Page 17 of A Girl Like Janet

the way her dress fit over the slender womanly curves and stopped above her knees, revealing shapely legs. Unable to meet

his eyes, afraid of what her expression would reveal, Janet lowered her gaze.

“Is there anything else?” she questioned, her voice slightly breathless.

“Yes, this.” Reese pulled open a desk drawer and took out a small, beautifully wrapped box. “Merry Christmas, Janet.”

Midnight blue eyes widened with shock. Reese had never given her a personal gift at Christmas. Like every other employee,

she received the usual Christmas bonus.

He held it out to her. “Go ahead, open it.”

With fingers that shook, Janet untied the bow and removed the multicolored foil paper. She paused as she noted the name of

an expensive jeweler etched in gold across a black velvet case. Now it wasn’t only her fingers but her whole body that trembled

as she opened the lid. A beautiful gold necklace lay in a bed of plush velvet. She raised it, and as she did the square piece

of gold that dangled from the end of the chain fell into her hand. She examined it with a puzzled frown. Its design was unusual.

“It’s supposed to be a microchip,” Reese explained, removing the delicate chain from her trembling fingers. “I wanted to show

my appreciation for all the troubles the computer has given you. I know it wasn’t easy for you to make the switch.”

“But you didn’t need... I mean, this is much too expensive.” Janet didn’t need an expert eye to recognize that the microchip

was made of solid gold. She was flustered, uneasy.

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Janet forced herself to smile. “It’s beautiful. I’ll treasure it always.” She felt so close to tears, the control on her emotions

a fragile thread.

“Turn around, I’ll put it on for you.”

Janet did as he asked, closing her eyes and pressing her lips together as he gently laid the necklace against her throat.

Bending her head slightly forward, she hoped to aid him as he hooked the finely spun gold chain. His contact with her skin

was brief, yet even the fleeting touch of fingers against her neck left a heated sensation. He was so close that Janet could

breathe in the tangy pine scent of his after-shave. So close, she reminded herself mentally, and yet so far away.

“I’m finished.” His words broke the spell.

Slowly Janet opened her eyes and turned around, her fingers investigating the gift. “Thank you, Reese—” She caught herself

in time, and cast her gaze downward. “Mr. Edwards.”

“Merry Christmas, Janet.” His voice was so soft it was a caress, as gentle and sweet as if he had taken her in his arms and

held her close.

“Merry Christmas.” She had to leave before she embarrassed them both. Her hand remained at her throat as she took a step backward

in retreat. “May the Lord bless you.”

She was already into her room when she heard Reese’s husky murmur: “And you.”

Christmas was a joyous time with Janet’s family. Since her parents had lived in several places and worked with different cultures,

the celebration was a mixture of French, Mexican and American traditions. And although she couldn’t forget Reese completely,

her family’s support helped to ease her heavy heart.

Monday morning and it was business as usual. Janet wore Reese’s gift and noted how he looked to see if it was there when he

came into the outer office later that morning. There seemed to be a small gleam of pleasure when he saw that she had worn

it.

“I’m going to the warehouse. You can reach me there if anything comes up.”

A steady flow of traffic moved in and out of the office all morning. Malcolm Hayes needed help locating a business report.

He had no sooner gone when the senior Mr. Edwards sauntered in.

“Morning, Janet.” He beamed her a pleasant smile. “How was your Christmas?”

“Very nice, thank you,” she replied politely.

“You’re going to Steamboat Springs, aren’t you? I’m going to need my best girl.”

Janet flushed with pleasure. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

“Good.” The word was clipped as he walked past her into the other room.

Just before noon Bunny Jacobs came into the office, her hands full of large packages. “Oh goodness,” she said and heaved several

boxes onto the chair. “I just adore shopping the after-Christmas sales.” She glanced up and smiled sweetly. “I do hope Reese

is in. I was hoping he’d take me to lunch.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Jacobs, but Mr. Edwards is out of the office,” she replied with professional crispness.

Bunny’s sigh was filled with disappointment. “Oh dear, and I did want him to see my new ski outfit.” Her laugh was delicate

and melodious. “I had to have something new for Steamboat. Reese and I are going to have such a wonderful time.”

