An Iowa Blessing

By Paul Meredith

June Disney is a young woman running away from a terrible tragedy in her life. She blindly drives into Peoria, Illinois, on her way to somewhere, with no firm destination in mind. She likes the looks of the Illinois River town and decides to stay and look it over for a couple of days. She checks into an old, elegant, very historic hotel and scans the papers for possible employment.
Ultimately, she decides to walk in and apply for a job at a local advertising company. Gaining an interview, she impresses the interviewer with her education and neat appearance. A short time later he decides to hire her into a starting clerical position. It doesn’t take June long to be noticed by the owner of the company. He is immediately impressed with her college background in marketing and sees to it she is given a more important role in the business.
June labors hard as she works her way up the ladder until the day she finds herself sitting in an office next to the owner of the business. Her best friend in the workplace, Sara Longstreet, introduces June to a handsome stranger, a mysterious man she does not immediately like. The strange meeting gradually develops into a weird sort of friendship between June and Allan.
Allan’s work is a mystery he will not divulge to anyone. He travels to many places for his work, a subject he will never discuss. He won’t tell his last name for fear it could cause harm to those closest to him. While on a mission to an undisclosed location, Allan isn’t heard from for more than three months. June decides to attempt to locate Allan, and quite by happenstance, discovers his father’s name and location. She contacts the father and learns that the State Department notified the family that Allan was killed under mysterious circumstances in Iran.
Through the strange set of coincidences surrounding Allan’s death, June meets Allan’s parents, as well as his twin brother, when they come to town to resolve what to do with Allan’s few belongings. June has invited them to dinner at her place to discuss the topic of Allan and his mysterious work. The parents offer a polite return invitation for her to visit them in Iowa. Secretly, June knows she will never visit, even though she politely accepts the idea.
Allan’s brother calls June as he passes through town on business a few weeks later. She agrees to meet Josh Bennett for dinner, assuming it is to discuss more of his brother’s life. From that second encounter with Josh, June’s life takes a turn one could never expect, culminating in a beautiful romance that must be carried on long distance due to current job conflicts.
When Josh discovers there is no way to ever marry June because of the distance and the demanding positions they each have in business, he calls the romance off. A few months later, in the dead of an Iowa winter, he is severely injured in a vehicle collision on an icy road in the Des Moines area. As Josh lays near death in the hospital, June receives a call from his father. The call shocks her and requires her to leave immediately to be at Josh’s side while he fights for his life. Josh has unknowingly been calling her name while in a semi-comatose state.
Josh’s life hangs by a thread while June is at his bedside praying for his recovery. When Josh finally comes out of the coma, June makes a decision that changes everything.
This story takes the reader through a whirlwind of business relationships, mysterious death, intrigue, friendship, romance, and finally to an ending that couldn’t be expected. This is a compelling story of a woman who lives one day at a time, until her life takes a dramatic turn. June ends up in a place she could never have expected in her wildest dreams. The reader won’t be able to lay the story down until the last line is read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Meredith
• Release date: Sep 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301186228

Paul Meredith

Paul R Meredith is a product of the Midwest. He lived most of his life in Illinois and Iowa before moving to Florida a few years ago. Meredith has six print-on-demand published novels in print, two mystery and four romance novels. He also has five eBooks on smashwords, the Kindle and the Nook, plus other ereader devices. Prior to taking up his passion for fiction writing seriously, Meredith worked for thirty-three years with a Fortune 500 manufacturing company until his early retirement. Most of his later years at the company he was a senior quality engineer. After retirement he developed his private independent quality consulting business specializing in industrial and office processes. After five successful years of consulting, he finally retired again to devote full time to his writing.Meredith lives with his wife Sandra in the coastal community of Ormond Beach, Florida. Together they love to travel to see their children and grandchildren scattered around the country. Meredith is an avid golfer and loves being able to play all year long in the fantastic climate of Florida.

Book preview

AN IOWA BLESSING

Epic Love in the Heartland

By Paul R. Meredith

Copyright 2012 Paul Meredith

Smashwords Edition

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Chapter I

June Disney met Allan at an after-work get-together in a local pub restaurant. Her new work friend, Sara Longstreet, had introduced her to him. June remembered it well.

