by Susan Kohler
“What’s up?” Kate asked. “Is it the job?”
“In a way,” Bob replied, pouring them all some more iced tea. “You see, we’ve been having trouble with employee theft at work. Not just petty theft, but embezzlement. Every time we hire a new clerk in the accounting department, we start losing money. The evidence always seems to point to the new clerk. Someone wanted it to look like we were hiring dishonest people but we’re not that dumb. Four times now, when we’ve got a new employee, money starts disappearing. We know someone is hiding his own larceny by hiding behind the new hires. The thefts stop when the latest employee leaves, until I replace them, then they soon start occurring again. That’s why we wanted to hire someone one of us knew personally. It’s also why your past auditing experience is so important. The gist of it is: we want you to help us to catch the thief. Of course, the rest of the staff will think we just got you from the temp agency, like we usually do.”
“So I’ll be undercover, like on TV, but who else is in on it?” Kate asked. “And is there really a permanent job after I catch the bad guy?”
“No one knows but Bob and myself, and of course, one person at corporate headquarters,” Laura answered. “And yes, there is a real job after you find the thief. I think it’ll be in auditing and cost accounting, not the accounts payable department. Once we find out who we have to replace and decide how we need to restructure accounting, we will bring in some new people. By the way, we also helped the other employees who fell under suspicion find new jobs. Except for one girl who went on pregnancy leave, and she does some work for us online from home.”
“She’s such a good worker we couldn’t let her go,” Bob added. “The other three employees weren’t officially fired by the way; we just told the office staff that their jobs were being phased out due to cutbacks. Then we got them placed in new jobs we helped find for them. Shelly’s baby is due in about five weeks so she won’t be back until we get this problem resolved. By the way Kate, do you have a computer at home?”
“No,” she told him. “I was thinking about getting one. Should I?”
“Don’t bother. I’ll loan you one from the office and set you up so that you can work online. Just let me know if you ever need to stay home and you can work from there. It will benefit both of us. I’ve never met a working mother who didn’t have problems once in a while with a sick kid or the sitter. Also, you might want to work on some of your investigating at home so I’ll be sure to get it to you and arrange to pay any charges.”
Laura took over. “The plan is that tomorrow you show up at eight, and we claim that you’re just a temp we got from the employment agency. Of course, you and I don’t know each other, but I always get to know the new people first. Last of all, depending on how it goes, at some point you might need to be treated as a suspect. That may probably be when you need to do some investigating at home. We’ll call attention to your poor attendance and constant tardiness and use that as an excuse to suspect you. It’ll all be an act so go along with it,” Laura said. “Of course, you’ll be well compensated for any work you do at home. Is that it, Bob? Is it time for us to swim?”
“Now Laura, wait until you’ve been asked,” Kate said, primly, reminding them of the children waiting to swim. They all laughed.
“I’ll show you where you can change into your suits,” Bob laughed, standing up. He led them into a large bathroom downstairs. “There’s already plenty of towels out by the pool.”
Laura and Kate both changed into their swim suits. Laura had a red polka dot bikini. Kate expected to find her modest black one-piece in the bag her mom had sent over with Laura, but instead she found an emerald green bikini. It was a suit Laura had talked her into buying but that Kate had seldom worn. She put it on, deciding it wasn’t so bad after all, at least the color brought out the color of her eyes.
“I’m going to go rescue Jack and unleash the monsters,” she told Laura. “Wait here and you can help me get them into their suits, then the last one in is a rotten egg!”
All seven of them had quite a ball in the pool, even if the four adults had to keep a close watch on the three little ones. Bob had plenty of floats and inflatable toys for the kids to play with. Soon they had a great game of “try to sink Jack” going that was highlighted by Kate grabbing for Jack and getting her hands on Bob’s trunks by mistake.
