Alyssa parked her car in the municipal parking lot just behind Town Hall on Hunt Street. Reaching over to the passenger side, she grabbed the bundle of thank you notes and exited the vehicle. She shouldered her purse as she made her way to the sidewalk and over to the Post Office. A push on the front door sent a blast of cool air into her face. Even though the heat of summer was beginning to abate, the brush of air reminded her that autumn in Napa would be returning soon.

Thank heavens, the line today was short. Only three people stood between her and the clerk on duty. In no time at all, she was sliding the bundle across to the clerk’s hands.

“Good Morning, how can I help you?”

Alyssa glanced at her name tag. “Hi, Amy, I’d like to send these out in the next post, please. The group with the rubber band is the ones for out of town.”

“All stamped?”

“Yes.” Alyssa nodded.

“Great.” The clerk grinned. “You’d be surprised at the folks who come here so unprepared and stand there to sort in town or out of town.” She lifted the small bundle. “This is a great help.”

“Glad I could do it,” Alyssa replied.

The clerk shifted them to the boxes on the shelf beside her in the cubical. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“No, thanks.” With a wave, Alyssa made her way out the door and into the bright October sunshine. She glanced up and down the street noting the different arrangements that were now beginning to occupy store fronts. From whimsical painted pumpkins to stacks of cornstalks, merchants were getting ready for the fall season.

“Might as well take a stroll,” she mused. “Nothing waiting for me back home.”

Strolling down the Main drag, Alyssa let her mind relax. For far too long, her thoughts had centered on getting home to her grandmother, making sure meds were taken, and her needs were met. Now, she busied herself with a clean house and keeping the garden straight, but she needed more.

“Alyssa?”

Hearing her name called, she turned.

“Alyssa, hey!”

From the doorway of the nearest shop, she watched an old friend from high school hurry from the doorway. “Hey, you.”

Janet Tanner engulfed her into a deep hug. “How are you?”

Released from the embrace, Alyssa pulled the strap of her pocket book back on her shoulder and gave a soft smile. “I’m fine.”

Janet held her at arm’s length and studied her intently. “You sure?”

She nodded. “I am. I just miss her.”

A sympathetic smile lifted the edges of Janet’s lips. “I bet.” She gave Alyssa’s arms a squeeze. “It must have been hard these past three weeks.”

“That little house seems so big now.”

“Well, I know your grandmother was so grateful to have you there with her. Your mom?”

“Off on another adventure?” Alyssa sighed. “She came for the funeral and had to leave a few days later.”

“You’re mom always was a go getter.”

“You could say that.”Alyssa sighed.

“So, what brings you to town? Business?”

“No. I just went to the Post Office.”

“So, you’ve got some time?”

“Sure.”

“How about we catch up? Come on, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.”

Alyssa didn’t have a chance to say no as Janet linked her arm into hers and together, they crossed the street heading toward Taster’s Refresher’s. Entering the shop, they made their way to a booth where they could gain a bit of privacy.

“So…” Janet tossed her purse onto the empty seat and scooted in. “How are you really doing?”

Alyssa settled into the seat across from her. “As I said, I’m doing well. I just…” She gave a shrug.

“Just what?” Janet asked, taking a menu from the back of the table and handing it to Alyssa before grabbing one for herself.

“It’s just the silence. Who knew it could be deafening.”

“I bet.”

They both took time to glance at the menu.

Alyssa glanced at the choices and decided on something a bit healthy. A deep voice at her elbow caused her to glance up.

“Can I help you ladies?”

“I think I’ll have the salad and a cup of coffee.” Alyssa placed the menu back and waited as the waiter jotted the entry down.

“Dressing?”

“Italian please.”

He grinned. “Excellent choice.”

His attention turned to Janet. “And you?”

“Same. Only I want the Ranch dressing and coffee as well.”

“We’ll have this up in a moment.” He gave Alyssa a wink.

She caught the twitch of Janet’s lips and chose to ignore it.

“Well, that was special.”

“Humph.” Alyssa decided not to go down that path.

“My, my,” Janet drawled. “If I were a bit younger and he a bit older….”

“You are so bad.” Alyssa chuckled. “I don’t think you’ve changed since high school.”

