When school resumed after New Year's, Ashley Summers asked Steve to follow her into the empty hallway at the beginning of her class. "My friend that goes to the gym where I met Larry called me yesterday. She told me that she heard that he had an accident. He fell down the stairs on New Year's Eve and broke his left arm, a couple ribs, and his nose!"
"Gee, that's too bad," replied Steve in a noncommittal tone. "Maybe he had too much to drink."
"Steve! You know damn well that jerk didn't fall down any stairs. He fell into your disfavor when he struck me. The guy was as strong as an ox and look what happened to him. Please don't make a habit of it, but thanks for worrying about me, and for getting him away from me. I doubt he'll be coming back around anytime soon. You're an amazing young man. I hope you don't get into any trouble over this. You make me wish I was eight years younger and as pretty as Gwen. Thanks!"
"Ms. Summers, The guy's telling people that he fell down the stairs. How would that affect me? He could have had too much to drink and fallen down the stairs like he said happened. Don't worry about me. And," added Steve. "You're a very attractive woman and you don't need to look like anyone else. You'll find the right guy."
Gwen looked questioningly at Steve when he and Ashley returned to the classroom. Steve shrugged and mouthed the word "later" as Ashley explained to the class how she had bumped into a set of weights at the gym over the weekend and blackened her eye. She took some good natured ribbing from that explanation for a little while and then class began.
Steve waited for Gwen after class. "So what did Ms. Summers need to discuss with her hero before class this morning? Was she worried that we'd tell the other kids what happened?"
"I don't think that even occurred to her. She heard that Donner fell down some stairs on New Year's and hurt his arm. She just wanted to be sure I wouldn't get in trouble for it and I assured her that some guy falling down his stairs couldn't affect me."
"Steve, I know your father was a SEAL and you've been around some rough people and places, but is it necessary to use violence to solve every problem?"
"Of course it isn't. You know that as well as I do. But to respond to what you're trying to ask, I don't take advantage of anyone and I don't look for confrontation. But I will stand up to bullies and abusive people. What chance did Ashley have with Donner? What chance would you have? What about your mom with those two creeps? As long as there are people walking the planet, there'll be bad ones that want to control, or hurt, those that are smaller and weaker. That's where guys like me come in. I feel strongly about that. My dad ingrained that in me from the time I was little. Be polite but help those in need."
"Was it necessary to have that scene outside with Donner? He would have left that night and it would have been over with," reasoned Gwen.
"How about Ashley? Are you confident that he would have left her alone after that evening? Don't you think he might've abused her again? I wasn't willing to take that chance. He's a bully. He struck a woman. The only thing he'll understand is pain. He needs to know that there'll be dire consequences if he bothers Ashley again."
"I didn't think about him going back to see Ashley again! She could be in danger if he did. I may have been hasty in thinking you were too rash in confronting him, Steve. I just don't want you to be hurt, or get into trouble. I can see how he could have been a real threat to her. I've got to learn to trust your thoughts and actions when dealing with men, especially bad men. I'm sorry for suggesting that you're too keen on using violence. I saw how you risked your life and almost died to save those two little boys. You're amazing when I think about it. Forgive me?"
"How can I ever be upset with you? I spend my days thinking about you when I'm not with you. You let me determine how to handle the bad men and I'll let you guide me past the bad women. How's that?" asked Steve as he put his arm around Gwen's waist and walked with her.
The weekend came quickly and Saturday morning saw a small caravan leave Sparta bound for the inauguration of the new governor. Lisa had asked Mike Boone to attend the gala with her and they took his car. Steve rode with Gwen, Kate, and their parents. Laura and Coach Watkins took his car while Angela Walker drove out Friday evening and spent the night.
"I mentioned to Amber Stahl that we'd be attending the festivities and that Steve and I would be dancing our dance at the Ball. I suggested that we'd be very receptive to her covering any part of our activities, and less receptive to other news people," revealed Gwen. 'She called me back last night and told me that her station had managed to wrangle a place for her at the inauguration and Ball. She complained that she only had a few hours to get a new gown for the occasion, but she was really pleased that we thought of her.
"Amber O'Leary called yesterday. She said that she had a major department store very interested in her designs. According to her, they were very complimentary about us and were pleased that we were involved in the project. They were really impressed when she told them that we were going to donate all the profits to the hospital fund. She thought that might have been the clincher for the deal. They promised a final decision by early next week. This thing could take off, Steve. How cool would that be?"
"I'm having trouble imagining all of this. If it turns out that it raises money for the building fund, it'll be very cool. With beautiful models like the Anderson sisters, how can this not be a success?"
"I could get used to having this guy around all of the time. He's such a good judge of beauty," quipped Kate. "I wonder how it would have worked out if I had been reading at the mall that day instead of Gwen, and she had been shopping for clothes. What do you think, Steve?"
"If I had seen you first? I guess I would have stopped looking, Kate. You're a living doll. But, fate led me to Gwen first and I can't seem to get past her, and I really don't want to, either."
For the actual inauguration, Governor-elect O'Leary had Steve and Gwen sit right behind his immediate family and in front of many of his supporters and donors. Steve tried to protest the seating arrangements, but Amber quickly ended that discussion.
"Dad has his reasons. Remember, he beat the incumbent, so he knows what he's doing. He's repaying you for saving us, but he's also taking advantage of the fact that you and Gwen are hot commodities right now. It'll be very good public relations to have you as a personal friend, and vice versa. Just sit there, look studly, and clap now and then."
After the swearing-in, Steve, Gwen, and the rest headed for their rooms that Amber had reserved for them at an upscale hotel less than a block from the Governor's Mansion, were the Ball was to be held. When they went to check in, they found that rooms had been reserved for couples, including Steve and Gwen, Lisa and Mike, Ted and Paula, Laura and Coach Watkins, and Kate and Angela Walker.
Ted addressed the situation immediately. "These reservations aren't going to work this way. Paula and I will have a room, my daughters will share a room, Mike and Steve can share a room, and Angela can have one to herself. Laura and Coach Watkins are able to determine for themselves where they want to spend the night. Any questions or complaints?"
