Thirteen

“Wilson, I need to see you. Now.” E. K. Fine’s voice bellowed through the room. The others turned to watch his reaction.

“Coming, sir.”

Tension stretched across his neck and shoulders. Could anything good come from being called into the boss’s office? Art sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Art barely reached the glass-front office before Mr. Fine started talking. He paced back and forth behind his desk as he talked, using a cigar to punctuate the air.

“Wilson, you’ve done a fine job with the books. You’ve marshaled the numbers effectively. Even I can understand them.” He chuckled while Art watched, unsure how to respond. “Just a little humor. Anyway, I called you in here for a new project.”

Art stood taller. That sounded like good news.

“I’m sending you to Chicago for a series of meetings. There are some manufacturers there who are further down the road for switching to a war economy. I want you to meet with them, see what they did, and determine if any of that can work here. The key to success is to always be a step ahead of all the other companies. There will be a limited number of contracts, and I want us to land at least one. We can’t be unprepared.”

“Yes, sir. Any particular industry?”

“Use common sense. You’ll be fine.”

“Anything we can learn from what the company did during the last war?”

“No. Even if there was, that ended twenty years ago. Not relevant to today.”

Art nodded. Guess the man didn’t live by the maxim that those who can’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it. “When do I leave?”

“Tomorrow. My secretary has your train ticket.”

“How long?”

“Plan on a week.”

Art grimaced. Josie would not be thrilled to have him leaving. Especially on such short notice.

“Art? Any problems?” The look on Fine’s face communicated the answer should be no.

He’d promised to take Josie to a show tomorrow night. Doris had agreed to watch Cassandra so the two of them could get some time alone. She would be disappointed if that didn’t work out. After a steeling breath, Art said, “I can’t leave tomorrow, sir.”

“And why not? You should be pleased with the opportunity.”

“I am, but I have plans with my wife.”

“That?” E.K. waved his hand as if swatting a fly. “That’s not a problem. Leave now, pack, take her out tonight instead. The missus will understand.”

While a good theory, in practice Art doubted it would hold up. They weren’t newlyweds without responsibilities now. Doris might not have the freedom to adjust her schedule and watch Cassandra.

E.K. sat back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of his face.

“I’ll get that ticket now.”

“Good man. Don’t let me down.”

Art strode from the room then halted at the secretary’s desk. She handed him the ticket with an apologetic smile. “The others will meet you at Union Terminal at seven.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“That’s a.m.”

“I understand.” Art grabbed the ticket and returned to his desk. What would he need for these meetings? E.K. couldn’t have been more vague if he’d tried. He sank into his chair unsure what to do.

Stan came and stood in front of Art’s desk. Leaning against it, he smirked. “Ready for our trip?”

“Are we the only ones going?”

“Nope. Choirboy’s coming, too.”

While Stan meant that as a pejorative term, some of Art’s tension eased at the realization Charlie would join them. Art wouldn’t have to deal with Stan alone, and Charlie had the experience with the company to have a good grasp on what it could do if it switched focus. Better yet, it meant reinforcements when standing up to Stan.

“It’ll be good to have him along.”

Charlie grinned from his desk. “We’ll team up on Stan.”

“Sure. You think that. I’ll keep you hopping.”

“As long as it’s not from bar to bar.”

Art laughed at Charlie’s earnest expression. Charlie winked at him. Yeah, this trip would be okay. Josie would be okay. Josie. He was supposed to head home. “I’ll let you two handle packing what we’ll need for the trip. I’m under orders to go home and see my wife.”

“See, that’s why I’ll never marry.” Stan snickered. “Why be tied down to a dame who wants to keep you home and in her lair all the time.”

“There are benefits.”

“Nothing I can’t get already.”

Charlie shook his head in disgust. “You are hopeless, Stan.”

“Maybe, but at least I’m not tied down.”

Art changed his mind. Maybe it would still be a long week with Stan.

❧

“You have to do what?” Josie couldn’t believe Art was leaving. Travel wasn’t part of his job. What about their night out? She’d looked forward to it all week. And how could he help with Cassandra if he wasn’t here? School started soon, which would bring a new set of adjustments to Cassandra’s life.

“We can go out tonight, and then I’ll pack.”

He said it so matter-of-factly, as if plans could change in an instant.

“But we can’t leave Cassandra alone. Who can stay with her on such short notice?” She dug her fingernails into her palms to distract herself from the building tears.

Art sighed and pulled her into his lap. “I don’t like it either, but the boss made it clear I have to go. If it’s important to the company, then it has to be important to us, too. It’s only for a week, after all.”

“You’re right.” His arms slipped around her, and she leaned into him. “I can still hate the idea.”

“I know.”

Josie tried to push up, but he held on. “Let me see if Doris can come tonight.”

“She can.” His voice had turned husky. “Come here.”

She stilled as he reached up to kiss her. She sank into his embrace as the kiss deepened. Art ran his fingers through her hair, and her thoughts muddled.

“Miss Josie?”

Josie startled and pushed away from Art. Patting her hair, she turned to see Cassandra standing in the doorway. “Yes?”

Cassandra’s brow furrowed. “Did you say you’re leaving tonight?”