“Nope, just older and heavier.” Janet grimaced and made a face. “I’m a sucker for a good slice of cheesecake and it won’t be long before Peppermint spice and Cinnamon Latte will be calling my name.”

Alyssa could only laugh at her good friend.

Janet leaned back against the seat. “It’s so good to hear you laugh. Now that grandma’s gone, you’ve got a lot of time on your hands. What do you plan on doing?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about that this morning. I really am going to need a job, but it’s been two years. I can’t imagine who will hire me? I guess I could cut grapes in the field.”

“Not the way you sunburn.” Janet’s voice took a sour tone.

“True. I can type but I haven’t had any experience with word processing since school. I could take a brush up course.”

“You could,” Janet agreed. “Oh gosh, remember when we took that job over at the jewelry store just outside of town?”

Alyssa grimaced. “How could I forget. Worse summer of my life. I couldn’t do anything right for Mr. Carver.”

Janet smiled. “Remember his toupee?”

“We always thought it was going to fall off when the wind blew.”

They both giggled.

Alyssa shrugged and grew serious.“Well, there’s always fast food.”

Janet spread a napkin on her lap and gave a stern glare. “Really? Do you want fries with that coke?”

Alyssa shook her head. “No.”

“I thought so.”

The conversation lagged as the waiter returned with their selections. With warm mugs of coffee and a generous Cobb salad, the girls concentrated on their meal.

“You know,” Janet said, stabbing at the salad with her fork. “The local community college had a bulletin board with job listings.”

Alyssa’s ears perked up. “Do they?”

Janet nodded. “What do you say we go over there after lunch and take a look? I’m sure we can find something to start with. You just need a beginning, something to get your feet wet on and then move up.”

“You think so?” Alyssa couldn’t help but feel hopeful. “I just don’t think I can sit around that house through the holidays with nothing to do.”

“I do, we’ll drive over together.”

“You sure it’s no trouble?”

“Positive.”

* * *

Jericho stared at his computer screen. He should be typing in lecture notes. However, his thoughts were not on the Battle of New Orleans. No, oh, no, his mind was filled with the image of a honey haired blonde with eyes so blue they rivaled the sky. He could still see the twist of her lips as she gave him that scolding look.

“This is getting me nowhere,” he griped. Moving the curser across the screen, he shut the computer down. “I can finish this at home.”

But the nagging little voice in his mind merely laughed. Grumbling beneath his breath, he stuck the files into his backpack and slung it on his shoulder vacating his small office and nearly running into another adjunct professor.

“Hey!” Jericho cried out sliding to a halt.

“I was just coming to see you.” Allen Crane smiled.

“Something wrong?”

Allen gave a noncommittal lift of his shoulders. “Yes and no.”

Jericho’s brow rose. “You want to be more specific?”

Allen glanced around at the secretary who seemed to have taken a sudden interest in their conversation. “A word in private.” He gestured toward Jericho’s office.

Together, the two men stepped inside.

Jericho put his backpack back down on the chair then leaned a hip on his desk. “What’s up?”

“It seems the secretary for the drama departments has taken a leave of absence.”

“Mrs. Nolan?”

“Her daughter is ill. I need someone. You’ve seen how the chair keeps the office. I can’t find anything relevant to the winter production.”

“I see.” Jericho grew thoughtful. “I tell you what, we’ll write out an ad for a temporary vacancy and post it on the board in the student center. Surely, someone will answer it.”

“Great.” Crane gave a sigh of relief. “I knew you’d come to the rescue.”

Jericho slid around to his seat and flicked the computer on again. “Ok, let’s see what we can come up with.”

A half hour later, the ad printed out and both men scanned it for typos.

“Looks good to me,” Allen remarked.

“All you have to do is hang it up in the center,” Jericho replied and handed him the paper. “Oh, and do let Dean Stockwell know what’s going on.”

“Yes, I’ve already spoken to him. He is going to bring it up to the board this afternoon.”

The clock on the wall chimed. Both men looked up.

“Dang, I’ve got class.” Allen shoved the paper back into Jericho’s hands. “Hang this up for me, will ya?”

Jericho watched as he sprinted toward the door. “You owe me!”

“Tickets, I’ll pay you in tickets for the winter play.”