A huge lump formed in the pit of Janet’s stomach. Resentment and envy seemed to be burning a hole in her insides. Bunny was

going to Steamboat Springs with Reese. Why should that bother her? Reese had brought a blonde bombshell with him last year,

at least that was what she heard. Janet had been so busy with Gail she hadn’t seen him the entire weekend. Had she been nurturing

some secret hope that he would come alone this year? Unconsciously she straightened, her back stiffening. When was she going

to learn? Reese Edwards was never going to be interested in her, and the sooner she accepted the situation the better.

The phone messages were on Janet’s desk when Reese returned around noon. He picked them up and sorted through the pink sheets.

“Bunny was in?” he questioned sharply.

Doing her best to appear preoccupied and uncaring, Janet nodded. “Yes, she left these packages and asked if you could bring

them by her apartment later.”

Reese shrugged. “That’s fine. I was planning on seeing her tonight anyway.”

After the first day Janet continued to wear Reese’s Christmas gift, but she kept it under her sweater, out of sight. It offered

a strange comfort, almost symbolic of her love. Like the necklace, her love was disguised, buried beneath a sweater, just

as her love was buried deep within her heart.

“Ski Town, U.S.A., here we come,” Gail laughed as they boarded one of the buses Dyna-Flow had chartered for the ride to Steamboat

Springs. Since many of the employees were bringing their families along, several had opted to drive their own vehicles. Reese

and Bunny had left earlier that afternoon. It was unusual for Reese to leave early, especially on a Friday, and Janet did

her best to battle the waves of jealousy that threatened to overcome her. The Christmas gift had hurt her more than it had

helped. It had given her hope when there was none.

Lenny Forrestal from the accounting department boarded the bus with his guitar draped over his shoulder. Tradition demanded

that Lenny lead the lively group in songs for the journey north.

“You girls as anxious to take in some of that gorgeous night skiing as me?” he asked as he walked past.

“Not us,” Gail and Janet chimed, then laughed uproariously at Lenny’s shocked look. Nothing was that funny, but they were

both excited and giddy.

Located in Routt National Forest, Steamboat Springs offered some of the best skiing in the world. Over the years the resort

had hosted a score of Olympic hopefuls. Janet had heard the snow called champagne powder. A skier’s heaven, the twenty-three

hundred acres of Rocky Mountain majesty were divided into seventy-three separate trails serviced by thirteen chair lifts.

It wasn’t only the skiing that made this annual trip so enjoyable. It was laughing with friends, sleigh rides at midnight,

staying up all night beside a cozy fire and talking dreams with Gail. It was about this time last year that Gail had first

met Ben. Somehow it seemed longer.

After unloading their suitcases in the room, Janet and Gail ventured into the streets, hoping to do some early shopping and

make arrangements for the ski rental the next morning.

“These mountains are unbelievable!” Janet said as she breathed in the clean, crisp air. Mt. Werner was in the distance with

Storm King Peak and Sunshine Peak lit up for night skiing. “They seem to reach out to me in some mysterious way.”

“I know,” Gail agreed, “I feel the same thing. It’s marvelous.” Several shops were open and both girls picked up something

small as a remembrance. Walking back to the lodge, Gail mentioned Janet’s outfit. “I can’t get over how different you look

in that coat and hat.”

Janet had splurged on a red and white ski outfit. If Bunny could buy a whole wardrobe for one weekend, then she should be

able to manage one outfit. The jacket was a brilliant red color with a bold white stripe that ran across the back of the shoulders

and down the sleeves. Steamboat Springs had the reputation of being a friendly Western town, and as a surprise, Joel and her

parents had presented Janet with a black, wide-rimmed cowboy hat. The contrast between the prim secretary and the attractive

fun-loving woman was striking. Several people from the company walked right past Janet without recognizing her.

The next morning Gail and Janet skied Giggle Gulch, one of the easiest slopes available. The snow was fresh and ideal for

the sport. Janet managed to make it down several times without a spill, while Gail took one tumble after another.

“Does Ben know he’s marrying such a klutz?” Janet teased, helping to slap the accumulated snow off her friend’s back.

“Oh yes, Ben knows,” came Gail’s laughing response. “Come on. I think it’s time for me to retire. I don’t know about you,

but I’m exhausted.”

Janet resecured the cowboy hat. “Yes, ma’am,” she said in a thick Western drawl.

Halfway back to the Village Inn Gail paused and murmured, “Don’t look now, but guess who I see.”

For an instant Janet shut her eyes. There was no need for conjecture. It had to be Bunny and Reese. Curiosity wouldn’t allow

her to not glance up and pretend she hadn’t seen them. They were both coming down the slope, Bunny dressed in a hot pink outfit