Startled green eyes met shocked blue eyes in a look that almost caused the water to boil. Both of them were very conscious of the other, and of Kate’s hands, and just where they accidentally came into contact with Bob’s body. It was a long moment, charged with a current of electricity that didn’t escape the notice of Laura and Jack. With the unspoken, almost psychic, communication that some married couples share, Laura and Jack decided to do a little more matchmaking. Before they could do anything about it, however, Kate’s energy gave out and she started to hint that it was time to gather up the kids and go home. Laura gave Jack a sharp kick and he quickly decided to save his shins by stepping in.
“Hey Kate, why don’t you just relax for a while in the last of the sun and I’ll . . .” He thought fast then blurted out, “I’ll take the kids out for some ice cream?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Dammit Jack, you know better than to ask me a question like that when the little dears can hear you! Now I have to be the bad guy and say no.”
“No, you don’t,” Jack pleaded. “Just say yes. You know I’ll take good care of them. Please, it’s the only way Laura will let me break my diet.”
He gave her a pathetic, hound-dog look, innocence shining in his warm brown eyes.
“What diet? You’re in great shape.”
“How do you think I keep in shape?” Jack begged. “Kate let me take them, please?”
Kate relented, laughing, “Okay, take them away, I’m going to lay on that chaise lounge and relax.”
It seemed like it had been an extra long day to Kate, full of tension and emotional ups and downs. She was tired, drained by the late summer sun, and felt so curiously restless that she hardly noticed when the kids finally left with Jack. She was not even consciously aware that Laura had gone with them. She had almost drifted off to sleep when suddenly a fresh glass of iced tea appeared in front of her face.
“Alone at last,” Bob quipped softly, raising his eyebrows suggestively. “I thought they’d never leave. You do know our mutual friends are playing matchmaker, don’t you?”
“Don’t let it worry you, I plan to murder them soon,” she threatened, eyes narrowed. “Real soon.”
“That’s funny. I was thinking of giving Laura a big raise,” Bob replied.
He took a long swallow of his iced tea before he said, “I brought out some sun block, roll over and I’ll put it on you.”
“I can do it myself.” She regarded him a little warily.
They were both ignoring the fact that it was too late in the afternoon for the sun to be a big problem, and of course, that Kate was lying on her back.
“Trust me.” He grinned, and waited while she rolled over.
“You really have been working with Laura too long, that’s her line. It’s what she used to get me to the beach today.” She flushed a little at the memory. “Yikes! That’s cold!” She yelled as he poured the sunscreen onto her silky skin.
Soon she relaxed and gave herself over to the stroking of his large but gentle hands. She almost pouted when he finished putting the lotion on her.
“Bob?” she asked, raising up on one arm and turning to look over her shoulder at him, “Did she set me up today?”
“No. Kate, I swear I had no idea the two of you were going to be there.” There was pleasure and just a hint of guilt is his grin. “I won’t swear that I’m sorry you were there. To put it right out in the open, I liked what I saw.”
“What you saw, ha! You should have seen my view.” She rolled onto her back and slanted him a mischievous glance. “Bigger than a breadbox.”
Bob almost choked on his iced tea. “Here I thought you were s
o shy! I’m shocked!” He actually blushed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re at least six-foot tall, certainly bigger than a breadbox. Unless you thought I meant, ah, a little over-confident, are we?” She laughed openly at his expression.
“You led me into that!” he accused. “You are a minx under those blushes.” He eyed her for a long moment silently, speculating. “Do you think kisses constitute sexual harassment?”
“I think that depends on who’s kissing who, and how, and why, and what kind of kisses.” She grinned, and raised her eyebrows. “You’ll have to give me a little more to go on if you want a definitive answer,” she challenged.
He reached a hand out and slid it behind her neck, pulling her gently towards him. “Is this definitive enough?”
It was no ordinary first kiss. There was no tentative, gentle exploration. He kissed her with a passion that left them both breathless, boldly sliding his tongue into her mouth. I’m in trouble, she thought, wonderful trouble. She met his passion with her own, putting as much into the kiss as he did.
Finally, breathing heavily, she managed to reply to his question. “Whew! I know for sure that would constitute sexual harassment to anyone at the office.”
