Read Online A Bridge to Dreams by Sherryl Woods - Free Book Online Page B

his voice trailed off at one quelling look from her. He grinned. “I didn’t think so.”
    Still shaken by the intensity of the feelings that Bradhad aroused in her in such a short time, Karyn lingered in the shower far longer than she should have. She dressed slowly and emerged from the bathroom with her hair curling damply about her face.
    â€œYou had a call,” Brad told her. “Your office. Someone named Mary Lee wants you to call back right away.”
    She didn’t waste time worrying about what impression Brad’s answering her phone might have made on her boss’s secretary. She dutifully picked up the phone and dialed.
    â€œMary Lee, it’s Karyn. Did Mr. Wetherington need me for something?”
    â€œHi, hon. Yeah, he wondered if you could work this afternoon. He knows it’s your vacation and all, but since you’re in town, he thought maybe you wouldn’t mind. He said he’d make up the time later.”
    Karyn looked at Brad. Clutching the receiver more tightly, she said, “I’m sorry. I can’t make it. I have plans for this afternoon.”
    It was the bravest thing she’d ever done. Conscientious Karyn Chambers did not turn down requests from her boss. She waited for Mary Lee to announce that she was to get to the office at once or else face immediate firing.
    â€œOkay, no problem,” the secretary said instead. “See you next week, hon. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.”
    The breath she’d been holding escaped on a sigh as she hung up.
    â€œSaying no was really tough for you, wasn’t it?” Brad said.
    She nodded. “In my family taking risks did not extend to career matters. We’ve always needed the money too badly.”
    â€œYou don’t anymore, Karyn. Don’t ever let yourself feel that someone has that kind of power over you. There are other jobs.”
    â€œRationally, I know that. And I know I have a little savings now to fall back on. It’s difficult, though, to break old habits. I keep seeing the worried expression on Mama’s face when payday would come and the money wouldn’t quite add up to cover the bills. If one of us got sick, it threw the budget into turmoil for months.”
    â€œBut the world didn’t come to an end when you said no just now, did it?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œMost bosses respect people who have their priorities straight and who stand up for their own needs. Remember that. Your time is every bit as important as your boss’s.”
    She grinned. “Then why are we wasting it on this silly discussion?”
    â€œBecause every once in a while, you obviously need to be reminded how important you are and that you deserve to be taken care of.”
    â€œYes,” she said more seriously. “I suppose I do.” For the first time in her life she was actually beginning to feel that way. She felt as if she were Cinderella at the ball, but like the fairy-tale heroine who’d finally savored magic, she felt as though she were watching the clock tick away the final seconds of her dream. A part of her wanted to cling to the excitement she was discovering with Brad, but another part knew when the time came, she would have to let it go.
    * * *
    As if he’d caught her melancholy mood, Brad planned a day designed to touch the romance in hersoul. He took her on the spectacular Seventeen Mile Drive along the rugged coast of the Monterey peninsula. Each setting they passed was more breathtaking than the one before. Finally, he pulled into a parking lot designated as a lookout point. It was crowded with tourists snapping pictures of the glorious scenery. Thrilled by the view, Karyn leaned back against the convertible’s seat and sighed.
    â€œIt’s beautiful,” she declared softly.
    â€œI’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure if you’d been here before, but it was the closest I could come to Hawaii on short notice.