“Dad, he’s not feeling well. He’ll be in the office tomorrow.”
“What did you do, check up on the poor man? You’re not his mother, you know,” her father admonished.
“No, I did not check up on him,” Katie retorted indignantly. “I was worried about him, so I called Jamie, his pilot. When I found out they got back early yesterday morning, I knew something was wrong. So I called him and he has a cold.”
“You checked up on him.” Logan shook his head and continued to eat.
Katie wanted to pop her dad on the head. She had not checked up on Adam as if she were his mother. And Adam’s mother would probably thank her for looking out for her only child. Her father didn’t understand that it was just concern for her employer. Yeah right. If she kept telling herself that, maybe she’d believe it.
“How have you two been?” Katie changed the subject.
“We’ve been all right. Your father is as busy as always. I think I’m going to drag him to Paris for Christmas.” Bonnie smiled at her husband.
“Can’t we go somewhere warmer? How about the Bahamas?” Logan asked.
“No, that wouldn’t seem like Christmas. Paris though, would be wonderful.” Bonnie turned to Katie. “Dear, why don’t you take some time off and join us? We haven’t had a family vacation in years.”
“Sounds lovely, but I’ll have to look at my schedule.” Was it the thought of being away from the office or from Adam that caused the anxious feeling in the pit of her stomach?
“You do that and let me know. I’ll need to start making the arrangements soon.”
“Don’t I have any say in the matter? I really don’t feel like Paris for Christmas,” Logan complained.
“What would you like to do, honey?” Bonnie folded her arms in an attitude of waiting.
“Stay home and have mulled wine while watching the Yule log burn.”
“We do that every year. I want to see Paris at Christmastime. You’ll enjoy it, Logan, you know you will.” Her mother’s intimate smile had Katie feeling like a third wheel.
“All right. Katie, I hope you can go. You know I’ll need the company while your mother abandons me to shop.”
“What makes you think I’ll want to stay with you?” Katie wanted to know.
Katie laughed when her dad groaned aloud and didn’t comment. The three filled the time catching up on everything going on in their lives. Katie decided that she needed to see her parents more often. It felt good. Like old times.
* * * *
Hearing a noise, Adam blinked his eyes a few times, and looked around his darkened bedroom to try to find what had brought him out of his sleep. He finally spotted his trusty housekeeper, Mrs. Jenkins, tiptoeing in with a tray laden with cold supplies.
“Sorry I woke you. I was just going to leave this tray by the bed. I’m leaving for the day, and I didn’t want you to have to fix your supper.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Adam said.
The tray held a bowl of soup in a warmer and some crackers on the side. Next to the food, she’d provided several cold remedies, and, in case he got bored, magazines to read. And bless her little heart, she had included a hot toddy. From past experience, he knew it was bound to cure anything that ailed him.
“You get better, Mr. Russo. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Mrs. Jenkins gave him a motherly pat on the head and fluffed his pillow.
“I plan on it. If I do, I’ll be leaving early for work to catch up on what I’ve missed today. Thank you again. This is just what the doctor ordered. I feel better just looking at your care package,” Adam assured her.
“You have a good night then, Mr. Russo.”
After the woman left, Adam situated himself so he could sit with the tray across his lap. Reaching over, he grabbed the remote and turned on CNN to watch the daily news as he ate.
Nothing that seemed to be going on caught his attention. His mind wandered to Katie. He missed seeing her. He had planned to ask her to lunch to share with her the details about the wineries. Lately, he’d been thinking about her at odd times. Especially since he’d dropped by her apartment and joined in her girl night.
He’d liked her friends, and the change in her appearance without her usual ugly glasses was such a transformation. He couldn’t get over it. Why would an obviously beautiful woman want to hide what God had given her? There must be a story there. Curiosity piqued, he’d find out what it was. Giving up on the news, he called the office, but when the answering machine came on, he glanced at the clock. Katie must have decided to play hooky. He smiled. Good for her. She deserved a day off.
