Until She Met Daniel

“I’ll introduce myself later this morning.”

“I’m going in now to meet him. I...uh, I’ll see you Thursday at the meeting.”

“Right.”

Susan sighed as Dora rushed past her into the building. After living nearly forty years in her hometown, you’d think she’d feel more comfortable with its citizens. But she often felt as if they regarded her with caution since her father was the town’s major employer. Almost everyone in Willow’s Eve had a relative or good friend at the mill—case in point, Dora’s son worked on the loading docks.

At Elena’s Coffee Shop, she found her father waiting with an impatient look on his face, even though she was a few minutes early.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Good morning, Susan. Are you starting back to work today?”

The knot in the muscles of her lower back started hurting. That particular set of knots belonged exclusively to her father. Chris owned the ones between her shoulder blades, though she never said anything to him about it. He’d probably be shocked to know how often he stressed her out.

“No, Dad, I’m not going to the office today. My vacation is through the end of the week, remember?”

He frowned. “I can’t understand why you didn’t go to Hawaii. What’s the matter with your husband? The only thing your mother wanted to do was give you a nice anniversary gift.”

“We’ve been over this. Chris felt it was too much to accept.”

“Damned inconsiderate of him to hurt his mother-in-law that way.”

“I’m sorry if she was disappointed.” Susan’s mouth tightened. She shouldn’t have to explain, excuse or apologize, but she usually did to keep the peace. If only Chris understood how hard it was to... Her mind shied away from completing the thought. She loved Chris with all her heart—despite the way he made her muscles bunch and twist.

The situation between her husband and father was wearing more on her nerves than usual. How would they enjoy being yanked between two junkyard dogs?

And it wasn’t as if she hadn’t known what it would be like. The first time she’d taken Chris to meet her family, the battle lines had been clearly drawn. Her father, who belligerently believed in damming every river and clear-cutting every forest, was the fundamental opposite to Chris, who held a doctorate in timber and wildlife management, and passionately wanted to protect natural resources.

She finished her cup with relief and refused a refill.

“Thanks for the coffee, Dad,” she said as he threw a ten-dollar bill onto the table. One thing she could say for him, he tipped generously, though it was partly because he wanted to feel important in town.

“I’m just glad you’re back safely from that trip.”

His tone made it sound as if she’d ventured barefoot into the Antarctic.

“It was a wonderful vacation,” she said pointedly. “I enjoyed it.”

“I’m glad,” he answered, his voice skeptical.

“Okay. I’ll see you next week when I’m back at work.”

The return walk to City Hall wasn’t long enough to release the muscles in her back. But she needed to meet Daniel Whittier and welcome him to Willow’s Eve. As for the rest? She was probably just suffering from empty-nest syndrome, and that’s why the whole thing between her husband and father was getting to her more than usual.

* * *

MIDWAY THROUGH THE morning as Mandy was reading through her grocery purchase order for the center, a shadow fell across her desk.

“Ms. Colson...er, Mandy?” It was Daniel Whittier, and she nodded pleasantly.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“I want to thank you for the information, and apologize for assuming it didn’t include what I needed.”

Well, that was nice of him. “I’ll let it slide this time,” she replied with a wink. “Have you met Susan Russell?”

“Yes, along with a couple of other members of the council. Mayor White isn’t in yet, though his assistant came down.”

“I think you’ll like Howard, after you get used to him.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’ll see.”

Daniel frowned and she was sorry she’d said anything, but her tongue was still flapping out of control around him. Somehow she needed to regain her equilibrium. He drew back and closed the door behind him as he left. She got up and opened it.

“Daniel?” she called and he turned back.

“Yes?”

“I prefer keeping my office door open when I’m here, okay?”

“Oh, of course.”

Then she felt guilty, as if she was being too picky with the guy. But she liked leaving the door ajar so she could see who was coming and going, and many of the seniors felt uncomfortable about stopping for a chat if they had to knock.

“Yoo-hoo, Mandy,” Mrs. Gower called from down the hallway.

She walked over to the elderly woman. Elva Gower was bent over with arthritis and her hands were gnarled, but she faithfully hobbled to the Senior Center every morning and contributed extra money toward lunch in case there was someone who didn’t have enough.

“Hi, Elva.” Mandy stooped and gave her a gentle hug.

“Who was that man? Are you finally dating someone?”

“Nothing of the kind,” Mandy corrected. “It was Daniel Whittier, the new city manager.”

“He’s a handsome devil,” Elva whispered. “Don’t you think?”

It was one of those impossible-to-win questions. If Mandy agreed, she might appear interested in Daniel—which could lead to gossip—and if she disagreed, no one would believe her. Plus, she’d be lying. Daniel Whittier was gorgeous and possessed a sexy magnetic quality up the wazoo. It was partly the way he moved, with the easy, deliberate grace of a panther, and she was a sucker for cats of any size.

Mandy grinned, pushing the image away. “Elva, you’re going to make your beaus jealous if you keep this up. But I’m not judging. Make a play for him if that’s what rings your bell.”

Elva chuckled and moved toward the parlor, while Mandy headed for the kitchen. Some of the volunteers were on vacation or home sick with the customary round of illnesses that showed up with the start of school. As a result, Mandy was cooking more than usual. She shredded purple cabbage to add to the salad, wondering if Daniel would eat with the seniors today. The folks would love having a chance to get acquainted with him, but she sure wasn’t going to be the one to invite him.

* * *

IN HIS OFFICE, Daniel pressed a hand to his throbbing head and dropped into the desk chair.