The Biggest Part of Me Read online

  The Biggest Part

  Of Me

  By Malinda Martin

  Copyright © 2013. The Biggest Part of Me by Malinda Martin. Cover photo by istockphoto. Cover design by Biff Rifkin. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  DEDICATION:

  To My husband Tom who is the biggest part of me.

  Chapter One

  Jane Kendall was about to give birth. However, her delivery was not flesh and blood, but beeps and whistles, CARL by name.

  “Come on, Jane. Breathe with me. He he, ho ho. He he, ho ho.”

  With confusion, Jane looked up at her newly hired assistant Sally. What was this ‘he ho’ stuff and why was it needed in her marketing office this January morning in mid-town Manhattan?

  “I was a Lamaze instructor once when I lived in Miami,” Sally explained.

  Jane chuckled. She guess she was acting as excited and anxious as an expectant mother. But why not? Today was the day she had waited for since she started working for the Patterson Marketing Agency six years ago. She was making her own presentation with her own ideas for a multi-million dollar account. The product was CARL—Computer And Robot Link. A new toy put out by the Talbot Toy Company, CARL was expected to be the next big thing for kids everywhere.

  Members of the Patterson team hovered over her, obeying her every command, like a battalion of eager recruits. She wanted everything to be perfect, no hitches in the presentation.

  There was a knock on her office door that no one noticed. A tall, thin man with short black hair stood in the doorway watching the flurry of activity, and entered the fray, frowning at the lack of attention he garnered.

  “Jane, I came by to wish you well.” He leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Thanks, Ed. That was very thoughtful of you.” Jane looked up at the handsome man and smiled. She was such a lucky girl, she thought. Making her mark in the advertising field, a wonderful team, a good guy. What more could a girl want?

  “Jane, could you look over the order of these papers before we put them in binders?” Sally asked.

  “Who’s this? Another secretary?” Ed asked, looking down his nose at the petite, red haired woman.

  “Ed, this is my new assistant, Sally Travers. Sally, my fiancé Ed Simpson.”

  Looking at the man wearing an Armani suit, Sally said, “How do you do.” She noticed the seriousness of the man, the tight smile, the cold eyes. Ed nodded at Sally, then turned back to Jane. Sally didn’t like him. Her impression of him was of a predator from an urban forest that was just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on her boss.

  “Well, I’ll let you get back to it. I know you’ll do great.” Kissing her on the head and rubbing her shoulder, he turned to leave and said, “Call me when the presentation is over. We’ll go out tonight and celebrate your success.”

  Jane laughed at him. “You’re awfully optimistic, aren’t you?”

  “Where you’re concerned, yes.” He winked at her and was gone.

  As Jane returned to putting papers in order, Sally watched Ed leave. “So, you’re engaged to that guy?”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “How long?” Sally asked, frowning.

  “What? Oh, we’ve been engaged about three months, I guess.”

  Sally turned back to Jane and asked, “When’s the big day?”

  “What big day?” Jane asked as she finished with the papers.

  “Your wedding day?”

  Now it was Jane’s turn to frown as she said, “Well, we haven’t actually set the date yet.”

  “No? If I were crazy in love enough to agree to marry some guy, I’d be all over that wedding date. If you—“

  “Sally, the presentation is in one hour. Can we get these papers copied and put in this order, please?” Jane’s voice brought Sally back to the job at hand. Jane’s eyes glowed with eager anticipation about the impending presentation. Sally couldn’t help but be swept away with her enthusiasm. She’d let the subject of Ed go . . . for now.

  “Sure, I’m sorry. I’m just a sucker for a good romance. Sometime later when you have a minute, I’d like to hear your love story with . . What was his name?” She only remembered that he wasn’t memorable at all.

  “It’s Ed.” Then gently pushing Sally out the door, she began rehearsing the presentation once more in her mind. She was alone with her thoughts now since everyone had left on errands for the meeting.

