TERRI KAY

     Derrick Rawlings lifted his 6’1” frame from the plush chair. He walked slowly to the
window and gazed out at the calm waves of the Arkansas River. Meetings kept him very busy all
day. He’d worked his butt off for six years in London, and his efforts had helped Rawlings
Industries become a multinational company. He hardly had time to think about coming back
home.
     Derrick stood there with his long fingers shoved into the pockets of his black designer slacks.
He leaned against the window frame and observed the waves. He, like the waves rising
below, was turbulent. His heart had ached for his family in Arkansas, but he didn’t want to come
back. His father had suffered a mild heart attack and his mother had insisted that he retire and
that Derrick come home to replace his father as president of the company. Professionally, he had
no problem stepping into his father’s shoes, but personally he didn’t want to be in the same
country, let alone the same state with her.
     It had been six years since he’d left Arkansas. Six years, five months, seven days, sixteen
hours, ten minutes, and twenty seconds to be exact...and counting. He could see the face of the
beautiful, brown-skinned woman float to the surface. He recalled the first time he had seen her.
They had met at a local college hangout at University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
    

__________________________________________________________________________________________
In The Name of Love by Sammie Ward, (Lady Leo Publishing ©2005). All rights reserved.