‘I was interested in your ideas for the company in our meeting during the week and wanted to go over your ideas more casually.’
Andy pointed a finger, cocked his thumb and made a clicking noise, ‘Fire away.’
Mr Blake peered at Andy over his spectacles before closing his laptop and placing it on the coffee table between them. ‘I was particularly interested in your ideas to market into China. Can you tell me more about how we can work with their trade embargos?’
‘Sure. We can learn to speak China … no, China-ese. Yeah. Those suckers can’t speak England very good at all.’ Andy chuckled. His head tipped back. He jolted and swayed, but managed to stay upright.
Mr Blake pursed his lips, ‘I’m aware of the language barrier …’
‘One more thing … we need an agent.’ Andy leaned forward, ‘No undercover agents, like spies or anything like that. An agent for business. You know they have ‘em over there. They can speak England and everything.’
Sara placed her hand over Andy’s, tilting forward in her seat to peer at his face. He’d gone a whiter shade beneath a slick sheen of perspiration. His eyes snapped open, ‘Look. Planes! I like planes. You know, when I was a kid… ‘ Andy’s head fell forward. He jerked up, but then his head tipped back. ‘I like planes. We should go on one, Sar. Sara-lara. I like that… think I’ll call you that for now on…’
His head fell back, and a thread of saliva dribbled from the corner of his mouth. Sara’s head fell into her open palm. ‘I knew this was a bad idea. But would he listen?’
‘Sara. I understand.’
She gasped, looking into the frank stare of Mr Blake, ‘You weren’t shopping, were you?’
‘It’s not what you think, Mr Blake.’
‘Sometimes, admitting you have a problem is the hardest part. Just acknowledging it goes a long way to recovery.’
‘Mr Blake ...,’ Sara bit her lip. Andy had been so adamant about not telling Mr Blake, but surely having a vasectomy was a better option to being labelled a raging drunk at the office. She had to tell Andy’s boss something. He was looking at her like he was going to shuffle her off to the nearest women’s shelter.
Andy was not going to like this, but when she weighed up a bad reputation at the office versus a few vasectomy jokes, the answer came easy enough. She’d just have to make Andy see it from her point of view. When he woke up. And healed. And was in a good frame of mind. Maybe after his favorite meal. Food always got him in a good frame of mind. ‘We’ve just come from surgery.’
‘And he got drunk on the way!’
‘What! No … No!’ Sara gaped, horrified, ‘Andy had the operation. He had the surgeon hit him up with so much local he could hardly move his legs. Then, on top of that, he took a fair whack of painkillers. He’s not drunk… he’s… well, I guess he’s high.’
‘Surgery? Legs?’
She took a deep breath, ‘Vasectomy. An hour ago.’
Mr Blake’s mouth fell open in an ‘O’ as he began to understand their predicament. He steepled his fingers and thought for a moment, ‘And he still wanted to come here and see me?’
Sara grimaced, ‘He kind of didn’t want me to tell you. Something about his manhood not being told to the whole office and every waking human on earth knowing what his willy’s gone though.’
‘You know when I had mine, I was out for a week. But it paled into comparison with what my wife went through to deliver our three children. They’re adults now, but I still haven’t forgotten what it felt like all those years ago. I’m amazed he made it from your car all the way through that airport to here.’
‘He was pretty determined to speak to you. Apart from the vasectomy, he’s kind of not talked about much else than this idea of his lately. It’s pretty interesting what he wants to do, you know.’
‘Really?’
Sara nodded, ‘It’s a pity he’s passed out on you. I hope you can forgive him.’
‘There’s nothing to forgive. Given what he’s just gone through, I’m surprised he turned up at all. ’
‘He said you’re on a tight timetable and felt like this was the only time he could see you for a while.’
Mr Blake nodded, ‘Goes with the job I’m afraid, but that’s no excuse. If I’d known what he was doing today, I’d never have asked him to come here. Some things come before work, and this is one of those things. Can I help you back to the car?’
