Get Bunny Love (32 page)
Authors: Kathleen Long
Tags: #romantic comedy, #humor, #contemporary romance, #kathleen long
He waggled his brows, a brilliant smile lighting up his features. “Maybe you can help me out of this Schnauzer suit.”
She pressed away from him, holding up a finger. “On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“Well,” she teased. “It’s obvious you know nothing about decorum. From now on, I’ll have to be in charge of publicity.”
“You got it.” He winked. “You can be in charge of whatever you want.”
EPILOGUE
Two Months Later
Bunny pulled the potted fern away from the wall. “She’s blocking the flow of chi. Anyone can see that.”
Nate frowned. Bert bit his lip to hide a grin.
“Don’t you think we’ve gone overboard with the plants?” Nate’s features softened, his eyes pleading. “I’m not sure it’s a problem of position so much as a problem of number.” He gestured to the small jungle in the corner of the conference room. “I think you’re out of control.”
Bunny clucked her tongue. “Negative energy, Nate.”
He blinked. “A little control. That’s all I’m asking for.”
“No.” Bunny crossed her arms and set her chin. Her chest swelled with love for the man, even though he was clueless in the art of feng shui. Oh well, everyone had their faults.
He pointed toward the door. “Maybe the hall would like some chi.”
“They stay here.” Bunny tapped her foot. “The conference room is perfect just as it is.”
“But I-”
She shook her head. “You worry about clients. I’ll worry about chi.”
Nate turned to Bert. “Help me out here.”
Bert’s wide grin twisted into a smirk. “Sorry, buddy. She’s right.” He slapped Nate on the shoulder. “The place looks great.”
“Traitor,” Nate grumbled. “I’ll be in my office.”
“Let me know how you like it.” A flush warmed Bunny’s cheeks.
Nate’s gazed narrowed. “What have you done to my office?”
Bunny shrugged. “Just a few small plants. Your energy won’t know what hit it,” she teased. “Trust me.”
“Trust me,” Nate muttered as he stepped into the hall. “How many times has that phrase gotten me into trouble?” He pointed at Bunny, his features relaxing into a lopsided grin. “You’ve got new employee orientation in five minutes.”
Bert chuckled as he followed Nate. “Nice work, Bunny. As usual.”
“Thanks.”
She adjusted the position of the fern once more, then stepped back to admire her work. A candle glowed on the credenza, infusing the room with the soft scent of vanilla. She closed her eyes, listening to the water trickling through the rock garden. Her muscles relaxed as she blew out a slow breath.
My, how things had changed.
After apologizing for her role in the leash fiasco, Martha McNulty had given Nate full control of the company. How could she not? The press from The Worthington Cup had sent the number of new accounts through the stratosphere. It wasn’t easy to duplicate the news value of one thousand dogs run amuck, but the staff did their best.
Besides, Martha no longer had time to worry about McNulty Events or Nate. She’d busied herself resuming her career as an artist, one local gallery show under her belt and more in the works. To top it all off, she’d agreed to design a line of cards for the Loves’ burgeoning enterprise.
John had fully embraced the greeting card business, converting his study into an office for Alexandra. They’d painted it eggshell, of course. Bunny shuddered. Their greeting cards had been picked up by several boutiques in Philadelphia and Florida. At last report, John’s golf designs were among the leading sellers.
The rest of The Worthington Cup had gone off without a hitch. The official Best in Show title had gone to Poindexter, much to the amazement of Mitsi and Timothy Goodloe, who were now in counseling with Jimmy Monroe. Turns out Jimmy held certification as a Life Coach in addition to being a feng shui expert.
The popular votes for show favorite had gone to Nate. Jeremy had posted a still shot on the Web site of the Schnauzer suit, and he’d won by a landslide. Seems people were suckers for a happy ending. The trophy sat in a place of prominence in Nate’s office—right next to his lucky bamboo.
As for Armand, well, he’d confessed to taking Martha’s instructions a bit too far by sabotaging the show and letting a rabbit loose in the arena. Bunny rolled her eyes at the memory. Not even Mr. Smooth Miller could have gotten away with that one.
Thurston Monroe had been thrilled when Bunny moved out of her condo and into Nate’s. He hadn’t been happy, however, when she’d sublet to a street mime. According to Tilly, there had been more than a few nonverbal confrontations in the lobby.
As for Melanie, she’d happily followed her heart to Las Vegas. While breaking into the showgirl circuit had proven more difficult than anticipated, her last letter mentioned a new job as the host of a cable access cooking show. According to Nate, Melanie wouldn’t know how to open a can of soup.
