had left and fingered some of her favorite figurines, trying to distract her anxious mind by remembering the occasions associated with the various objects on the shelves. She noticed that they needed dusting and tore herself away from the vicinity of the phone long enough to go in the kitchen for the feather duster.

She was out of the room only a few minutes, having grabbed an apple to munch on. As usual, in times of stress, she needed something in her mouth. At least for the last six months, it had been fruit or vegetables and her figure had really slimmed down. She wasn't plump any more, but fit and trim. She began carefully dusting the glass and porcelain figurines, crunching her apple as she worked. The noise of an approaching vehicle and a closing door outside drew her attention.

"It must be the truck driver," she thought. One was expected to haul off the last of the crates of apples. They usually didn't come to the house, though. She went to the door. She couldn't see anyone through the window so she stepped out onto the porch to look around. Someone grabbed her from behind in a bear hug. She screamed at the top of her lungs, all the nervous tension she had been feeling coming out in one shrill and piercing blast. Her elbows and feet churned as she kicked and fought the restraining arms with all her might.

The attacker let go in a hurry. She twisted around to face him, ready to keep fighting. Standing there with his hands over his ears and a very sheepish look on his face was none other than Scott himself.

Still shaking with fear, Dana ripped up at him as soon as she caught her breath. "What on earth do you think you're doing? You scared me to death! You're supposed to be calling me! I've been waiting for...." He cut her words off by the simple expedient of grabbing her face and pressing his lips to hers. She was still bewildered enough to try to push him away, but he only gripped her tighter.

Her scream had brought several of her employees running. Seeing their little boss apparently struggling with an unknown assailant, a couple of them grabbed Scott roughly and pulled him away, belligerent expressions on their shocked faces.

Dana, whose presence of mind had almost fled by the surprise and speed of the encounter, took a minute to gather her wits. She saw that Scott was in immediate danger of being seriously pummeled by her rescuers, so she put out a hand and found her voice.

"Wait, Chester," she yelped, hoping to prevent any bodily harm from coming to Scott. Dana looked at the assembled group and surprised all of them, including herself, by announcing, "This is the man I think I'm going to marry!"

She couldn't believe her own ears! Had she said that? She watched as their faces turned from ferocity to disbelief. "He caught me off guard. I didn't know he was coming," she apologized. "I'd like to introduce Scott Harrison. I met him when I lived in Illinois."

"Then what was the screeching for?" asked the burly foreman who still had a grip on Scott's arm.

"I was expecting him to call on the phone, not show up," she explained, laughing. "He grabbed me from behind and startled me. I'm really sorry about the scream." Dana turned to Scott, whose own face had run the gamut of emotions in the last few minutes. "It serves you right, scaring me like that! I should have let them knock some sense into you!" Her severe words were belied by the look of radiance lighting up her brown eyes.

Scott, shaking loose from his captors, enveloped Dana in his arms and proceeded to finish what he had started. She was embarrassed at such a display in front of the interested men and pushed him away almost immediately.

"Not now," she insisted under her breath. "I'd like you to meet my foreman, Chester Olson. He practically runs the show around here since I'm so new at everything." After they had shaken hands, Dana introduced the rest of the men and thanked them for their prompt rescue. "I feel safer knowing how quickly you respond to a scream," she told them, grinning.

After they had left the porch and returned to their chores, Dana turned to Scott. "Well, what are you doing here? I've been practically hatching that telephone for half an hour. I was going to make you grovel and beg and squirm. I feel really deprived."

"Unless you want to be kissed again in public, we'd better go inside," Scott said, his eyes twinkling. He opened the door and almost pushed her inside before wrapping his arms around her again. "So I'm the man you think you're going to marry, am I? I was so happy when I heard those words I could have screamed! Why didn't you send the YES card and I would have been here sooner?"

"To punish you for making me wait all these months to hear from you. I've been going through all kinds of agony."

"Then why didn't you call me?"

"It wouldn't have done any good anyway what with you being homeless and penniless," she teased. The comfort of his arms was spreading a tingling feeling to her whole body and she wriggled closer against him.

He tightened his arms and kissed her gently. Lifting his head and gazing in her eyes for a few seconds, he suddenly held her at arm's length and looked at her slim body. "Where's the rest of you?" he asked in amazement.

