by Susan Kohler
Who’s
TAMING
Who?
Susan Kohler
CCB Publishing
British Columbia, Canada
Who’s Taming Who?
Copyright ©2010 by Susan Kohler
ISBN-13 978-1-926918-09-9
First Edition
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Kohler, Susan, 1950-
Who’s taming who? [electronic resource ] /
written by Susan Kohler – 1st ed.
ISBN 978-1-926918-09-9
Also available in print format.
I. Title.
PS3611.O47W46 2010a 813'.6 C2010-905438-5
Original cover art design by Jinger Heaston: www.jingraphix.org
The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Extreme care has been taken to ensure that all information presented in this book is accurate and up to date at the time of publishing. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Additionally, neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express written permission of the publisher.
Publisher: CCB Publishing
British Columbia, Canada
www.ccbpublishing.com
Dedication
There once was a publisher, Paul
Who really gave it his all,
To approve and remove and even improve
The book, so it sells in the mall.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
Prologue
Frank was a happy bachelor, at least he thought he was, right up until the day he met Kate. Oh, it wasn’t that he fell instantly in love with Kate, or even in lust with her. They formed an instant friendship, which was lucky because she was already deeply in love. The problem was seeing her so much in love showed him exactly what he was missing.
Kate and Frank were instant friends and bosom buddies from the moment they met in Kate’s office. Together, they could create havoc and chaos in spite of Kate’s serious romance with the company controller and the fact that they were both hard, dedicated workers. The fateful, almost historic meeting went something like this: As Kate worked at her desk one day, Frank brought her a large, bulky envelope and placed it on her desk.
“Hi! I’m Frank.” He entered, eager to see the new girl in the office.
Kate coolly finished writing a sum on her report before she looked up. She saw a very handsome man in his mid-twenties. He was tall and had blonde hair, brown eyes, and a super, friendly smile.
“That’s very good, frankness is an important quality in a man,” she told him mildly, her face bland. “But who are you?”
Frank looked at her, puzzled for a second, then he laughed. “No, Frank’s my name.”
“So you’re not especially frank?” she asked, laughing.
“No, actually I’m more earnest,” he said, trying to sound earnest.
“You have a real identity crises there, Ernie.” She smiled. “I’m Kate.”
“Kate, dainty Kate, the sweetest Kate in all of . . .” Frank tried to stay one step ahead of this clever redhead.
“Cool it, Petruchio,” she told him, one eyebrow arched. “This shrew doesn’t need taming.”
The friendship was on. They were having lunch together one day when Frank wondered aloud, “Why are the good women already taken? You, Laura-” He mentioned the woman who was both the assistant controller and Kate’s best friend.
“Because we are the good women, you silly man.” Kate grinned at him. “Now, if I had just met you before I fell in love with Bob--” She sighed dramatically.
Bob was her boss, also her friend and her lover. He was everything but her husband or her fiancée, a fact that had Kate getting more than a little bit impatient. She reached out and took Frank’s hand.
“I’ll find you a good woman, someone special.” She grinned wickedly. “I think I’ll find you a shrew to tame, Petruchio.”
“Gee, Kate.” Frank shivered as he saw the determined look in her eyes. “Don’t go to any trouble just for me.”
“Hey buddy,” she said with a distinct challenge in her voice, “it’d be no trouble at all. I know Laura will help me. She’s a great matchmaker.”
Frank almost choked on his iced tea. He knew the record Kate and Laura had for matchmaking. He was wary and also curious. He promised himself he would not fall victim to their scheme.
One evening, a couple of weeks later, as Kate and Bob were getting ready to go to a party she remarked, “Pretty soon, Laura and I have to start working on a solution to Frank’s single state.” She smiled mysteriously. “I promised to find him a shrew.”
“A shrew?” Bob was puzzled. “Why do you want to find him a shrew?”
“So I can watch her tame him, of course, it should be a wonderful match.” She sighed dreamily. “He’ll put up a good fight. There should be some wild and interesting battles, fireworks all over the place, but no serious injuries, and if we find the right woman, he’ll lose, big time.”
“I thought you were his friend.” Bob was still trying to figure it out.
“Bob, my love, get a move on or we’ll be late.” As they went to the door she explained it to him. “In the case of love, if he loses the fight, he’ll really win the war. You’d better understand that, Darling, or you’re in big hairy trouble.”
“Yes, Dear. I’m glad you’re here to straighten me out,” Bob deadpanned, sounding for all the world like a henpecked husband in spite of the fact that he wasn’t her husband, yet.
“Darn right, Bozo, my love.” She kissed him.
Bob pulled Kate into his arms and kissed her again hungrily. “Do you really want to go to a party now?”
“Of course not.” Kate kissed him. “I promise we won’t stay long. Laura and I just have to work out a plan for the rest of Frank’s life, that’s all. We’ll come home early enough so that you can have your wicked way with me, I promise.”
