第20部分(第2/9 頁)

　when　he　was　beside　her。　He　took　her　bag

and　her　arm　in　one　smooth　move。　〃Have　a　good　trip？〃　he　asked；　glancing

down　as　he　guided　her　along。

〃It　was　fine。〃　And　she　had　to　admit　that　there　was　something　fine　about

being　met　like　this；　something　that　went　beyond　mere　convenience。　New

York　was　New　York；　always　a　little　intimidating。　Ross's　protectiveness

felt　good；　though　she　wasn't　about　to　tell　him　that。　〃Where　are　we

going？〃　she　asked　when　he　hustled　her　to　a　cab；　then　gave　the　driver　the

same　Park　Avenue　address　to　which　she　had　sent　her　check。

〃I　thought　you'd　like　to　see　Hansen's　corporate　headquarters。　The　team

working　on　the　Rye　Beach　plex　won't　be　meeting　until　tomorrow；　but

you　might　feel　more　fortable　seeing　the　layout　before　you　get　bogged

down　in　work。　I　have　things　to　take　care　of　while　we're　there。〃

Indeed；　he　seemed　all　business。　There　was　no　wele　kiss；　no　hug；　not

even　in　the　privacy　of　the　cab；　and　she　wasn't　plaining。　She　had　felt

a　jolt　seeing　him　back　at　the　train；　and　felt　tingles　even　now。　She

needed　all　the　time　she　could　get　to　regain　full　control。

The　Hansen　Corporation　was　every　bit　as　impressive　as　she　had　known　it

would　be。　Ross　Stephenson　wasn't　one　to　do　things　halfway。　As　she　toured

offices　that　consumed　three　full　floors；　no　one　she　saw　was　idle。

Her　guide　was　one　of　the　vice　presidents；　a　soft…spoken　man　who