After Doug left, Betsy was ready to go inside. She carefully locked the front door behind her and entered her bedroom, once again overwhelmed by the beauty of it. She started the CD player, Bernadette Peters filling the air with a sad love song. She climbed into her bed, pulling the quilt under her chin and thought about home and her friends and love and...Doug. She felt the tears gathering in her eyes, slipping down her cheeks and she sobbed with loneliness. It was all right during the day, when Renee was with her, sharing time and making her laugh. But now, in the dark night, she missed all her chums and her parents. She listened to the love songs softly playing and wondered if she would ever dream of her own lover. Sad as she was, tiredness won out, and Betsy fell asleep, to dream of a Prince driving a shiny car and holding her hand with long,elegant fingers.
The rest of the week passed quickly. Renee kept her busy, getting her new home organized, selecting work outfits and accessories, even just tanning by the pool. It seemed everywhere she turned, she found Doug. He was always there, moving furniture for her, carrying her packages, driving her through Denver, showing her around.
After a few days of being driven, Betsy insisted on sitting up front with Doug. He was against it, but too polite to argue with the Boss's family. He took her everywhere, showing her the Red Rock Canyon and the massive outdoor stage, the new football stadium, various college campuses, and, of course, shopping malls. He was an excellent companion. It took her awhile to break him down, but now he acted like a friend, and they had so much fun together.
As they drove around, Betsy learned more about him. After the Air Force, Doug had attended Denver University and majored in business courses, then decided he wasn't ready to settle down and become a "Suit". When this job was posted, it seemed to be exactly what he wanted. Driving her uncle had given him many opportunities to listen to business talk and he was savvy about investments and corporate affairs. Betsy had never found anyone who enjoyed business talk as much as she did. Now they shared hours of it.
She was learning about her new home town. It was a wonderful place to be. The weather was cool and cloudless. The people seemed very nice. Doug had friends everywhere and he delighted in introducing her to them. Renee came along on some trips, but mostly, it was just the two of them. Doug eased her loneliness and made Betsy feel she had found a good friend.
Then her new job started and Betsy loved it. It was not a known fact that her uncle ran the company. She was introduced as a new intern and only a few executives knew of her relationships within the office. Her entry level position was marvelous. She was training under a skilled executive named Greg Levy. He was her uncle's favorite protegee. Greg was being groomed for high management and Uncle Giles felt he was the best man to train Betsy in the ways of high finance. He was a consumate businessman and liked the intensity of Betsy's attitude. They worked well together. From the start, they shared ideas, took chances and created great deals.
Greg was no fool. He wanted to be a business success and this company was the place he wanted to make his mark. He also knew that Betsy was Giles' favorite niece and he was being trusted with her. What he hadn't counted on was how easy falling for Betsy would be. He planned to woo her, take her small town breath away, but he didn't anticipate the wonderfulness that was Betsy. As they worked, he marveled at her charm and brains, her sweetness and cut-throat business dealings. He looked forward to late working nights with her, so he could take her out to eat or for a drink before driving her home. He knew she was shy and not at all ready for a major romance and was willing to take his time, move slowly into her heart. That was his plan and he was pleased with it.
True to her promise, Amy came to visit in mid-July. She stayed in Betsy's wonderful home and immediately felt like a family member. Before long, she was calling them Uncle Giles and Aunt Fiona and comfortably wandering in and out of the main house. She even went to work with Betsy, meeting her coworkers. They would sit up every night discussing Betsy's new friends and job. During her visit, Amy also spent time with Doug and Greg. She could see the subtle rivalry there, although Betsy seemed unaware. Both men looked at Betsy as if they could devour her, but Betsy was oblivious. Amy hesitated to mention it, preferring to let Betsy make her own discovery. The holiday passed quickly and suddenly it was time for Amy to return to Sanctuary. Their last night together was full of happiness and sadness. Amy was pleased to see her friend so comfortable and content in her new life. She was also happy to find two men doting on her, wanting her. As wonderful as Sanctuary was, the men there were all lifetime friends and romance was hard to find.
