Come Monday morning, Jericho hurried to dress. For the first time in a long time, he was excited about going to work.

Molly ran around the backyard doing her thing while he grabbed a cup of coffee. Opening the door, he called to the dog,“Come on in, Molly.”

Obediently, the dog came in and headed straight for her crate.

“You be a good dog and we’ll go for a run this evening. Maybe I’ll take you by Alyssa’s.”

Molly wagged her tail and hurried into the crate.

Door shut, Jericho headed out the door.

The drive to the college was uneventful. Stepping out of his car, he spied Alyssa crossing the parking lot and waited for her. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” she called as she drew to a stop before him.

“All ready for that first day?”

“Yes. A bit nervous, but I’m ready.”

“I’ll walk with you.”

They fell into step together.

“So, how’s Molly’s costume coming?”

“Oh, it’s just about done. I think you’ll like it.” Alyssa smiled.

“You’re not going to tell me why we purchased tube socks, stuffing, and a green eyed monster hat for her, are you?”

Alyssa came to a stop at the office door. She glanced up at him and he could see the laughter in her eyes. “Nope.”

“You’re impossible.”

Alyssa shrugged as he opened the door and they hurried in. “Just remember to have your costume ready.”

“Got mine in the bag,” Jericho answered.

“Have a good day.”Alyssa lifted a hand and hurried toward the Drama Department.

Jericho stood in one spot until she disappeared. Turning toward his own door, he was met by his secretary.

Arms crossed, Mrs. Davidson seemed impenetrable.

“Morning,” Jericho hailed her as he strode past.

He could hear her footsteps as she followed.

“Well, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were about to hang up those bachelor shoes.”

He dumped the bag into the chair and turned around to face her. “Me? Oh, no. I’m just helping a friend.”

“Sure you are.” Mrs. Davidson plunked down a stack of memo’s. “Dean Stockwell wants you on the committee for the Christmas Charity fund raiser.”

“It’s not even Halloween,” he growled. “Let’s get through boo season before we start the ho- ho-ho’s.”

“Not my job, but you have a meeting on Saturday afternoon at two. Be there.”

Open mouthed, he watched her walk away and close the door. Slowly, Jericho sat down in his chair.

“We mustn’t keep the Dean waiting.”

* * *

Working for Professor Crane and making Halloween costumes kept Alyssa busy. She managed to see Jericho in fleeting glimpses or wave as they passed each other in the hallway. As she hurried out the door on Friday, she heard her name being called. Pausing, she glimpsed behind her to see him jogging to catch up.

“Hey…” He paused and slung his backpack over his shoulder.

“Hey, yourself.” She smiled.

“How’s the job going?”

“It’s going well. I’m making headway and I haven’t sent Professor Crane into tears yet.”

Jericho laughed. “Good for you.”

“And you? How are things going? I see you are on the list of planners for the December fund raiser.”

“Oh, you saw that, did you?” He lifted one corner of his mouth upwards.

“It was in my email this morning,” she explained.

“Going to your car?”

“Uh huh.”

He took her elbow and they walked toward the parking lot.

Alyssa enjoyed the warmth of his palm against her skin. The rest of the world seemed to ebb away as the smell of his spicy aftershave gave its own seductive aroma to the gentle breeze that swirled around them.

“You have plans for tonight?” he asked as they stepped off the sidewalk into the parking lot.

“No plans except for working on Molly’s Halloween costume.”

They paused in front of her car.

“How about I bring over some food? The Wizard of Oz is on the movie channel tonight.”

“Oh, I’ve loved that since I was a child. Why don’t you bring hotdogs, I’ll start a fire in the fireplace and we can roast them there.”

“Sounds perfect.” Jericho agreed. “Be there about seven.”

“Seven it is.” She opened the door and moved to get inside. Pausing, she glanced back at him. “Jericho, I believe we are having our first date.”

He gave her a sexy grin. “Yeah, I think we are.” Raising his hand, he walked away as she slid into the driver’s seat.