There was something mysterious about Allan from that first day she met him, something that June Disney couldn’t define or understand completely. He was an extremely mysterious person to everyone who seemed to think they knew him. The fact of the matter was, nobody really knew Allan. Allan exuded an aura of mysticism that surrounded him at all times, and it went to the core of everything he said or did. Maybe part of it was due to the fact he was always so quiet around June, or maybe because he was so secretive about the nature of his work. June could never come to an agreement with herself just what the exact element of his personality was that defied explanation, but whatever it was, he definitely had it in spades. Whatever the element was, it intrigued her, but often angered her at the same time.

***

June had recently driven in to Peoria as she was headed somewhere else, not sure where that somewhere else would be. She was coming off the worst personal experience of her young life and simply wanted to escape to a place where she didn’t know anyone. She had left her uncaring and strangely disconnected parents and any so-called friends she had accumulated far behind. She wanted to attempt to smooth out her very tangled life. She been crying for more than a hundred miles by the time the outskirts of Peoria came into view.

For some reason, something about Peoria strangely fascinated June. Her intention had been to drive on through town on I-74 and maybe stop in Champaign or Danville, but whatever it was that fascinated her brought on the impulse to explore the area a little while. She thought she should stay overnight and see if the fascination eventually went away, allowing her to move on to another town, perhaps even to another state. She noticed an old hotel located downtown as she exited the highway, the old and elegant Père Marquette. She liked the appearance of the hotel and decided to check in for a couple of nights and use it as a base while she explored the town and surrounding area to see if she could discover what the allure of the town was.

Peoria was a strange town in some ways, and yet not that strange compared to other towns, especially American river towns. Peoria was one of the larger towns that stretched along the Illinois River. The prime downtown business area was more or less scattered along and fairly close to the northern bank of the Illinois River, but the prime shopping areas and most of the residential living areas were on the high ground well above the river.

After checking into the old hotel late that afternoon, she rested the rest of the evening. The following morning June was up early and drove from one end of town to the other in all directions, spending the better part of the entire day observing what there was that had caught her fancy. She could see that some of the wealthiest residents were up on the high ground of Grandview Drive near the Country Club of Peoria, at least a lot of them. There were a number of old-money mansions located there. June loved looking at these old-money mansion-type homes she found along the tree-lined street. Then she discovered Bradley University, a school she had heard of when she was in college. She parked her car and walked around to explore the campus, liking it immediately. She even liked the surrounding neighborhood of old stores and neat older homes.

The second evening after dinner, June carefully read through the local newspaper in her room and noticed an advertisement for a starting position at a local advertising agency. She decided she would apply for it the next morning if the job was still available.

June walked in off the street and was able to secure an afternoon interview time with the human resources person at the company named Slater Advertising. She returned after lunch for her interview. As far as she could tell, the interview with the bespectacled young man went very well. The interviewer was impressed with June’s education and her personality. It probably helped that she was easy to look at. He seemed a bit jittery as he questioned her regarding her credentials. At the close of the session, he removed his glasses and told her, I will let you know one way or another within a couple of days. I have three more applicants I need to speak with before we make a selection decision.

June gave the man her cell phone number. I’m new in town and staying at a hotel while I look for a place to live and work. I don’t have a home number yet.

I hope you have luck in finding a place to stay, but I’m sure you will, he told her. June noticed he was sweating at the brow and under the collar of his shirt. She thought he was warm, but the problem was he was nervous. If the truth could be known, he was probably infatuated with her terrific looks. He shook hands with her and she left the building.

Two days later June took her physical examination and was tested for drugs. She started work at the advertising agency the following day. Her first few days on the job were spent as a clerk and general gofer-type person for some of the company managers and officers. The owner of the company noticed her one morning as he arrived for work and stopped to talk with her. Hi, I’m John Slater. You’re new here, aren’t you?

Yes sir, I just moved to town and was lucky enough to find employment here. Are you the person the for whom the agency is named?

Yes, I am the guilty one. I moved here from New York where I was an advertising executive. I started this business from scratch just three years ago. May I ask where you are from?

Minnesota, she told the man. But I went to school here in Illinois.

Why Illinois? They have great schools in Minnesota, don’t they?

Yes, of course, but I had friends in Illinois and I was impressed with the university campus and the school’s reputation when I visited them.

You graduated from the University of Illinois?

Yes, three years ago, June replied.

May I ask what your line of study was?

I majored in communications with a minor in marketing.

Hmmm, that’s interesting, he said. Well, nice speaking with you, Miss Disney. Have a good day.