Sara glanced at Andy and grimaced, ‘I don’t know. He’s really heavy. I’m kind of leaning towards letting him sleep for now. My parents are looking after our children and to tell you the truth, it’ll be nice to rest myself for a little while.’
Mr Blake’s eyes sparkled, ‘Just so happens I have a couple of hours up my sleeve at the moment. Can I interest you in a coffee and a snack, and after that you might like to tell me what that husband of yours has in his head about these China trade embargoes.’
Sara glanced at the spread of scrolls, biscuits and slices, and the barista behind the gleaming coffee-machine, ‘I think you could talk me into a coffee and a snack, but I can only tell you about what Andy’s told me. He’s the one with all the details.’
‘Understood and accepted. Shall we?’ Mr Blake stood and gestured to the food counter. Andy was still out for the count and the coffee was calling. Besides, she hadn’t had two hours to herself for a long, long time.
She nodded, ‘We shall, Mr Blake.’
‘Oh, and by the way, call me Ted. I think after what you’ve gone through today, we can use first names.’
Sara’s smile widened, ‘Sounds wonderful, Ted.’
* * *
‘This looks wonderful, Sara! Thanks for inviting me on such short notice.’ Ted beamed from his place at the table. Beside him sat Ellie, with Jacob in his high-chair next to Sara. ‘I always appreciate a home cooked meal.’
‘We can’t have you sitting around the airport when a meeting gets cancelled,’ Sara said. ‘You’re always welcome here.’
‘It’s a pleasure, Ted.’ Andy said, putting a bowl of fresh salad on the table and sitting opposite.
‘Good to see you looking so well, Andy.’
‘Well, I’m awake at least. And walking. And not on Vicodin.’
Ted chuckled, ‘Yes, it was rather hard to talk to you last time. I’m glad your wife cleared up my misunderstandings.’
‘And I’m glad none of what happened went around the office,’ Andy said.
‘I can’t have any bad news spread about my new International Sales Manager,’ Ted said.
Sara raised her glass of wine, ‘To China.’
The phone rang and Sara went to answer it.
‘How’s My Little Girl?
‘Going well, Dad,’ Sara smiled, watching her family at the table. Ted seemed especially taken with the kids and Andy preened showing them off. ‘I’d just like to ask if you can look after the kids on the weekend.’
‘Sure, honey. Special occasion?’
‘You know, I’m just celebrating life at the moment,’ Sara said.
* * *
They stood at the door and waved Ted off in the taxi that would take him to the airport, ‘That’s going to be us soon,’ Andy said. ‘How do you feel about so much travel?’
‘As long as we’re together, we’ll have our family and our home,’ Sara said, leading Andy into the kitchen, ‘I have a surprise for you.’ She handed him an envelope.
Andy took out the letter and scanned it, ‘The official certificate?’
‘Mmhmm. Officially no sperm.’ She took it and put it on the fridge, ‘Place of honor. And in celebration I have booked The Tavern this weekend. Mum and Dad are looking after the kids.’
Andy took Sara in his arms, wound them around her and pressed her tight against him, ‘For the whole weekend?’
‘Two whole days… and two whole nights.’ Sara tilted her head, leaning close enough so that his breath caressed her cheek. He nipped the lobe of her ear gently and nuzzled her cheek. She shivered at the delicate sensa
tion.
‘Whatever are we going to do with all that time?’ Andy said, pressing his lips to hers. They cushioned against her mouth so flawlessly.
She slid her arms around his neck, cocooning herself against him. Two halves of a perfect whole, ‘Oh, I have plenty of ideas. Plenty of good, sexy, non-pregnancy, celebratory ideas reserved just for my husband.’
‘I’m so glad I married you, Sara. I love our kids. I love my family. I love you. Every day I’m thankful. I don’t know what my life would be like without you in it’
‘I don’t want to find out, either,’ Sara said, placing tiny kisses around his mouth.
