第20部分(第2/7 页)

ience。　New

York　was　New　York；　always　a　little　intimidating。　Ross's　protectiveness

felt　good；　though　she　wasn't　about　to　tell　him　that。　〃Where　are　we

going？〃　she　asked　when　he　hustled　her　to　a　cab；　then　gave　the　driver　the

same　Park　Avenue　address　to　which　she　had　sent　her　check。

〃I　thought　you'd　like　to　see　Hansen's　corporate　headquarters。　The　team

working　on　the　Rye　Beach　plex　won't　be　meeting　until　tomorrow；　but

you　might　feel　more　fortable　seeing　the　layout　before　you　get　bogged

down　in　work。　I　have　things　to　take　care　of　while　we're　there。〃

Indeed；　he　seemed　all　business。　There　was　no　wele　kiss；　no　hug；　not

even　in　the　privacy　of　the　cab；　and　she　wasn't　plaining。　She　had　felt

a　jolt　seeing　him　back　at　the　train；　and　felt　tingles　even　now。　She

needed　all　the　time　she　could　get　to　regain　full　control。

The　Hansen　Corporation　was　every　bit　as　impressive　as　she　had　known　it

would　be。　Ross　Stephenson　wasn't　one　to　do　things　halfway。　As　she　toured

offices　that　consumed　three　full　floors；　no　one　she　saw　was　idle。

Her　guide　was　one　of　the　vice　presidents；　a　soft…spoken　man　whom　she

instantly　liked。　Ross　himself　had　disappeared　with　a　soft　apology

shortly　after　they　arrived。　She　saw　nothing　of　him　until　late　afternoon；

when　he　materialized　in　the　drafting　room；　where　she　was　admiring　the

architect's　plans　for　a　museum　and　theater　plex　in　Des　Moines。

〃What　do　you　think？〃

Delight　lit　her　face。　〃It's　wonderful；　Ross。　You　have　a　brilliant

architect。　From　the　looks　of　the　plans；　this　museum　will　be　a　drawing

card　for　all　of　Iowa。〃

His　smile　held　satisfaction。　〃That's　what　we're　hoping。　Any

suggestions？