Simply Delishable

Prologue

The heart ache always felt the same, devastatingly numb. Being told yet again, “It wasn’t meant to be,” only fueled her fire. Having tried and lost, many times over, she knew her time was running out. And she would rather die than not give it one more shot. Disregarding the advice of the many specialists she sought Mary Thomas remained steadfast to her quest. So imagine her joy to prove all the nay-Sayers wrong. She demonstrated, there is nothing stronger in the world than a woman’s will to bear a child, and become a mother. On October fourteenth, nineteen eighty-three, a beautiful baby came into the world. To Mary Thomas, it was a true miracle, a testament of her faith, and her own body’s remarkable perseverance. The tiny bundle was joyous perfection in every way. More important, her new born was healthy. After nearly losing what would be her only child, twice, a mother’s prayer was answered.

Ah, the poor child, being brought into the world may have been its first misfortune. For nine long months, Kenneth Charles Thomas II anticipated the arrival of a son. He had high expectations for his heir. He planned on grooming, and mentoring his lad, to become a man of acclaimed notoriety, in the corporate business world, just like his father had groomed and mentored him. And one day, when Kenneth Charles Thomas III possessed the same superior attributes, he would be handed the reigns to the family empire.

Imagine the deep disappointment of a selfish man’s dream tragically obliterated, after receiving the news that there would be no Kenneth Charles III. He thought the odds were with him. Not since the eighteen hundreds had a female been born to a Thomas man. His wife Mary knew differently, choosing to conceal the information, hoping that after his daughter was born, he’d be elated and content with having a healthy heir. For Kenneth, it took years to come to grips that his only child was a girl. He was forced to forge forward with a new stratagem. Not because his heart had been softened by the young, bright eyed, vibrant child, for he had no time for matters of the heart. Rather, it was out of necessity. And over his dead body would anyone, except family, have control of his life’s achievements. Sure, through the years the arrogant business man had met fairly intelligent females running big conglomerates. However, he never made a practice of working with them, or hiring them for anything more than meaningless, clerical positions.

Kenneth Charles Thomas II was dealt a disappointing hand. However, he concluded there was no challenge bigger than him, and one day he’d get what he wanted out of her. He’d toughen her up, mold her as he would have, had she been a son, and not allow her to stray from his carefully formulated plan.

KC Thomas II, chief executive and owner of Thomas Industries, was known around the business world as a ruthless tyrant. The smug egotist didn’t mind the title. Ultimately, he was banking on getting the last laugh. For his final big coup would be to show his competitors, he could transform anything, even a girl, into profits.

Chapter One

Casey began her day with stirred emotions, better left hidden, at least for one more day. She’d worked too hard over the past four years to slip up now, by letting the proverbial cat out of the bag. It wasn’t easy keeping a secret of this magnitude, and at times, riddled her with guilt. Nevertheless, it was the only quintessential way to her future endeavors. It consumed her. She spent countless hours putting the pieces together, all the while, concealing those plans from almost everyone, especially from her parents. Her father would never approve, though she knew her mother would forgive her. She was the one person Casey truly loved, and looked up to. And it was for her own good she knew nothing of her daughter’s big undertaking. However, Casey vowed, when the time was right, she’d be the first to know. Mary’s adoration for her only child ran deep. She was always defending her daughter’s short comings, to her demanding husband. “My poor, dear, mother,” she mumbled, zipping up the form fitting skirt. “In the end, he will see what I can do. Shoot, he might even be proud of me!”

Looking in the full length mirror one last time, Casey made sure her wavy red hair was presentable. She wanted everything about her demeanor to be perfect for the special celebratory dinner. Casey looked at the event as a long awaited end, but more importantly, a hard fought new beginning. “One more spray,” she told her hair, “then we’re outa here.” Tonight, she needed to keep up her stuffy business appearance. “Presentation is everything, Casey.” How many times had he stressed that upon her?

She slipped her protesting feet into the ugly grey work pumps. Elation washed over her knowing it would be the last time she’d have to endure the treacherous toe mashers. Tomorrow both, she and her feet would be free to move on to new adventures. All of her expensive three-piece designer suits, shoes and matching bags, would be headed clear across town. Every last one of them was going to someone who would not only appreciate, but get good use out of them. That someone was Julie, her administrative assistant and keeper of all her secrets. They considered themselves sisters, of which neither had. Casey loved her quirky friend, and admired her for doing the best she could with what she had. She deserved all of her suits, and much more for everything she’d done for Casey over the last four years.

Glancing at her watch, she realized she needed to get a move on, and prayed rush-hour traffic through Tampa, wasn’t going to keep her from getting to the club on time. “Damn Casey, of all nights for you to screw up?”

She sprinted down the long hallway of the two story mansion, stopping momentarily when she got to the stair case. Starring at the wooden rail, realizing it may be a while, if ever again, she said, “Ah, what the hey.” Casey yanked up her skirt, mounted it, and as she had when she was a child yelled, “Look out below,” and began her decent. This had been one of her favorite past times as a child. Well, only when her father wasn’t home, which was a good part of the time. Though on a few occasions, he caught her, and she paid the price. Yet, the punishment never warranted not taking in the pleasure of the thrill ride, once the punishment of course, was fulfilled.

There, at the bottom of the staircase was Nellie, the family’s live-in housekeeper, wagging her finger. Nellie too, has caught Casey a time or two, but wouldn’t think of ratting her out to her father.

“Miss Casey, I must tell you, you still make my heart flutter watching you do that. You’re lucky your father isn’t here to witness such child’s play. Don’t you think you’re way too old for that sort of nonsense?”

With devilish, child-like eyes, Casey replied. “Dear Nellie, you are never too old! And my heart races also, every time, that’s exactly why I do it. You should try it sometime!”

Nellie’s cheeks reddened, just thinking of riding the rail. For over the years, well, when she was younger, and alone, she experienced the adventurous ride herself.

“Have a wonderful evening and congratulations again,” Nellie muttered.