“But not to you?” He cocked his head to one side inquisitively.
She laid back on the chaise lounge, acting nonchalant and said innocently, “How could it? I’ve never even been to the office.”
“Why did I get the idea that you were so timid and shy?” He looked at her quizzically.
“You’ve been underestimating me just because I blush, sir!” She sat up again and began to lean towards him. “You should have known better. After all, I have three small kids and a best friend like Laura. How naive could I be?”
She stopped talking as her mouth almost reached his. Her eyes were as big as saucers as she brought up one hand and traced the outline of his mouth with a slender finger. She slid the hand around his neck and gently touched her mouth to his in a gentle kiss.
“This is probably a bad idea, dangerous, unprofessional and all that jazz, do you care?” she whispered against his warm mouth.
“Not a bit.” He kissed her back, pushing her back down on the chaise lounge and laying slightly on top of her.
It was an electric kiss, full of fire and passion. He worked his tongue gently around inside her mouth. They broke apart, both breathing heavily, and looking slightly dazed.
“We may both be in trouble here,” Bob said.
“I laugh at trouble, mister!” she intoned dramatically.
“Just so you don’t laugh at me.” Bob claimed her mouth yet again.
“Who’s laughing?” she whispered breathlessly. “Besides how much trouble can we be in if the kids are coming back soon?”
“Want to know a secret? I have plenty of ice cream in the freezer.” Bob nibbled her ear. “I just failed to mention it to Jack because I wanted to get rid of everyone.”
“Somehow I knew that. Good uncles with children’s video libraries and swimming pools surrounded by floating toys always have plenty of ice cream in the freezer, at least during the summer. I think it’s a state law.” Kate gave herself completely over to the sensations that threatened to overwhelm her, stroking his hair and meeting the thrust of his tongue with her own in a passionate kiss.
Slowly he left her mouth and trailed kisses down her throat, as he slid his hand inside her swimsuit and cupped her breast teasing her nipple with his thumb and forefinger. She moaned with delight.
“Am I moving too fast?” Bob asked softly. “I don’t usually come on so”
“Yes,” she interrupted him gently, “but so am I, and I don’t act like this with every man I meet either.”
“I know that,” Bob assured her.
They both tried to ease up but it had been a very long time since Kate had let herself be close to a man, and with Bob everything felt so right and natural that she entirely forgot herself. She forgot all about the three little kids returning soon. She forgot that this was a man that she’d met just today. She even forgot that this man was her new boss, starting tomorrow. And she made him forget, too.
She just felt alive, totally alive in every cell of her being. She also felt his hands on the strings holding the top of her bathing suit . . . they heard a car door slam loudly. The sound was followed quickly by her children’s laughter. Instantly his hands dropped away and she adjusted her suit. She tried to look as though nothing was happening.
“I don’t know if that was lousy timing or good timing, but I wish they hadn’t returned just yet,” Bob muttered as he stood up.
“I wish they hadn’t come back now either,” Kate met his gaze squarely, before admitting softly, “but it’s probably a good thing they did.”
“Explosive, wasn’t it?” Bob kissed her once and walked away.
By the time the others came out to the patio Bob was sitting at the picnic table, with a towel draped over his lap, sipping iced tea and Kate was lying on the chaise lounge pretending to be asleep. Laura and Jack might even have been fooled, if it wasn’t for the silly smile on Kate’s face.
Laura woke her up. “Having a good dream?”
“What?” She tried to act drowsy and puzzled.
“No one smiles like that when they’re just sleeping,” Laura said sternly.
“Maybe it’s just been a good day.” Kate tried to hide her smile but it broke through. “So what?”
“So if that’s all it is, Jack dragged us all out for ice cream for nothing. But I’d bet my last nickel that things got pretty hot while we were gone.” Laura gave her friend a mischievous smirk. “I have a secret for you, if you’ll tell me yours.”