"To the fat heaven in the sky," she replied. She slipped from his hands and pirouetted proudly, arms flung out. "There's nothing like being too busy to eat to make a body skinny." Dana's brown eyes clouded slightly and she drew Scott's arms around her again. "I didn't feel much like eating, anyway, thinking I would never see you again."

"We've got so much to talk about," he said, pulling her to the sofa and sitting with her hands in his. "I wish we could get married today so I wouldn't have to go away even for a minute."

"Well, hold on. I said I think I'm going to marry you. I haven't quite made up my mind yet!" Dana was so close to him that her thoughts were muddled, but she still clung to a shred of sense. "There are still many questions I need to have answered. And I need some time to observe for myself these changes you claim to have made!"

Scott's eyes showed disappointment and bewilderment but quickly changed to acceptance. He straightened his shoulders and moved slightly away, putting a tiny distance between them. "You take all the time you need. I know I don't deserve you, but I hope you can find what you're looking for in me," he said soberly. "My love for you has grown as I have come to understand why you're always so happy in spite of everything. You're just a good person with a firm foundation of faith and confidence and a heart full of love and compassion for others."

Dana was watching his face and especially his eyes for the signs of honesty and sincerity that would tell her what she wanted to know. "I think I'll give you a trial period and observe you closely, Dr. Harrison," she said, making her face stern and serious. "We shall see what we shall see."

She felt cold at this distance, though, and snuggled back into his arms, still keeping her eyes on his face. Scott stared back and felt again the spark between them that had stayed in his memory all these months. He buried his face in the softness between her neck and shoulder and held on to her, feeling the waves of affection wash over them both.

They talked long into the night about all kinds of things, from the trivial to the deepest of feelings. Dana could tell from Scott's attitude and the way he expressed himself that he had indeed made quite a change in his outlook on life.

What she was looking for was evidence that where he had been thoughtful and kind before, those attributes had deepened into character traits instead of as means to an end. Whereas before he looked for ways to insinuate himself into the good graces of those he wanted to impress or soften up for his own purposes, she wanted to find that he truly looked for ways to be helpful regardless of the effect on himself.

"If this turns out and I do decide to marry you, my parents will be so amazed. I think they may almost have given up hope for me," Dana laughed. She was brought up short by Scott's next words, though.

"I'm not even going to tell my parents. They are such snobs. I'm sure they will make some very rude comments about you, probably to your face and hurt your feelings. I can't imagine that they will ever agree even to meet your parents."

Dana was shocked. "Scott! I'm surprised at you! It looks to me like I'd better start on your lessons in the care and loving of people right now." Dana wanted a marriage where the extended families were at least cooperative with no friction or unkindness on display. If his parents were indeed that snobbish, she would have to meet them and decide for herself whether they could get along at the very least.

"Let's talk about all that later," he said. "I want to hear about you right now. You look so good and feel so good and taste so good." He drew her to him again, demonstrating his words amply.

Dana enjoyed the smooching for a while, then pushed him away. "You never answered me," she said. "What made you decide to come? Why didn't you call and at least let me know when to expect you. Those men were ready to beat your quivering body to a bloody pulp!"

"I just couldn't stand it," he laughed. "The card just came yesterday and I couldn't sleep all night. I tried to think what I could say to convince you how much I love you and want to marry you. I was so afraid that you still think of me as a heartless scoundrel. You haven't contacted me, either, you know."

"I couldn't very well throw myself at you, could I? I just assumed that you had taken up your old life and were going merrily on your way and had forgotten me. I had made up my mind many times to forget you."

"Ah-ha! You couldn't forget me any more than I could forget you," he said, a light in his eyes. "I wanted to be sure I had something to offer you besides a selfish, wasteful playboy. I waited until I got a lot of my old attitudes changed. You will never believe it, but I even started going to church. It's brought a whole new outlook into my mind. I actually enjoy it. My parents are still shaking their heads. They think I've gone loony."

"Scott, I want to meet your parents. I don't know them at all except for your vague descriptions, but I'll bet anything that they are so glad you've made a few good changes that they are bursting with hope and love. I don't think you are giving them any credit. Parents always want their kids to turn out well."

