Читать книгу The Mommy Makeover - Bonnie Winn K. - Страница 12

Katelyn adjusted her sunglasses as she examined the magazines on the newsstand rack. Bypassing Newsweek, Time and the Wall Street Journal, her attention wandered toward the bridal magazines. Katelyn wasn’t sure why she had been so drawn to them in the last few weeks, but she picked up nearly half a dozen different ones. After paying for them, she stuffed the magazines in her briefcase, not wanting anyone to see them.

Certainly not her driver. Malloy would get too much enjoyment out of watching her moon over bridal magazines. She could tell he wasn’t accustomed to women like her—women who valued their careers. She suspected most of his dates were the type who wanted to step in and mother his children. At that thought she felt an unexpected pang. She’d been thinking more and more about children lately, wondering what she was missing out on. It had begun with that unexpectedly frank talk with Malloy after the helicopter episode. But now she didn’t know why her feelings seemed so out of control.

Oh, it was probably a full moon, she told herself.

That, or the alarm had been activated on her biological clock.

Strolling outside, she met Malloy’s level stare as he leaned against the limo fender. She wished he wouldn’t always look at her. It was as though he saw right through her skin and into her mind. She wasn’t sure just what was going through her mind these days and she didn’t need any thought-voyeurs examining her uncertainties.

As she approached him, he whisked open the door and perversely she wished he wasn’t so efficient. Realizing how ridiculous the thought was, she slid inside.

“Ready for your dinner meeting?” Finn asked as he took his place behind the wheel.

“I’d like to go home and put on something else.”

She’d been doing more of that lately—changing her schedule unexpectedly. “Right.” He concentrated on navigating into the traffic, then glanced into the rearview mirror. “Something special tonight?”

Katelyn glanced up, her eyes a golden green this evening “It’s a work meeting, but I don’t have to look as though I’ve worked all day.”

He wasn’t sure there was a logical or tactful reply to that. “Uh-huh. You expect to be late tonight?”

“I expect to be climbing the walls by nine.” She sighed wistfully. “But unfortunately I don’t expect to be rescued from the clutches of boredom by a white knight.”

Finn glanced cautiously at her. Maybe even corporate types gave into feminine whimsy. She had been acting softer lately. Finn thought she’d just become accustomed to him.

Wondering how long she expected the dinner meeting to last, Finn glanced in the rearview mirror as he started to ask. But what he saw halted his words. He blinked to make sure he was seeing straight.

Katelyn was reading, but not the expected stack of paperwork. Instead she was immersed in a bridal magazine. So immersed she didn’t even notice him watching her.

What was going on with her? Briefly Finn remembered the tape label he’d found. As quickly, he dismissed it. For all he knew, the tape had been one about using femininity for corporate power. Or it could have been exactly what she’d said—one to help her stop smoking.

“So, how’s quitting smoking going?” Finn asked, curious why she was behaving in such a different manner.

“What? Oh, okay I guess,” she replied. “I haven’t really thought about it that much.”

He glanced back in the mirror, seeing the unexpectedly wistful expression on her face. “Something else on your mind?”

She hesitated. “It probably would sound silly.”

“Try me.”

“Well, ever since we talked about children, I’ve just had this nagging feeling…” Katelyn paused. “I keep wondering what it must be like—to have these miniature people—ones so much like yourself.” Her words ended on a deprecating laugh. “I guess I sound crazy.”

“Not in my opinion,” Finn replied steadily as he stopped for a red light. Their eyes met in the rearview mirror. “Would you rather ignore those feelings and spend the rest of your life regretting what could have been?”

Her gaze remained connected with his. “Do you have any? Regrets, I mean.”

“Of course. But not about my kids. But I would regret it like hell if I’d decided against having them.”

“I want that, too,” Katelyn replied, surprising them both. “The certainty, I mean. I want to be absolutely sure I’m doing the right thing.”

Surprised, Finn studied the woman he’d thought was totally certain about everything. “And you’re not sure now?”

She shook her head. “I thought I was, but now things aren’t as clear. My feelings seem muddled. Like about having children. I was so sure about my decision. And now…”

“You have doubts?”

“More than just doubts.” Katelyn’s voice changed, infused with a tone Finn had never heard her use. “Something inside tells me you’re right. I don’t want to wake up someday and wish I’d done things differently.”

The light changed and the car behind them honked impatiently. Finn tore his gaze from the rearview mirror, breaking their connection. But his thoughts remained on her words. Was it possible Katelyn not only wanted children, but could possibly even be good with them? He hadn’t considered her in this light. Briefly he remembered the vulnerability she had exhibited while sleeping. He had dismissed that for the most part. But could he be wrong? Was the barracuda really a woman beneath her prickly surface?