  As her feet made ruts in the beige carpet, she flexed her fingers and rolled her shoulders in an attempt to ease the tension. Pacing back and forth, she hardly noticed the office that displayed her competency. Her functional wood desk was bare except for a gooseneck lamp and her files for the day. A drafting table stood in the corner, polished and holding her work in meticulous order. Even the plump pillows on her sofa stood at attention as she continued to pace.

  She was ready. It was her time to shine she thought as she smoothed her suit skirt down. Jane had chosen to wear power red today along with a white silk blouse and a pearl necklace. The matching low-heeled red pumps would carry her through hours of work. That is if she didn’t log in too many more miles pacing her office.

  Jane was not at all conceited about her abilities. She had worked hard to get were she was. Even though she had the good looks of a “girl-next-door” she was ambitious and industrious. Her blonde hair was thick and wavy, just touching her shoulders. She preferred to keep it down for presentations to help foster a friendly impression. Her big blue eyes highlighted an ivory face with high cheekbones. And although she had a slender figure, the result of eating too little and fidgeting too much, Jane sought to hide it under professional business suits. She looked out the large window behind her desk. She didn’t see the view of Manhattan, the massive concrete structures, the people hurrying back and forth. She only saw her reflection. She knew what she was—a hard working advertising executive about to give an excellent presentation. Yes, she was ready. She was ready for this incredible opportunity.

  Jittery, she checked all her presentation supplies for the umpteenth time. The sudden ringing of the phone caused her to jump. “Yes!” Jane nearly shrieked at the caller.

  “Easy there, Sis.”

  The bright, cheerful voice of Jane’s big brother Tom caused an automatic smile to spread across her face. “Sorry Tom. I’m a little on edge this morning. Listen, I don’t have much time. What’s up?” Jane could feel herself relaxing in preparation of a quick chat with her sibling.

  “Nothing much. I didn’t have a shoot scheduled for this morning so I thought I’d check on my favorite sister.’

  Laughing Jane returned, “Yeah right. I’m your only sister.” Tom always had the ability to calm Jane. At this moment she thanked God for the brother she had, as a child, countless times wished was a pet monkey.

  “So, what’s your big hurry today?”

  “Nothing much,” she said casually. “I just have the biggest presentation of my life in an hour.”

  “Wow, sounds major. Who’s it for?

  “It’s a brand new toy from the Talbot Toy Company,” Jane explained.

  There was a silence on Tom’s end of the phone. It was so long that Jane thought they might have been disconnected. “Tommy, are you there?”

  “I’m here. The Talbot Toy Company, huh?” he said.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Do you know anything about the company?”

  Jane
was not sure why, but a tingling shiver crawled up her back. “Sure. We did research on it to prepare our pitch. It’s a solid company with a great reputation. And this new toy they’re introducing is going to be big. It’s brilliant, really. I’m looking forward to meeting the creator of it.”

  “Really? Well, let me know how it goes, will you?”

  Dismissing the curious shiver, she replied, “Okay. Oh, why don’t we get together soon—You and C.J., Ed and me? Maybe dinner and a show?”

  Tom groaned. “Do I have to?”

  “Be nice, Tom. Ed’s a nice guy. In fact he’s the best lawyer in the building,” Jane said defending her fiancé.

  “Yeah right. He’s the only lawyer in the building,” Tom said mimicking Jane. “I’ll check with C.J. and get back to you. Talk to you later. And Jane? You’ll do great today. Go get ‘em.”

  Jane smiled. “Thanks, Tommy.” Jane hung up the phone and thought for a moment about her only sibling. Jane liked C.J., the stunningly beautiful model that Tom was crazy about. Why he was taking his time to marry that girl was beyond Jane. C.J. was obviously just as smitten. She sincerely hoped Tom was not waiting for her to be married and settled. Yes, Jane had agreed to Ed’s proposal, not out of any blinding passion. She simply didn’t want to grow old alone. Jane knew that that may have sounded insane to others but Ed understood. There was a simple affection that they shared. They got along well, enjoyed many of the same things. Neither of them wanted children since they both had driving ambitions. They both wanted a simple, uncomplicated relationship.

