The Husband Campaign

by Barbara McMahon

  Whiling away the afternoon let her spin ways she could appear totally unexpected to Jake Mitchell. What would surprise that jaded cynic? Nothing obvious or trite. She needed to come up with something totally different from his usual routine. Remaining a mystery wouldn’t work. He knew too much about her. Her aunt, she was sure, kept him apprised of major events. Her parents had visited a couple of years ago and mentioned they’d talked to Jake.

  No, mysterious wouldn’t work. But doing the unexpected might. But what?

  Just before she slipped into a light nap, the perfect escapade occurred to her. Smiling, she knew it would surprise him as nothing had in ages. If she could only pull it off!

  Kerry fixed a light meal for supper, eating it before the television. She’d spent a little too much time in the sun and her glowing skin was tender to the touch. By tomorrow her skin would begin to tan, but tonight she felt like a lobster. Considering an early evening, she surfed through the different channels on the TV. Nothing caught her attention, held her interest. Maybe she should read more of Megan’s journal. It was so much fun. But she hated to read straight through because then she’d be finished. Even though her curiosity hummed, she liked savoring each section. Maybe one more example wouldn’t hurt. Washing her dishes, she retrieved the journal and sat in one of the wicker rockers.

  The evening breeze cooled the air, carrying with it the soft fragrance of roses and star jasmine. The scents were a tangible reminder she was truly home. Until she smelled it, she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed it in New York.

  Jake’s car was not in the driveway. Was he working late? Or did he have a hot date tonight? Kerry frowned, not liking the idea. Not that she expected him to date her, but for some reason he seemed a loner. Yet she knew he had not been sitting around for years while she moved on in life. Even though Selena had turned him off relationships, he was a virile, healthy male, not likely to remain at home alone.

  Thinking about Jake dating sophisticated, sexy women made Kerry restless. She fixed a glass of iced tea and sipped it. Watching his driveway was not the way she wanted to spend her evening, she thought in disgust when she realized what she was doing. Going inside, she firmly shut the door. She had better things to do than watch for her next-door neighbor. What he did with his evenings didn’t affect her!

  Yet she couldn’t help but notice the time when she heard his car two hours later. It was after nine. Too early to end a date. Maybe he had just worked late. Her restlessness faded.

  Jake pulled into his driveway and stopped, glad to be home. He was bone weary. Court cases always took a lot of energy and today’s session had not gone well. Even after working in this profession for years, it amazed him that clients would lie. Why couldn’t they understand their best interests were always served when they told their attorney the truth in everything? He hated to be blindsided in court as he had been today.

  As a result, instead of leaving the office at a reasonable hour, he’d had to call in the investigating team, and together they’d worked to find a solution to the unexpected turn of events. Normally he didn’t mind working late. But tonight he’d wanted to get home earlier.

  He climbed out of the car and glanced at the house next door. The downstairs lights were on. Kerry was still up. For a split second he hesitated. What he’d really like to do was walk over there and see her. Find out what she’d done that day, and maybe share a bit of his own frustrations.

  Heading for his front door, he shook off the urge. Give that woman an inch and she’d take a mile. He dare not show any interest lest she take it for more than he intended and resume her schoolgirl crush. Or would she? The last few days had been a totally new experience with Kerry. All evidence indicated she was no longer interested in any kind of relationship.

  Perversely, he wished she wanted to spend time with him. Opening the door, he noticed how empty the house seemed, how quiet. Maybe he’d see if she’d like to come keep him company while he ate. It would be worth having someone around to take his mind off the day’s events. A man could spend too much time alone.

  He reached for the phone.

  When she answered, Jake was startled at the jolt of awareness that crashed through him. Her voice was feminine and sweet, without the familiar Southern drawl so many women he knew had. She had very little accent from any location—an obvious result of her moving so often as a child. Had she liked moving all the time? Funny, he’d never asked her that.

  “Kerry, it’s Jake.”

  “What’s up?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready for bed, why?”

  Instantly the image of her in a frilly sexy gown flashed before his eyes. Her arms would be bare, the neckline scooped to show her creamy shoulders and the top swells of her breasts. It would drift around her legs like her dress had the other night, soft and feminine and utterly alluring.

  Alluring? Kerry? He was losing it.

  “Isn’t it a bit early?” He loosened his tie, shrugged off his suit jacket and tossed on the back of the sofa.

  “I’m on vacation, I can do what I want, when I want!”

  “Still, it’s early. Come over.”

  The silence lasted longer than he expected.

  “Come over?”

  “I just got home and could use some company.”

  “Take it from an expert, Jake, working all hours doesn’t pay off. I used to do that, but it’s more important to have outside activities. Something to fall back on if something happens.”

  He smiled. Was she lecturing him?

  “What’s going to happen?”

  “I don’t know, you could lose your job.”

  “I’m a partner in the firm, I won’t lose my job. There is always a need for lawyers.”

  “I guess.”

  He leaned against the wall, staring through the window toward her house. Where was she? Was she already dressed for bed?

  “What did you do today?” he asked. If she wasn’t coming over, he’d talk on the phone. He wasn’t ready to hang up and face the rest of the evening alone.

