Not Strictly Business!: Prodigal Son / The Boss and Miss Baxter / The Baby Deal. Victoria Pade

it.”

      “Of course you are. You’re afraid, which makes sense, but once you let go of the fear, you’ll be fine. Think of the end goal. You’ll be driving. You can go anywhere you want. You won’t be dependent on bus schedules or trains. You’re free. Close your eyes.”

      She looked at him. “I may not know much about driving but even I know that’s a bad way to start.”

      He laughed. “You’ll open them before we go anywhere. Close your eyes.”

      She did as he asked.

      “Now imagine yourself driving on a big highway. The lanes are wide and it’s divided so you don’t have to worry about oncoming traffic. There are only a few cars and none of them are near you. It’s a pretty day. You’re going north, to Wisconsin. Can you imagine it?”

      She did her best to see the road and not the flashing telephone poles or trees beckoning her to crash into them. She imagined herself driving easily, changing lanes, even passing someone.

      “Now see yourself getting off the highway. At the top of the exit, you stop, then turn into a diner. You’re completely comfortable. You’re driving and it’s easy.”

      She drew in a deep breath, then opened her eyes. “Okay. I’m ready.”

      “Good. We’ve been over the basics. Tell me what you remember.”

      She talked her way through starting the car, putting it in gear and checking her mirrors. Long before she wanted him to, he told her it was time to replace visualization with actual doing.

      She started the engine. Of course it sprang to life. She carefully shifted into D and then checked her mirrors. They were blissfully alone in the parking lot.

      “Here I go,” she murmured as she took her foot off the brake and lightly pressed on the gas.

      The car moved forward. It wasn’t so bad. She’d had a couple of driving lessons back in college and she’d enjoyed those. These weren’t all that different.

      “Signal and turn right,” Jack said.

      Signal? She flipped on the indicator then turned. Unfortunately, she pulled the wheel too far and they went in a circle. Instantly she slammed on the brakes.

      “Sorry.”

      “It’s fine,” he told her. “Don’t worry about it. We’re here to practice. If you could get it right the first time, why would you need to practice?”

      He was being so logical and nice, she thought. Vance would have been screaming at her the whole time.

      “Let’s try that turn again,” Jack said.

      “Okay.” She drove straight, put on her signal, then eased the car into a turn. It did as she asked.

      “Wow. That was pretty easy.”

      “Told you,” he said with a smile. “We’ll make a couple more laps of the parking lot, then go onto the street.”

      “The street?” she asked, her voice a screech. From the back seat Charlie raised his head as if asking what was wrong.

      “You can’t stay in this parking lot forever,” Jack said.

      “Of course I can. It’s a great parking lot. I like it. I could live here.”

      “You’ll be fine. Come on. More driving. That way.”

      He pointed in front of them. She drove for another five minutes, making turns and coming to a stop when he told her. Despite her protests, he managed to convince her to head out onto the actual street.

      “This is an industrial park,” he said. “It’s Saturday. There aren’t going to be a lot of cars. Deep breaths.”

      She held in a small scream then took the plunge. Or, in this case, the driveway onto the street. Up ahead was an on-ramp to the highway and all the open road she could want. Like a cat let out of a carrier, she traded freedom for safety and took a side street. The highway would still be there tomorrow.

      “And?” he asked as they cruised the produce section of the local market.

      “You were great,” she said. “Just terrific. Patient, calm and happy to explain everything fifty times.”

      He shook his head. “While I appreciate the compliments, they weren’t the point. Admit it. The driving wasn’t so bad.”

      It hadn’t been. After nearly an hour in the industrial park, she’d actually driven back into the city. There had been a single harrowing experience at an intersection when some jerk had jumped the light and nearly hit her, but aside from that it had been … easy.

      “You’re a good teacher,” she said.

      “You’re a good driver.”

      She sighed. “I am, aren’t I? Soon I’ll be really good. Then I’ll have my license.”

      “Then you can buy a car.”

      “Oh. Wow.” She’d never thought in actual terms of getting a car. “I like it. There are so many kinds. I could get a little convertible.”

      “Not a great choice in winter.”

      “Hmm. You’re right. But maybe something sporty. Or an SUV. Then I could haul stuff on weekends.”

      “Do you have anything to haul?”

      “I don’t think so. Is it required?”

      “The dealer isn’t going to ask.”

      “Okay. Or maybe I could get a hybrid. That’s more environmentally friendly and I always recycle.”

      He looked at her as if she’d suddenly grown horns.

      “What?” she asked.

      “Nothing. You about ready?”

      She eyed the strawberries, then nodded. “I’m always tempted by out-of-season fruit. It’s a thing with me.”

      He pointed to her overflowing basket. “You know, this store delivers.”

      “I heard, but I like to buy my own groceries. Check stuff out. What if I change my mind about what I want for dinner?”

      “What? You don’t carefully plan a menu for the entire week and then stick with it?” he asked.

      She felt her eyes widen a split second before she realized he was teasing her. “No, I don’t. But you rigid types plan everything.”

      “I’ve had a few surprises lately.”

      She was sure he was talking about the company, but she suddenly wished he were talking about the kiss they’d shared. That had been … nice.

      She’d enjoyed knowing that her nerve endings hadn’t died in the divorce and that, yes, eventually she would want to be with another man. Although she had a feeling that her powerful sexual reaction had specifically been about Jack, there was still hope for her future. Eventually she would find someone else to be interested in.

      They went through the checkout, then Jack helped her load her bags of groceries into the trunk.

      “Let’s go,” he said, opening the passenger door.

      She stood on the sidewalk. “Wait. I can’t drive back to our building.”

      “Why not? It’s just around the corner.”

      “Yes, but once there, I’d have to park. I might even have to back up.” She wasn’t ready for backing up. Not on her first day.

      “You can do it,” he said and closed the door.

      She glared at him for a full minute, but he didn’t budge. That forced her to get behind the wheel and consider her options.

      “I could just walk home,” she said.