"It's a bet!" he declared. "Let's make a deal. I'll take you to meet them. If they really care about me and are willing to try to like you and your family, I'll invite them to the wedding. On the other hand, if they are as frosty and snobbish as I think they will be, you will agree not to argue about leaving them out."

Dana didn't like it, but decided that it might be for the best if Scott's parents really turned out to be as unlikable as he described them. They proceeded to spend the next five hours talking about their feelings and sharing the stories of their lives since they had last met. This was frequently interspersed with long periods of quiet when they were lost in each other's arms with only the soft murmuring of words of love.

Finally, Scott lifted Dana off his lap where she had been snuggling and stood up. "I've got to leave before all my resolution is gone. I know we want to save the best for our wedding night, don't we? I can hardly wait. You are so beautiful." He kissed her one more time and then retrieved his coat from the closet.

"Where are you going to stay?" she asked.

"I already found a motel in town and checked in." He fished in his pocket for the key and showed it to her. "That's why I was late getting here. I wanted to be here by seven because I knew you would be by the phone waiting. The clerk took so long to check me in that I made you suffer again."

She kissed his mouth. "You're worth waiting for," she said.

Chapter 24

Scott came over to Dana's farm every day for the next few days. He helped with her chores and became acquainted with the running of a fruit farm. He was amazed at all that was involved. He chatted up the employees and charmed them in the natural way he had. He met their families and even suggested a couple of ideas of his own.

They went to town and met some of Dana's friends. She watched him carefully to see if she could spot any differences in his character. She wouldn't give him an answer about her decision to marry him yet. Charming friends and co-workers was one thing, but how would he behave in an environment where he was selling something?

After some pleasant consultations with Scott, an appointment to meet his parents was arranged for the weekend. He told her they seemed stiff and unemotional on the phone when he called and asked if he could bring Dana to meet them, but they agreed to let them come.

Scott picked her up and they left for the Detroit area early Saturday morning. Scott had told her his parents lived in a posh suburb with domestic help. Dana had already heard about the superior butler. She was apprehensive, but optimistic. Scott was preparing for the worst. He didn't want Dana to be hurt by the arrogant questioning and comments he knew his parents were capable of. He was worried and tried to prepare her for some of the ostentation they would exhibit.

Dana was scornful. "You leave me alone to make my own judgments," she told him. "You said I have a knack for getting along with people, so let me have a chance to meet them and let them meet me. They might actually like me. You're scaring me with all your negative worrying."

"All right. But don't say I didn't warn you," he told her, letting the matter drop. Dana may be right. She did have a talent for getting along with people and seeing the best in them. Maybe she could win their tolerance, if nothing else.

When they arrived, Dana was a little awed by the size of the mansion before her. Scott drove around back to the garage and parked. "No matter what happens," he told her, kissing her quickly, "I love you and I want to marry you."

They went in one of the back doors and met some of the staff. The butler was quite a pompous character and reminded Dana of the butlers in the Regency romances she loved reading. She met the cook and the maids. They all showed a very becoming interest in her and ample evidence of their regard for Scott. He had always been a favorite of the paid help.

While they waited in the vast library for the butler to announce their arrival to his parents, Dana asked Scott why they had come in the back door. "Have you been relegated to the servants' entrance because of your homeless escapade?" she asked.

"No," Scott laughed, cradling her face in his hands and kissing it. "I just knew that if I could get Simmons and Mrs. Johnson to like you, it would go a long way toward the rest of the family accepting you. My parents may not realize it, but they are manipulated more than they know by the attitudes of the staff. If stuffy old Simmons goes up there with a glowing report of your beauty and fine manners, it can't help but make a good impression."

They were standing at the French windows looking at snowflakes drifting down when Scott's father and mother entered the room. Dana turned to face them, a shy smile on her face. To her surprise, neither of the older people had a haughty look about them. On the contrary, they seemed to be feeling as much anxiety as she was herself. Mrs. Harrison held out her hands to Dana.

"My dear, it is so good to get to meet you at last. We know a lot about you already from what Scott has said. He never would come right out and say that he was planning to marry you, though. We're so happy that he has finally made up his mind."

