she had stumbled back to bed and settled in, with the heating pad on her sore knee, she closed her eyes. It took a few minutes to get into a comfortable position. She took a deep breath and relaxed. Only then did she realize the thin shaft of light from the cracked bathroom door fell across her eyes. Not wanting to get back up into the cold room, she attempted to find another comfortable position. She fought the heating pad, the heavy blankets, and that bathroom light all night.
A shrill ring woke her the next morning, and she pulled herself toward the red flashing light on the nightstand and answered the phone. “Hullo?”
An automated voice returned, “This is your requested wake-up call. It is six o’clock.”
Mary Lou dropped the receiver into its cradle. She groaned as the alarm went off.
Chapter Two
Wednesday, December 26
Zedlav, Alaska
“Mr. Feldman will see you now. Please follow me.” The receptionist led Mary Lou down a short hall to an enormous office trimmed in deep brown wood. As the woman opened the door, an older man with gray hair and a friendly smile stood and motioned for Mary Lou to take a seat.
“You must be Mary Lou Stots from International Enterprises.”
She sat in the leather chair across from his desk. “Yes, thank you for seeing me.”
He smiled. “Can we get you something to drink? Coffee?”
Coffee sounded so good, but she had already had some with her breakfast that morning. She wanted to get on with the business at hand. “No, thank you for offering. Have you looked at the proposal we faxed to you?”
He sat. “Yes, of course. I told Walt I could fax the signed contract to him, but he insisted you come and formalize the deal in person.”
“Walt is very thorough.” She hoped her emotions weren’t showing. So Walt could have had the contract without me making this trip. This is just another of his grandiose schemes to try and impress someone. I hate that man. She looked past Mr. Feldman, through the window behind him. It was solid black. The sun still had not made an appearance. I could kill Walt for this. She looked back at Mr. Feldman. “Would you like me to walk you through the proposal?”
Mr. Feldman smiled. “Between the legal staff and accounting, I believe we understand. But please, walk me through it, to make sure we haven’t missed anything.”
Mary Lou opened her file folder and pulled out the twenty pages of material. They began working through it and were almost finished before noon. Her heart began to beat a little faster. I’m going to be on the next plane home.
Mr. Feldman insisted they go to lunch and finish the meeting afterward. He’s the client. If he wants to go to lunch, fine. I am hungry.
Mr. Feldman walked her to the company cafeteria, which was located in the building next to his office. The sun had finally risen.
Mary Lou ate a quick lunch while Mr. Feldman continued to talk about his company, his family, his grandkids, and living in Alaska. Mary Lou fought to be calm and respond politely. But she was thinking that the man had to be very lonely, pouring his heart out to a business contact.
After ninety minutes that seemed like hours, they walked back to the office and finished their work.
Mr. Feldman picked up the contract and looked her in the eye. “What’s a nice woman like you doing, working for Walt Pederson?”
She was taken aback and felt her face redden. “Why, I guess I’m learning the business.”
He smiled, “I think you’re doing a great job. I believe you know more about the business than you realize. I’m impressed.”
Her mouth went dry. “I—I’m flattered.”
He smiled disarmingly. “Don’t be. I’m being honest. I don’t suppose you would entertain working here in Zedlav? I could use someone with your work ethic.”
She swallowed. “My family is in Colorado.”
Mr. Feldman shook his head slowly and ended their meeting by picking up his pen. “Let me sign this now.” He made two quick, undecipherable swishes with the pen and handed the contracts to Mary Lou.
“Thank you, sir. It’s been a pleasure.”
He stood and walked her to the door. “Happy New Year.”
She felt grateful that everything had gone well, and she thanked him again. Then she made her way back to the hotel. She wondered if Walt had put him up to asking her if she would move to Zedlav. Walt would love that, me freezing all the time.
She hurried up to her room and began throwing things into her bag. I can’t wait to get this contract to Walt. I can’t wait to get home. I can’t wait to see Bobby. Less than ten minutes later, she dashed down the stairs to check out.
She stood at the counter, waiting for the manager. Where is that man? She tapped her fingers on the counter.
After a few minutes, the man who’d checked her in the day before appeared. “May I help you?”
She pushed the room key toward him. “I’d like to check out. Are there additional charges?”
“Are you sure you want to check out?”
She frowned. “Of course, I want to leave. My business is done here.”
The man smiled. “Of course, you want to leave. But all flights have been cancelled today. There was an avalanche. The airport shuttle is buried under thirty feet of snow. Rescue crews are trying to retrieve the bodies. It will be a few days before they can clear the road.”
Mary Lou stepped back from the counter. “I need a moment.” She took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead. “I guess I am going to need my room.” She turned around and dragged her bag up the stairs to the less-than-warm room that she had just left.
Once in her room again, she sat on the bed. Oh, how I hate calling Walt, but the office is closed, and he has to get this contract. She punched the number on her cell. At least I have service here.
Four rings later, Walt answered, “Mary Lou. What do you want? Did you get the contract? Why are you calling me on my cell?”
The hair on the back of her neck stiffened. She fought to keep defensiveness out of her voice. “The office is closed, and I called because I can’t get back to deliver this signed contract to you. There’s an avalanche, and the roads are closed. I’m stuck here, but I can fax you the contract. I wanted you to know that it will be at the office.”
“When are you getting back?”
Mary Lou wrinkled her nose. What? No, “Gee, thanks. Good job. You got the contract signed”? “I don’t know. It depends on how long it takes to clear the road. The hotel manager said it could take days.”
“Days? You won’t be in on Monday? I guess you could take a few days of vacation. It would finish