Alyssa honked the horn as she drove past.

The drive home didn’t take long. Hurrying inside, she cleaned up some odds and ends and put some water for tea on, then went to change clothes. Jeans and a long sleeve t shirt were just perfect.

Back in the kitchen, she grabbed her apron. Moving to the cabinets beside the refrigerator, she pulled two lap trays down. Crossing to the cabinets that held the china, she pulled two plates and glasses. Tucking two napkins a piece on the tray, she busied herself cutting up an onion when she heard the knock on the door. Wiping her hands on the dishtowel, she hurried to unlock the door.

“I brought the yummies!” He grinned at her.

“So you did.” She motioned to the table. “Put them there. We can put the items that need refrigeration away while we get the fire started.”

Jericho put the bag on the table. “I bought these.” He held up what looked like a two pronged fork. “Found them at the refurbish. Walt claims they are hotdog roasters.”

“We’ll give them a try.” Alyssa nodded and slid the knife through the onion she was holding, the slice fell against the cutting board.

While she created the toppings for the hotdogs, Jericho busied himself with building a fire.

With things under control, Alyssa moved into the living room to see how he was doing. The crackle of flames greeted her. “I see you had no problems getting it started.”

Jericho closed the screen and stood. “I’m an old boy scout.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

He dusted his hands off. “Let the flames die down a bit and we’ll be ready to roast. Can I help you bring the food in?”

“Sure.”

He followed her back to the kitchen.

She untied her apron and hung it on the peg. “Grab that tray and I’ll get the other one.”

Taking the trays back into the other room, they placed them on the coffee table and knelt next to the fireplace.

“This is cozy,” Jericho noted.

“Yes.”

“Let me get you a hotdog.”

She watched as he opened up the bag and slid a hotdog on to the prongs.

He handed her the tool. “Let’s see if it works.” He leaned over and opened the grate.

Together, they held the forks over the flames and roasted the meat.

“Oh my, this is good,” Alyssa murmured tasting s bit of hotdog slathered with onions, chili, and mustard.

Jericho answered with a groan of his own. “Better than any picnic.”

“How’s that?”

He winked. “No ants, bugs, or dogs trying to get my supper.”

“You are so bad.” Alyssa laughed.

Once dinner was finished, they carted the trays to the kitchen and Jericho turned on the TV to find the movie channel.

“Do you need a light?” Alyssa inquired poised near the doorway ready to cut on the overhead fixture.

Jericho looked up and something different flashed in his eyes. “No, leave it off. It will be more fun this way.”

Alyssa felt her skin tingle. Yes, it would, more romantic. “Okay.” She moved to the sofa and waited while he turned on the TV used the remote to find the channel.

“There,” he murmured walking backwards as the long low wail of music depicting the opening scenes filled the room. “Scoot over,” he urged.

Alyssa grabbed a pillow and clutched it to her chest as she scooted down a cushion. The sofa dipped as Jericho sat down. She felt his arm slide across the back of the settee and settle comfortably on her shoulders. It seemed only natural for her to rest her head against his chest.

“I love the black and white part.”

“Me too and then the change to color.”

Alyssa settled back and let herself be drawn into the movie. Warm and content, she could have spent the night cradled in his arms. It was a bit of a disappointment to see the roll of credits. Jericho shifted and drew his arm from around her leaving her skin unprotected from the cooler air. Reaching to the coffee table, he clicked off the TV.

Now, only the pale flicker of firelight illuminated the room.

Jericho leaned back. His arm found its way back around her shoulders only this time, he pulled her close. “I’ve had fun tonight, Alyssa.”

She turned her face toward him. “Me too.”

With his other hand, he softly stroked her cheek. The light played against his face as it drew closer. In one smooth motion, she was in his arms.

She heard his voice croon, “Alyssa, dear sweet, Alyssa.”

