CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

~~~~

A HOT SHOWER and several cups of strong tea bolstered Calder's sleep-deprived body. Makeup covered the circles under her eyes. Shoulders back, she descended the stairs at her usual brisk pace.

Whatever the day brought her way, she thought she was ready. Time would tell if she were right.

Adam had called. Over and over. She didn't listen to the messages he left. She wasn't a coward, Calder assured herself. Today was about the Spring Romance Gala. Too many people relied on the money they would raise. She refused to let her personal problems get in the way.

As she reached the foyer, the front door opened. Logically, she knew Adam didn't have the passcode. Still, breath caught in her throat. Until a dark pair of eyes met hers. And, Calder's hope for a great day rose precipitously.

"Destry. You're home."

Laughing, Destry returned Calder's enthusiastic hug.

"I told you I would be. Big bash tonight. Unless I mixed up the date?"

"No." Calder tightened her hold before she finally let go. "Can't I just be glad to see you?"

"I appreciate the warm welcome. Now, you want to tell me what's wrong?"

Of course Destry knew. The old Benedict sister connection at work.

"If I didn't have some place to be, I'd spill my guts all over your scuffed boots."

"Time for a new pair anyway." Concerned, Destry rubbed Calder's arm. "I wondered what was up. When I arrived, I spied a certain pretty boy camped out in his car."

Calder didn't have to ask who her sister meant.

"Adam's outside?"

With a nod, Destry's gaze narrowed.

"What did he do?"

"The jury's still out. Bryce can fill you in on the details."

Calder glanced at the door. She hadn't slept. Her brain and body were on auto-pilot. She wasn't ready to see Adam when she felt at such a disadvantage.

"Slip out the back. You can catch a cab at the end of the block."

"You're a lifesaver."

With a wave, Calder dashed down the hall.

"What I am is an expert at evasive measures," Destry called after her. Alone, she grinned. "Same difference, I suppose."

~~~~

"THE LARGE WHITE displays go on either side of the bandstand."

Calder wondered why she bothered to provide the florist with a detailed diagram. Though anybody with half a brain should know that five hundred dollars' worth of roses don't belong next to the men's bathroom.

From across the room, Annabel sent her a sympathetic look. If they could rely on others to do a proper job, they wouldn't have to supervise.

"Why don't you take a break?" Annabel's voice came through Calder's headset. "You've been here since the first delivery. I asked the hotel's deli to deliver a corned beef sandwich to the office. Go. Put your feet up for thirty minutes and enjoy."

Calder's stomach rumbled. A reminder she hadn't eaten since lunch—yesterday.

"You're a gem."

"I know."

Before anyone could waylay her, Calder exited the ballroom. Dressed for physical labor, her jeans, t-shirt, and running shoes received a few looks of mild disdain from the ladies-who-lunch crowd. Another time, she would have looked right back with her own brand of contempt. Running near empty, Calder ignored the women. And the impulse. She didn't have the energy to spare.

Right now, all she wanted was a few minutes of quiet, some much needed sustenance—and maybe a quick nap. Ten minutes would be a blessed miracle.

In the office, Calder locked the door. The sandwich, a side of French fries, and a pot of tea sat on the low coffee table. Slipping off her shoes, she flexed her feet, and settled onto the leather sofa with a grateful sigh.

Thick as her fist and slathered in mustard, the thinly sliced corned beef was lean and succulent. Calder couldn't manage the entire sandwich. As she glanced at the remaining half, her thoughts automatically turned to Adam. He could eat the rest. And another to boot.

Calder frowned. Alone, she could admit she missed him. He'd become an important part of her life. Too important, too fast. Instead of jumping feet first, she should have slowly waded in. Taken more time. Used a safer route.

Damn it. Until yesterday, everything felt so right. Nothing seemed rushed, certain she and Adam were exactly where they were supposed to be.

When her phone rang, Calder answered without glancing at the screen. She knew who was on the line.

"Hello, Adam."

"What the hell, Calder? I've been out of mind."

Adam sounded frantic. Good. She was miserable, let him suffer a little, too.

"You knew I was all right. You didn't have to worry."

"And yet, I did. All the way on the train. And, in my car, while I waited for you to take your morning run."

"I decided to skip a day."

"No kidding. Took me four hours, but reality finally sank in."

"Are you angry?" He had some nerve.

"Right now, tired. I desperately need to see you. Face to face. I need to know what's going on. Why you've shut me out."

"I'm busy. In case you forgot, the gala's tonight."

"I know. You invited me. Unless you don't want me to come."

"Of course I want you here," Calder said without thinking. She wasn't sorry. "I have to get back to work."

"Promise you'll make time for me. After."

"I promise."

Calder hung up. Tonight, she would know the truth. Tomorrow? She'd do what she always did. Get up and keep going. What she didn't know? Would Adam be by her side?