WindSwept Narrows: #7 Francine Kendall

Abby Murray worked to maintain her professional demeanor as she escorted the new manager around, showing him the locations and introducing him to various heads of departments.

Donovan Banner looked at the woman dart past them for the second time since they began their tour. He glanced over at Abby only to find her staring straight ahead, chewing on her lip.

“This is the play care and learning center,” Abby picked up once they exited the long hall. “Eve Hastings Covington is the Director, that’s her on the floor there. You have some very good directors and base line managers.”

“And the tornado in the blue gown that keeps running past us?”

“I was really hoping you wouldn’t ask me that question,” Abby pursed her lips. “However…Francine Kendall…”

“Let’s start with what department she works for,” Donovan decided to go with a line of questions instead of waiting for her explanation.

“Well, she doesn’t work for the resort,” Abby said carefully. “She’s more of what you might call an outside vendor…partially for the resort and partially for the health center. At least for the moment. We’re working on a contract type thing with her now.”

“Alright. Like a pizza delivery person?”

“Pretty much,” though she sounded less than confident with the answer.

“I think I can manage, Abby. I can find my way back to my office and if I need anything, I have your number,” Donovan saw the doubt on her face, but she nodded and stopped walking with him. “I’m badged and people know I’m in the building. You told me the memo went out. No one in what’s designated my new department should be surprised. Thanks for the tour.”

Abby smiled and left him to go back to her office.

Donovan spent an hour talking with Eve about her department, nodding and satisfied with her answers, he was striding toward the cafeteria when he saw the flying long skirts of the blonde come moving at a fast clip in front of him. She made a move to go around him with a vague smile when he altered both their courses deliberately, stepping directly into her path. There wasn’t time for her to swerve, the surprise evident in the wide green eyes when she crashed into him.

He had prepared himself for the collusion, his hands up and catching her firmly at the waist, holding her solidly in place.

“Oh! I am so sorry!” She peered up the five inches or so into a pair of blue eyes, full lips and a firm jaw that seemed a little tense.

“Donovan Banner,” he said as he set her carefully back on the floor a few steps, his palm out politely.

“Oh,” she stared at his palm, her own up and shaking his hand firmly. “Francine Kendall. Excuse me…”

Donovan stepped into her path again, a frown pulling her full lips into a pucker. “Are you authorized to be here? I don’t see a badge telling me what department you’re assigned to.”

“Badge?” Francine looked from his and then down at her chest. She reached up and pulled the photo identification from the bodice of the dress she wore. “This? Got one. That’s me…now…if you’ll excuse me…”

Donovan stared after the bare foot figure dashing down the hall and around the corner, long blonde hair flying behind her. He knows his mouth opened to say something. To stop her. But nothing came out and then she was gone, leaving the scent of flowers in her wake.