His father showed none of the hard-bitten irascible business tycoon image that she had imagined. He was just a regular looking man with distinguished graying at the temples and a kind smile. Dana was pleased that he didn't carry his autocratic persona home with him.

Dana responded to their welcome with enthusiasm and was soon chatting freely. She didn't mind answering their questions and even got a chance to ask a few of her own about Scott's adventures in his younger days. They spent a most enjoyable couple of hours visiting and becoming acquainted when they were informed by Simmons that lunch was served.

After a delicious meal, Mr. Harrison claimed Dana's company. He wanted to show her over the grounds. He was proud of the landscaping which he had designed himself and seemed to share Dana's passion for growing things. He lamented that she was seeing the yard for the first time in the winter and extolled the beauties of how the fountains and flower beds would look in summer.

Dana had hardly stomped the snow from her boots and changed back into her shoes before Mrs. Harrison wanted to take her on a tour of the house and show her to the room where she would be staying. The interior of the house showed as much careful planning and good taste as the exterior and Dana was full of compliments and exclamations over the artwork, antiques and other niceties of the home.

She was quickly becoming close to her potential future mother-in-law. They shared many attitudes and interests. Dana was pleased to learn that Mrs. Harrison, or Helen, as she asked to be called, was a volunteer at the hospital and served as an officer in several charitable organizations.

When they were left alone for a few minutes before dinner, Dana turned on Scott. "Why didn't you tell me about all your mother's good works?" she asked. "All you ever mentioned was her bridge club. You made her sound so snooty."

"I knew she had a lot of meetings and was gone a lot, but it never occurred to me that she might be involved in anything charitable. I guess I just never got to know her that well."

"I hope you are duly ashamed of yourself," Dana chided him. "You have a wonderful mother. I love her already. Your dad isn't at all the gruff tyrant you made him out to be. At least when he's at home. I can't imagine why you wouldn't want them to come to your wedding. Think how it would hurt them!"

She tilted her head to one side in deep concentration. "I may have to put off my decision about whether to marry you. There are still some grey areas in your character. You seem to have overlooked the good in your own family. How do I know that you won't neglect me, too?" There was a mocking note in her voice, but her eyes had a tiny shadow of doubt in them, too.

Scott saw it and was repentant. "Dana, I would never neglect you." He raised his arm to the square. "I hereby solemnly promise that I will never take you for granted and will constantly remind myself of all the good things that you do. I further promise to join in and do some good works myself!"

Dana rewarded him with a kiss but looked searchingly in his face. His eyes had clouded and she asked what was bothering him.

"You are right," he said soberly. "I don't know my parents. They always seemed so distant from me. I was completely surprised when they walked into that room this morning and welcomed you with such open arms. I actually think they may even be nice to your parents if they ever meet. It's a revelation to me."

"Just stick around me," she told him with a hug. "We'll get to know them together. I had a much different picture of them in my mind. It has been wonderful to meet them and find out their good qualities at last."

The rest of the visit went quickly with great enjoyment. Dana could see a few flare-ups of temper in Mr. Harrison and watched for them in Scott also. There didn't seem to be any in the son, though. Maybe he was trying extra hard to impress her, but Scott really seemed to be even-tempered and forgiving. Dana knew that she had absolutely no control over her potential father in law, but hoped that in the event they did marry, she could have a good influence on him.

Scott and Dana had some interesting and informative visits with his parents and learned much about their interests, desires, and attitudes. "You're a good influence on them," he told her, amazed at some of the things he had heard them say. "I never knew they actually did anything worthwhile or charitable until now."

"Well, if nothing else is accomplished by this visit, at least you're getting to know your own parents a little better. How can you have been so oblivious all these years?" Dana asked, bewildered. "Were you really so completely wrapped up in yourself that you never spent any time with them at all?"

"Well, they were gone all the time and I had other interests," he defended himself. "They were boring and I couldn't be bothered."

On the morning they were leaving, Helen caught Dana on her way to the breakfast table. "May I talk with you for a minute?" she asked. She invited Dana into a small room and they sat facing each other.

"I can't let you leave without telling you what a big difference you've made in my son," Helen began. "His father and I have both noticed a change in him. He always says you're the reason for it when we ask. I've heard comments from several people who work with him about how kind and thoughtful he is. He always was charming and kind but seemed to have ulterior motives for it, but now it seems that he has come to like people for themselves.