Glancing again in the rearview mirror, Finn decided it was worth consideration.

DANIEL USED his key to enter Katelyn’s condo. He often housesat for her, watering the plants and picking up her mail when she was out of town. But his mission today was different.

While the last tape he’d given Katelyn had accelerated the process, it still wasn’t working as quickly as he expected. Realistically, Daniel knew he couldn’t expect her to listen to the tapes indefinitely. Happy in his own relationship with Mary, he wanted Katelyn to find a potential mate as well.

Not only would she be happier, so would he. He sensed that it was her frustration in recent months that had made her edgy, unusually testy. Even though her behavior wore on his nerves, he was genuinely concerned about Katelyn. Having climbed to an enviable position of power, she would find it difficult to relinquish her career for a husband and children. Daniel knew that without outside intervention, Katelyn would grow more frustrated and unhappy.

Again, Daniel thought of his sister, the bitterness she couldn’t escape. He intended to make sure Katelyn had a different choice.

Although the last tape he’d purchased had advocated marriage, this one practically guaranteed that it would push the listener into holy wedlock. It worked primarily on a woman’s natural desire to procreate. Katelyn should soon be brimming with desire for a husband and children.

Daniel had exchanged this newest tape for the one in her cassette recorder, but he wasn’t certain she would listen to it enough for it to work. So, he’d purchased a second tape.

Walking into her bedroom, he spotted the stereo system. It was a separate unit that Katelyn had bought to bring an air of romance to the room. However, she had confessed that the unit hadn’t been used in a long time.

But Daniel had a better use for the neglected stereo.

He slipped the tape in the proper slot, adjusted the volume and then for the pièce de résistance, set the timer. Every night the stereo would turn on at a predetermined time. As she slept, the tape would play repeatedly.

Grinning, Daniel realized Katelyn would be after her perfect mate in a flash. He just hoped the man she chose was ready. Because a determined Katelyn could put a steamroller to shame. And after listening hundreds of times to the tape, she was going to be one determined hunter.

IT HAD BEEN an interesting three weeks for Finn. His relationship with Katelyn had altered dramatically. It began changing when she had discussed her uncertainty about having children. Since then, the rigid ice princess persona had lessened until it completely disappeared. Instead of treating him like a faceless employee, Katelyn had actually been kind, even interested in hearing about his life and goals. In other circumstances, he would have said they were becoming friends. But that was a loaded description.

Because even though Finn knew Katelyn was his boss, he still found her enormously attractive. But, now that she had started acting like a regular human being, he realized it went beyond just a physical attraction. The intelligence in her eyes drew him along with a grudging admiration for all she had accomplished. He had witnessed her drive and determination and knew it equaled that of only the most dedicated. Most male executives would have difficulty keeping up with her and would be hard-pressed to duplicate her success.

While her breakneck pace hadn’t slowed appreciably, Katelyn was acting softer, more open-like. Even her clothing choices were changing, going more and more often from dynamic power suits to soft, clingy dresses, wispy blouses and flowered skirts. Instead of pulling her hair back in severe styles, it now hung loose in silky waves.

What was even more puzzling was her uncharacteristic behavior. Katelyn had paused several times to longingly watch children. Once they had passed a church with a wedding in progress and he could have sworn he saw the glint of tears in her eyes. It was baffling, but Finn guessed her actions could be attributed to her biological clock. Apparently she had reached a point in her life where she was questioning the choices she had made. It wasn’t that uncommon. For once, Finn could see the definite advantages of female hormones. They appeared to be making a complete transformation in Katelyn.

As he completed the thought, Finn spotted her. She was strolling out the revolving door of a glassy skyscraper, long, burnished hair peeking out of the flowered hat she wore. She looked particularly attractive today. But it struck him that she was like an entirely different person—in appearance, attitude, and behavior. It wasn’t like her to stroll instead of walking at a near running pace.

As she approached, he swung open the rear passenger door.

“Hello, Finn. I hope you haven’t been waiting too long.” It was another of her changes. She no longer felt compelled to address him as Malloy.

“Actually, I just got here a few minutes ago. The meeting didn’t go as long as you’d thought. Is that a good sign?”

“Sometimes you don’t have to keep beating a dead horse. It’s smarter to simply bury it and get on with the next race.”

Puzzled, Finn shut the door and got into the car himself. Adjusting the rearview mirror, he studied her face. “I’m not sure exactly what that means.”

“The client didn’t like the presentation. So, why should I keep trying to sell it? I’ll simply work up another campaign.”