  They would get married, settle down in a comfortable but efficient, apartment, accompany each other to work related functions, make just the right social connections—a requirement of Ed’s—and have quiet discussions of highly reviewed novels in the evening. An amicable agreement between both parties.

  Her mind drifted away. A small pain stabbed her suddenly in the heart. Every time she thought the pain was forever gone, something would remind her of the past.

  Jane had had one great love in her life. They had been madly in love. But college, career, and life in general had driven them apart. She had been serious. He had not. He hadn’t been ready for real life. So, Jane had done the only thing she knew to do—she had gotten on with hers. Now she had her own life just the way she liked it—her own apartment, friends, family, and an incredible job that she worked hard at. Perhaps obsessed about was a better description. Anyway, Jane had vowed to commit herself to her work and never let a man complicate her feelings like that again. She had remained true to that decision and she hadn’t regretted it. After all, here she was, Jane Kendall, twenty-eight year old super marketing whiz, tackling her first solo presentation.

  All those thoughts were interrupted as members of her team began filing into her office for final instructions before meeting with the big wigs of the Talbot Toy Company. After going over everything one more time, Jane gave a “thumbs-up,” took a deep breath, and said, “Showtime.”

  Outside, the wind was hammering, spreading a chill to the bones on this brisk January morning. In contrast, the conference room of the Patterson Agency was toasty warm as executives took off their coats and accepted mugs of steaming coffee. There was excitement crackling in the air. CARL had been a dream project of Talbot Toy president and C.E.O Jason Collins for years now. What could be better? Combining a robot toy with all the attributes of an easy to use laptop computer was the ultimate toy for a child. It would be the biggest thing during the next holiday season—that is, if they could get just the right marketing plan.

  Patterson Marketing Agency had one of the best reputations nationally. Jason hoped they would have what he was looking for. He wanted an advertising campaign that had it all—excitement for the kids, trust of the parents, and fun and bonding for the whole family. In addition, he felt very protective of CARL, just like a father. He wanted the proper launch of his baby. CARL was the wave of the future, and Jason intended to be at the top of that wave.

  He greeted everyone, then grabbed a mug of coffee and stepped towards the window. He didn’t see his reflection. Looking out, the toymaker in him didn’t see skyscrapers but a toy Spiderman swinging on his webs through the model buildings. He didn’t see cabs in the street, but wind-up cars to play with. The wind swirling through the coats of pedestrians sent his mind off with ideas of new colorful kites. He continued to look out the window as the marketing team began setting up for their presentation.

  Terry Dawson, president of the Patterson Marketing Agency walked up to him. “Jason, I know you’re going to be blown away by our presentation. I’ve seen most of it and I can tell you I think it’s just what you’re looking for.”

  Jason smiled, the smile not touching his eyes. “That would be nice. The presentations I’ve seen so far have frankly been trash. No concept of what we’re trying to do. They all lacked a certain . . I don’t know. For lack of a better word, I’ll say warmth. I want to sell CARL to the whole family, not just the kids.”

  “Understood. I put our brightest young ad executive in charge. I think she’ll knock your socks off.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Jason sighed, looking down at his watch, and then found a seat at the table.

  At exactly ten A.M. Jane announced, “Everyone, could I have your attention. If you’ll take your seats we’ll get started.” To ease her nerves, Jane began distributing handouts. She looked at the papers as she made her way around the big table. At the head of the table, the papers she was handling slipped out of her hand, falling to the floor. She reached to retrieve them at the same time as another hand reached for them. Their heads bumped slightly. Embarrassed, she looked up saying, “Oh, I am so sorry.”