"I work with the owner of the fitness center chain he works for on the Big Brothers/Big Sisters board and he can't say enough about his good work. He says he's a great employee with a gift for matching people up with the program that will work best for them. He keeps trying and working with them until they come up with the best fit."

Dana listened with interest. "I'm so happy to hear that. That is one of the things I worried about since I knew him before. He was always pleasant and even thoughtful, but it was part of his job then and didn't seem to carry over into his private life. I hope it does now."

"I'm sure it does. It has been so wonderful to sit and talk to both of you. Scott has opened up to us more than ever before and actually seems like he's interested in us. His family has never been among his closest friends."

"I hope that is a permanent change. I have really enjoyed being here and getting to know you both," Dana assured her.

"I just hope it turns out well between the two of you. I like you and think we could be great friends," Helen said warmly.

After breakfast, Mr. Harrison himself took Dana's hand and pulled it through his arm. "Would you mind if we had a little visit?" he asked, when she looked up in surprise. She caught Scott's raised eyebrows also and wondered what was going to happen. He led her to his library and made sure she was comfortable before dropping into the big armchair behind the imposing desk and making a tent of his fingers.

Dana's own eyebrows were up as she waited to see what he would say to her. She had heard enough about this man and his autocratic personality to be slightly intimidated, but she knew he had no power he could use over her and waited patiently for him to begin.

"Dana Winger, you have done what I thought could never be done. You have made a man of my son. I never had much use for his weakness and found it easy to bully him into doing whatever I demanded. He tried to object at first and probably does have a good heart underneath it all, but he soon gave in to my stronger personality. I lost respect for him in my heart of hearts. But now he's a changed man. I used every manipulation I could think of to get him to come back to work for me, but he absolutely refuses. He says to my face that I'm a tyrant and a tad unethical. He may be right, but I'm not admitting it!" Mr. Harrison laughed at himself, much to Dana's surprise.

"I'm sure you'll discover that honey attracts more flies than vinegar, Mr. Harrison," Dana observed.

"Stop it with this Mr. Harrison stuff," he ordered. "My name is Arthur and I'd be proud for you to call me that. You don't seem to have trouble calling my wife Helen. Please offer me the same courtesy."

Dana was not deceived by his gruff manner. She was beginning to see that this man had more to him than the bossy exterior. He wanted people to like him just as much as anybody else and she was inclined to try.

"I would be happy to call you Arthur," she agreed. "I am glad that I've had some influence on Scott. He is very talented and capable in his own way. I know his quick thinking has saved me some embarrassment several times and I've appreciated that."

Dana told him about both the worm in the soup incident and about the encounter with George Fenton and his mother. She had Arthur laughing and feeling some pride in his son's behavior.

Scott was waiting outside the library when they came out with a question in his eyes. When he saw his father chuckling at her stories, he was quite surprised. His father hadn't shown much of a humorous side when he'd been around him.

"You'd be completely dim-witted if you let this young lady get away," Arthur told his son. "You hang on to her. She'll keep you grounded and on the right track." Still chortling to himself, he went off down the hall.

Scott pulled her close in a warm embrace. "He is absolutely right," he whispered in her ear. "I want to hang on to you forever!"

"Well, both of your parents have told me of the improvements in your character and let me know that they like me. I hate to disappoint either of them so I think I'm prepared to give you the answer you've been waiting for," Dana said primly. "I have decided to go ahead and take a BIG chance and marry you after all," she announced.

Scott's whoop of joy could be heard all over the house. Simmons and the maids looked out to see what the commotion was and Helen and Arthur both appeared from the direction of the living room. When the news of their engagement was told, they were all warm in their congratulations and good wishes.

Dana's reservations had evaporated and there was no doubt in her mind any more that she could be happy being married to this fascinating and loving man. She had known her own heart for a long time and was impatient with herself for having put him through some agonizing days. Of course nobody is perfect. Of course there would still be conflicts and disagreements in the future. Of course there was much to be learned about each other. That was what would keep the journey through life together tantalizing and fresh.

