Pulse Points. Mary Baxter Lynn

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      Nine

       K asey was both frustrated and excited. She had worked all day yesterday and most of this morning on Tanner’s campaign. While her head had been swarming with ideas based on his platform, nothing had gelled, no one theme that would make the man, Tanner Hart, stand out. With the help of the staff, she had come up with numerous sketches and slogans; they were strewn about the workroom on desks and tables. The place resembled a war zone.

      But again, nothing out of the ordinary had jumped out at her. At the moment, her frustration was winning over her excitement. Kasey rubbed her temples, trying to clear her dulled mind.

      “Want some more coffee?” Don Hornsby asked in a cheery tone, his smile targeting her.

      Kasey shook her head. “Absolutely not. But thanks. As it is, I’m already wired to the max.”

      “You’re not alone,” Don muttered, turning and pouring himself another big mug of coffee. “Still, I can’t stop hitting the high octane stuff. It’s keeping me going.”

      That was when Kasey noticed how tired he looked, how dark the circles were under his eyes. What was his problem? she wondered. The same as hers most likely—lack of sleep. She had been pushing hard since the staff meeting two days ago. They had worked long, intense hours, and the finish line was not yet in sight.

      And time was running out.

      “Maybe we should get Hart in here to give us his opinion,” Red said, shoving a hand through his thick red hair, causing it to stand on end.

      “Yeah, why not do that?” Lance chimed in. “I’m sure he could weed through some of this stuff which would give us a better perspective.”

      Kasey didn’t hesitate. “No. When he’s brought on-board, I want ideas in place that will wow him.”

      In fact, she hadn’t called Tanner back for fear he would want to know how things were progressing. More to the point, he’d probably want to have input. And while that was certainly his right, now was not the best time.

      “You’re pushing yourself too hard,” Dwight said in his mild-mannered voice.

      It was the first time he’d spoken in a while, which wasn’t out of the ordinary. He was a strange little man, considered a geek by the others, maybe because he had zero personality and kept to himself. That aside, Kasey had learned that he was talented and valued his ability as a writer. In fact, several of her favorite slogans had been his idea.

      “I have to, Dwight,” she responded, her eyes touching on each one. “We all do. Remember time is not a luxury we have.”

      “Hart must’ve known that when he hired you.”

      “That he did, Don,” Kasey said on a testy tone. “But since I told him our agency was up to the task, we have to deliver.”

      Don merely shrugged before picking up one of the sketches and perusing it. Though his expertise was sales and marketing, Don also had an eye for design. Shirley had told her that from the get-go, and she had found that to be true. Yet she didn’t plan on tying him up too long. He was needed more on the outside to drum up new business.

      “So let’s get our backsides in the saddle, then,” Red said in his loud voice. “The fat lady obviously hasn’t sung yet.”

      Kasey gave the art director a grateful nod, picked up her sketchbook and thumbed through the pages. Not bad, she mused. Some of these ideas were actually damn good, and Tanner would probably be pleased.

      She mulled over each, then sighed. Something vital was missing on the pages. Kasey’s eyes narrowed, furrowing СКАЧАТЬ