He laughed. Thats what I bought it for.
I can practice with the graphics program after Kaylee goes to bed.
Just make sure you dont stay up all night.
She felt the heat rushing to her face. How embarrassing and unprofessional that shed shown up at her job looking a wreck, then had taken a nap on her bosss sofa. Ill try not to.
She picked up the lightweight computer, sat in her chair, and opened it. Does it have an instruction manual?
Ill get it for you. But its pretty easy. He reached down and pushed a power button, and the machine hummed to life. You havent forgotten the Mattress Master ad, have you?
Ill get right on it. Actually, she had. If he hadnt reminded her, shed have probably gotten engrossed in checking out her new toy, and then the Mattress Master deadline would come and go without her noticing.
Ill get right on it. Actually, she had. If he hadnt reminded her, shed have probably gotten engrossed in checking out her new toy, and then the Mattress Master deadline would come and go without her noticing.
But her own laptop! Scott had owned a laptop, of course, but he literally hadnt let her touch it, claiming that if she used it, Kaylee would end up getting peanut butter on it or some such nonsense-as if Jane werent smart enough to prevent that. She had wanted to get a home computer, but Scott had nixed the idea, claiming he saw no reason for her to have one.
Looking back, she realized now that was just one more way he had controlled and isolated her.
I have a favor to ask, Max said, sounding uncharacteristically uncertain of himself.
Anything.
How do you feel about traveling for business?
Traveling? She couldnt imagine where she would need to go. Unlessdid he want her to sit in on client meetings? The thought thrilled her. She hoped to someday have more responsibility at her job. I hadnt really thought about it. I hate to keep beating the same drum, but child care would be a big issue. If its important, though, I can try to work something out.
I appreciate that. In this case, however, you can bring Kaylee with you.
Take a child on business trip? Maybe you better explain.
Max came into her office and closed the door, then settled into her offices only other chair, a small club chair that looked like an afterthought. With its red-and-yellow floral print, it didnt really match anything.
Heres the deal. Ellen Lowenstein was quite taken with Kaylee. As she was leaving she mentioned all of us attending a baseball game in Houston. I thought she would forget, but she called and offered tickets to a game next week. We would leave after lunch on Tuesday, go to the game that night, stay over, and the next day we would tour the KidznStuff offices and the manufacturing plant, stay for lunch, then drive home Wednesday afternoon.
Jane couldnt help the excitement that bubbled over. That sounds wonderful! It had been so long since shed done anything so fun. A baseball game, staying at a hotel, eating at restaurants, learning how childrens clothes are made. She thought Kaylee would love it, too.
Max smiled. Great. Well do it, then. Um, theres just one little hitch.
Im happy to do work while Im there, Jane volunteered. With the laptop I can work in the car, and at the hotel after Kaylee goes to bed-
Thats not it, though I appreciate the offer. Seeone of the reasons Ellen Lowenstein is leaning toward giving her account to the Remington Agency is becausewell, because she wants Kaylee in the ads. She thinks Kaylee has the perfect look. And she wants usyou and Kayleeto meet with a kids modeling agency in Houston. It could mean extra money for you-lots of money, actually.
Jane was stunned. Kaylee, a model? This is kind of a big deal, she said. I would have to think about it. Im not sure I want Kaylee posing in front of cameras, being the center of attention. It would take her away from her preschool andwell, I dont want to rule it out, either, she added hastily. What a great opportunity for her to earn money for her college fund!
You dont have to make a decision right away. But would you be willing to meet with the agent?
Sure, it wouldnt hurt to just talk.
Great. Ill make all the arrangements. Oh, Jane, theres just one more thing.
What?
We have to pretend to be married.
Chapter Five
Janes mouth opened, but no words came out.
Max probably shouldnt have sprung it on her like that, so he backpedaled. Ellen assumed Kaylee was my daughter, since she climbed into my lap, and I didnt disabuse her of that notion.
Jane continued staring, waiting for more of an explanation.
I think she would prefer to give her advertising account to a family man, someone who really understands what it means to be a parent. Her reaction to Kaylee was so positive, I didnt have the heart-or the courage-to tell her Im single with no kids.
I see. I think.
JaneI know its wrong to mislead her. But I need this account. I really, really need this account, and I can do a great job on it. Maybe Im not a parent, but Im not completely ignorant of children. Between you and me, I know we can give this account what it needs and deserves, and everyone will be happy, and thats whats important, right?