* * * *
The next day, Katie let herself into the office, dropped into her seat, and put away her things. Reaching across the desk to boot up her computer, she heard Adam’s gravelly voice from the other room call her name. The poor thing sounded like he’d been up all night coughing. Guilt stabbed at her. Why hadn’t she taken him some chicken soup as she’d wanted? Oh well, too late now. Picking up a pad of paper and a pen, she went into Adam’s office.
“Hi, how are you feeling? You don’t sound so good,” Katie announced as she plopped herself on the chair.
“Actually I feel a lot better. I just don’t sound great.” Adam’s grin caused Katie’s heart to do the “Adam flip-flop,” as she’d started calling it soon after she’d met him. “So tell me where you played hooky? I called late yesterday afternoon.”
“I had everything done by noon, so I went to lunch with the parents. Then my mom and I went shopping. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Nope, you’ve earned some time. Like the new look, by the way.” She tried to stop the blush at the admiring look he cast her way. “The plans you made for the wineries were great, thanks. Do you have plans for lunch today?”
“No, I don’t. Did you need me to stay in to discuss something?”
“Yes and no. I’d like to tell you about the trip. I thought maybe we could go to the Stage Deli. Does that sound good?”
“Sure.” Fireflies danced in her stomach. She swallowed and tried to stay composed. Lunch with Adam. “Oh, I finalized everything for your parents’ trip to Kauai.”
“I’m going to call Mom right now. Stay here. I’ll put them on speakerphone and you can listen. She’s going to be delighted. Dad will grumble, but in the end I’m sure he’ll enjoy the trip.” Adam dialed the number. Once his mom answered, he fiddled with the phone to adjust the speaker.
“Hey Mom, I have the speaker on so Katie can hear.” He winked at Katie. “Is Dad there too?”
“Yes, he’s out back. Why?” His mom’s voice echoed around the room.
“Go get him and have him pick up the extension. I have something to tell you both.”
“You’re engaged! I knew you’d settle down sooner or later. Congratulations. Katie, I’m so glad you finally hooked my son and brought him to his senses.”
Adam and Katie looked at each other. Katie’s heart did a drum roll and heat radiated up her neck to settle on her cheeks. Her fingers and toes tingled at the possibility of her and Adam together. Unfortunately, by the look he gave her, he didn’t feel the same.
* * * *
“Mom, no, that’s not what I was going to tell you. Go get Dad.” Adam looked everywhere but at Katie. God, it was bad enough he had erotic thoughts about his newly beautiful assistant, now his mother was playing matchmaker. Katie must be mortified. The silence in the room pressed in as if the very air had a physical presence. The wait for his father seemed to go on for years.
“Sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions. Your dad said he’d be in as soon as he washed off.” Then she rushed on before Adam could reply, “Katie, how is Oscar doing?”
“He’s doing just fine, Mrs. Russo.” Adam raised his eyebrow at his mother’s question.
“That’s good. I liked your little dog. He has quite the personality. Oh, here’s Fernando.”
“Hello.” Adam’s father always sounded as if the phone and
technology bewildered him.
“Hi, Dad. I’m glad you’re both home. I’m going to give you two a special anniversary gift this year. Katie helped me plan the surprise.”
“Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Russo, you’re going to love it. I’ve just sent everything to you by special messenger. You’ll get it tomorrow.” Katie was glad her heart had finally returned to normal.
“What is it, dear?” Adam’s mother’s curious voice sounded from the speaker.
“It’s a vacation to Kauai. And, Dad, before you say no, everything is set and non-refundable.”
“Kauai? That’s too far, and I know you probably plan for us to use your plane, so don’t try and tell me it’s non-refundable.” Adam heard the bluster in his father’s voice and ignored the tone.