“Not here, I wouldn’t want Bob to think I’m the kind to kiss and tell. What’s yours?” Kate tried not to let Laura know that she already knew, but she failed. “I know, I’ll bet you’re finally pregnant, aren’t you?”
“Witch!” Laura grinned widely, pretending to cuff Kate on the shoulder. “You were supposed to let me tell you.”
“What does Jack think?” She certainly didn’t want to let Laura know that Jack had already told her.
“He’s so excited that he’s floating on clouds, he loves kids.” She smiled. “Look at him with yours.”
“Does Bob know?” Kate asked. “Or anyone else at the office?”
“No, not yet,” Laura smiled. “But Bob will be happy for me; he’s been nagging me to start a family.”
A small cranky voice broke in. “Mommy, can we go home now?” Suzy was getting tired and bored since all the real fun seemed to be over.
“That’s my cue, I’d better round up the brat pack.” Kate stood up and called the kids. “Okay guys, pick up all your things, we’re going to go home.”
She walked over to Bob. “Thanks for lunch and letting the kids go swimming. We had fun.” She smiled at him.
“I sure hope you did.” He winked at her, “I did.”
He glanced around and said with a soft voice, “Somehow, I can’t say good-bye to you quite the way I’d like to with all these little people here. Or even those two big people.” Bob smiled into her eyes. “You will show up in the morning, won’t you? You won’t have any second thoughts?”
“I’ll definitely have second thoughts but I can guarantee you that they won’t keep me from showing up at work tomorrow. Nothing could do that now,” she said softly “Good. I’ll see you in the morning; it was really spectacular meeting you. Goodnight.” He squeezed her hand softly.
Kate returned the gentle squeeze, not trusting herself to speak. Bob nodded, and then he went over to say good-bye to the kids. Kate walked over to Jack.
“Hey, I get to repeat my congratulations, Daddy.” She hugged him. “I don’t think Laura knows you let the cat out of the bag.”
She looked at her kids and grinned. “By the way, thanks for taking my kids out for ice cream, even if you did try to apply it to them externally. Next time, you might try to get some of it in their
mouths.”
All three of the kids had ice cream smeared all over their swimsuits, hands and faces.
“No problem, Kate. Except for the part about getting the ice cream into their little mouths.” Jack looked her over speculatively. “Are you interested in him?”
He nodded his head towards Bob.
“Well, he’s about a thousand percent better than the last guy Laura tried to get me together with, but I’m going to be working for him. You know how tricky situations like that can be.” She surprised even herself by answering him seriously.
Jack gave her a quick grin. “Well, after knowing my wife all these years, you should be an Olympic champ at handling tricky situations.”
“So true, but I’m only the silver medalist,” she laughed, hugging him. “Laura’s got the gold, in more ways than one.”
She began to load her kids into the car seats, strapping and buckling everyone in. When Kate finished getting all the kids fastened in, she turned around.
“Hey Jack?” she said with a grin.
“What?” He seemed distracted.
“You and Laura rode with me, remember?” she prodded.
“In other words, I’d better go fetch my wife.” He turned to go but Laura came up behind him.
“Are we leaving?” She looked in the minivan. “Dumb question, the kids are all strapped in.”
She pinched Jack on his behind. “So get in, Buns.”
Just as Jack climbed into the minivan Suzy asked, “Mommy, why did Aunt Laura call Uncle Jack Buns?”
Just as Kate was trying to figure out a good answer for that one, Sarah answered, “Dummy! It’s because Uncle Jack ate so many hamburgers!”
The sound of adult laughter filled the minivan.
Chapter Three
The next morning was Kate’s first day of work in over five years, since shortly before Sam had been born. She was at various times: anxious, excited, and filled with nervous energy and secret anticipation at the prospect of seeing Bob again.
With all that going on, of course it turned out to be one of those mornings. The kind of morning working moms are all too familiar with. She had quite a struggle getting the kids out of bed, not to mention dressed and fed, before dropping them off at her parents’ house, and getting herself to the office.