With a shake of his head, Jericho grabbed his backpack and made a second exit out the door. The warmth of the afternoon sun belied the season as he moved across the wide expanse of the lawn in front of the administration building. Up ahead, a familiar figure walked toward the student center. “Alyssa?”

He watched her deep in conversation with another young woman as they made their way past the archway and down the steps to the center entrance. His heart skipped a beat as he picked up his pace. Using the side entrance, he made his way over to the bulletin board where students posted services for typing term papers, needs for roommates, and job offers. He was surprised to see Alyssa standing there. “Miss March?”

Hearing her name, she turned in surprise.

Jericho watched as her eyes rounded and her cheeks stained a delightful shade of pink. “Well, we meet again.” He grinned.

“So, we do.” Her hand reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. “You teach here?”

He nodded. “History.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

“So, what bring you to campus?”

He caught the nervous glance in her friend’s direction.

“I’m job hunting,” Alyssa replied. “It’s been a few years.”

“Ah, yes, your grandmother’s illness.”

She nodded.

They stood staring at one another, until the young woman beside her gave a nudge with her elbow.

“Oh, let me introduce my friend, Janet Tanner. Janet, this is Jericho Brown.”

He glanced over at the smiling young woman.

“Hi,” she greeted.

He held out his hand and they shook. While she was pleasant to look at, the warmth and zing it got from Alyssa’s hand was missing. “Hello.” He shifted his gaze back to the woman he’d much rather see. “What are your skills?”

Alyssa frowned. “I’m not really sure. I know a little about computers. I can type and produce a pretty good letter. I did bills for my grandmother.” She shrugged. “Not really marketable.” She turned to stare back at the board.

Suddenly, Jericho remembered what he was holding. “Maybe, I do have something.” He handed her the paper.

“This is for a secretary.” She glanced at him. “I don’t know shorthand.”

“But you don’t really need that,” he assured her. “What Professor Crane is going to need is someone to set interviews, student appointments, file, and organize his office.”

“You make it sound so simple,”she murmured staring back down at the paper.

“It is.”

She swallowed and then gave him a wary glance. “You think I can do this?”

“I think it’s very similar to what you described you did for your grandmother. The only drawback is that it’s temporary.”

“It’s a start,” the girl beside her interjected.

“True.” Her brow furrowed.“I need to write a resume.”

“You can do that. Write it this week, and when I come over Saturday, I’ll look over it and then if it’s ready. I’ll bring it to the professor myself.”

Alyssa tilted her head so that she could study him carefully. “And why, pray tell, are you doing this?”

Jericho grinned. “Brownie points for my mother, and to make up for Molly.”

Alyssa’s smile grew. “Okay. See you Saturday.”

Damn, Jericho could have sworn the day just got brighter. “Saturday.” He grinned.

Suddenly, his footsteps seemed lighter as he made his way out of the student center. “That’s a nice way of killing two birds with one stone.”

Waiting for Saturday made the week seem a month long. Jericho woke early and hurried to dress while Molly lingered on the end of the bed, tail wagging as she watched his movements. The dog must have wondered why his master was up so early. Jericho dropped on the edge of the mattress to scratch his ears. “Sorry, boy, I know you want to go out and play, but we’ve got things to do.”

Molly dropped her head onto her feet and seemed to sigh.

“I know, I’m a heel.”

Jericho slipped his feet into his tennis shoes and laced them tight.“Come on, you go outside while I fix myself some breakfast.” He walked toward the stairs and heard Molly’s toes tapping on the hardwood floors.

Once in the kitchen, he moved toward the back door. “Okay, out you go.” He opened the back door.

Molly looked up at him. Then, with a tail wag, he trotted out into the yard.

Jericho turned toward the task of breakfast. A cup of coffee, some cereal, and he stood in the doorway, his elbow connected to the door jam, watching Molly make sure the perimeter was secure. Scraping the bottom of the bowl, he treaded back to the sink and deposited his spoon and bowl. One last sip of coffee and the mug joined the rest.

Leaning over the sink, he called to the dog,“Molly, come on. Time to come in.”

Molly came bounding.

He opened the door and he trotted in. “One scoop of food today.”

Molly sat down while he placed the food into his bowl.

“Eat up.”

While he waited for the dog to finish, he glanced out at his lawn. It was green. No pretty flowers. No fascinating statue. Nothing interesting except for the chrome gas grill that sat against the garage.

