The Mommy Makeover

DANIEL USED his key to enter Katelyn’s condo. He often housesat for her, watering the plants and picking up her mail when she was out of town. But his mission today was different.

While the last tape he’d given Katelyn had accelerated the process, it still wasn’t working as quickly as he expected. Realistically, Daniel knew he couldn’t expect her to listen to the tapes indefinitely. Happy in his own relationship with Mary, he wanted Katelyn to find a potential mate as well.

Not only would she be happier, so would he. He sensed that it was her frustration in recent months that had made her edgy, unusually testy. Even though her behavior wore on his nerves, he was genuinely concerned about Katelyn. Having climbed to an enviable position of power, she would find it difficult to relinquish her career for a husband and children. Daniel knew that without outside intervention, Katelyn would grow more frustrated and unhappy.

Again, Daniel thought of his sister, the bitterness she couldn’t escape. He intended to make sure Katelyn had a different choice.

Although the last tape he’d purchased had advocated marriage, this one practically guaranteed that it would push the listener into holy wedlock. It worked primarily on a woman’s natural desire to procreate. Katelyn should soon be brimming with desire for a husband and children.

Daniel had exchanged this newest tape for the one in her cassette recorder, but he wasn’t certain she would listen to it enough for it to work. So, he’d purchased a second tape.

Walking into her bedroom, he spotted the stereo system. It was a separate unit that Katelyn had bought to bring an air of romance to the room. However, she had confessed that the unit hadn’t been used in a long time.

But Daniel had a better use for the neglected stereo.

He slipped the tape in the proper slot, adjusted the volume and then for the pièce de résistance, set the timer. Every night the stereo would turn on at a predetermined time. As she slept, the tape would play repeatedly.

Grinning, Daniel realized Katelyn would be after her perfect mate in a flash. He just hoped the man she chose was ready. Because a determined Katelyn could put a steamroller to shame. And after listening hundreds of times to the tape, she was going to be one determined hunter.

IT HAD BEEN an interesting three weeks for Finn. His relationship with Katelyn had altered dramatically. It began changing when she had discussed her uncertainty about having children. Since then, the rigid ice princess persona had lessened until it completely disappeared. Instead of treating him like a faceless employee, Katelyn had actually been kind, even interested in hearing about his life and goals. In other circumstances, he would have said they were becoming friends. But that was a loaded description.

Because even though Finn knew Katelyn was his boss, he still found her enormously attractive. But, now that she had started acting like a regular human being, he realized it went beyond just a physical attraction. The intelligence in her eyes drew him along with a grudging admiration for all she had accomplished. He had witnessed her drive and determination and knew it equaled that of only the most dedicated. Most male executives would have difficulty keeping up with her and would be hard-pressed to duplicate her success.

While her breakneck pace hadn’t slowed appreciably, Katelyn was acting softer, more open-like. Even her clothing choices were changing, going more and more often from dynamic power suits to soft, clingy dresses, wispy blouses and flowered skirts. Instead of pulling her hair back in severe styles, it now hung loose in silky waves.

What was even more puzzling was her uncharacteristic behavior. Katelyn had paused several times to longingly watch children. Once they had passed a church with a wedding in progress and he could have sworn he saw the glint of tears in her eyes. It was baffling, but Finn guessed her actions could be attributed to her biological clock. Apparently she had reached a point in her life where she was questioning the choices she had made. It wasn’t that uncommon. For once, Finn could see the definite advantages of female hormones. They appeared to be making a complete transformation in Katelyn.

As he completed the thought, Finn spotted her. She was strolling out the revolving door of a glassy skyscraper, long, burnished hair peeking out of the flowered hat she wore. She looked particularly attractive today. But it struck him that she was like an entirely different person—in appearance, attitude, and behavior. It wasn’t like her to stroll instead of walking at a near running pace.

As she approached, he swung open the rear passenger door.

“Hello, Finn. I hope you haven’t been waiting too long.” It was another of her changes. She no longer felt compelled to address him as Malloy.

“Actually, I just got here a few minutes ago. The meeting didn’t go as long as you’d thought. Is that a good sign?”

“Sometimes you don’t have to keep beating a dead horse. It’s smarter to simply bury it and get on with the next race.”

Puzzled, Finn shut the door and got into the car himself. Adjusting the rearview mirror, he studied her face. “I’m not sure exactly what that means.”

