Building a Perfect Match by Arlene James

Author:Arlene James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2012-10-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Sunday seemed forever away to Petra. No matter how often she told herself that she was being foolish, she couldn’t help feeling excited about spending Sunday afternoon with Dale and his family. Neither could she help reliving that kiss.

It could not have been more different from Garth’s. His kiss had stunned and irritated her; beyond that, she didn’t really remember much else. Dale’s kiss, on the other hand… She had no words to describe it, no context in which to place it, but she couldn’t forget a second of it, and that made no sense to her. Nothing about her feelings for Dale Bowen made any sense.

Dating anyone wasn’t part of the plan. She couldn’t afford to be sidetracked or distracted, but since Dale had kissed her, she couldn’t seem to care about the danger to her career. Not yet. She thought long and hard about it, and decided that sanity would return in due course. Meanwhile, she might as well enjoy being crazy. At least that’s what she told herself when Dale popped into her office on Friday afternoon to chat about some information he’d garnered from the BCHS historian.

“She seems to recall that the Vail was once touted as a ‘businessman’s health resort’ and suggested that we check out the old editions of the local newspapers to see if we can find mention of it.”

“And if we do, the BCHS will okay a new spa?” Petra asked.

“Provided the renovations and décor are period-correct.”

“That’s great news!”

“Want a ride to the library and an extra hand?” he asked. “They have old newspapers on microfiche.”

Petra grabbed her purse from her desk drawer. “That’s quaint. I thought everything was computerized now.”

“Small-town libraries have small-town budgets,” he pointed out, waiting while she got to her feet and clomped over to the door in her flats and brace.

They drove the few blocks to the library in his truck. Like everything else in Buffalo Creek, the building held historical significance, starting with its Greek Revival façade. Petra had to take the stairs up to the intricately carved doors slowly, but Dale showed great patience, pacing her carefully in case she should fall. Inside, he took charge, speaking to the surprisingly young woman behind the information desk. Within minutes, they were seated side by side at twin viewing desks with microfiche reels loaded in the viewers.

At Dale’s suggestion, they started in the early 1940s and worked their way backward, pausing from time to time to read aloud interesting headlines and even whole stories. They laughed about sales ads for products that hadn’t existed in decades and old political cartoons. Finally, Petra came across an article dated February 10, 1938. The author reported on a new “strengthening treatment” now being offered at “our lauded and very popular local health spa beneath the fine Vail Hotel.” The article went on to claim that the spa at the Vail was known in business circles as far away as New York City and San Francisco.

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