Instinctively, she closed her eyes as their lips met. His mouth covered hers, warm, inviting. She gave herself into the heady sensation and kissed him back. He leaned back against the couch pulling her deeper into his embrace. She was on unfamiliar ground and yet, her heart soared with each passing sweep of his mouth. Butterflies erupted in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t want him to stop and yet for the sake of taking a breath, they must.

Her fingers found his chest and with the greatest reluctance pushed him away.“Jericho.” She took a deep breath surprised to find her lungs laboring to remember how to breathe. “I-I think I’m in over my head.”

A glance into the warm brown of his eyes made her shiver.

“I think perhaps it’s time I called it an evening.”

Her heart spun and sank to her toes.“Was it something I said?”She brushed back a strand of hair as they separated and he rose. She watched him shake his head.

“No. Nothing you did. It’s me. If I kiss you one more time, it would lead to something else. I am a gentleman, Alyssa. I won’t dishonor the woman I have the greatest respect for.”

Heat crept into her cheeks as she thought about the connotation of his words. “I suppose I should say thank you.”

He chuckled. “Thank me? Maybe. Or, maybe just know that I would not be responsible for my actions if I stayed a minute longer.”

She followed Jericho as they walked to the door.

He opened it and then turned to gaze down at her.

There was a new emotion in his eyes, one she could not identify. One that made her toes curl just from his stare.

“I’ll see you soon, Alyssa.”

“Soon,” she whispered back.

One last time, he leaned down and looping his hand behind her head, drew her onto his grasp and engaged her lips for a goodnight kiss.

There was no exchange of words as they broke. She stood at the door and watched him walk to his car.

One last wave and he slid behind the wheel.

Only when the motor started did she shut the front door and lock it.

Turning around, she leaned against the wood and sighed. Was it possible to fall in love in such a short time? Was she in love or just enamored of the first man in years to take an interest in her. Confused, Alyssa began to clean up the leftovers from their dinner. She’d think about it tomorrow and over next week. They had agreed to meet for Halloween and pass out candy.

“Whatever I’m feeling, perhaps by then I will have figured it out.”

Dumping the trash in the can, she trudged upstairs knowing that sleep would not come easily.

* * *

“So, what I want you to do is… to think of a theme for this year’s holiday fundraiser. We need to make up a short fall in the budget.” Dean Stockwell stood at the head of the table and looked at the faces of his professors.

Jericho was only half listening. He’d rather be any place but where he sat.

“You have a compiled list of items in the budget in your packet. You can see the cost from each department. I’d hate to get out my red pen, but if we can’t make up these short falls in the university finance department, I will.”

The man sitting next to him shifted in his chair.

“I won’t keep you any longer, but I do expect you to brainstorm with each other and bring me your ideas in two weeks, before the Thanksgiving break. With that gentleman, this meeting is concluded.”

Chairs pushed back and the other professors scrambled to get out of the boardroom in record time.

Jericho stood and calmly gathered his things.

“Professor Brown, may I speak to you?”

Jericho paused and turned to look at the dean. “Yes sir.”

He caught Allen’s worried glance. Jericho shrugged. Leaving his things on the table, he walked over to where the dean stood putting his papers away.“You need me Dean Stockwell?”

He paused and looked over at him.“I’m concerned about you,” he began. “You were a thousand miles away today. Is everything okay? No one in your family is ill, are they?”

Jericho’s brows rose in surprise. “No, no sir, everything is fine. I just have some things I’m sorting through.”

“Well, if you need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to knock on my door.”

“Thank you, Dean.” Jericho smiled. He moved back to the table and picked up his papers. Walking out the boardroom, he turned the corner toward his office when Allen suddenly appeared. Jericho drew to a sharp stop.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” Jericho grinned. “He just had a question. Everything is fine.”

He walked to his office with Allen at his heels.

“You have any ideas on this thing?” His friend inquired as he sat down in the chair across from Jericho’s desk.

Jericho put the papers on his desk and flopped into his chair. “Nope. You’re the idea guy. What can you think of?”

