Page 42 of Be My Valentine

She was tenacious, he had to admit.

“Kathryn Donovan is meeting tonight with some of the founders of the charity to which she has made a valuable contribution. Her clothes are in there.” He told her without taking his eyes off the document.

Annie Carson emitted a giggle of derision.

“You’re taking her to meet your parents? Oh my god!”

Mark looked up, and Carson faltered as she saw the thunderous determination.

“Your ability to twist my words won’t affect your work, I hope.”

“Of course not.” The woman turned on her heel without adding more.

Mark knew he had dropped a sizable bombshell, however, he had to find a way to get her to loosen her grip on Kate. He wasn’t sure if that admission had made the situation better or worse, but it had been inevitable.

He tried to meet Kate’s gaze without success. He needed to talk to her; he could see her as rigid as a spindle.

“Miss Donovan!” he called to her formally, motionless in front of his study door with Annie Carson’s desk a few feet away. Kate stopped at a safe distance.

“The Hendrix file, in Attorney Holmes’ file room, upstairs. I’ll be up in five minutes to discuss it with him. In the meantime, I need the file.”

“I’ll go.” Kate darted out the door.

Mark waited the agreed time and started upstairs. He greeted his colleague.

“One of your employees is looking for a file that you should discuss with me?” The lawyer, now nearing retirement, raised a canny eyebrow.

“Sorry, Ed, I needed to talk to her alone.”

“I’m not completely senile, I could tell something was up. She’s cute… does your dad know?”

“Not yet, you know the firm’s policy on attorney-subordinate relationships, but she won’t be here long. Anyway, she’s coming over for dinner tonight.”

“You’re doing things right! Should I congratulate you?”

“I don’t know yet…” he replied thoughtfully, “officially it’s an invitation to thank her for her contribution to the foundation.”

The colleague burst out laughing.

“Mrs. Carson would burst a second liver if she had one!”

“Word gets around here, too, huh?” He said irritated.

“Go to the girl, try to do the right thing.”

“I’ll try!”

He walked into the archives and watched Kate feverishly check the files.

“I bet you haven’t found it yet.”

She lifted her head sharply.

“You scared me!” then focused back on the papers “I can’t see it, damn it!”

Mark leaned in, hugging her from behind and whispering in her ear.

“There is no practice Hendrix, calm down.”