Ino. I cant condone lying, Max.
Were not really lying. Just not telling the whole truth.
Jane narrowed her eyes. Youre quibbling.
He sighed. Youre right. Now he felt like a slime-ball. Playing fast and loose with facts was such an in-grained habit in the advertising business, he hadnt really seen it as a big deal. Once he landed the account, he probably would have little or no personal contact with Ellen Lowenstein, so he would have no need to maintain the family ruse. But that didnt make it right.
You should tell her the truth.
I know. He thought for a minute. Okay, how about this? We all go to the game, and I explain the situation then. After Ellen had a chance to see Max interact with Kaylee, see that he really was good with kids and that, if he were a father, he would be a good one.
Well
After all, my omission of the truth shouldnt get in the way of Kaylees modeling gig. Ellen was entranced with Kaylees picture long before she came to believe Kaylee was my daughter.
You promise to tell Ellen the truth?
I will. But can we at least pretend to beinvolved?
Max.
Close friends? Come on, Jane. We are getting to be friends.
Youre my boss. How will Ellen feel about your being involved with your employees?
Max thought of the proprietary glances Ellen gave Ogden from time to time. I dont think shed mind.
All right. Well go to the baseball game. How will we handle the overnight accommodations?
Max grinned. Ill take care of that. Remington Industries owned the Hotel Alexander, a luxury hotel in a historic downtown Houston building. Maybe he still had enough status as a Remington to get a comped suite.
Why does that smile youre wearing give me an uneasy feeling?
Maybe because for just an instant, Max had let himself picture himself and Jane alone in a hotel room. Cant imagine why.
I CANT BELIEVE youre going out of town with him. Allie, done with her fishing cruises for the day, had come over to kibitz while Jane packed for her overnight in Houston. I cant believe youre going to pretend to be married to him. What got into you?
Im not pretending anything. Okay, which of these is better for the baseball game? She showed Allie two choices, a red halter top and a more conservative polka-dot T-shirt.
Youre asking me? Im not exactly a fashion plate. You need Sara. Shes a shopping maniac.
Oh, right. Jane settled on the polka dots. The halter was too revealing. I seem to recall Sara helping you pick out clothes forwhat was that? A trade show in Houston? With your boss, Cooper? Although Allie had never forked over the details of that trip, Jane knew that was how Allie and Cooper ended up in bed the first time.
Allie blushed prettily. He was my partner, not my boss, but thats beside the point. Are you hoping you and Max will follow in our footsteps?
Allie blushed prettily. He was my partner, not my boss, but thats beside the point. Are you hoping you and Max will follow in our footsteps?
Allie, of course not! Jane realized her denial was perhaps too fast, too emphatic. Never mind that hes my boss. He doesnt date women with children, and I dont date, period. The ink is barely dry on my divorce decree.
Allie laughed. Trust me when I say a whole boatload of reasons for staying apart can go right out the window in a hurry once youre alone with him-
Shh. Little pitchers. Kaylee was already asleep in her bunk, but she could wake up and overhear.
But that hotel! You have no idea what a place like that does to your senses. Its like being in an amusement park. For adults.
I have stayed in luxury hotels many times. Now, which do you like better, the pink or the purple? She held up two sets of KidznStuff overalls.
The purple, I think. But what about that cute shorts outfit with the blue flowers?
Would you believe its too small? Kaylee is growing so fast, she can hardly fit into any of those beautiful, expensive clothes I bought her when I still had Scotts credit card.
Sara might like them, if she has a girl.
Ill ask her. But that doesnt solve my current packing problem. I want Kaylee to look her best.
Are you really going to do the modeling thing? Allie asked, jumping in to hang up the clothes that had been discarded.
I dont know yet. Depends on whats involved. This sounds selfish, but Id rather keep working as an artist, even at a paltry salary, than become a stage mother to a high-fashion child model earning big bucks.
You really love your new job?
I really do. I feel so alive when Im using my creativity. Im finally doing something that matters. At least, it mattered to Max. He was a hard taskmaster, but also generous with his praise. She lived to hear him tell her shed done a good job. It was embarrassing, how her mood hung on his every word.
She tried not to place too much importance on that. It would be the same with any boss, she reasoned. She just wanted to succeed at a job that used her creativity. Scott had scoffed at the idea that she was even employable. Hed thought her little art degree was a joke. Her parents had sent her to college only because a society wife was expected to be educated, not because they expected her to do anything with the degree.