Part Five
Linda sighed as she walked into the newspaper office. As much as she loved Ginger and loved having her around, she was grateful for work. She knew that Ginger was missing Jeff, but her mood swings were becoming more than she could handle. When her mother had polio it had been easier.
"Linda, can I see you in my office for a second."
"Sure, Phil, let me just put down my things."
"Good morning," he said, giving her a slight smile as he closed the door behind her."
"Good morning…Mr. Havel," she responded, noticing just in time the other person in the room. "And good morning to you, Mr…"
"Mr. Stephens…John Stephens."
"Uh…Miss Metcalf, Mr. Stephens is our new sports reporter. Mr. Stephens, Miss Metcalf is one of our finest news reporters."
"Thank you. But what about J. Owen?" Linda questioned him.
"J. Owen will remain as our freelance sports reporter." Phil turned to John and said, "J. Owen is a big asset to us, Mr. Stephens. I'm sure you'll find his columns to be up to par."
"What exactly does the 'J' stand for?" John asked.
"Actually, no one but the sports editor and payroll knows for sure, but he's an interesting and vibrant writer. Most importantly, he won't be in your way, he'll simply add to the sports page," Phil explained.
"Well, it seems fine to me. Say…Miss Metcalf…you wouldn't by any chance be related to Jeff Metcalf, the Indians rookie sensation from last season?"
"I would be indeed. He is my little brother," Linda replied, beaming with pride to hear such praise for her brother.
"Painful loss to the Tribe to lose him. He had a great bat and an even better glove."
"Well, thank you, Mr. Stephens. I'll be sure to pass that on to him the next time he calls."
"Calls?" Phil asked, very surprised. "Where is he?"
"Phil…I mean…Mr. Havel…I know I told you. He's in Wichita."
"Wichita!" It was John's turn to be surprised. "He's not with the farm team, is he?"
"He is."
"Well that's wonderful news, Miss Metcalf. Why hasn't there been a story about this? I don't suppose you have any idea how long before they move him back up?"
"Nothing official, but I did hear my sister-in-law shout something about six weeks the other day."
"Sister-in-law?"
"Mr. Havel, I'm beginning to wonder if you listen to a word I say," Linda smiled. "Maybe I should just head right out of this office--"
"Oh no!" Both men shouted at her. They looked at each other sheepishly.
"Actually, I have a story that needs to get finished before deadline if I want to stay around here permanently," Linda smiled at them and headed for the door. She turned around once she reached it. "It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. Stephens."
"It was a pleasure for me as well, Miss Metcalf," he said, with a slight twinkle in his blue eyes.
A few moments later, she was at her desk, typing away, when she felt someone's presence next to her.
"Can I help you?" she snapped.
"I hope so," a pleasant voice responded.
She looked up, very ashamed to have spoken the way she did. "Mr. Stephens, I'm sorry…I don't know what--"
"Say no more," he told her and sat down on the edge of her desk. "I've been known to snap at people for interrupting my work too."
Linda smiled warmly at this. "Thank you," she said quietly. "So what can I do for you?"
"Well, I was hoping you would allow me to do something for you."
"For me?"
"Yes, I'd like to take you out for dinner." Her mouth opened to object. "Now before you say no, remember that I'm new in town and I could use a guide." He paused and then smiled a warm smile. "And it could allow me to discover whether or not the nasty, snapping person who just greeted me was the real you or not."
"Well…when you put it that way…I accept, Mr. Stephens."
"You can call me John."
"Well, then you can call me Linda. And you can pick me up tomorrow at 7:30."
"Swell!"
After getting directions to her house, the young blond sports reporter walked over to his new desk with a slight bounce in his step. "Yes," he thought as he sat down in his chair, "I think I'm gonna like this town."
To be continued...