Twenty-five years earlier the only coffee shops in Schuyler Square had been McDonald's and Woolworth's. Sitting at a back table at Espresso Express, Veronica felt a sudden longing for those days when there were only two choices for coffee--regular or decaf--and no one had ever heard of a latte. She also remembered sitting in a booth at McDonald's, a cup of coffee in front of her while she waited for Ron to show up. They had always met at the McDonald's on the highway halfway between Schuyler Square and Fairview so no one would recognize Ron's car. With very little effort, Veronica could remember exactly how excited she had been while waiting for Ron's dark Cadillac to pull into the parking lot. She had always been the first to arrive, always had been so anxious to see Ron again. Ron had a talent for making Veronica feel special, as if she was the most interesting, the most beautiful woman in the world.
Seeing Ron again had been hard. She'd been so in love with him at one time. She'd thought those feelings had died over the years but when they had been talking in his office, the same old sensations started creeping over her, like moss. Ron Schuyler still filled her with longing and that knowledge didn't make her at all happy.
Veronica's expression became bitter. She had been so young back then, too young to realize that the charm Ron poured out for her was exactly the same brand of charm he used on every other female who walked into his radar. Closing her eyes, she remembered more.
"What did I do before you came to work for me? You make my job--my life--about a thousand percent better, Veronica."
Veronica smiled at Mr. Schuyler and wondered why everyone had warned her against taking a job as private secretary for the owner of the biggest business in Schuyler Square. She liked her new boss; he was kind, thoughtful and very good looking--for an older man. "I'm glad you like my work, Mr. Schuyler."
"Ron. Call me Ron. And I do like your work. As a matter of fact, I'd like it if you came with me to Chicago next week. I'd like to show you the ropes and give you some experience. You know, Veronica, if you keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, you just might become an executive in this company some day."
Veronica opened her eyes. An executive. Ha! All she'd gotten from Ron Schuyler was a bouncing baby boy.
A bouncing baby boy who had grown up to be a decent person and who, with some luck, would be able to make it on his own once he got his act together and got a regular job instead of spending all his time trying to be the next Nicholas Sparks. Veronica didn't mind having Kirk still live at home while he chased his dream of becoming a writer but with her job gone and his real job paying nine bucks an hour, they were going to have to do something if they wanted to keep a roof over their heads.
Which was why she had come back to Schuyler Square. Ron owed her. She didn't want money from him but she thought he could at least find some kind of job for her in Schuyler Enterprises. Not an executive position but something. Anything.
"Excuse me but aren't you Veronica Channing?"
Veronica looked up and found herself staring into warm dark brown eyes. "Yes, I am."
"You probably don't remember me. I'm Tom Hartman. I worked for Ron Schuyler around the same time you did."
Tom had dark hair lightly threaded with silver. His features were strong and clean cut. Dressed in a grey cashmere sweater, blue jeans and moccasins, he looked very attractive but Veronica still didn't remember him. "I'm sorry--"
Tom waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. I worked in the accounting department so I doubt you ever noticed me. Mind if I join you?"
"Oh, sure." Veronica swept her purse and a copy of the Schuyler Square newspaper off the table to make room for Tom's mug of coffee.
"So," Tom asked after blowing gently on his coffee, "what brings you back to Schuyler Square?"
It wasn't an easy question to answer. Veronica knew she was seeking something in Schuyler Square but the longer she was there, the less sure she was of exactly what she wanted. She thought she'd come back for security but now, after seeing Ron, after wandering around the small town, visiting places she'd all but forgotten about, she wasn't sure. She thought that now, maybe, she'd come back for a very different reason.
Maybe she'd come back because Schuyler Square was where she belonged.
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