“Not Alyssa’s place for sure,” he murmured.

Molly plopped down before him and stared. He lifted his paw and stroked Jericho’s pant leg.

Bending down, he took hold of the dogs paw and gave it a shake. “Yeah, I know you’re a good dog.”

Molly’s tongue hung out the side of his mouth while he panted, but the gleam in his eyes seemed to say. “Let’s go find Alyssa.”

Jericho picked his keys off the hook by the door.

Molly hurried to the screen door and looked back at him.

“No, boy, we’re not going for a run. I’m going to take Alyssa to get flowers to replace the ones you ruined. I don’t think that’s a good place for you.”

The dog barked and scratched at the back door.

“Here now, none of that.” Jericho pulled Molly back by the collar. “Stay. Stay, Molly.”

He opened the door.

Before the crack was wide enough to get his foot out the door, Molly bolted past and made a mad dash for his car.

“Wait!” Rushing to stop him, Jericho was pleased the dog had gone no further than the passenger’s side door. As he came toward the car, Molly issued three sharp barks.

“Okay. Okay. But you must promise to be good. Let me go get the leash.”

He hurried back to the kitchen and grabbed the leash. Making sure the door was locked, he strode back to the car and snapped the leash onto Molly’s collar. Opening the door, the dog leapt inside and moved to the passenger seat.

Jericho climbed in and soon they were headed to the outskirts of St. Helena.

* * *

“Jericho Brown, you are not really thinking of taking that beast with you?”

“Now, sis,” he began.

“Are you insane?” Wallis Brown Franklin leaned against the doorframe and stared at her brother.

Dutifully, he shifted on his feet and stared down at his ground.

“That dog got you and Tate in trouble.”

“He didn’t mean it,” Jericho defended and shifted his gaze to his brother-in-law, Chandler.

Chandler raised his hands in his own defense. “Don’t look at me. You’re on your own.” Reaching out, he grabbed Molly’s leash and headed out into the yard where his young son was playing ball.

“What harm will it do?” Jericho said swinging his gaze back toward his sister.

“You don’t need any more trouble.”

Jericho looked back over his shoulder at his nephew and Molly playing.“Molly trouble? Naw.” He shook his head. “I think I’d call it something else.” He stepped away from the back of the house. “Molly. Molly come here.”

The dog dropped the ball and ran to his side.

“Can I come?” Tate asked stepped toward him.

“Maybe next time, Tate. Thanks for the truck, Chandler.” Jericho moved toward his brother-in-law who tossed the keys. He caught them one handed and opened the truck door. With the dog inside, he stepped up on the running board.

“Jericho,” Wallis called.

“Yes?”

“Sunday dinner at two.”

With a wave of his hand, he climbed inside and shut the door. Glancing at Molly, he murmured. “Now, to get Alyssa.”

He backed out of the drive and headed down the winding road toward town. As they bounced along, Jericho talked to the dog, “Let’s get something straight, Molly. No running off today. You have to be on your best behavior.” He glanced to his right.

The dog’s ears stood perked up. His head tilted as if he were listening and comprehending all that Jericho said.

“Be good or there will be no doggie treats tonight. Understand?”

The dog yelped, then stretched out on the seat to lay his head in Jericho’s lap.

“Glad we have this straight.”

Five minutes later, he eased the truck into Alyssa’s drive. Cutting the engine, he picked up the leash and together, they hopped from the truck. They walked to the door and Jericho pressed the bell.

“I’m nervous.” He gave a slight chuckle.

Molly shifted on his feet and began to wag his tail.

“Is she coming?” he whispered.

Moments later, he heard her call out, “I’m coming.”

The door knob turned and suddenly there was Alyssa’s smiling face. She glanced first at Jericho then to Molly. Dropping onto one knee, she reached out and stroked Molly’s fur. “Oh, Molly, you came to see me.”

Woof. The dog lavished her face with kisses making Alyssa laugh.

“That’s what I call a greeting,” Jericho replied.

Alyssa glanced at him. “Oh, hi, Jericho. I didn’t see you.”

“Evidently.” He pretended to be wounded.

“So, are you ready to go look at flowers?”

“I am.” He extended his arm toward the truck. “Shall we go? Your chariot awaits.”