I found Jackson in his study waiting for me, "Well, Dana, we're just about finished here. There's only two more stories I want to tell you. Then if you could put together a hard copy for me by the first of the year I'd be most grateful. Of course, we've all grown quite fond of you here at Tanglewood and I want you to feel free to stay here as long as it takes for you to find a new place for yourself."
I didn't realize how close we were to finishing the project and the thought of separating myself from these people saddened me. I had become quite fond of them, as well. "Thank you Jackson, that's very kind. And, I'd like you to know that I have very much enjoyed being here with you and Vonne and look forward to getting to know Rose better."
He smiled and nodded, and indicated by a gesture of his hand that I should take a seat... he was ready to start talking. "You know, Dana, these last couple of months have been really difficult for Rose and myself ... I think it's the longest we've been separated in over twenty years. There was one other time ... that's one of the last stories I want to tell you about ...
Rose walked into the office at the Tea Room and sat down, 'Jackson, I guess we're about to get our first lesson in mixing personal and professional lives, I've been contacted about a new commission.'
I leaned back in my chair and tried my best to keep all expression from my face as she continued, 'Brad Mullen, a gentleman I worked with a few years ago just contacted me.
He is a respected physician locally and would like me to work with his brother-in-law, a Mr. Kellen Knight. Mr. Knight became a widower several years ago and has been spiraling further into depression as time goes along. Mr. Knight married his college sweetheart and they spent 32 happy years together until his wife was killed in an automobile accident.
Since that time he has grown more and more reclusive, lost interest in his business and has made no efforts to seek out any sort of relationship.
I don't believe there will be physical aspects of this commission ... Brad wants me to help Kellen Knight rebuild his ego and help him lay his insecurities to rest. Although he and his wife had a mutually satisfying intimate relationship, they were the first for each other ... Kellen Knight has no idea what another woman might expect, much less how to even begin to pursue another woman.
There is a dinner and silent auction to benefit a charity that Mr. Knight's company sponsors, it's been arranged for me to attend and meet Mr. Knight. If things go well, the commission should only take a few weeks and then we can both devote our time to getting the Day Spa up and running.
I'm beginning to think that perhaps we should divest ourselves of this facet of our business and expand into more conventional ventures ...'
As was normal for Rose she didn't wait for my input. More often than not these conversations were totally one-sided owing to the fact that she used me as a sounding board to think out loud. Some people not understanding her the way I did might think her incredibly rude, when in fact, it was the highest compliment she could pay me. She had grown to trust me, trust me with her thoughts, feelings, and plans ... trust me to look after her best interests ... trust me to believe in her ... trust me to hold her heart.
So Rose made plans to attend the dinner and silent auction where she would be introduced to Mr. Kellen Knight. Rose arrived at the auction dressed in understated elegance. She had chosen a midnight blue satin gown. It was simply cut and only hinted of the shape of the woman who wore it. Even in a plain gown, unadorned with jewelry, she turned heads as she walked in.
Brad Mullen had been keeping an eye out for her, so when she arrived he was quickly at her side. 'Rose, you look wonderful! I don't see how Kellen, or any other man in the room, could resist you. Let me get you a drink and we will mingle until I can introduce you to Kellen. What would you like?'
Rose smiled, 'Just a white wine, thank you.' and waited patiently near the entrance while Brad went to the bar for the drinks. When he returned he took her arm and started circulating among the guests until they finally approached Kellen.
His back was to them as he spoke with several men gathered in front of large placard, This is one of the most interesting items up for auction, don't you think gentlemen? Imagine a day cruise on my yacht, waited on hand and foot, petted and pampered, and having the whole thing topped off by a seven course gourmet meal! It's the perfect opportunity for one of you younger fellows to impress the hell out of your favorite lady ... be sure to bid generously ... after all, it's for charity and the whole thing will be a tax write-off for you! That should double your pleasure as well as double your fun!"
Well, Kellen' Brad interrupted, 'I see you are already priming the pump to get this auction underway with a little friendly competition between bidders ...' as Kellen turned when he heard Brad's voice his eyes froze on the woman beside Brad ... a woman more beautiful than he'd seen in a long time. 'Brad! It's good to see you ... and, does my sister know about your lovely companion?'
'Kellen, I'd like to introduce you to Rose Fleming ... Rose, this is my brother-in-law, Kellen Knight ....' Rose extended her hand, It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Knight. Your sponsorship of this event does wonderful things for so many people, you must be very proud.'