“Just for a bit.” Josie licked her lips, considering how to ease Cassandra’s fears. “Doris from downstairs will come up and stay with you.”

“I don’t need someone.”

“You’ll have fun. You know how much you enjoy Mrs. Duncan. She’ll probably have you help her with cookies.”

Cassandra crossed her arms, chin jutted.

“Come here, sweetie.” Cassandra reluctantly walked across the room and joined them. Josie smoothed her curls. “It’ll be fine. We’ll be back about bedtime.”

Cassandra eased next to her. “Promise?”

“Yes.” Josie’s heart ached at the fear in that one word. She hugged Cassandra. “Now let me get ready. And make plans for tomorrow night. It’ll be just us girls, and one of the last nights before school starts.”

A wistful smile touched the girl’s face. “I’d like that.”

Art watched her go. “I hate to leave as school starts.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll suffer through.” Josie poked him in the ribs. “Let’s get out of here.”

❧

Art slipped out the next morning with a light kiss on Josie’s forehead. The feathery touch teased her out of sleep in time to watch him leave, and then roll back over. She relaxed into the mattress, the things she needed to do flashing through her mind. Work at the library in the morning and then take Cassandra shopping for some school items. The child’s small suitcase hadn’t contained nearly enough options. Two outfits, underwear, and pajamas didn’t qualify. Josie’s part-time pay would help purchase the extra items the child needed, and a small sum had arrived from England to help with the costs.

After a quick breakfast of toast and tea, they headed to the library. Josie saw Cassandra ensconced in a quiet corner before settling herself in at the circulation desk. Cassandra must have found a set of books that delighted her, because she stayed in place for the morning. Josie wandered over to her side.

“What did you find to read?”

Cassandra tugged her gaze from the pages to Josie’s face. “Little House on the Prairie. Was it really like this?”

“I don’t know. Despite what you may think, I didn’t actually live then.” Josie tousled Cassie’s curls. “But I like the way she describes life back then.”

Cassandra closed the book and held it to her chest. “May I check it out?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay. May I please go outside for a bit?”

Josie considered Cassandra. “For a bit. But no getting dirty. We have to get your school things after this.”

Cassandra placed the book on the circulation desk, then skipped out of the building. Josie stayed busy helping folks find books. Right as she’d begun to wonder what Cassandra was up to, the child came in with a couple of daises.

“These are for you.”

“Thank you, Cassandra.” The child beamed from the praise. “They look a tad thirsty. Let me find a vase or glass to put them in.” Josie found a cup shoved in the back reaches of the desk. “Here. Why don’t you fill it with water and wash your hands. Then I think we’ll leave.”

Cassandra skipped toward the washroom. The sunshine had warmed her cheeks, and the wind had mussed her hair.

After returning home long enough to leave the flowers on the counter, the two drove downtown. Soon she found a parking space near several of the stores she planned to visit. Josie enjoyed browsing, but Cassandra acted overwhelmed by the selections. As they strolled the racks, Josie pulled out option after option.

“Would you like the playsuit or the skirt only?” The red plaid was cheery and played well with Cassandra’s complexion.

“I’d rather not have either, please.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t think my mother would like me to have either one.”

Josie stared at the child. “I don’t understand why not. You must have clothes for school. And either of these options should work.”

“Well, I don’t like them.” Cassandra turned away from Josie.

“I can’t send you to school in one of two outfits. After all, the one at home needs some serious mending, and I can’t wash clothes every night.”

Cassandra shifted from side to side. “Mum didn’t send money with me. I can’t pay.”

“Sweetie, she wired some for things like this. If it’s not enough, it’s all right. Art and I are happy to take care of them. Now which one do you like?”

Slowly Cassandra caught the spirit of school shopping and jumped in. Before long, she wanted one of everything and Josie had to rein her in.

Once the shopping was over, Josie smiled at the surprise she’d planned. They stowed the bags in the backseat of the Packard and headed out to the zoo. Cassandra’s eyes got round when she realized where they were.

“The zoo? Are we really going in?”

Josie laughed. “Of course we are. One last hurrah before school begins. Besides, someone’s waiting for us.” Josie parked the car and glanced at her watch. Hopefully, they’d arrived in time to catch one of Susie the gorilla’s shows. Miss Adelaide had told her it was quite a sight to watch the gorilla cavort with her trainer. Josie hoped it brought joy to Cassandra.

Josie grabbed Cassandra’s hand and walked through the park toward the show. While the gorilla entertained the crowd, Josie delighted in watching Cassandra’s reaction. The girl beamed as they strolled through the zoo afterwards. And the smile didn’t fade as she prepared for bed.

Josie tucked Cassandra in and prayed with her. Several new outfits lined the dresser in Cassandra’s room. Cassandra had sparkled as she organized them and lined them up in her room. Now Josie’s prayers shifted to finding a friend for Cassandra, someone who could ease her little-girl loneliness.

She walked through the apartment, straightening as she went. Now that Cassandra was in bed, the place felt too quiet. Josie missed Art. His presence made the apartment home. Without him, everything felt a bit off.

There was so much she wanted to share with him—the little details of the day she enjoyed sharing when he came home each night. But for now she would wait.