CHAPTER 1

Keesha sat in her office, staring at the framed picture of her and A.J. taken on their honeymoon in France, and decided she was not going to get any work done if she didn't call him. Dialing his private number at ELQ, she waited anxiously to hear his voice.

When A.J. saw his private line ringing, he hoped it was Keesha who was calling. Saying hello, he was not disappointed.

''Hi, honey,'' she said, happy to hear his voice. ''I'm sorry about this morning. I hate it when we argue.''

He readily agreed. ''You beat me to it. I was going to surprise you at your office with a peace offering.''

''Sounds nice. May I still look forward to it?''

''What time is good for you?''

''Noon.''

''I'll be there.''

''I love you.''

''I love you, too.''

A few minutes before noon, Keesha left to freshen up, and when she returned, A.J. was sitting at her desk, surrounded by two dozen red and white roses in crystal vases.

''They're beautiful,'' she said, taking in the roses' lovely fragrance. She reached across the desk to squeeze his hand. ''Thank you sooo much!''

He smiled and stood to move closer to her.

''There's more,'' he whispered in her ear.

''More flowers?'' she asked, wondering where she could put them.

''No, sweetheart. More to my surprise.''

He pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket and handed it to her. She quickly opened it and smiled.

''This is wonderful. When can we go?'' she asked excitedly.

''As soon as we can both get away,'' he answered.

''I'll ask for the time off after lunch. Let's go this weekend!''

A.J. laughed at her enthusiasm.

''Okay, okay. I'll talk to Grandfather about taking off tomorrow and Monday.''

''Do you think it'll be a problem?''

''No. I'm sure, after he lectures me about the short notice, he'll give me the time off.''

''Maybe we should ask now for next weekend or the following one. We don't have to go this weekend.''

''Sweetheart, it'll be fine. Trust me. I know we need to get away and spend some time alone, especially with the little one on the way, and I can't think of a better time to spend a nice four-day weekend at Martha's Vineyard. You ask for time off here; I'll ask at ELQ.''

Keesha hugged him. ''Thank you. This is going to be great.''

''I agree.''

''Are you hungry?'' she asked. ''Suddenly, I'm starving.''

A.J. smiled. ''Me, too.''


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