"Of course not." Dani had been so engrossed with the orders that she'd forgotten all about lunch. "Go ahead. I'll finish these and get something in a minute."
Traycee left the table as Dani sorted and placed the order forms in their respective folders. She was concentrating so hard on her work that she didn't notice the person who had sat down beside her until he spoke.
"Hello Dani."
Dani jumped in her seat, then recognizing Miguel let out a sigh. "You scared me!" she said sharply. "I didn't hear you sit down."
Michael gave her one of his smiles, the one that used to melt her heart but now only irritated her. It made her feel he was laughing at her. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to scare you. I only thought it better to catch you first before you saw me. Otherwise you might run away again."
Dani didn't say a word. She continued filing the papers in order and finally closed the Regal Coat folder on them. Her hands were visibly shaking and she hoped he wouldn't notice.
Michael placed his hand lightly on her arm. "I'd like to talk with you, privately. Are you free tonight?"
Looking straight at him she pulled her arm from his touch. "I'm busy tonight with another meeting."
"Tomorrow, then. Afternoon, night, it doesn't matter. You name the time."
"No. I'm busy tomorrow, too. And we're leaving the next day."
Michael's eyes bore into hers. "Dani, please, we have to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about," Dani told him. She tried to keep her composure, aware of the people surrounding them. But the more he stared at her, the harder she found it not to burst out in anger at him.
"I think we have a lot to talk about," Michael persisted. "I want to know why you're so angry with me. When we met at Cathy's apartment, it was so blatant. Then, yesterday at the party, you seemed so much like the old Dani I remember that I thought everything was okay. Until you ran off. Now your eyes are burning at me again. Dani," his voice broke in obvious frustration. "Please, I need to talk with you. Maybe we can clear up whatever the problem is."
"Why?" Dani hissed. Her eyes were burning as he had said and her face flushed with anger. "Why, after all this time do you care what I feel?"
Michael straightened a bit, assessing Dani's behavior. His voice remained soft. "I've always cared. I'd like to be friends again."
His words made Dani even angrier. Friends! How dare he even suggest such a thing? When she spoke, her voice was steady, but dripping with hatred. "It's too late for us to be friends. If you remember, we were past being 'friends' years ago. There's nothing you can do or say now to change my feelings. Just leave me alone. That's all I want."
Michael opened his mouth to reply but Traycee appeared at the table with her plate of food. She looked from Dani's flushed face to Michael's shocked one and didn't know for a minute whether she should sit or leave. But Michael slid smoothly into the part of host and stood to help Traycee with her chair.
"I'm happy to see you are indulging in our buffet," he told her, his face returning to its usual composure. "I hope you will help yourself, too, Dani. If you both will excuse me, I'd better get back to business."
He turned to Dani, "I'm sorry we couldn't resolve our differences," he said. And with a nonchalant nod he was lost in the crowd of buyers.
"Is everything okay?" Traycee asked Dani cautiously. She had no idea what had transpired between Dani and Michael DeCara, but by the look on Dani's face, Traycee could tell it was serious.
Dani closed her eyes a moment and forced herself to be calm. Then she looked into Traycee's concerned face. "I'm okay," she assured her. "We just had a difference of opinion."
Traycee nodded, although she suspected there was more to it than that. She began eating her food as Dani sat, staring off across the room.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Traycee asked after a few moments of silence.
Dani shook her head. "I'm not hungry after all," she said. All Dani wanted to do was get out of there and go home. She wanted to put as many miles as possible between her and Miguel DeCara.
Chapter Nine
Dani sat at the patio table on the outdoor deck of Janette's suburban home as her friend brought out a tray with a pitcher of iced tea and chilled glasses. It was late August and a very hot day, but the breeze was refreshing as they sat in the shade of the overhead awning.
"You really have a nice back yard," Dani commented as she gazed over the flower gardens and trees that outlined their acre lot. "I didn't know you were such a gardener."
"Thanks," Janette said as she poured the tea. "Since I've been home with Darci this summer, I've had a little time to really work on it. Actually," she looked a bit sheepish to be admitting such a thing, "I've really enjoyed it."
Dani looked over at her friend who not so long ago was intensely involved with her career yet now seemed to have slipped so easily into motherhood. She marveled at the transformation and wondered if it were that easy or if Janette just made it look that way.
Dani took a sip of her iced tea. "I know I'll be happy to have you back at the office next month."
"Has it been that much trouble?"
"Not really," Dani replied honestly. "With Traycee's help it has gone smoothly. She really surprised me with how capable she is. I’d never have thought it when she first started working there."
"I guess people aren't always as they first appear," Janette suggested.
Dani shrugged. "I guess not. All the same, I'm looking forward to your return."
Janette shifted a bit in her seat and Dani instantly became alert.
"You are coming back?" Dani asked, staring hard at her friend.
"Actually, that's part of the reason I asked you out here," Janette began. "I've already talked with Trindell and he's okay with everything. But I wanted to be the one to tell you."
Dani continued looking steadily at Janette. "Tell me what?"
"I'm extending my leave until the first of the year."