“Dad, Katie found a car show that I’m sure you would love to see. Everything’s already planned and set. You’ll be staying on the south side of the island where it’s mostly sunny. You can visit Princeville. It’s lush and green because of the rain. You can’t say no, it would disappoint Mom.” Adam added the end, to make sure his father wouldn’t try to cancel the arrangements.
“Adam, that’s too extravagant!” Carla exclaimed. “It’s such a lovely thought, how I’d love to go.”
“Then it’s settled. Read over the packet when it arrives. If you have any questions, just call.”
“Yes, I can help you with anything, Mrs. Russo.” Katie grinned at Adam. He was surprised to see moisture gather in her eyes a second before she blinked it away.
“If your mother thinks it’s too extravagant, we shouldn’t go,” Fernando put in.
“Dad...” Adam began.
“Yes, Adam, it’s far too expensive to send us to Hawaii. Why don’t you just treat us to dinner?” his mother asked.
“Because I know that you would love to go, and Dad would never think to take you on his own.”
“Now, son, that’s just not true.”
Adam let his silence answer his dad’s statement.
“You know your father doesn’t like romantic things like that, dear.”
“I know, Mom. That’s why I had Katie arrange everything. There will be things that both of you enjoy. Dad, I’m not going to take no for an answer, and you know that Mom would love it.” Adam waited a moment, “Please. Let me do this for the parents I love.”
Put that way, Adam knew his dad wouldn’t be able to say no. His dad grumbled a little more, but by the end of the call both of his parents agreed—his mother excited and his dad resigned.
“Your parents are funny, and so different.” Katie stood and gathered her notebook.
“It’s a wonder how they ended up together, but they love each other. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them have a fight. They argue, but it’s usually a good-natured disagreement and they seem to enjoy it thoroughly.”
Adam realized he wanted desperately what his parents had. He couldn’t think of any of the women he’d been with in his lifetime that would be able to fit the bill. Except Katie Did. As fast as the forbidden thought crossed his mind, he discarded it. He had to remember she was his assistant. Before she came along, he’d gone through several assistants. All who applied seemed to think it was the “in” track for a weekend getaway. When they found out it didn’t come with the job, they quit or he fired them. Then Katie came and she was indispensable. He couldn’t afford to screw it up. Even if she turns out to be the love of your life? a little voice whispered.
“No!” Adam said aloud.
Katie stopped at the door with a bewildered look. “What?”
“Sorry, just thinking out loud. I’ve been struggling with what company to consider next,” Adam ad-libbed. Luckily he’d given Katie all the files on the companies he’d been interested in.
“I think the Australian one sounds interesting.” She seemed to take him at his word. She came back to settle into the chair she’d just vacated.
“I’ve thought about that one, but I’d be out of town a lot and I’ve read some of the reports. If the CEO will make some wise investments and monitor his spending, he should be able to turn it around himself.” Adam pulled the file from his drawer. “The last report sent by my agent states that the CEO is doing everything he can to save his company and he has been making progress. The last thing he wants right now is for some hotshot acquisitioner to come in and take things over. I think he’ll recover on his own and the company will be stronger.”
“Makes sense. I know if I had a company that fell on hard times, I’d work my butt off to turn circumstances around and resent anyone that tried to step in. It would be like a slap in the face that I wasn’t up to the fight.”
“Damn right,” Adam agreed. He’d feel the same way.
“Well then, I guess you’ll be leaving that one alone and off onto something else.”
“Yes. So what have you got planned for me on my adventure with the beautiful and talented Janice Beeman?” Adam had bent over to pick something up. For some reason he wasn’t comfortable talking about the self-made caterer. What was wrong with him? Katie had always made the arrangements, and he’d never felt guilty or uncomfortable in the past.
Katie’s words broke into his thoughts, and he pulled his attention back to the question he’d asked. “I’ve been researching. Did you know that she won a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award?”
“I don’t even know who or what James Beard is.” Adam straightened up and schooled his features so Katie wouldn’t guess what had been on his mind.