  Everything in Jane froze. Her voice, her breath, her arms, all stopped as she stared at the man in front of her. Jane’s startled blue eyes looked up into his brown ones.

  Jason held himself rigid. He said, “No harm done,” as he sat back down.

  Jane handed out the rest of the papers by sheer grit. Terry approached her. “Jane, are you all right? You don’t look well.”

  “Mr. Dawson, I . . I need to get something from the break room.” Her composure if she could find it. “Could you give me just a few minutes?”

  “What’s wrong? Are you ill? Do you want someone else to make the presentation for you?” Mr. Dawson was concerned. He had always been a fair boss and a smart businessman. His green eyes behind his wire-rimmed glasses echoed his concern for his protégé.

  Jane recognized the anxious tone of her boss’s voice. This account would help launch the Patterson Agency into a worldwide market. They really needed to hit a home run. “No!” she quickly said. “I’ll be fine. Just five minutes and then I’ll give you a dynamite presentation, sir.”

  He studied her face seeing her determination combined with something that looked like shock. Knowing all the work she had put into the meeting along with her immense talent, he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. “All right, Jane. But just five minutes.”

  While Mr. Dawson had the execs look over the handouts, Jane hurried to the break room across the hall. Pacing she began taking large cleansing breaths trying to slow down her accelerating pulse. On each exhale she spoke one word. “Calm. Peace. Tranquility.”

  “What are you doing?” a voice behind her asked.

  Jane turned around quickly to find Jason studying her. Catching her breath she replied, “I learned in yoga that during times of stress you should take deep cleansing breaths saying words that will calm you down.”

  “Is it working?”

  “Not yet.”

  Jason grinned. Jane’s knees buckled. She had forgotten that look. It was devastating. She felt the sun shine through the room only there were no windows. She tried to smile back.

  “How are you, Janie?” Jason asked softly.

  “Good, Jay. You?” Jane tried to sound at least a little in control of her wits.

  “I’m fine.” Jason let his eyes roam up and down looking her
over appreciatively. “So, you’re making the presentation today. Good for you. I knew you’d be a success.” The smile faded. His face slowly grew hard, his eyes cold.

  “Yes, I’m a marketing specialist here at Patterson.” Jane held her hands together to stop them from trembling. “You work for Talbot Toys?”

  “Yeah, Talbot Toys has me, body and soul. The president is a real work horse, always demanding the impossible.”

  “Wow, sounds formidable.”

  “Yeah, but extremely smart. He’s the best there is.”

  Jane felt chilled as his cold eyes continued to push her away emotionally. Jane thought quickly about what to say next. “Well, you always wanted to design toys. Is that what you do for Talbot?”

  “Yeah. More or less.” He continued to stare at her.

  To Jane’s relief, Mr. Dawson came into the break room. “Jane, are you ready? Oh, I see you’ve met Jason Collins, president and C.E.O. of Talbot Toys.”

  Jane’s jaw dropped. Jason didn’t try to hide his amusement. “Actually, Jane and I are old friends,” he explained to Terry. “I haven’t seen her in, what is it, about seven years now?”

  She nodded. Regaining her voice Jane looked at Jason, trying to mask her shock. “Congratulations. I didn’t know. That’s . . that’s . . terrific,” Jane stuttered. She hated to stutter.

  Jason couldn’t help it. He was enjoying Jane’s discomfort. Trying to hide his delight he said, “Thank you.”

  “Jane, is everything all right?” Sally asked as she hurried into the room.

  “Yes, Sally. I’m fine.”

  “And who is this?” Jason flashed his brilliant smile at Sally as he approached her with his hand extended.

  “This is Sally Travers, my assistant. Sally, meet the president of Talbot Toys. Jason Collins.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Sally.”

  “Likewise, Mr. Collins,” she fluttered her eyelashes at him. Jane was a bit peeved.

  Turning back to Jane, Jason said, “I’m looking forward to your presentation today.” With a smirk he added, “That is, you’re still going to present, right?”