Dani was dumbfounded. Janette had already taken off three months and now she wanted four more. "Why?" she asked in amazement.
Janette shook her head. "It's so hard to explain. I don't even understand it myself. The whole time I was pregnant, I kept telling myself that after the baby came nothing would change. I'd go back to work and everything would go on as before. But now that Darci is here..." Janette paused a moment and took a breath. She looked close to tears. "I just can't stand the thought of leaving her with anyone else. My job has always come first, but now nothing else seems as important as Darci."
Janette stopped again and stared out at the trees as if looking for an answer. Finally, she looked back at Dani. "I thought if I took a little more time off I could make a more rational decision. The trouble is you're the one who'll be stuck with my job until I do decide, and I feel awful about doing that to you."
"You mean you might not come back, at all?" Dani was too stunned to believe she had heard right.
"It's possible," Janette told her. "I just need some more time to decide."
Dani sat in silence for a long while, staring at the droplets of water making trails down the outside of her tea glass. Never coming back? Janette had always been so dedicated to her work. And now she's made a complete turnaround.
Janette broke the silence. "I'm sorry to drop this all on you, Dani. But I hope you understand. This is something I need to do."
Dani looked up at her friend. "I can't say I do understand," she told her. "But then, I've never been a mother so I guess I wouldn't." She smiled then, making the worried frown on Janette's face disappear. "You take the time you need and don't worry. I'll take care of things until you do decide."
Janette sighed with relief. "Thanks Dani. Thanks for being such a good friend."
Dani only smiled, even though she didn't feel like smiling on the inside.
Later, after leaving Janette's home, Dani decided to take a drive through the winding roads between Chaska and Apple Valley before returning to her own apartment. The drive past the
river and through the small hills helped to ease the tension she was feeling and let her mind wander.
She still couldn't believe Janette was considering staying home permanently. It was just so unexpected. But then, when Janette's husband had come out on the deck with Darci, and Janette's eyes lit up, Dani could see the bond between mother and child. Perhaps Janette was right in wanting to stay home. She just didn't know.
Dani did know that by continuing in Janette's position as coat buyer she'd have to work on the spring line, and that meant once again working with Miguel. The thought upset her terribly. She'd been so successful at dodging his calls over the past month-and-a-half and she was sure he'd finally given up trying.
She'd talked to Cathy several times, too, and had found out Miguel had been inquiring about her. But Dani had made it clear to Cathy; she was not interested in his concern. Now, just when she thought she might be home free from having to ever see Miguel again, she was going to have to continue with coats.
As Dani turned her car northward toward her St. Louis Park apartment, she tried for the thousandth time to figure Miguel out. After all these years his sudden interest in her didn't seem real. After all, he'd been the one who left. Yet, ever since she'd been to New York, he'd tried several times to call and talk with her. She never returned his calls. She couldn't see any point in doing so. Dani figured he was just playing his old games again, trying to see how many women he could add to his list of conquests. And maybe adding her twice might be a new game for him.
What scared her most was that for a few minutes at the party in Southampton, she'd seen the side of him that she'd once loved so much. And she was still drawn to him. But she'd just brushed it off as a pang of nostalgia, trying to re-create that old feeling because in reality, she knew he was incapable of feeling love for her. He didn't take that kind of love seriously.
The sun was just fading into evening as Dani pulled her car into her apartment's garage. She hadn't resolved anything, she told herself. Only rehashed the same old thoughts she'd been fighting with for years. Fortunately, the spring buying season was still a couple of months away so there was still a chance she might get out of going on the actual buying trip. She clung to that thought as she took the elevator up to her apartment.
There were two calls waiting for her on her answering machine and she listened to them as she changed into comfortable sweats. The first was her mother calling to say hello and telling her how happy they were that she was coming up for a visit Labor Day weekend. Dani had sent them a note last week telling of her plans to come. She hadn't had time to visit all summer and wanted to make it up there before the warm weather completely disappeared. They lived only four-and-a-half hours away on a quiet lake outside of Walker. She was looking forward to a peaceful weekend of sun, fishing and tranquility.
The second message was from Cathy. She only wanted to say hi and said to call her if she had a chance. So Dani did.
"Hi Cathy, I got your message. What's up?"
On the other end of the line, Dani could hear music playing over the stereo speakers. As Cathy answered, she told someone to turn the stereo down. For a moment, Dani wondered if it might be Miguel.
"Hi Dani. I'm glad you called. How have you been?"
"Fine," Dani replied. "The same. Working too much, playing too little." She hesitated. "Did I interrupt something? It sounds like you have company."
"It's only Gary," Cathy told her. "You remember, my accountant friend."
Dani laughed. "That's right. You two must be hitting it off well, huh?"
"Not too bad. So, tell me, what did you do all day?"
Dani told Cathy about her visit with Janette. "She's changed so much I can hardly believe it. I always thought she'd make her career an important part of her life. It's such a surprise."
"People change as life changes," Cathy said matter-of-factly. "Speaking of change, Michael was asking about you again the other day."
Dani groaned. "I wouldn't use the words Michael and change in the same sentence. What did he want this time?"
