A littleter, a car from the local TV station arrived to pick upn; he had a one- on-one finance interview scheduled.


    Half an hour after that, Mansfield dropped Eleanor off at her hotel so she could


    rest.


    "You''ve got three hours before your flight," Mansfield said as he helped her with her bags. "Get some rest. I''ll make sure you get to the airport on time."


    Eleanor smiled appreciatively. "Mansfield, you don''t have to go to all this trouble. I can just call a cab."


    He shook his head firmly. "No way. I wouldn''t feel right about that. I''ll drive you myself."


    "But that''s really—"


    He cut her off, grinning. "Honestly, I like it when you let me help. Once I''m stationed at the base, I won''t have many chances to do you favors."


    Sheughed and met his eyes. "Next time you''re in Ashford City, dinner''s on me."


    "Looking forward to it," Mansfield replied.


    After all, Eleanor had just done her father a favor. The least Mansfield could do was make sure she was looked after.


    Meanwhile,n was in the middle of his televised interview. The host smiled and asked, "Mr. Goodwin, we hear your biomedicalpany still isn''t public. Could you share with us why?"


    There was a sh of admiration in the host''s eyes. "I''ve heard your ex-wife, Dr. Sutton, is also an expert in this field?"


    The interview continued with a few more technical questions, whichn answered smoothly before leaving the set.


    The show''s producer hurried over, clearly excited. "Mr. Goodwin, your insights into the pharmaceutical industry were fantastic. We''re hosting a dinner tonight-would you do us the honor of joining?"


    He left the studio in a rush, his car waiting outside.


    "Airport, please,"n said sinctly as he climbed in.


    ncing at the time, the driver stepped on the gas, heading straight for the highway.


    But rush hour traffic soon swallowed them up, andn stared at the endless line of brake lights ahead, his fingers drumming impatiently on the armrest.


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Goodwin," the driver tried to reassure him. "Once we get past this stretch, it''ll open up."


    congestion, the driver sped up, weaving deftly through traffic.


    With just twenty minutes to spare,n made it to the terminal.


    He strode toward the VIP entrance, where an airport attendant was already waiting for him. "Mr. Goodwin, right this way. We''ve arranged a fast-track for you."


    Rounding a corner,n stopped short. Through the ss wall by the boarding gate, he saw Eleanor standing with Mansfield, face-to-face.


    Mansfield leaned in, saying something to her, and Eleanor tilted her head up with a small, rxed smile.


    Just then, Mansfield patted Eleanor on the shoulder, said a few final words, and Eleanor waved to him as she handed over her boarding pass and disappeared through the gate.