Andy groaned, chasing her mouth, ‘Are we going to celebrate tonight as well?’
‘Oh, yeah. Not every day you get a certificate of no sperm. And we’ve worked very hard to get that.’
‘Here’s to no sperm.’
‘And a beautiful life ahead,’ Sara said, taking Andy by the hand and into the bedroom to show him how much she loved her life and sharing it with him.
The End
I hope you have enjoyed Getting the Snip. Sara and Andy’s adventure begins in Getting Preggas and Getting Hitched. The first steps along life’s incredible journey.
ROMANTIC COMEDY NOVELLAS
Getting Hitched
Sara should be really, really scared. Terrified even. But she’s simply too busy to worry about little things like that. She has a wedding to plan and she intends to have the perfect day. Besides, when it’s all organised, she’ll relax and enjoy loving her fiancé. Until then, she has a job to do. Many, many jobs.
But Sara still hasn’t found the perfect gown, organised the flowers, the hair, make-up, photographer or the thousand other things she has to get done for the ‘perfect, romantic day she will remember for the rest of her life’. With only four weeks to go, not only has she been unable to match the perfect pink but the groom has gone missing.
Sara is caught in a dilemma. Should she worry that Andy might actually be half way round the world drinking margaritas and partying it up in Mexico with half-dressed bimbos or should she buy that sexy little bikini she saw online for her honeymoon.
One thing’s for sure, with Andy away and leaving the wedding plans to her, she doesn’t care if she’s a bridezilla or not. Some things are bigger than mere reputation.
Getting Preggas
Andy and Sara have been trying to have a baby going on two years now. At first they really didn’t notice that it was taking that long — after all, the pleasure is in the trying and chores such as vacuuming doesn’t really compare to the ‘chore’ of becoming pregnant. But when they start to notice their friends’ expanding families, one-sided invitations to christenings, baptisms and first birthday parties, things start to get desperate.
And desperate times call for desperate measures.
When Sara puts all of her faith into their doctor’s recommendation that perhaps they are just trying too hard, Sara sticks to her goal. One whole month without special cuddles, much to Andy’s consternation. After all, Sara needs to build up those little wrigglers. They have a serious job to do!
A fun novella of Children Gifted Friends — CGF’s, a Collins Street Specialist — CSS, cats with stray claws, a case of not-so-sexy Arachnophobia and of course, trying to get pregnant.
Getting The Snip
Having a teething eleven month old baby who was already starting to totter around on his feet with the pure intention of keeping up with his three year old sister all day was beyond exhausting.
Sara can’t remember that last time she had a shower. She smells of stale breast milk and thinks she has baby puke in her hair from three days ago. And when she goes to bed, she wants to sleep. No special cuddles. The only thing she craves now-a-days is to sleep-until-you-wake-up-naturally, just like she used to BC — Before Children.
Sara loves her children. She loves her husband and her family. But with the thought of having another child, her uterus wants to rip itself out of her body and run into oncoming traffic. Solution? Permanent contraception. Sara has the perfect idea. It’s just a small incision, twenty minutes of Andy’s time and poof — he’s done. Neutered like the cat.
It’ll take balls, but Andy will have to put his on the line if they ever want to have carefree, sex-on-tap, whenever they want it, pre-baby lovemaking again. Or will his nightmare of being chased by massive scissors make him run in the opposite direction to the scalpel?
MORE FROM CHARMAINE ROSS
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Take Me As I Am
A contemporary romance set in the romanticism of the Victorian Dandenongs. A story about loss, living true and having the courage to break free of old lies and deceit…
Kate Moore is a billionaire tycoon’s daughter and has been single-mindedly groomed to one day run the massive Moore’s Hotel Corporation. Restoring the run-down Burnham Beeches in beautiful Sassafras to its former glory is her test. One in which she must not only prevail, but shine in order to gain her father’s hard-won approval. She hires David Wright, a talented landscaper with an eye for beauty and a body she can’t stop fantasising about.