"Oh, he was just wondering if you were still in charge of coats at Chance's. I told him I didn't know." Cathy hesitated a moment. "You know, Dani, he still wants a chance to talk with you."
Dani sighed. "Why doesn't he just give up? I've told him as plain as I can. I'm not interested."
"You really should give him a chance to explain," Cathy told her softly. "You know, people do change."
"So everyone keeps telling me," was all Dani said.
Chapter Ten
Dani sat at her desk going over price cuts on various sportswear items. The office was quiet today; many of the buyers were down in their various departments preparing for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend sale. Traycee sat at Janette's desk going over coat prices Dani had given her to reduce. She'd taken over the desk for the time being until Janette made her decision. Dani was proud of the way Traycee handled her work. She really was a fast learner and competent assistant.
As Dani studied the figures in front of her, Carl Trindell walked up to her desk. "Dani, could I see you privately a moment?"
"Sure." She followed Trindell into his office and sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Trindell closed the door and than sat, placing his elbows on the desk in front of him touching his fingertips together thoughtfully.
"I received a phone call today from Michael DeCara of Regal Coats," he began. He studied Dani's face a moment as if gauging her reaction. When he didn't see any, he continued. "He'd like to come this weekend for a tour of our store, especially the coat department. He says he's interested in seeing how we display our merchandise and thinks he might be able to offer some helpful advice."
Dani held her composure. "That shouldn't be a problem," she told him. "We could ask Traycee to give him the tour and introduce him to the department manager. Traycee's quite knowledgeable with the coat department and I don't think she has any plans this weekend." Dani knew this because of an earlier conversation with Traycee. She was confident Traycee would be more than willing to take on the assignment.
"He asked specifically for you," Trindell said steadily.
This threw Dani off-balance. "Oh. I see. Well…"
"Now Dani," Trindell interrupted. "If there is any reason you don't want to do this, I'll understand completely. Don't feel you have to just because he asked for you." He emphasized the word 'he' coldly, like a father protecting his daughter from some unseemly character.
Dani couldn't help but smile at his protective behavior in spite of the anger she felt over the spot Miguel was putting her in. To push himself on her in his own territory was one thing, but to do so in her office was another.
For a moment she thought of saying no. After all, she had plans that she didn't want to cancel. But then, she knew that if she didn't go along with it this time, he'd only keep trying. Finally, she decided she had to put a stop to him once and for all and the only way was a face-to-face confrontation. Once she made it clear to him she was no longer interested then they could get on with their lives.
Trindell misinterpreted Dani's long silence. "I'll just tell him you can't make it," he offered. "After all, it was too late of notice for a holiday weekend anyway."
Dani shook her head. "No, Carl, it's okay. I'll meet with him if that's what he wants."
Trindell studied her a moment. "Are you sure? He seems a bit..." it was Trindell's turn to hesitate. "Pushy," he finished.
Dani laughed, making Trindell's creased frown turn into a smile. "He is pushy. And arrogant. And over-confident, and a few other choice words I'd rather not say. But it's okay, Carl. I've know him a long time and I know how to handle him." She stood to leave and Trindell walked her to the door.
"All right," he said. "But I think I'll be around that day, just in case."
"Thanks, Carl." As Dani opened the door to leave, she had a thought. "Do you think we could arrange an early morning meeting? Maybe I could still get out of here by noon and make it up to my parents for th
e weekend."
"Sure, I don't see why not. And Dani, thanks."
Dani only smiled and headed back to her desk. As she sat there, she began to think that maybe this meeting was for the best. She could get Miguel out of her life once and for all. The more she thought about it, the better she felt.
Dani arrived early at the store Saturday morning for her meeting with Miguel. Since it was a holiday weekend, and expected to be very busy, she'd arranged for the coat department staff to be there an hour before opening to meet with him. She figured she could give him a tour of the rest of the store afterward and, hopefully, be out of there by noon.
Dani had called her mother earlier in the week to let her know about the delay. Her mother understood, knowing how seriously Dani took her job, and was pleased to hear she still planned to come. This morning, though, her mother had called her again to warn her about the storm reports.
"They're predicting thunderstorms and hail for this afternoon and evening," Mrs. Westerly said with concern in her voice. "Check the weather report before leaving, dear. I don't want you getting caught in a storm."
Dani promised she would and was annoyed to see it begin to rain, the wind blowing fiercely, as she drove into Minneapolis. Minnesota weather was so unpredictable at times, especially summer and fall.
She brushed aside her annoyance at the weather as she examined the coat department. Everything looked in fine order. Coats were tagged for the Fall Sale and the displays looked wonderful. Who did Miguel think he was, suggesting that a prestigious store like Chance's might need his advice on coat displays? That just showed the gall and conceit he had.
Kelly Suther, the Coat Department Manager, came over and talked with Dani about the Regal Coat line. She was young but very competent in her position, yet she admitted to feeling some anxiety over Mr. DeCara's visit.
"Do you know what he's like?" she questioned Dani. "Mr. Trindell made him out to be some corporate tyrant who wants to control everything."
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