As she spoke, Rose took in the man who stood before her. He was a man old enough to be her father and totally unremarkable being of medium build and medium height ... but suddenly his insecurity and shyness were clearly evident.
Kellen took her extended hand, as he responded Rose realized her perceptions had been correct. The instant their hands touched his body language changed, his shoulders rounded almost imperceptibly and he only met her eyes in a fleeting glance. 'Ms. Fleming, the pleasure is mine. I do hope you enjoy yourself this evening, but you must excuse me, I just spotted someone I need to speak with ..." and he abruptly released her hand and quickly made his way to the other side of the room.
Brad turned to her, 'You can see now what I mean. He has no idea how to start a conversation with a woman much less carry it on. He's so uncomfortable he always bolts at the earliest opportunity. Do you think you can help him?' Rose smiled, 'Well, I'll surely try, but there are no guarantees you know. Mr. Knight may not even want to involve himself with anyone. Some times when a life-long companion is taken it creates a void which can never be filled again.
If he feels this way then no one could get through to him. But, well see ... I have a feeling I'd better take this awfully slow or else I'll scare him off altogether.' She took a deep breath, exhaled then said to Brad, 'You can go find your wife now. I think I'll have more luck if I appear to be by myself. I'll give you a call tomorrow and fill you in.' Brad nodded his consent and Rose turned to inspect the number of items included in the auction.
Although several men approached her as she made her way from one display to the other, she managed to maintain her solitary status. When the cocktail hour ended and dinner began to be served, Rose timed it so that she was one of the last guests standing, apparently unable to find an available seat at any of the tables.
She saw Kellen Knight speaking to the maitre' d near the podium and approached him, 'Excuse the interruption, Mr. Knight, but I wondered if you might be able to assist me in finding a vacant chair?'
Kellen was shocked at first to see her standing there in front of him again, but quickly was able to compose himself, 'Of course ... Mrs. Fleming ...' Rose took the arm he offered, "Please, Mr. Knight, it is Miss Fleming, but I would be grateful if you would call me Rose ... all my friends do.' And that made him smile.
He motioned to the maitre' d, "Robert, could you assist those two fellow over there at the far table to find other seats so that Miss Fleming and I may sit together through dinner?" The maitre' d nodded and expertly helped the two men find other seats so that Rose and Kellen could be seated within a couple of minutes.
As the soup was being served Rose engaged Kellen in conversation by asking direct questions and never letting the exchange lapse. She was able to ascertain within a short while some of his interests and used them to make him feel comfortable. By the time the dessert was served, he was actually smiling and had even chuckled once or twice.
Before he left the table to attend to the auction, Rose handed him one of her cards, 'I hope you'll call me, Mr. Knight ... I very much enjoyed your company this evening.'
He was obviously surprised, but gladly took the card, 'Please call me Kellen ... all my friends do.' He smiled at her then made his way to the podium.
Rose waited until the auction was in full swing before she made her way out. She didn't want to still be there at the end of the evening thinking that it would be much to much ... much to quickly for him... she wanted him to have a little time to get used to the idea that another woman might be interested in him.
She didn't have to wait long. The next afternoon she received a call from. They chatted for a while, then I heard her say, 'yes, I'd love to. And she hung up the phone.
Rose turned to me, 'Jackson, Kellen has just invited me to have dinner with him and then attend the symphony on Friday evening. Maybe things will work out for him after all.'
She smiled at me before leaving the office and I had a horrible chill run through me. I shook it off as jealousy and tried to put it out of my mind.
Kellen's limousine pulled up in front of the house at promptly 7:00 Friday night. He was handsome in his tuxedo and gazed approvingly as Rose met him at the door in a silk dress the color of mulberries. She had chosen the dress to compliment her creamy skin and dark hair and it did so perfectly.
I watched from the parlor window as Kellen took her arm to help her down the stairs and noticed as he gazed down at her decollete. I was suddenly in a rage and wanted to run after her but contained myself.
As she had pointed out, this was the first commission she had taken since we had discovered our love for each other and I chalked it up to testosterone poisoning. I loved her and suddenly knew that I could not share her with any other man. The only thing that kept me from running on to the porch after her was her assurance that this commission would have no intimate encounters. So, I poured myself another Scotch and watched them drive off.