The second week of June’s employment with Slater Advertising, she was promoted to work with one of the male account executives, Merle Sutton, as an assistant. Her new boss mentioned to her that she had been promoted rather quickly for a new hire. John Slater said he wanted you to work here with me so you could use your marketing background more. Apparently you majored in marketing at school, huh?

She was slightly nervous as she responded, Actually, I majored in communications. I minored in marketing, but I loved marketing. Maybe that’s what I should have selected as my major, June responded. I would like to do well here. It seems like a fine company.

Communications is a major part of marketing, maybe the most important part, so I think you will do just fine, Merle Sutton told her.

Thank you, I certainly hope so, a more confident June replied. She thought Merle seemed very nice.

Even though June was fairly quiet and concentrated on working hard that first few weeks at Slater, she managed to get a few things accomplished. First, she found an apartment and bought a few things for filling and decorating it. Second, she got to know a few more of the people in the building at Slater. One of the people she immediately liked was a young lady about her same age named Sara Longstreet. She had mentioned to Sara that she was new in town and needed to get acquainted with her neighbors and make some friends. Sara insisted on June accompanying her to her regular watering hole where many of her friends gathered after work. I will introduce you to some of my friends, she said. Will you go?

Sure, I would love to, but I’m not much of a drinker—just a soft-drink-kind of gal most of the time, if that’s okay, June said.

Absolutely, I’m not much of a drinker either—maybe one bar drink or a glass of wine. Any more than that and I’m pretty much bonkers. Besides, I have a fair distance to drive to get home and I don’t need the law stopping me for driving erratically, Sara told her new friend.

Once in the bar, they started to weave through the crowd to find a seat. Hey, wait June, come over and meet this dreamboat of a guy, Sara had said, pulling June by the arm. Hey, Allan, meet my new friend from work, June. She works with me at the ad agency, she said as she forced the introduction by pulling Allan around by his coat sleeve to face June. Allan seriously looked June over pretty good for several long seconds, without ever saying a word.

Can’t you say something to her, you big lug? I made a special effort to bring her over here to meet you. Allan maintained his stare, as well as his silence.

June suddenly felt very awkward and uncomfortable with the demeanor Allan exhibited. She pulled her arm free from Sara and turned to leave. She took no more than a few steps when she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. Then she heard a husky, deep voice say, Please don’t leave. I don’t bite, I promise. June stopped and looked over her shoulder at the man as she slid his hand from her shoulder. Why are you so anxious to get away from me? Allan inquired.

Because I felt so damn clumsy back there, that’s why. I didn’t ask to be introduced to you and it was certainly plain you weren’t in the most receptive mood to meet me. You humiliated me by ignoring me in front of all those people, not that I necessarily wanted to be recognized by you.

I’m sorry for seeming rude to you; it wasn’t intended. That’s just the way I am most of the time, slow to respond. I’m told I am slow on the trigger to speak sometimes. I need to think about things before I say them. Could I please make it up to you by buying you a drink or some dinner?

Hell no, you don’t need to make anything up to me, and just for the record, buddy, you were sure quick enough on the trigger to scan my body from head to toe. Just do me a favor and leave me alone, okay? June walked past him and stopped to say a few words to Sara. "Don’t you ever pull that kind of crap on me again, not ever. I’ll let you know when I’m damn good and ready to meet a strange man in a bar, and that man damn sure is a real strange one, June said, And it sure as hell won’t be anytime soon." Then she turned and walked out the door.

Sara quickly followed June outside, But please, June, I was just trying to help you meet some new people. Please don’t be mad over it. I had no way of knowing the jerk was going to act like that.

June told her, I’m not mad at you, Sara. I know it wasn’t your fault he was so classless and clueless. I’ll talk to you at work tomorrow. She walked quickly to her car and left without saying another word. Sara stood in a stun as she watched her new friend leave.

The next day at work, Sara saw June in the restroom. I truly am sorry for that incident last evening. I meant no harm. I was just trying to help you meet some new people.

I accept that, Sara, and I’m sorry I blew up over that thing last night, but please, when and if I want to meet any other men, just let me meet them my way, even though meeting men is not high on my agenda right now.

Sure, no problem. Do you mind if I have lunch with you? Sara asked.

Not if you brought your lunch. I fixed a sandwich at home. I wasn’t in the mood to eat lunch out today. Most of the time I prefer to eat at work and catch up on the daily news in the paper or on the Internet.