Ah, well. Time would tell.
Bert popped his head into the room. “You ready?”
“Sure.” Bunny followed him down the maroon hall to a walk-in storage closet. Four new event planners stood waiting, all with one thing in common. They frowned.
“Good morning.” Bunny gave the group her most welcoming smile and planted her fists on her hips. “My name is Beatrice McNulty, but you may call me Bunny.” She stepped forward, shaking each employee’s hand. “You must be wondering why we’re starting your orientation in a closet.”
She tipped her head toward a wall of shelves lined with singing hamsters, candles, small plants, slinkies and shoeboxes. “On these shelves you will find what we consider the most important perk here at McNulty.” She pulled down a box and hugged it to her chest. “Creative freedom.”
Bunny removed the lid and plucked one pink slipper from inside, button eyes gleaming, fluffy ears standing at attention.
One young man’s jaw fell open. “Bunny sli-”
Bunny held up a hand. “I’m sure this is not what you’re used to, but at this firm we believe in nurturing positive chi—creative energy.”
Nate appeared in the doorway. Bunny caught his eye and winked.
“
Controlled
creative energy,” she continued.
“After all,” Nate stepped into the room, grinning from ear to ear, “a little feng shui never hurt anyone.”
-o0o-
Keep reading for recommended reads and information
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A long time ago, in an elementary school far, far away, a very young Kathleen scribbled a story idea in her journal. Then she wrote another, and another. She added several poems, the lyrics to a song or two, a love letter to David Cassidy, and so on and so on.
While her early writings never saw the light of day, many of her later works did. And while she did not marry David Cassidy, Kathleen did marry her own Prince Charming. Together, they are raising one drama queen and one obedience-challenged border collie mix in a kingdom divided between suburban Philadelphia and the Jersey shore.
Kathleen is the RITA® nominated, RIO Award and two-time Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence winning author of fourteen novels of contemporary romance, suspense and women's fiction. Her additional honors include National Readers Choice, Holt Medallion, and Booksellers Best award nominations.
She spends her time plotting her next book, bribing her little one to pick up her toys, and begging the dog to heel.
Please visit her at
www.kathleenlong.com
.
Don’t miss the romantic comedy, CHERRY ON TOP, originally published in 2005, available now for Kindle.
Life... When Cherry Harte wins the lottery, she sets out to reinvent her life. New villa. New wardrobe. New personal history. The only thing that can stop her now is her wacky family and the hunky mechanic who kicks her libido from zero to sixty in no time flat.
Luck... Luke Chance has had it with women, especially women with new money, yet Cherry Harte seems to be far more than a pretty package. But is she on the lam? The woman's hiding something, and Luke intends to find out what. He's a man on mission. Call it...
Love.
“Likable characters and story, in a style that read fast and fun, Kathleen Long is now on this reviewer’s very short list for must read romantic comedy.”
The Romance Reader
“…funny, poignant, sexy, and simply outstanding.”
Affaire de Coeur
“For pure comical pleasure and sighing satisfaction this is the book for you.”
Cataromance
“…the perfect blend of humor, angst, and sensuality, along with wonderful characters and witty dialogue. Ms. Long is able to touch your emotions while tickling your funny bone…”
NovelTalk
“…fast-paced, wacky adventure that is laugh-out-loud funny.”
Romance Junkies
“Kathleen Long has proven her ability to dazzle readers with zany characters and witty dialog.”
Romance Designs
-o0o-
And LOVE IS ALL AROUND by Rae Davies.
5 Stars from
Affair de Coeur Magazine
!
Patsy Lee Clark knows what she wants - out of Daisy Creek and away from everything country. That is until Will Barnes rolls back into her life. This bad boy from her past spent fourteen years making up for teenage mistakes. Now he's ready for a fresh beginning. The harder Patsy tries to escape her Ozark roots, the more Will reminds her of what makes them special. The harder Will tries to start over, the more Patsy and her family get in his way. Can Will convince Patsy they belong together in Daisy Creek or will she follow her dreams and leave him and the Ozarks forever?
o0o
Books by Kathleen Long
Women’s Fiction
Chasing Rainbows
Contemporary Romance
Get Bunny Love
Cherry On Top
Romantic Suspense
Silent Warning
When a Stranger Calls
Without a Doubt
Reluctant Witness
A Necessary Risk
High Society Sabotage
Christmas Confessions
The Body Hunters
Positive I.D.
Cold Case Connection
Undercover Commitment
Novellas
It’s a Wonderful Night
Table of Contents