“The scary part is, I know you mean it.” Bob feigned a shiver.
Laura cornered Kate at the party.
“Speaking of Frank, who do we know that’s special enough?” Laura asked, looking over the women at the party. “Frank’s a great guy.”
“And spirited enough,” Kate added. “I promised Frank that I’d find him a shrew who would give him a hard time and really put him in his place.”
“You’re right. Frank needs a woman who can challenge him. That leaves out my first choice, Emily. She’s much too sweet and gentle.” Laura sighed.
“I’ve met Emily. She really does deserve someone special, but not Frank. She’s not the woman for him,” Kate pointed out.
“And you’re right, Frank needs a spirited woman who can stand toe to toe with him in a heated argument.” Laura grinned. “And who can keep up with him when the argument’s over and
it’s time to make up.”
“Who do you think he would go for then?” Even as she spoke, Kate surveyed the room.
“We’ll find somebody.” Laura’s grin was pure evil. “Somebody special.”
Chapter One
Lanie McPherson eyed herself critically in the full length, oval mirror. She had to admit the white linen dress looked spectacular on her, it emphasized her fiery red hair and set off her slender, curvaceous frame perfectly. The dress had a square neckline with a slight gathering between her breasts that hinted at generous cleavage, without being overly obvious. The tapered skirt had a side slit from her knees halfway up her thigh. A wide, bright green belt that matched her eyes and a green ceramic pin in the shape of a four-leaf clover added a touch of color to the outfit. Oh well, she thought, if I have to go to this party at least I’ll look good. As usual, she was unaware of how truly beautiful she was.
Lanie hated parties. She especially hated going to a party when she hardly knew any of the other guests, but she felt obligated to attend this party. One of her business partners, Jack Kelsey, was throwing this large party for no apparent reason, and his wife Laura, had personally invited her. In fact, Laura was insistent. Lanie would have begged off even so, but Laura, a very persistent woman, had also called Lanie’s younger sister and the two of them set out in earnest to convince her that she had to go. So far, she thought, this whole thing is just a waste of money; with what I spent on this dress I could have bought Cassie a new bike.
Cassie appeared in her bedroom with the uncanny timing of a mind reader. “Aunt Tina’s here. She’s coming up the stairs.” A smile lit up her small, round face. “Gee, Mom, you look really nice.”
She plopped down on Lanie’s floral print comforter with all the graceless innocence of a child and smiled up at her mother. Lanie looked down at her nine-year-old daughter with pride and affection.
“Thanks, sweetie. Why don’t you run down and tell Aunt Tina I’ll be right down,” she suggested.
She smiled as Cassie hopped up to deliver the message. Cassie turned around so quickly, her long braided ponytail swung out behind her. Cassie’s hair reminded Lanie of hers when she was nine. At that age, like Cassie, her red hair was lighter, more carroty, like a bright red beacon warning the world that one of the feisty McPherson girls was in the area. Now, at twenty-seven, her hair was a deeper, more fiery red; her temper was also deeper, more tamped down inside her, and even more fiery hot when it exploded.
“Too late. I’m here.” Tina appeared in the doorway. She eyed Lanie judiciously. “That dress is spectacular and I love the whimsical pin. That color sets off the dress and your hair perfectly, but I’m going to have to help you with your make-up. You are so lucky for a redhead; instead of freckles and pale skin, you have an almost golden complexion that only needs a touch of blush to look perfect. The only other make-up you need is some lipstick and eye make-up.”
Tina herself was an ash blond, but she’d received the family’s share of the aforementioned freckles and pale skin. Like Lanie she had a curvy figure, but Tina was half a foot taller than her older sister.
“It’s the eye make-up I hate,” Lanie protested with a grimace.
“I know,” Tina told her, “but it brings out the bright green of your eyes.”
Tina dragged her into the small, neat bathroom and watched closely while Lanie did her make-up. She picked up a brush and worked on the back of Lanie’s long hair, gently tousling the smooth curls Lanie had managed to get her hair into, and then sprayed it again.
“I’m glad Laura called me and we forced you into going to this party,” Tina said. “You don’t get out enough Lanie, and I want you to have some fun. I worry about you.”
“I’m doing okay for myself. I’m a partner in my own company and I own my own house.” She looked around at her small home. “What more do I need?”
She’d scrimped and saved like a miser just to afford even the small house, then saved even more and decorated it to be feminine but not too frilly. The bedroom and small bathroom were both painted a pale peach with floral accents.
“Sure, you have a house and a business but can you cuddle up to a house? Can you make love to a business?” Tina countered. “I’m still worried about you.”
“You’re not really worried about me, you just want me to meet a man,” Lanie told her, “and get married.”
Tina looked over her shoulder to see if Cassie was nearby before saying anything, but then she quietly replied with a sparkle in her big blue eyes, “I’d be happy if you just met a man and got laid.”