“I hadn’t heard of it either, so I did a search on the name. It was really quite interesting. I don’t want to bore you, so I’ll just give you a brief outline.”
“Thanks,” Adam commented dryly.
“Anyway.” Katie gave him a stern look. “He was born in the early nineteen-hundreds and wanted to be an actor. After several years of trying, he needed to supplement his income and opened his own catering company. He succeeded, yada, yada, yada, and went on to write several cookbooks that are still in print. Then in 1955, he opened his own school.”
“Sounds like he knew what he was doing anyway. So he has a foundation now?” Adam asked, not really caring.
“After his death, Julia Child had the idea to preserve his home as the gathering place it was throughout his life. I guess all kinds of famous chefs, like Emeril and others, work in Beard’s kitchen. The people who go there get to enjoy the meals and discuss food with them. I thought since Ms. Beeman has won one of the Beard awards that you’d want to impress her with how much you knew. I emailed you her bio and the link to the James Beard Foundation.”
“What would I do without you? Thanks—” Adam was cut off before he could continue by a knock on the door.
Both Katie and Adam turned as Mrs. Oakman stuck her head in the door. “Is it okay with you folks if I do a little cleaning while you work?”
“Sure, come on in,” Adam invited.
“Anyway back to what we were talking about. I really appreciate all the information. This will give me something to talk about with her. I know that usually I tell you where I would like to take my date, but quite frankly I’m running out of places. I’m glad you’ve taken that task over. I needed a fresh mind to help.”
Chapter Seven
Katie swallowed. She didn’t want to think about his gratitude. Now she’d have to come up with ideas of where to take his women. That would be worse because she’d be thinking of places she’d want to go with him. Although she’d pretty much come up with this next trip. She’d handle the pain. No Adam was far worse than wanting, but never having, him.
“In Ms. Beeman’s bio, it said that one of the places she’d always wanted to visit is Nassau, but she never seems to find the time.”
“Good. So I’m taking her to the Bahamas? When will the plane be ready?”
“Oh, you’re not flying. The two of you have a private schooner that will be taking you there, equipped with your own captain. And chef, Gerold—a world-renowned chef, I might add. And we mustn�
��t forget your full crew so that the two of you don’t have to lift a finger.” Katie let her mind wander a moment, picturing herself in Adam’s arms as they danced in the moonlight on the deck.
“Katie,” Adam said. When her gaze focused, she was embarrassed to find Adam waving a hand in front of her face.
“Oh sorry, I seem to have lost my train of thought. Where was I?” Katie guiltily brought her attention back to Adam. It just wouldn’t do to daydream about something that would never happen. He’d barely noticed her transformation back to her old self. Oh well.
“You were telling me about the schooner. I hope you have ordered a case of Dramamine, because I’m not a very good sailor.” Adam’s shoulders seemed to shutter. “Even the thought of the waves is making me queasy.” Then he gave a sneeze and reached for a tissue. “Damn this cold.”
“Bless you!” Katie grabbed for the box at the same time, and their hands met. For a moment neither spoke. Taking a deep breath, she snatched her hand back and pretended that a flash of fireworks hadn’t traveled up her arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know about the sailing. Would you like me to make new arrangements?”
“No, that’s all right, I’m sure as long as I take something before I get on board, I’ll be just fine.”
“Excuse me,” Mrs. Oakman interrupted, causing the two to jump. “Is there anything else you need me to do before I leave?”
“No, you do a wonderful job, thank you,” Adam said.
“Mrs. Oakman, do you remember that dog supplement you told me about the other day?”
“Yes. Do you want to pick some up for your little Oscar?”
“Yes. He’s been a little sluggish lately, and with the winter months coming on I want to get him feeling better.” Katie smiled at the cleaning lady. She had a lot of remedies and they usually worked.
“I’ll write it on a note pad and leave it on your desk, okay dear?”
Martinez, Mary - Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 7