“The client didn’t like the presentation. So, why should I keep trying to sell it? I’ll simply work up another campaign.”

Simply? Finn knew that Katelyn had spent weeks on the presentation she was now dismissing. A good portion of her success was her unrelenting determination to sell her ideas, dominating meetings with her forceful presence. “And it doesn’t bother you that so much work went into it?”

Katelyn shrugged “There’s not much I could do about it. I’ll just have to think of something fresher. Life’s too short to get caught up in the things you can’t change. It’s much wiser to concentrate on the ones you can.”

Finn’s gaze remained on hers. As baffling as her behavior was, he couldn’t stem his fascination. “And is there something new you plan to concentrate on?”

A dreamy smile slid over her lips. “Perhaps.”

Shaking his head, Finn pulled out of the circular driveway and into traffic. He couldn’t help wondering what that purposely vague response meant.

Tonight’s meeting was being held northwest of the city in a secluded club. While it boasted of a first-class golf course and a four-star restaurant, it wasn’t a convenient location since it required a drive through snarled traffic routes. It would have been wisest to take a helicopter to the club, but Finn didn’t want to suggest it. He vividly remembered Katelyn’s terror in the copter. It wasn’t something he wanted to subject her to again.

Finn expertly navigated through the traffic. It didn’t take long to reach the loop. From there he took an exit which put them on a farm road, out of the gridlock.

Katelyn leaned forward. “Finn, do you know much about the Lakeview Club?”

“Not much beyond the obvious. It’s near a lake. Food’s supposed to be good. And it’s got a decent golf course. But it’s a little bit off the beaten track.”

“That’s okay,” she replied, surprising him. “It looks like a nice drive.”

So it was. They wound through the lush greenery that marked the Gulf Coast. First-time visitors often compared the succulent landscape to a cultivated rain forest. The humidity and frequent rain kept plants green year round. Beyond that, trees and plants grew rapidly because of the natural hothouse effect of the environment. And from the air-conditioned comfort of the limo, it was like journeying through a tame jungle.

Having made good time, Finn soon arrived at the Lakeview Country Club. The lines of the lovely Greek revival building emulated those of fine antebellum plantation homes. Even the dusky-pink brick looked authentically aged. But like many things in the often still raw city, it was an upstart. No landed gentry had once owned the fields surrounding the club. But that was part of the lure of Houston. New and old could compete as equals.

Once past the guardhouse, Finn pulled into the circular drive. Only yards from the huge double-door entrance, Finn heard Katelyn’s cell phone ring. Then he heard her side of a brief conversation.

She clicked the phone off. “That was Daniel. Tonight’s meeting has been postponed.”

“Great timing,” Finn observed wryly.

“Exactly what I was thinking.”

“No reason you still can’t have a nice dinner,” he suggested. “It might even taste better knowing you don’t have a meeting for dessert.”

“Hmm,” she mused. “That sounds good. But only on one condition.”

Finn dearly hoped she didn’t intend to have him drive all the way to her condo to fetch something. “And what would that be?”

“That you join me for dinner.”

Finn managed to keep his jaw from dropping. But it was a monumental effort. “Excuse me?”

“I’d like you to join me for dinner. We’ve driven to north Timbuktu. I’m sure you’re hungry. I know I am. And as you just suggested, I could still enjoy a nice dinner.”

“Actually I was just going to grab a hamburger,” he hedged, knowing the prices would shatter his carefully structured budget.

“My treat,” she urged with a smile. “Don’t tell me you’re going to let a lady eat alone?”

Glancing back at her, he knew she could have company with a snap of her perfectly manicured fingers. But Finn had the sense not to rebuff good fortune. After all, it was only one evening. He was sure that, despite her recent changes, Katelyn would be back to one hundred percent business by the next day. But for now…why not enjoy?

Nodding, he emerged from the car, tossing his hat inside, then opening her door. “Ms. Amhurst, you’re right. I’d be a fool to let you eat alone.”

Her lips edged upward in a slightly provocative smile. “It sounds ridiculous for you to keep calling me Ms. Amhurst. My name is Katelyn. After all, I call you Finn.”

But she was the boss. Acknowledging that, he decided to let her call the rules. “All right, Katelyn, whatever you say.”

Taking his arm, she wagged the fingers of her other hand at him. “Now that could be a dangerous offer.”