Kerry smiled. “I’ve never been to Disney World. I always wanted to go, and we were planning a trip sometime at Associated, just a bunch of us going up one weekend, but we never got the details ironed out.” She dodged a hurrying skycap as they arrived at the security checkpoint. They both put their laptop cases on the moving belt, and Dar dropped her cell phone and pager into the small bowl the agent held out. Then they passed through and picked up their things at the end of the X-ray belt. “You know, I have less trouble getting through security here in Miami than when I board a plane in just about any other place,” Dar commented as they started the long walk down the concourse. “I had my entire case searched in Iowa. They even made me turn the laptop on and dial a number on the cell phone.”
Kerry chuckled as she pushed herself to keep up, making a little skip now and then to compensate for Dar’s much longer stride. “Guess they’ve got more time on their hands than these guys.” She was glad they’d gotten to change and were flying in casual clothes, since they’d have until tomorrow before meeting the prospective clients. She felt a lot better in her baby-soft green flannel shirt tucked into stone-washed denims and her short-topped hiking Tropical Storm 165
boots. She eyed her companion; Dar looked casually elegant as usual in a crisply pressed beige shirt and embroidered black vest over button-fly jeans and comfortable-looking sneakers.
Just roll your suit up and put it in the overnight bag, Dar had told her wryly. Even if you carry it in a garment bag, it’ll still need pressing, so you might as well save yourself the trouble of carrying the damn thing.
That works, Kerry had agreed, and also packed her bathing suit and some shorts, just in case.
Just in case. She grinned to herself. I bet I can get her to go to MGM, at least…
By the time they got to the gate, the flight was boarding. They handed the gate agent their boarding passes, then walked down the carpeted boarding ramp and into the 727. They took their places in first class, put their bags overhead and settled down in the wide, comfortable seats. “Well,” Kerry said, as she buckled her seat belt, “this is traveling in style.”
Dar settled back and extended her long legs, crossing them at the ankles.
They were in the front set of seats, with extra legroom before them.
“Intercompany courtesy.” She gave a little shrug. “We do all of their hardware and software support, so we get pass riding privileges, and if there’s space, we go up front.” She gave the steward a smile as he sidled over.
“Hello, welcome aboard. Can I get you something to drink before we start?” His crisply efficient manner was reserved, but friendly.
Dar exhaled. “Do you have any chocolate milk?” she asked innocently.
Kerry gave Dar a little nudge and rolled her eyes. “You’re awful.” She looked up at the waiting steward. “Orange juice for me, please.” He nodded and moved off to fill their requests.
One dark brow lifted, and Dar pointed at her own chest. “Me? Milk is very healthy for ya, Kerry.” She flexed an arm, the muscles moving smoothly under the soft cotton fabric of the casual khaki shirt she was wearing. “Makes you nice and strong.”
“It’s squeezed out of a cow,” Kerry reminded her.
“And that’s so different than squeezing something out of an orange? At least the cow survives the process,” Dar retorted. She glanced up as the steward returned with crystal glasses filled with the requested beverages then turned back to Kerry. “Citrus killer.”
Kerry studied her glass for a moment. “God, I hope this doesn’t have pulp in it.” Dar snickered.
Kerry put her glass down and crossed her ankles. “You really like milk?”
“I swear by the stuff,” Dar insisted, taking a swallow. “Mmm…” She licked her lips. “Mmmmiillllk.”
Kerry caught the playfulness in her voice and went along with it. “You must own a cow, then. Where do you keep her?”
Dar laughed and raised her glass, clinking it against Kerry’s. They both took a sip and their eyes met for a moment before Dar’s dropped to the travel documents she’d left lying on her thigh. “The Floridian, eh? Well, it’ll be a drive in the morning, but at least I know we’ll have hot water.” She reconciled herself to her fate. “And they have great banana-stuffed French toast for breakfast.”
166 Melissa Good Kerry leaned on her armrest and lifted a brow. “Banana-stuffed French toast?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Dar nodded, with a quirky grin.
“I love bananas.” Kerry covered her eyes. “I’m in trouble.”
Dar chuckled, and leaned back, sighing as she relaxed into the leather of the seat. Maybe it won’t be so bad. There‘s a little water park near the hotel. Maybe we can take an hour off between meetings and take a quick splash, it might be fun.
Yeah. Dar let her head rest against the soft surface. It will be fun, bid or no bid.
“THANK YOU.” KERRY smiled at the guide who had led them to their rooms as he bowed out and let the door close after him. She looked around curiously, giving the room an approving nod as she took in the light, airy décor and the crisply clean linen. The room had one large bed in it, a dresser flanked by a tall console that contained a television, and a small refrigerator.
One wall was glass, covered by drapes which were drawn halfway, exposing a view that sparkled with color. Kerry put her bag down on the bed and walked over, to draw back the fabric and peer out. “Ooo.”
A dark lake stretched in front of the hotel, the lights of the building winking fuzzily on its surface. Boats, likewise covered in lights, were crossing the small body of water, and across the way, the glowing, light bulb-chased pattern of Main Street. Beyond that the silvery spires of Cinderella’s castle reached skyward. Kerry pressed her nose against the glass, watching the cheerful sparkle of light. Across the water to the other side she could see a glimmer of torchlight on an island in the center of the water, and she could see other torches lining the far shore.
She was so busy looking, she didn’t hear the connecting door between her room and the next open, and was startled when a warm presence materialized at her back. Kerry looked up and saw pale blue eyes watching her in the reflection of the glass, and she smiled, meeting them. “Oh, hi. You spooked me.”
“Mmm.” Dar turned her gaze to the outside. “Well, well, the old castle’s looking pretty good.”
Kerry exhaled. “I have to plan a trip up here, it looks like so much fun.”
She paused. “Hey, we’ve got a couple of hours. You want to go over there?”
“Oh no.” Dar chuckled, shaking her head. “I’ve got reports to study.”
Oh well, good try. “I guess I should do that too.” Kerry smiled. “It’s probably crowded and noisy, and we’ve got an early start tomorrow, right?”
Dar nodded. “Exactly.”
Hmm, let’s just try one more tack. “Besides, you’re supposed to be taking it easy. Better if you just hang out here and relax,” Kerry told her innocently.
“You don’t want to overstrain yourself.”
A dark brow edged up. Kerry moved back into the room and opened her bag. “I’m going to call the valet for this suit. Want me to have them get yours, too?” Dar folded her arms and gazed out at the glowing spires. “You know, on second thought, it might be better to take a look around.”
Twinkling green eyes regarded her back. “No, it’s late, Dar, and you’ve Tropical Storm 167
had a really long day.”
The taller woman swung around and eyed her. “Late?” She snorted softly. “It’s barely prime time, Kerry. I think it would be a good idea to at least check the park out. But if you’re not up to it, you can stay here.”