I didn’t bring it. I generally go to one of the nearby eateries, but if it’s okay with you, I’ll bring my lunch tomorrow and eat with you. That would probably save me a little money too.

Yes, let’s plan on it. It does save a little bit.

Nearly three weeks went past before Sara mentioned any after-work plans to June. But then she got brave. I’m almost afraid to ask, but would you care to stop at Bennie’s and have a drink before heading home?

What is Bennie’s? I haven’t heard of it, have I?

Possibly not. It’s four or five blocks from here, west, I think. Yes, I believe it is west of here because the sun always sets in front of Bennie’s. Or would that make it east? I’m not real good at directions.

Sure, why not? But you remember what I said about introducing me to…

Oh yes, you never need to worry about that again. I promise you are on your own in that regard, Sara confirmed.

Bennie’s was an eatery that served a thirsty crowd of working people on their way home after a day of labor at the office or shop. Mostly, the crowd was white-collared office workers, with a sprinkling of a very few blue-collared ones. June was surprised that close to half of the people in the establishment were women. Why are there so many women in here? she asked her friend. It seems out of proportion to other places like this.

See that big building across the street down there about a block? That’s the headquarters of one of the largest cosmetic companies in the country. They have women officers in almost all their executive suites. There probably aren’t more than twenty or thirty men in the entire building. Most of these women you see in here come from there, Sara told her. And as far as I know, there is just one other larger company that is actually headquartered in Peoria, and that company is Caterpillar. They are a worldwide company that makes big bulldozers and a bunch of giant mining trucks and stuff.

Caterpillar, yes, I’ve heard of them. I see their big office building downtown. But I’m surprised this place isn’t flooded with guys on the prowl with so many women present. This would seem to be like the next thing to heaven for them.

Bennie won’t allow any funny stuff in his place. These women know they are safe from predators here. Any man that comes in knows he had better behave himself or he will be thrown out and not allowed back in the establishment. Bennie runs a tight operation here.

No kidding. That’s great to know. I had no idea such places existed. I find a certain measure of comfort in knowing that, although I do feel I can handle myself as far as being able to ward off unwanted attention from strange men. But thanks for telling me, June told Sara.

While sitting and talking, June noticed three or four men looking toward her and Sara, but they were not trying to flirt nor were they doing anything to get attention. Often when they saw the two women continuing to talk, they would look away. They probably knew that Bennie would have his scouts reporting to him if they didn’t behave properly. It was just a moment later when June noticed Allan walk in the front door and head toward her and Sara. He nodded at them and kept walking to the far corner of the large room where he sat alone. That was strange behavior, wasn’t it? she asked Sara.

What?

How he never spoke to us—just nodded recognition as he walked past.

Yeah, but as you know by now, he’s a quiet one—always has been since I’ve known him, Sara said. But I expect he’s still stinging some from that last encounter with you.

He deserved what he got. What’s his last name? Or did you tell me before?

I didn’t.

"So what is it?

I can’t say.

What does that remark mean?

It means I don’t know what his last name is. I have never been told, Sara replied. He acts as if he doesn’t want anyone to know what it is.

What, you mean you have dated the guy and never knew his name?

I never said I dated him, because I haven’t. I introduced him to you that evening as a friend, not as a former lover. I don’t know offhand anyone ever mentioning his name, or for that matter, what he even does for work, Sara offered.

Did you ever think to ask him what his name was? That sometimes works.

It didn’t work for me. Of course I have asked him.

Then how could he not tell you?

Sara looked at June, seeing clearly that she didn’t believe what she just told her. I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll bet you five bucks you can’t get him to tell you what his last name is either. Is it a deal or not?

June thought about it for a full twenty seconds as she considered his face. I’ll take that bet. Get your five bucks ready. I’ll be right back. June got up and started toward the women’s rest room, nodding to Allan as she passed him. In a short couple of minutes, she emerged from the restroom and started to walk past Allan again. He spoke first, Hi, remember me?

June stopped and stepped toward him. Should I?

Maybe, although it’s been three weeks or so since you reamed me out. I’m Allan. And you are June, right?

Yes, June, June Disney. And you are Allan who?

Just Allan.

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who went by just Allan. You must have a last name, or is the first name Just and the last name Allan?

Everybody just calls me Allan.

Yeah, but what does your birth certificate say?

It says Allan too.

