Chapter One

“Twenty-six?” a lilting female voice called out suddenly.

Nearly five o’clock at Avis rental car in Tampa, Florida, Tom Dalton was so deep in thought he didn’t hear his number called. The man behind him nudged his arm.

“Aren’t you twenty-six? I’m twenty-seven.” The man held up his coin-shaped designator as proof.

“Huh?” Tom jerked his head as if awakening from a dream. “Oh…yeah. Sorry ‘bout that.” Got to quit doing that. It’s embarrassing; even worse since Sally and I split up.

Tom approached the counter. Good, my favorite clerk is on duty. What’s her name again?

“Hi, Mister D,” the raven-haired beauty said as Tom reached the counter. “How are you doing on this hot July day? I’m outta here in fifteen minutes. Can’t wait. Start my vacation tomorrow. You want a medium-size four-door again?”

“Really? That’s great…ah…Mavis,” Tom replied, reading the name tag on her red uniform. I’m sure she’s bi-racial; never know it though except for her shiny hair and gently flared nose. Her skin is as light colored as mine.

Leaning on the chest-high counter, Tom drummed his fingers nervously. “Ah… yes…for a week. No, make that ten days in case I get hung up somewhere.” I wonder if she’s married. Never wears a ring. Sure is friendly. Acts likes she’s known me for years…maybe even likes me.

Hardly, Tom. You’re too old for her, ten years, at least. Probably treats every guy who comes in here like that. Still, she is stunning...fills out her uniform in all the right places, too.

“One medium-size sedan coming up, Mister Dalton.”

With a half smile, her teeth gleaming white, Mavis typed the request into a computer. I wonder how old he is. Thirty-five? Forty? Nice looking and no wedding ring either. I wonder if he’s married, most of the good ones are. Must not wear it when he travels. I wonder what it would be like to be married to a man who is gone so much. He must come in here every other month. Seems like an all right guy, a little shy but friendly.

“Where would we be without PCs?” Tom mused as the clerk’s practiced fingers flew over the keyboard. As pretty as she is, it’s hard not to stare at her. Although at her age, she’s probably used to it by now. I wonder if she models on the side. If she doesn’t, she should. Her skin is flawless.

“Can’t get along without them, anymore,” Mavis replied. No way he’s forty, more like thirty five. Has a little-boy smile that’s nice for a change. A far cry from Donny and Frank. Nothing shy about those two losers. Probably makes more money than they ever hoped to…a lot more, I’ll bet.

“And just think,” Tom continued, as if encouraged by the clerk’s easy smile. “Twenty-five years ago there were hardly any. Now they’re everywhere.”

“I guess so. Without my PC I wouldn’t even have a job.” Pausing, she looked up. “You’re in the computer business, aren’t you, Mister Dalton? Seems like you said that the last time you were in here...or the time before. I’m not sure.”
Tom laughed. “I’m surprised you remember anything about me with all the customers you serve. But you’re right. I used to work for IBM. Now I have my own software company.”

“That’s a big step for you. How come you quit?”

“I’m not sure, really. It was just after my divorce and seemed the right thing to do at the time. I had some ideas about business programs that Big Blue wasn’t interested in. So I rented a small office with a one-bedroom apartment upstairs. I hire a temp to answer the phone and sort through my mail when I’m on a sales trip, like this one.”

Tom paused to chuckle. “Not much of a social life, though, too busy getting my business started. Also afraid of being rejected again.

“Where are you going this time?” Mavis asked as a printer pumped out his contract. Thinly arched brows and dark lashes guarded large, velvety brown eyes.

“The usual on this swing: Tallahassee, Pensacola, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. But I also have a lead in Dallas this time. Probably come back through—”

“Dallas?” Mavis interrupted excitedly. “That’s where I’m going tomorrow…at ten o’clock, only on a Greyhound bus. I’m looking forward to seeing my sister, but not those long bus rides.”

“That would be a long bus trip.”

“Too long, for me. That’s why I’m breaking it up. The first night I’ll spend in Mobile with a friend. The second I’ll be with my cousin and is wife in Houston.”

“You should come with me then,” Tom replied absently, scanning an insurance brochure on the counter. “I’ll be in Dallas in three days too, but my trip will be a whole lot nicer than yours.”

“I’ll say! You mean it?” Mavis’ face brightened in surprise then shadowed in doubt, her brilliant smile fading. I can’t believe he said that. He must be kidding. I wish I could go with him, but I hardly know the man...not sure if I trust him that much. Maybe, he is kind of cute. Smart, too. Says he writes his own business programs. That takes a lot of smarts.

Mavis’ reply startled Tom. Why in God’s name did I say that—all the way to Dallas? Three days and two nights. That’s crazy! She’s got to be kidding, although she doesn’t act like it. Might be fun, though, even with a stranger…a very pretty stranger. Maybe I should take her. Who would know anyway? More importantly, who would care?

Tom put the brochure back into the holder. “I don’t need extra insurance,” he said. “My insurance man told me last week that my policy handles rentals. All this time I’ve been paying extra for it and didn’t need it. Pretty dumb. Here’s my VISA card. Put it on that,”

Taking the card, Mavis pulled the contract from the printer and laid it on the counter. Stretching on her tiptoes, she showed him where to sign or initial. “Will anyone else be driving?” she asked routinely.

“No, just me,” Tom replied, signing the form several times and initialing it twice.

Mavis made two notations then ran his VISA card through a scanner. “Are you leaving tomorrow, Mr. Dalton?”