  “Did you call me up just to interrogate me about my day?”

  “I called you to invite you over. You’re the one getting ready for bed. Wearing that slinky nightie?”

  Her voice dropped to a deep, sultry drawl, “Jake, honey, I can’t believe you’d ask me what I’m wearing. Why, what if I told you I had nothing on at all? It’s been hot all day and I’m so uncomfortable, I just couldn’t bear the thought of covering myself with hot clothes. I like the feel of the cool air against my bare skin. I like the freedom of movement without the restrictions of cloth.”

  Stunned, he could envision that with no trouble. Except for the trouble he had breathing—the trouble he had even thinking.

  Her soft laughter floated across the phone wire. “Gotcha,” she said softly and hung up.

  Torn between frustration and amusement, Jake hung up. Kerry surprised him. He’d never expected anything like that from her. He had to admit he’d thought she’d jump at the chance to come over. Though he should have known better. Nothing she’d done since she’d been back had been in character as he remembered. It wasn’t a game; she’d changed since the last time he’d seen her. Now he was curious—what other aspects had she kept hidden from him all these years? He had half a mind to go over there and demand she open the door, just to verify she was teasing—that she actually had clothes on.

  He punched in the number again.

  “Hello?”

  “Kerry, you could get in a lot of trouble leading people on.”

  She laughed. The sound warmed him to his toes. What was there about her that caught his attention this visit?

  “Didn’t expect that, huh?”

  “Not at all. Do you lie in bed at night and think up things like that?”

  “Almost—today I thought it up by the pool.”

  “Any more tricks up your sleeve?”

  “Why, Jake, didn’t you hear me? I’m not wearing sl
eeves, I’m—”

  “You’re playing with fire. If you keep that up I’ll have to come over to check to see exactly what you are wearing. Or you can come over here.”

  “Thank you for the invitation, but I really am getting ready to go to bed soon. Why are you so late coming home?”

  “Had some work to catch up on tonight and no, it couldn’t wait. I’m due in court tomorrow at nine and had to get all the facts straight before then. Did you go to bed this early in New York?”

  “Of course not. But maybe if I had I wouldn’t be so tired now.”

  “Tell me something about living in the Big Apple.”

  “Why?”

  “You cross-examined me to the nth degree at dinner last night, don’t you think turnabout is fair play?”

  “I’d hardly call it cross-examining you. I just asked a couple of questions.”

  “And now I’m asking some. Tell me about New York.”

  She hesitated at first, but soon began to offer brief sketches of her apartment, her job and a few friends. She was strangely quiet on the topic of boyfriends. And for some reason, Jake didn’t want to ask. Another time she could regale him with her romantic conquests. Tonight, he liked listening to her, trying to understand the hectic and exciting lifestyle she’d enjoyed for the last few years. A world of difference from West Bend. But not too distant from Charlotte’s pace.

  When he recognized some of the product brands she’d worked with at the marketing firm, he was startled. He hadn’t realized her job had been so important—so national in scope. Obviously he needed to reassess his thinking.

  “So there you have it in a nutshell. I saw the Bandeleys today.”

  He’d been coasting, listening to her talk, and trying to remember all the nuances of her expression as he imagined her face while she entertained him on the phone. “What do they have to do with New York?”

  “Nothing, I’m changing the subject. They are a happy couple, wouldn’t you say?”

  “As far as I know.”

  “Umm. Another happily married couple. And they’re not young. They seemed old when I first came to visit.”

  “The point to this being?”

  “No point, just another couple who have had a long happy marriage. You should consider that, counselor. Good night, Jake. I’m really going to bed now.”

  He bid her good-night and hung up, surprised to see it was almost eleven. Debating whether to eat anything or just go to bed himself, he wondered why she’d brought up the neighbors. Did she still think of him in a romantic manner? She had done nothing overt this visit. No throwing herself at him, no flirting. Unless her kisses could count. Or rather her responses to his kisses. Yet she kept bringing up happily married couples. What was her game? The old defenses rose.

  If she thought to convince him to change his mind, to give marriage a try—and with her—she didn’t know him at all. He’d made up his mind years ago and nothing had happened in the intervening years to change it. Nothing would.

  Kerry turned off the lights and opened her window wide. The breeze still blew from the west, cooling her room, feeling soft and balmy against her skin. She grinned, remembering her daring conversation with Jake. Had that caught him by surprise? She wished she could have seen his face. “Is that what you meant, Megan?” she asked softly into the night. One incident, however, wouldn’t be enough. She needed to keep him off guard.

  And her idea from that afternoon still seemed strong. She’d try to surprise the man again. And maybe again.

  She was having fun, she realized. Feeling young and carefree, she could do whatever she wanted—as long as she knew it was just for fun. There was no permanent future with Jake, but to tease him and practice her new feminine wiles was proving to be quite a lark. Who knew how far she could take this? She couldn’t wait to see.

  Once in bed, she reached for the journal. What had Great-grandma Megan come up with to keep Frederick on his toes?