“Tina!” Lanie was shocked.
“Well, I didn’t mean it that way, not really. I know you’re not cheap. I just meant you need a little romance in your life. Someone to wine you and dine you. Someone to care about you, give you gifts and make you feel special. And, even though you’ll never admit it, you need a sex life. Since Cal turned out to be such a rat, you’ve practically been a nun,” Tina continued on in an old familiar theme.
“I’ll find someone some day.” Lanie defended herself. “Someone who’s really worth caring about. Anyway, what about you? You’re twenty-five. You should go out and find someone and get married.”
“Hey! We’re working on you, first. Maybe you’ll meet someone at this party,” Tina said.
“Maybe. But probably not,” Lanie said. “Usually the men at these cocktail parties are just jerks.”
“Jerks need love too,” Tina laughed. “Maybe even more than real men. Go on! Get to the party. You’re already late.”
After a short drive, Lanie pulled into the grassy lot next to Laura and Jack’s house, barely managing to squeeze her slightly battered gray Reliant wagon into a haphazard space between a red Honda, and a black Jeep Eagle. She took a deep breath and got out of the car. She walked up to the front door of Laura’s house, which was wide open, and went in.
Laura’s party turned out to be much more than a small cocktail party. It was crowded and loud, already in full swing. It was spread throughout the whole house with an active game of Pictionary in the living room, talking in the family room, and a buffet and live band on the patio. There were plenty of tables and chairs spread around the patio, and dozens of party lights strung up. There was a small area of the deck that some people were using as a dance floor, with the band playing soft rock music, very loudly.
Lanie looked around for her hostess but Laura was busily talking to a group of people Lanie didn’t know. She didn’t want to join the group of strangers so she poured herself a glass of white wine and found a chair in a quiet corner. Soon a red-haired woman came over to join her.
“Hi! I’m Kate,” she introduced herself. “You seem to be here alone. Us redheads should stick together.”
“Hi, I’m Lanie, and yes, I am here alone,” Lanie replied. “I guess you can tell I’m not exactly a party animal. I was double-teamed into coming. Laura called my sister, Tina, and they both pestered me until I agreed to come.”
“Wow! You must be stubborn if Laura had to get help persuading you into something.” Kate was surprised. “Very few people can stand up to her.”
“Well, you know she only planned this party a few days ago,” Lanie admitted, “otherwise, she probably could have persuaded me all by herself.”
Just then, Kate caught Laura’s eye from across the room. “Excuse me, I have something to attend to. I’ll catch up with you later.” Kate got up and left.
So there she was after an hour, sipping a glass of white wine and sitting on the sidelines of the party. She had met several men. Most of them were not very interesting, but some of the propositions they made certainly were colorful, to say the least. Do men really think they can just walk over to a woman they don’t even know and say those things and get lucky? She couldn’t believe it. Bored, she strolled over to get another glass of wine. That’s when it happened.
A tall blond man at the bar backed up just as she approached. He turned around suddenly and bumped into her very hard. S
he felt the wetness on the front of her new dress and looked down to see the stain. It was bright red and it had soaked her dress in the area of her left breast. Without a moment’s hesitation, the man grabbed a handful of paper napkins and began to blot at the stain.
In shock, Lanie looked up into the soft brown eyes of the man trying in vain to wipe the stain off the front of her dress. She quickly realized that the stain he was trying to wipe off her dress was mainly on one of her breasts. When he finally looked up and their eyes met, she felt a sharp jolt in the pit of her stomach. The kind of jolt you feel when an elevator quickly and unexpectedly drops a few feet. The sudden jolt shocked her into immediate action. She shrieked with sudden rage as she swung her hand palm open and hard right across his face. The slap made a satisfying crack!
Kate and Laura both gave a little jump as they heard a shriek coming from the side of the yard where the bar was set up. They looked up just in time to see Frank get slapped silly and then yelled at by a short, slender, redhead.
“You great big lumbering oaf! Get your damn hands off me! Why the heck don’t you use those big brown eyes if you plan to walk around with a full drink in your hand? It would have to be a bloody Mary!” The woman fumed. “Idiot. Clod. Jerk. You were pretending to be helping me while you were really trying to feel me up. I could tell!”
“You ran into me, you little danger zone, I was standing still.” Frank’s face was stinging and would never admit that he was in the wrong, not after that slap! “And I never have had to spill something on a woman just to get a chance to touch her breasts, even if she did have fantastic”
Suddenly his voice trailed off, realizing that he was about to commit a grave tactical error.
Lanie snorted skeptically, a sound that replied to his protests even better than words.
Frank was completely infuriated, his mouth running ahead of his brain. “Lots of women like to have me touching them,” he shouted unwisely.
He was so much taller than the unknown woman that he had to lean over to yell in her face. He bent down until he was almost nose to nose with his combative new acquaintance.