Chp 17

Cara waked early Saturday morning and grabbed her phone. No messages yet. But then again if it was only six in Chicago, it was five in Denver. She placed her phone on the pillow beside her and drifted back to sleep.

When she woke again two hours later she sat up and looked at the empty chair in her suite. "It would be nice if he were sitting there," she thought. And the days series of pictures began.

8:00 a.m. Photo from Chicago – empty chair in her room.

Photo from Denver – empty chair in his den

10:00 a.m. – photo from Chicago – empty chair at restaurant table

photo from Denver – empty chair at his kitchen table

Cara, Maevis, and Ted had boarded the company jet after brunch Saturday for Huston. Within three hours Cara was already settled into her suite at the Post Oak Hotel. To say that the hotel was a stunning work of architecture would be an accurate statement. It was described as nothing less than a "work of art." Who wouldn't want to spend a couple of days there? The answer was simple - Cara.

4:00 p.m. – Photo from Huston – empty space in limo

Photo from Denver – empty passenger seat in truck

As spacious as her accommodations were, she felt as though she could not breathe. She was caught in a robotic limbo of responsibilities. And back in Denver there was a kind man whose actions reminded her that she was not a robot to be programed. She was alive. Somewhere there was a person, born with a purpose, needing to breathe again. And somewhere between leaving Chicago and arriving in Houston, Cara was determined to finish her responsibilities and return to living.

5:00 p.m. from Houston – screenshot

Confirmation Number – A73591-004

Flight 742 – Huston to Denver

Arriving Denver – 11:30 p.m.

There could be only one response. It was a photo of Joe's hand starting his car.

Charles was more than capable of being the face of Bancroft Mining for the remainder of this weekend. But for now, there was a party waiting on Mrs. Charles Herbert Bancroft, IV in a hotel ballroom.

A hand painted sign on an easel stood outside the doors of The Post Oak Ballroom welcoming the guests for the evening. Cara was unusually nervous. It was as if she were planning a prison escape and feared someone may find out. As soon as the colleagues and competitors had been greeted, introductions made, and "old friends" welcomed, Cara left the party and returned to her suite. She doffed the black sequined cocktail dress across the bed and quickly slipped into something a little more appropriate for flying commercial. She had brought a pair of white linen slacks, a navy double-breasted blazer and a silk white shell to wear to a breakfast Sunday morning. That would have to do.

She threw her large hand bag over her shoulder, grabbed her navy and white kitten heels in one hand, and her cell phone in the other just as Maevis knocked on the door.

"Come in. I'm leaving. I already have a car to take me to the airport. Would you please bring my things to the estate when you return?" she said as she stumbled trying to put on her shoes as she walked away from a stunned Maevis and down the plush carpeted hallway. "By the way, take my suite. I think Edward wants to stay until Monday. Bye." And with the opening of the elevator doors, Cara was gone.

With a little investigating of his own, Joe confirmed that there was indeed a flight from Houston to Denver. He discovered the terminal and where he would be allowed to park and wait for her possible return. Maybe he was making a fool of himself. At least if he misunderstood no one would have to know that he drove to the airport and waited on nobody to arrive.

At 11:30 he began to watch his phone – 11:37 – 11:42. Midnight was soon approaching. Was she really coming? She said she would not return before late Sunday. She left Denver flying the company jet. This was a commercial flight. He pulled the car to the left and turned off the ignition. Three lanes stood between him and the sidewalk and the hope of her arrival. Joe stood scanning the few dozen weary travelers exit the building as if merely watching could will her to appear.

There she was – looking lost – looking for him. He threw up his hand and began to wave making his way through cars to reach her.

"Hey, welcome home."

"I'm glad to see you. I wasn't sure you would come," she said, giving him a cordial but reserved embrace. Her rash actions had caught up with her usually cautious nature leaving her a bit unsure.

"Do we need to get your luggage?"

"Maevis is going to bring it when she comes. I left in a wee hurry," she said, glancing down with a grin.

He smiled at the thought of her leaving in a "wee hurry" to return to Denver.

"The car is just across the way. Ready?"

"Ready."

As he turned to lead her to the car, he felt her hand take his arm. Again, he could not help but smile.

"How was your flight?"

"Fine."

"That's good."

"Everything go well on your trip."

"Yes."

"Good, good," said Joe, not really sure what to say or even where he was supposed to take her.

"You want me to take you to the Towers?"

"Yes, please."

After about ten minutes of complete silence, Joe turned on the radio in the car, reached across the console and took her hand. He felt the stroke of her thumb on the back of his. She did not let go. The half-hour remaining drive was spent without either saying a word.

Releasing her hand, Joe pulled the car over to the side to park in front of the apartment. He placed his arm across her shoulders.

"It's late. You've had a long day."

She nodded.

"I'm going to walk you to the door, if you don't mind," he said pausing to smile, "and tomorrow, if you feel like it, you call me."

Joe walked around the car and opened the door for his quiet passenger. He walked beside her to the lobby entrance as two said their goodbyes. Cara had preceded into the building when she turned back and called his name.

"Joe."

The almost pleading tone in her voice stopped Joe in his tracks. His arms opened to receive the woman coming quickly toward him. She buried her face in his neck. He could feel her silent sobs.

"It's ok. Everything is going to ok," he whispered to her. Once she was composed Joe continued. "I'm going to walk you back to that door. You go upstairs, get some rest. And tomorrow, I would like very much if you would call me. Never make life choices in the middle of the night."

Taking his handkerchief, she wiped away her tears and nodded with a smile. Cara entered the building and took the elevator up to her apartment. As soon as entered she went across the foyer, across the living room, down the hall to the last room on the right. She opened the door.