  Kerry planned her unexpected event with the precision of a general going into a major battle. Working for years as a project supervisor and then a manager stood her in good stead. While she tried to anticipate all the different contingencies, she didn’t worry about it. What happened happened. She hoped she could pull it off, it would be fun and show Jake Mitchell not to take her or any woman for granted in the future. But if it didn’t work, she’d shrug and go on.

  But she hoped it did.

  Thursday morning she dressed in another of her new dresses. This one was of soft yellow, with small daisies scattered throughout the material. The bodice clung to her figure, the thin straps giving the illusion of holding up the dress. Her slight case of sunburn had mellowed into a golden tan. Brushing her sun-streaked hair until it gleamed, she was pleased that the new cut required little care. Curls danced against her head as she hurried downstairs. The long scarf she’d draped around her neck trailed behind her.

  Operation Unexpected was about to begin.

  She had not spoken with Jake since their phone conversation of the other evening. Last night she had taken the phone off the hook. Playing hard-to-get required a lot of forward planning. Megan had not had it that bad. Of course people moved more slowly in those days. Kerry couldn’t help but wonder if Jake had tried calling last night. And if so, what had he thought when the line was continually busy?

  She drove to Charlotte and found a parking place close to Jake’s office building. A sign, she thought, pleased with the proximity. Gathering her purse, Kerry checked one last time that everything was in place. Taking a deep breath, she headed inside the high-rise building.

  Studying the other women as she waited in the busy lobby for the elevator, she was pleased to note none looked as carefree and adventuresome as she felt. Their somber suits or elegant business attire seemed a world away from what she planned for today. Yet just a few short weeks ago she would have matched their attire and scoffed at anyone dressed as casually as she was. Covert glances didn’t bother her at all. Excitement bubbled up inside. She couldn’t wait to see Jake’s reaction. Couldn’t wait to see him.

  The law firm occupied the entire eighth floor. The elevator opened directly into the reception area.

  The young receptionist smiled a friendly greeting. Kerry told her she was to meet Jake and the woman had obviously been briefed because she nodded immediately.

  “He’s expecting you, but he’s been held up in court. They should be recessing soon.”

  “Not a problem. Actually, I came early for a reason. I need your help.” Leaning closer, glancing around to make sure no one was within hearing distance, she shared her plans with the young woman. Delighted to hear the laughter that greeted her, Kerry nodded, “So I can count on your help?”

  “Absolutely! I wouldn’t miss this for anything. Though I have to warn you, he will likely explode. Most of the partners have an inflated sense of their own worth.”

  Kerry waved a hand dismissingly. “I can handle Jake Mitchell. We’ve known each other for years.”

  Pointing out his office, the receptionist smiled broadly. “Good luck. I might just try something like this myself—if it works.”

  Kerry headed for Jake’s office, hoping it did work. It was as unexpected as she could come up with on short notice. Wondering what she could devise given enough time, Kerry mentally rehearsed every step in her plan.

  Keeping an eye on the elevator from the slightly ajar door, she waited impatiently. Now that she was here, she wanted Jake to show up. Did this delay in court mean his lunch time would be shortened? Should she change her plans? Delay them for a better day?

  The elevator door slid open and Jake and two others stepped out. He spoke to them and then turned to head for his office, barely acknowledging the receptionist’s greeting. Kerry gave thanks he didn’t seem to notice the brimming amusement in the woman’s eyes.

  Moving behind the door, Kerry waited, slowly pulling away her scarf.

  Jake entered.

  Kerry threw the scarf around his eyes, a
nd fastened it snugly.

  “What the hell?” His hands immediately yanked on the scarf.

  “Hold it, mister,” she said trying to disguise her voice. Afraid the laughter that threatened would give it all away, she took a deep breath. “This is an official kidnapping.”

  He hesitated, then dropped his hands and turned around, making no further attempt to remove the covering from his face.

  “Official kidnapping?”

  “Uh-huh. Don’t make me get rough.” Kerry tried to keep her voice low, wondering if Jake was fooled for a single second. He was so tall, and looked good enough to eat in his lightweight suit and the pristine white shirt with the silver-and-red tie.

  Slowly one side of his mouth raised in a half smile. “Rough? I’m fascinated.”

  “Good.” She reached around him to tighten the scarf so it wouldn’t slip. When she pressed against him, his arms came around and before she could move he held her pinned tightly against his chest.

  “This is an interesting development,” he murmured softly.

  “Unexpected would you say?” she asked, conscious of his strength, the long hard body held against hers.

  “I’ve never been kidnapped before, officially or unofficially,” he murmured.

  “There’s always a first time,” she replied, knowing she should push away but captivated by the sensations that filled her, that set every nerve ending tingling.

  Then to Kerry’s surprise, he kissed her.

  “Is that the ransom?” he asked a moment later.

  She could scarcely think, much less make sense of his statement.

  “What?”

  “Is my release dependent upon a kiss?”

  “No. What time do you have to be back in court?”

  “At two.”

  She pushed against him and stepped back as soon as he released her. Slapping his hands when he raised them to remove the scarf, she took one in hers, startled when he laced his fingers through hers.

  “Behave and you’ll be back in plenty of time,” she said, remembering at the last moment to disguise her voice.