Allen rested his elbow on the arm of the chair and put his chin into his palm. “I don’t know. Lots of things go on in St. Helena during the holidays. I’m not sure how we can make money. There are already lots of charities out there in desperate need.”

“True,” Jericho agreed.

They sat in silence.

“Come on, let’s head down to the Sweet and Savory Bristo for a bite to eat,” Allen suggested.

He needed to get some papers graded, but the idea of a good meal and a college football team on the overhead at the bar was too good to pass up. “You buying?” Jericho cocked and eyebrow in question.

Allen chuckled. “Sure, first round is on me.”

Jericho grabbed his bag and together, the two men headed toward the local hangout.

Saturday was a pretty busy day for St. Helena. With Halloween coming soon, the streets were filled with moms and children trying to nail down the last minute things for their child’s costume. Allen pulled into the parking lot behind Town hall. Jericho followed. The two men got out of their cars and strolled across Main Street to the familiar building.

“Allen!” someone shouted from behind the bar.

Their eyes adjusted to the gloom and they could see Lexi Deluca waving to them from behind the bar.

“How’s St. Helena’s finest brains?”

“Frustrated and hungry,” Allen murmured as he chose a seat at the bar.

“Teaching that hard?”

“Not the teaching, it’s the coming up with other ideas for a fund raiser,” Jericho informed her.

“Beer or wine?”

“Beer. Make it one of those microbrews.”

“Allen?” Lexi inquired.

“Same.”

She moved over to the tap and drew two glasses.“Here, you might like this. It’s a new brew. Notice the color or should I say lack thereof.”

Jericho lifted his glass to the light. “Nice golden color.”

Lexi nodded. “Not at all like those dark ales. This one is called the Blonde Bomber. It’s made with a variety of locally grown malts and a Bavarian yeast mixture.”

He took a sip. The warm flavor yielded a warm nutty flavor that left a sharp bite to his pallet.

“Like it?” she asked.

Jericho nodded. “It’s good.”

“Even better paired with a portabella mushroom burger with provolone cheese.”

He nodded. “Sold.”

Her grin widened. “Allen?”

“I’ll have what he’s having.”

Lexi laughed and placed a small bowl of peanuts on the bar. “We’ll have those burgers ready in a moment. Do I need to turn up the volume for the game? Michigan is playing Ohio State.”

“No, we’re good.”

The games on the TV silenced them.

Lexi placed their meal before them and walked away to wait on other customers.

In between the commercials, they chatted.

“So, I hear you and Alyssa had dinner the other evening,” Allen ventured.

Jericho stopped chewing and took a sip of his beer. “Yeah, watched a movie. Why?”

Allen shrugged. “Just asking, I didn’t know if you were seeing each other. She’s a nice looking woman.”

Jericho’s jaw flexed. “She is. There’s nothing but friendship between us.”

Allen nodded. He picked up the slice of dill pickle. “I was thinking of asking her to the movies.”

Jericho’s mouth went dry.

Allen eyes widened as he glanced over at him. “You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

Jericho shook his head. “No. No, I wouldn’t mind. The decision is hers, but don’t you think Dean Stockwell might think it a bit awkward to date your secretary?”

Allen stopped in mid chew. “Oh, yeah.”

The game came back on.

Jericho pretended to watch, but his meal no longer had a taste. Instead, it seemed more like a ton of lead in the pit of his stomach. He pushed his food away. “I gotta go. Molly’s been cooped up in the garage much too long.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Sure.”

Jericho laid down a twenty.“Tell Lexi to keep the change.”

Pushing away from the bar, he strode toward the door and disappeared.

* * *

Allen watched him. A confused look filled his face. He was still staring as Lexi swung back their way.

“Where did Jericho go?”

“Said his dog needed to be let out,” Allen murmured.

Behind him, the roar of the fans at the game made speech impossible. Turning back around, he pushed the money toward her. “He said to keep the change.”

Lexi fingered the money, then tucked it into her apron. “How strange,” she murmured.

“Yeah,” Allen remarked and turned back to the game. “Strange.”