Kate sang to herself as she prepared for her special evening. She had seen very little of Aaron lately except for chance meetings in the square and quick hellos at church on Sunday. The Bolts had put on extra men to get the contract filled for the Army and that meant that Stempel's mill was working at top speed as well.

       The reporter treasured the few times that she saw Aaron. Apart from an affection for Dan Sullivan which she hadn't had time to develop, Kate had never truly been in love with anyone. Lately though, on those long rides home from cities outside of Seattle, Katie started to wonder if what she felt for Aaron Stempel could indeed be love. Aaron was handsome, charming, knowledgeable, successful and cultured. He was several years older than she was, but his age didn't have one bit of an effect on the funny way he made her feel. Kate didn't have a clue of what Aaron might feel for her so, being the good reporter that she was, she determined to ferret out the answer that evening.

        The girl's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door.

        "Come in," Kate invited.

        Lottie smiled as she entered. "I hear someone is going to be treated to dinner in the dining room tonight."

        "Isn't it wonderful?"

        "It sure is," she agreed but without much enthusiasm.

        "Lottie, would you mind buttoning me up the back?" Kate wore a dress of royal blue, which she had borrowed for the occasion from one of the brides.

        "Not at all, Miss Editor."

        Kate laughed, "This day has been just too wonderful. Josh and I had a great talk this morning, you all voted for the paper, I sent in the article to my editor and now, Aaron Stempel asks me to dinner. How lucky can a girl get?"

        "I'm happy for you, Katie."

        "Lottie, would you mind answering a question about Aaron?"

        The woman's fingers slowed as she worked the buttons through the material.

        "What would you like to know?"

        "This might be too personal but...was Aaron ever in love?"

        Lottie took a breath. Kate was heading into dangerous territory.

        "He was. I suppose I can tell you about it since everyone knows."

        She finished with Kate's dress and sat on the bed.

        "He's been in love. It was last year in fact. She was a business woman- highly polished, beautiful and charming. She was very much like Aaron, and I believe she loved him too."

        "What happened? Where is she?"

        "She's went to prison."

        "What?" Kate was surprised, "Why?"

        "Patricia and her partner were frauds. They traveled the West fleecing men for all they were worth."

        "Aaron, too?"

        "No, not Aaron. She cared for him too much to take advantage of him, but she never told him what she had done in the past. When he found out she was wanted in Arizona and Nevada, it broke his heart."

        "I'll bet it did." Kate said softly.

        "Katie, don't mention Patricia to Aaron tonight. He's a very private man and might not want you to bring up the subject."

        "I won't." Kate checked the small clock on the mantle. "I'd better go down now." She twirled around before the woman. "How do I look?"

        Like a young woman in love. Lottie mused but said instead, "Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!"

        Kate pressed Lottie's hand in gratitude then stepped out into the hallway and down the stairs. Aaron was waiting for her at the bar below. Clancey, Jason, Josh and Jeremy were playing poker at a far table. They whistled appreciatively at the sight that she made descending the stairs. Kate grinned, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling at their brotherly attention.

        Aaron stepped forward, offered her his arm and together they entered the back room.

        The men at the table turned as one to Lottie with anxious expressions on their faces. Lottie nodded regretfully as she came down to them.

        The dinner was lovely and Kate felt like a queen. No man other than her father had ever treated her with such respect. The two caught up on what had happened to each other in the past month. After awhile, Aaron led Kate into a conversation about the paper.

        "Katie, the building will be started as soon as we can get to it, but you're going to need a place to work before it's finished. I have a small shed near the waterfront. It's large enough to hold that printing press you found in Tacoma and a desk for you. What do you think about working from there until the newspaper office is finished?"

        "Sounds perfect, Aaron. The press I found isn't the best; it's been around for twenty years at least. When we start making some money I'd like to purchase a brand new one."

        "Of course."

        The two were silent for a moment. Kate sipped the last of her wine in hopes it would provide her with a little courage.

        "Aaron? "

        "Yes?"

        "I want to thank you for being so helpful to me ever since I arrived in Seattle. You've convinced me that nothing was impossible."

        "It's been my pleasure, Kate. I've enjoyed our talks immensely."

       Katie was encouraged by his words. "Aaron I've been wanting to tell you something lately... I hope that.... I've been wondering...."

       Never in her life had she ever been tongue-tied but for some reason the words she needed eluded her.

        Aaron Stempel smiled. "What is it, Katie?"

        "This may sound very silly to you and I don't want you to think that I'm forward but... for the last few weeks I've come to think of you as... as someone I would want to be closer to." Her voice became very soft, "Aaron, I think of you as someone I might..."

        The mill owner's eyes widened in surprise as she spoke. Before Kate could say the word, he managed to knock his water goblet onto the tablecloth. The girl jumped up from her chair protecting the borrowed frock from a stream of water.

        "I'm so sorry. That was clumsy of me." He mopped up the mess with his napkin.

       "Are you all right?"

        "I'm fine." With the moment interrupted the poor girl had no idea how to begin again. Her confusion gave Aaron a chance to guide the conversation in a different direction, hopefully without embarrassing her.

        "You know, Katie, I'm flattered that you see me as a mentor. Heaven only knows what you could learn from an irascible old businessman like me. I'm very set in my ways, you know. My world is simple, ordered and predictable. I enjoy it that way. That's probably why the Bolts and I disagree so often. They thrive on adventure and surprise. You seem to be very much like them in that respect."

        Katie listened to his words with a sinking heart. She understood what he was telling her but hadn't prepared herself to hear it. Her bottom lip began to tremble, so she bit down on it to keep it still. Aaron tried not to notice and proceeded as gently as he could.

        "Now I know you will dedicate yourself completely to your job but, in time, you're bound to find yourself falling in love with someone here in Seattle, perhaps. I hope whoever that lucky fellow is he'll be one who'll view life as an adventure the way you do."

        The reporter gazed forlornly at her plate.

        Aaron's voice was filled with compassion as he asked softly. "Do you understand what I'm saying, Miss Macready?"

        Katie nodded. She placed her napkin on the table and rose a bit unsteadily.

        "I'm afraid that young man just doesn't exist, Mr. Stempel. I'm too unorthodox a woman to make a Seattle lumberman or mill hand happy. Thank-you again for your kindness and for the dinner. If you'll excuse me," she headed for the door, "I'm not feeling very well. I apologize for ruining our celebration."

        Kate dared not take her eyes off the floor as she made her way past the bar. If she had allowed herself a glance, she would have seen that only Clancy and Lottie were left playing cards at the far table. The two watched Kate rush up the stairs with her head bowed. They shared a sympathetic look just as Stempel came out. He saw them sitting there and walked over, looking grim.

        "You knew?"

        "Half of Seattle knew, Aaron." Lottie said sympathetically.

        Stempel placed money for the meal before her. "Well, I wish someone would have clued me in. Good-night."

        Clancey sighed and drained the last drop from his glass. "It's a good thing they'll be building that news office. It'll take Katie's mind off her troubles."

        "I hope you're right, Clancey."