Simply? Finn knew that Katelyn had spent weeks on the presentation she was now dismissing. A good portion of her success was her unrelenting determination to sell her ideas, dominating meetings with her forceful presence. “And it doesn’t bother you that so much work went into it?”

Katelyn shrugged “There’s not much I could do about it. I’ll just have to think of something fresher. Life’s too short to get caught up in the things you can’t change. It’s much wiser to concentrate on the ones you can.”

Finn’s gaze remained on hers. As baffling as her behavior was, he couldn’t stem his fascination. “And is there something new you plan to concentrate on?”

A dreamy smile slid over her lips. “Perhaps.”

Shaking his head, Finn pulled out of the circular driveway and into traffic. He couldn’t help wondering what that purposely vague response meant.

Tonight’s meeting was being held northwest of the city in a secluded club. While it boasted of a first-class golf course and a four-star restaurant, it wasn’t a convenient location since it required a drive through snarled traffic routes. It would have been wisest to take a helicopter to the club, but Finn didn’t want to suggest it. He vividly remembered Katelyn’s terror in the copter. It wasn’t something he wanted to subject her to again.

Finn expertly navigated through the traffic. It didn’t take long to reach the loop. From there he took an exit which put them on a farm road, out of the gridlock.

Katelyn leaned forward. “Finn, do you know much about the Lakeview Club?”

“Not much beyond the obvious. It’s near a lake. Food’s supposed to be good. And it’s got a decent golf course. But it’s a little bit off the beaten track.”

“That’s okay,” she replied, surprising him. “It looks like a nice drive.”

So it was. They wound through the lush greenery that marked the Gulf Coast. First-time visitors often compared the succulent landscape to a cultivated rain forest. The humidity and frequent rain kept plants green year round. Beyond that, trees and plants grew rapidly because of the natural hothouse effect of the environment. And from the air-conditioned comfort of the limo, it was like journeying through a tame jungle.

Having made good time, Finn soon arrived at the Lakeview Country Club. The lines of the lovely Greek revival building emulated those of fine antebellum plantation homes. Even the dusky-pink brick looked authentically aged. But like many things in the often still raw city, it was an upstart. No landed gentry had once owned the fields surrounding the club. But that was part of the lure of Houston. New and old could compete as equals.

Once past the guardhouse, Finn pulled into the circular drive. Only yards from the huge double-door entrance, Finn heard Katelyn’s cell phone ring. Then he heard her side of a brief conversation.

She clicked the phone off. “That was Daniel. Tonight’s meeting has been postponed.”

“Great timing,” Finn observed wryly.

“Exactly what I was thinking.”

“No reason you still can’t have a nice dinner,” he suggested. “It might even taste better knowing you don’t have a meeting for dessert.”

“Hmm,” she mused. “That sounds good. But only on one condition.”

Finn dearly hoped she didn’t intend to have him drive all the way to her condo to fetch something. “And what would that be?”

“That you join me for dinner.”

Finn managed to keep his jaw from dropping. But it was a monumental effort. “Excuse me?”

“I’d like you to join me for dinner. We’ve driven to north Timbuktu. I’m sure you’re hungry. I know I am. And as you just suggested, I could still enjoy a nice dinner.”

“Actually I was just going to grab a hamburger,” he hedged, knowing the prices would shatter his carefully structured budget.

“My treat,” she urged with a smile. “Don’t tell me you’re going to let a lady eat alone?”

Glancing back at her, he knew she could have company with a snap of her perfectly manicured fingers. But Finn had the sense not to rebuff good fortune. After all, it was only one evening. He was sure that, despite her recent changes, Katelyn would be back to one hundred percent business by the next day. But for now…why not enjoy?

Nodding, he emerged from the car, tossing his hat inside, then opening her door. “Ms. Amhurst, you’re right. I’d be a fool to let you eat alone.”

Her lips edged upward in a slightly provocative smile. “It sounds ridiculous for you to keep calling me Ms. Amhurst. My name is Katelyn. After all, I call you Finn.”

But she was the boss. Acknowledging that, he decided to let her call the rules. “All right, Katelyn, whatever you say.”

Taking his arm, she wagged the fingers of her other hand at him. “Now that could be a dangerous offer.”

Lifting his eyebrows, he studied her changeling eyes. He wasn’t sure what was brewing there, but he sensed that it could be downright volatile. Still, it wasn’t like him to ignore a challenge, subtle or otherwise. “I’ll let you be the judge of that.”

Smiling at him, she leaned a touch closer as they passed through the doors into a massive entry hall. The ceiling soared at least two full stories. Descending from the high arch was an ornate crystal chandelier, which sparkled as though lit by the sun itself.