December 10
Although she had always enjoyed being an editor, with each passing day, Rosalind found it more difficult to concentrate on her work. While her authors and most of her fellow employees attributed her befuddled mental state to pre-holiday stress, Sara, her secretary, expressed concern about her employer's health.
"Are you feeling all right? You're not coming down with the flu, are you? There's nothing worse than being sick at Christmas time."
"I'm feeling fine. I just have a lot on my mind right now."
As yet, she had told no one about either her secret admirer or the bizarre gift he had sent her.
Throughout the afternoon, Rosalind did her best to focus on the David Knight manuscript, all the while keeping a close eye on the clock above her door. For one of the few times in her life, she was anxious to leave work.
When she finally got home, the first thing she did was run into the living room, take the advent calendar off the mantel and open the drawer marked ten. Like a corny stage magician, Rosalind reached inside and took out a scarf. It was not just any scarf, however; it was the Loro Piana scarf she had admired in Neiman Marcus the previous month, the one she resolutely resisted purchasing because of its high, four-digit price tag.
Unfortunately, her joy at owning the expensive fashion accessory was eclipsed by the fear that her secret admirer might have been stalking her for some time.