Dana woke her parents up in San Diego, where they were spending part of the winter. The news caught them by surprise but they were sincere in their best wishes. Dana's mother spent most of the conversation worrying about the wedding arrangements, to the disgust of her husband, who thought she ought to give Dana some credit. After all, if she could manage a whole farm, she ought to be able to plan a wedding herself without any big fanfare.

Over the next several days, wedding plans were discussed and agreed upon. Dana's parents wanted to come get acquainted with Scott and were also invited to stop in at the Harrison's on their way to Ten Penny. They were happy to meet their future son-in-law's parents. There was no sign of snobbery on the part of the Harrison's as they chatted with the Winger's. Scott and Dana had been slightly nervous at the impending gathering but everyone was happy and friendly and discussed the wedding with joy and mutual desires to please.

The wedding day was set for the day after Thanksgiving. That way, all of both Scott and Dana's siblings and their families could come. It was several years since all of Dana's large family had been together and a wonderful reunion was planned.

Dana had met Scott's sisters who were both married and she was pleasantly accepted by them and given much good advice as to the care and feeding of their big brother. They had all sorts of stories to tell her about their growing up years and how Scott had been both a trial and a guardian. It was such fun to meet them and learn of his childhood.

Scott left the details up to her asking only that it be soon. Dana decided that it would be a very simple wedding at the Harrison home with only close family present. Neither of them wished for a big production in a lavish reception center with hundreds of people attending. They would send out announcements after the event to their close friends. Dana and Scott were relieved that neither set of parents voiced strong objections to this plan for quiet and simplicity. They had been afraid that there would be some tough skirmishes to overcome but none materialized.

The night before the wedding, Dana lay in opulence in a canopied bed upstairs in the Harrison home, a smile of radiance on her face. Tomorrow she would be a married woman! She wouldn't have to send Scott on his way at night. She shivered when she contemplated the luxury of going to sleep in his arms and enjoying his company twenty-four hours a day. Her mind wandered over the events of the last few days. So much had happened. Her life had suddenly made another big change. She had never known such happiness.

When the subject of where they were going to live had come up, Dana expressed her willingness to leave her farm if necessary and go wherever Scott planned to live, but he had presented the idea that had been forming in his mind. "I don't see why we can't continue to run your farm. The work I do as a fitness salesman can be done anywhere. I've gotten good at it. It's fun and rewarding, but I can do it from here in this area just as well as in the big city. The commissions may not be as high, but it will give me something to do while you support us."

He was joking and Dana knew it. He had been only partly candid when he told her he had gotten rid of all his worldly goods to be a homeless person. He actually had piles of money in a trust fund set up by his parents ever since he was a baby. The income from that fund could support them both in high style with neither one of them ever working again.

"We'll save that money for our kids," Dana had said. "We both need something to do. We're not the type of people who can sit around watching soaps and eating bonbons all day. I love my farm and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too."

"We'll need all that room if we really have a dozen kids like you plan," Scott laughed. "Are you sure this little slim body of yours can take having all those kids?"

"Why don't we just take what comes?" she had replied. "Maybe they'll all be like your sisters tell me you were and we won't want more than two."

"I wonder if we'll have one as accident-prone as their mother," Scott had mused. "We'd better have all the skunks for miles around eradicated."

She had punched him and they had had a wrestling match that ended in a long but chaste period of what Dana called "Huggy body, Kissy facing". They were resolved to wait for their wedding night to consummate their love. Dana believed in abstinence before marriage and Scott would not put his desires above her wishes. In fact, he admired her commitment to chastity and wished that he, too, had been so thoughtful of his future wife.

Dana had mulled for days over how she was going to ask about STD's and was relieved when Scott had insisted on being tested for all the diseases, admitting some past indiscretions. Luckily he was given a clean bill of health. That was a hurdle both he and Dana had been worried about. It would be a great relief when their physical desire for each other could be given full expression. Dana might be pledged to saving herself for marriage but it didn't mean she wasn't sensual and very much desirous of giving herself completely to her husband.

Dana turned out her light as she enjoyed feeling like a princess in the flamboyant canopy bed. She squirmed in anticipation of the coming days and nights ahead and dropped off to sleep hugging her pillow and dreaming of skunks and warm lips and mended hearts. Her last thought was how delighted she was that she wouldn't, after all, be better off single.