David needs the contract, the Moore’s name for his portfolio and the money to pay for his ailing father’s health. He’s given up his life and potential for a successful musical career for his family. What he doesn’t need is the diversion, or the temptation of his new boss.
As they are drawn unwillingly into each other’s worlds perceptions crash, misconceptions collapse and passions erupt as they face their own personal challenges when their two very different worlds collide.
Four-Leaf Clover
A sexy, sugar-laden David vs Goliath story about a local bakery, a national chain, and what really matters. Clover Loveday has worked hard to get her café Four-Leaf Clover up and running — her ticket out of an increasingly alarming financial situation and her dream come true. When she literally falls off her ladder into the arms of sexy-as-sin Liam Sinclair. The same Liam Sinclair who owns the new bakery being built just across the road...the new store by bakery chain Upper Crust owner! Clover decides then that no matter how nauseated she is about the idea, it is best keep your enemies close, rather than leave things to fate.
Liam has never put too much thought into the competition when he opens a new outlet, other than taking their customers and strengthening the Upper Crust brand. But here in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Clover Loveday’s cafe is a little too close for comfort, and Clover herself a little too good-looking. So Liam asks his PA to put together a ’fact sheet’ about his new competition. He has a business to run, a father to please, and hundreds of people to keep in jobs. Surely information can keep an unwanted strong sexual pull at bay...
A sweet, caffeinated, satisfying story about unexpected temptations,
forgiveness, and putting love before money.
Double Exposure
Eden has fled to the beautiful high country in the Victorian Alps to escape her domineering family and to enjoy her greatest passion – photography. When she happens on a very attractive man swimming in a river, she can’t resist snapping a few shots of him for her portfolio.
Adam Blackstone is an undercover cop living locally to infiltrate a gang of bikies suspected of drug trafficking. He soon realises the beautiful stranger in town has been photographing him and has to find out why. Adam is a man who cannot trust anyone. He’s intense, damaged, jaded.
Eden is a woman has spent her life wrapped in cotton-wool, protected by controlling parents. She’s meek, naïve and sweet. They must open their hearts and learn to trust one another if they are ever to be together. But first, they must survive the danger that threatens to tear them apart. Double Exposure is an intense and thrilling romance that offers a blast of fresh alpine air in a pristine landscape. But amid the beautiful birdlife and the picturesque views lurks a menace that could spell disaster for Eden and Adam.
Wild At Heart
Documentary maker Dan Masters is completely out of his comfort z
one in outback Australia. Passionate park ranger, Victoria Price, couldn’t be more at home in the wilderness. After Victoria saves Dan from the jaws of a ferocious crocodile, she can’t get away from him fast enough. But her amazing rescue has been filmed and when the film’s investors see the footage, they demand Dan do whatever it takes to get Victoria involved in the movie.
Ordered to take part, Victoria reluctantly joins Dan on safari where they fight poachers, fire ants and a powerful attraction for each other that becomes increasingly difficult to deny. But desire is a dangerous game in this romantic comedy…
Makeover Miracle
Abbey Miller and her friend Jennifer have been picked from a live audience to take part in reality television show Makeover Miracle. This is Abbey’s worst nightmare, and brings back deep memories of being teased and the brunt of cruel jokes. The last thing Abbey wants is her soul to be laid bare for the whole of Australia to see, but being the true friend she is, she agrees to help Jennifer, who desperately wants to change her life.
Quinn Campbell, the producer of Makeover Miracle can see Abbey crumbling live on stage, and after she vomits into a wastepaper basket, goes to her aid, not expecting see such a sad, haunted look in her eyes. There’s something about Abbey that reaches out to him. The look in her eyes brings back long buried memories of his sister and his failure as a brother to help her.
This is a story about one woman’s journey through harsh emotional abuses and the man who is able to make her believe in herself. Set against the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Makeover Miracle is a story about forgiveness, understanding, personal growth and, of course, falling in love with that one special person.
Getting the Snip Page 4