Fiction

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Chapter 5
Amy was celebrating the first snow by cuddling up with a book by the fire. She’d already cleaned her apartment, and was looking forward to a night of solitude. Work had been crazy lately, and Amy had little time to rest. She hadn’t talked with Laveda since that night, so she was surprised when there was a knock at her door.

Since their conversation about two weeks ago, Laveda had returned to work with vigor. All her energies were channeled into her caseload, leaving no time for socializing. Amy was concerned for Laveda’s heart, but all her attempts to make contact had been halted. Now maybe her friend was ready to talk.

Amy opened her door and drew a quick breath.

“Hello, Miss Garrison?”

Amy still couldn’t find air.

The man cleared his throat. “Miss Garrison, my name is Douglas Peters. I’m with Senator Strauss’ office and I’m here to ask you to please read this literature. Oh, and vote for Strauss.”

Blinking did not make the man disappear. He stood watching her, confusion and then amusement spreading across his handsome face. She should say something. She settled for closing her mouth.

The handsome stranger laughed softly and asked if he had come at a bad time. His polite manners seemed to shake Amy out of her trance.

Embarrassed, she lifted a hand to her chest and said, “Oh, no, I was just expecting someone else is all. Won’t you come in?”

Amy, he’s not a guest! He’s a summer intern for your Senator! What are you doing? To her great surprise (and delight), he accepted her invitation with an easy smile.

“Thank you, Miss Garrison. It’s getting a little chilly out there, even for a guy who spent years shoveling snow in Iceland.” Douglas smiled at her. He had a nice smile.

She gave a polite laugh and turned towards the kitchen. Calling over her shoulder, she said, “What would you like to drink? I’ve got water, water, and the always fabulous water.”

“Excellent choices, miss. I believe I shall choose water.”

She silently drew a cup from the cupboard and filled it with cold water from the fridge. As she handed it to him, she was suddenly very aware of his presence and wondered what had come over her. Before she lost her voice again, she asked, “So, Mr. Peters, why do you believe that Senator Strauss will accurately represent me in Congress?”

Surprised, but looking amused again, Mr. Peters answered quickly. “Well, you see, Miss Garrison, the Senator has a lot of political experience, is active in the community, and shares the family values of his constituents. He promises to continue to vote with you in mind and he would very much appreciate your support in the upcoming election.” He paused. “Or maybe I don’t know anything about politics and volunteered to help because my sister runs the local office. Heh, guess I’m just not very good at lying.”

“Well, Mr. Peters, while you certainly won’t have a career in politics or law, I think you would make an excellent car salesman.” Now it was Amy’s turn to look amused. “With that kind of straight talk, you’d sell dozens of cars.”

He laughed. It was a good, hearty laugh that inspired a spontaneous smile from the depths of Amy’s heart. She found herself wondering where this man had been all her life.

“I appreciate your support, but am sad to report that I do not sell cars. In fact, if I did, I wouldn’t sell you one.”

Amy’s smile froze and a puzzled look appeared as she waited for him to explain.

“You see, I probably wouldn’t be allowed to date clients.” He grinned at her wearing a confidence that drew her. Any other man who spoke to her like that would have been shown the door. But not him. His eyes were sincere, playful. As if he sensing her discomfort, he continued, “I actually work in finance for a company back in Chicago. Before you think I’m skipping out on work, I should mention that I have six weeks of vacation and three weeks of holiday pay saved up and decided to take it all in one shot. My sister is the only family I have left, and I don’t have time for many friends, so while most people would prefer a tropical island, Pleasant Dale, Nebraska is my paradise. And please, call me Doug.”

“Welcome to paradise, Doug. Amy, please. Have you seen all the thrilling sights in town? We have the world famous Café de Rencontre on Main Street, a stunning collection of stop lights, some ancient 19th century architecture, and hundreds of square feet of unexplored worlds in the Harmann Library.”

He laughed again, “I can’t lie. The only bit of Pleasant Dale I’ve seen in the last two days has been campaign headquarters and your lovely kitchen. Maybe you could expand my horizons? And I don’t mean that like it sounds.”

“Doug,” Amy smiled, “are you asking me on a date?”

“I believe I am, Miss Garrison.”

“Then my answer is yes. But only if you promise to stop calling me Miss Garrison!”

With mocking seriousness, Doug stood tall and drew his face into a somber frame. “Miss Amy Garrison, would you do me the honor of meeting me tomorrow afternoon at Café de Rencontre?”
Catching on to his game, Amy joined in. “Why, Mr. Peters, it would be my pleasure.”

She curtsied.

He bowed.

He departed.

Though the closing door hid him from her view, his smile lingered in Amy’s mind. The level of familiarity between them was impossible. She had known the man less than fifteen minutes, but she could not deny the all encompassing attraction she felt. And if her instincts were correct, he was feeling the same way.

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