Allan Too, now that’s a strange name. I’ve never heard that one before either. So your mother and father must share the same name of Too, right?

I tell people I don’t have a mother or father.

You just want to be difficult. So why not simply say you don’t want to give me your last name?

Last names aren’t important, he told her.

You’re very wrong about that, mister wise guy. Not only are last names important, sometimes even middle names or initials are important. Did you ever try to find a John Smith or James Jones in a big city without knowing what the middle name or initial was? I have, and it’s nearly impossible. All names including last names are very important, but I don’t even want to know yours now, so you can shove it right up where the sunshine will never shed light on it. She turned and walked away, greatly agitated, but also surprised at herself for making such a crude remark to Allan. Back at the table, she sat and pulled a fiver from her purse and shoved it to Sara.

No luck, huh? Sara inquired as she refused the money.

No, it was a bet and I lost. You have to take it. June shoved the money into Sara’s hand. I would have taken your five if I had won.

So what happened back there?

That man is a nutcase if I ever saw one. June never looked at Allan the remainder of the few minutes she stayed at Bennie’s.

Two months passed quickly. June was busy at work and still getting settled into her new apartment. Sara had been a great friend and helped her all she possibly could during the time she knew her. June returned the favors any time she found a chance. Her new apartment was just two blocks from Sara, so they shared rides to work as often as possible. One Friday afternoon June asked Sara if she would like to stop at Bennie’s after work and celebrate the end of a hard week of work at the agency.

Sure, I need a drink of something. This has been a bitch of a week.

As they entered the establishment, the first person June noticed was Allan. He was sitting in a booth near the front door. He nodded at the two women. Sara returned the nod, but June ignored him and went straight to a booth near the rear. Why do I have to run into that repulsive character every single time I go into a place of business?

Sara only smiled. Maybe it’s fate.

Fate hell, it’s the devil punishing me for something, that’s what it is. He knows I can’t stand the man.

Well, you better bristle up and prepare yourself. I think he’s coming back our way, Sara said. Yep, he’s zeroed in on you. He is completely focused on you, babe.

Allan stopped to say hello to the women. Sara responded, Hi Allan, it’s nice to see you again.

Thanks, Sara, but what about your partner here? Has the cat got her tongue?

June looked at him. No, the cat doesn’t have my tongue. I simply choose to ignore people who won’t tell me their names.

You already know my name is Allan, so what’s the problem?

Just then the waiter stopped and asked, Is everything cool here?

Yes, we’re just talking. Thanks for checking, June said. The waiter left. Now, Allan Too, or Just Allan, or whatever the hell your name is, what do you want here?

Sara interjected, Your name is Allan Too? What was the Just Allan about? I’m in the dark here. Can someone please enlighten me what’s going on?

Allan turned toward Sara. No, that’s a little joke thing she and I have between us.

Believe me, we have nothing between us, June told Sara. So what do you want here? she asked Allan a second time.

Just a little respect, that’s all. I was merely attempting to greet you two lovely ladies. I’ve been out of town and haven’t seen you for a little while and I just wanted to be friendly.

Be friendly to someone else. It isn’t my desire to be friends with someone who can’t tell me their name, June said. By the way, were you working out of town or just vacationing?

Yes, I was working.

What kind of work do you do? June inquired, knowing Sara had mentioned to her that nobody knew what his work was.

What kind of work do you do? he shot back.

I asked first, June replied.

My work is a private matter. I choose to not tell anyone what it is.

Mine too. Please don’t ever ask me again, okay? As a matter of fact, don’t ask me anything ever again. Do you understand that?

Allan slipped away saying, Bye Sara. Bye June. He had a crooked smile on his face, as well as a look of dismay. Perhaps it was more a look of how to escape without any additional discomfort on his part.

Damn that man anyway. He infuriates me with all his secret crap. I actually don’t give a hoot about him or what his name is or where he works. I could care less, June said to her friend. Remind me to never ask him another question. He makes me angry every time I see him, and now he even has me cussing like a sailor. I hate it when that happens. That isn’t my style.

It may be that you don’t care much for him, but he sure seems to want to get to know you better. The one thing I will say in his defense is that in all the time I have been around him, he’s always been a true gentleman. I’ve never seen or heard a bad thing about him from anyone, Sara told her friend. Maybe you shouldn’t be so rude to him.

"His actions require it, as indicated by how he gave me the once over the first time