While We Were Shopping

By Karla Brandenburg

A boss on the wrong side of the ocean.
A coworker separated from his family.
A woman on a mission.
Everyone deserves a Merry Christmas.

Web designer, Cady Spencer, is itching for more responsibility at work, but her  Grinch-like boss can't even remember her name. She sets out on a campaign to make sure he knows who she is, and decides to buy him gifts for the twelve days of Christmas, from his "Secret Santa," with the big reveal on Christmas Eve. Surely there's a real person hiding inside her unapproachable boss—I mean who doesn't love Christmas?—and she's just the person to ferret that person out.

Shepherd Hart harbors a secret crush on Cady. He hates his job, can't find any redeeming qualities in their jerk of a boss, and wants to start his own company, but he isn't good with risk. When the boss throws Shep and Cady onto a project with a short deadline, the long hours should give Shep the chance to tell her how he feels. But why is she buying gifts for the boss?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sonderocity
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393919827

Karla Brandenburg

Karla Brandenburg is an award-winning author of contemporary romance novels which include paranormal elements. Now that her children have settled into lives of their own, she loves to go out into the world on adventures with her husband, from Milwaukee to the French Riviera, but the Chicago suburbs have always been "home." She is an avid reader across multiple genres and is a card-carrying cookie-holic (we all have our vices). Sign up for her newsletter to be the first to know when there is a new release .

Book preview

While We Were Shopping

Karla Brandenburg

Table of Contents

Title Page

While We Were Shopping

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Also by Karla Brandenburg

The Epitaph Series

Epitaph

The Twins

The Mirror

The Selkie

The Sculptor

The Garden

The Northwest Suburbs Series

Cookie Therapy

Return to Hoffman Grove

Living Canvas

Touched by the Sun

The Mist Trilogy

Mist on the Meadow

Gathering Mist

Rising Mist

Other Novels

Intimate Distance

Heart for Rent, with an Option

While We Were Shopping

Karla Brandenburg

Copyright 2019 © Karla Lang

All rights reserved.

––––––––

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the author.

Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. 

This is a work of fiction.

For information, contact [e-mail]

Dedicated with loving memories to my Mom and Dad,

and to my sisters who carry on the traditions.

Chapter 1

Cady Spencer took her chair at the conference table at Apps International, waiting for the Monday morning team meeting to begin. She tamped down a pulse of anxiety. According to Blake, they had more new requests than they could handle, and he’d all but promised some to her. If he was to be believed, she was finally going to get something more than web sites she could design in her sleep, finally get the promotion she deserved.

Blake breezed into the room, in navy dress pants paired with a light blue button-down shirt. He had an athletic build that invited attention, even in his business casual attire. He scanned the table with a friendly smile.

Okay, let’s get things started, he said, taking a chair. He dropped a folder onto the conference room table in front of him and opened it. Monty, where are you on the Anderson build?

Should be done by the end of the week, Monty replied without looking up from the laptop he’d brought with him.

Great. Blake pulled a packet from his folder and passed it across the table. We have a request for updates to the Crenshaw apps, along with a couple of new specs. You did the last batch, didn’t you?

Monty picked up the packet. Yep. I’ll get on it as soon as I finish what I’ve got.

Blake nodded and picked up the next packet. New client. Updated web design with integrated apps.  He shot Cady a side eye. Cady, I’d like you to handle the web design. Work with Shep to integrate the apps.

Shep? That’s not what he’d promised. I can do both, she said, her heart hammering. She sent an apologetic glance toward Shep. Not that I don’t want to work with Shep...

Client has a tight deadline, Blake went on. I’d rather have the two of you working on it for the sake of expediency.

Cady pressed her lips closed. Right.

Shep, you in? he asked.

Sure. I just finished the CRM model. Shep nodded to Cady. It wasn’t Shep’s fault Blake had changed his mind.

Blake slid each of them a packet.

Jemma. He pulled out his next assignment. New client. Studio Salons wants an app which includes their stylists along with reservation companion apps that the tenants can opt into.

She nodded once.

Shevani.

Was it Cady’s imagination, or had Blake’s voice taken on a different tenor?

App package for Queensbee. They have a series of games they’d like to roll out. Blake again sent Cady a side-eye.

I still have the Pioneer website to finish, Shevani said. Probably another two weeks.

Cady, Blake said. I’d like you to take over the Pioneer website so she can get started on these right away.

Steam built slowly inside Cady’s head. She had more experience than Shevani, and now Shevani was getting the apps Blake had promised to Cady? Maybe he figured Shep would share his app work with her—and he probably would, but as back-up rather than spearheading the job. What did that mean for her promotion chances?

Blake’s folder was empty. No additional apps to hand to Cady. He went on to check the status of the remaining outstanding projects while Cady did a slow burn.

When he finished with his usual, That’s all I have for you this week, Cady hung back.

Do you have a minute? she asked.

Blake turned to Shevani. I’ll see you in my office in ten minutes? he asked.

She nodded and slid sideways past him.

Blake turned on his smile full wattage. What can I do for you, Cady?

She waited until everyone else had exited the conference room. You told me I’d have a chance to do app development. I was wondering if you’d forgotten?

He folded his arms. I gave you the new client because you’re my best web designer. There will be other chances to do apps, but I’d like to put our best foot forward.

She should have been flattered, except she’d heard it all before. Then why pass Shevani’s work to me? Wouldn’t you rather I focus on one client at a time?

He sighed. Cady, you are so much better than Shevani. I gave you her work because you are more efficient and I know I can count on you to come in on schedule. If you’d like to discuss it more, we could have dinner tonight, take a closer look at your goals. Your ambitions. I like your spark.

Cady matched his stance. I believe we’ve already discussed my goals. I don’t understand why you won’t trust me to take on new responsibilities.

It’s not a matter of trust, Blake said, his gaze hardening. I know of a start-up that’s looking for new talent, web designers. Have you ever considered leaving Apps International?

The twisting in her stomach knotted tighter. Was the company downsizing? Was he hinting she might lose her job?  Cady narrowed her eyes, contemplating the best response. If she left the company, she’d have to prove herself all over again.

Something we could talk about over dinner, he said.

Dinner. He couldn’t very well tell her about an outside job opportunity in the office. As much as she didn’t want to go, it was a chance to network with the boss—definitely not a date. She had her career to establish before she could even consider getting involved with someone.

Cady had seen the regret in her mother’s eyes every time she talked about leaving her promising career as a food artist behind in France to marry Cady’s father. On the outside, it might have been a storybook romance, but Cady had other plans.

She could emphasize her goals. Make sure he understood how dedicated she was and how much she wanted to move ahead. She was better than web design.

Shall I pick you up at seven? Blake asked.

The gang is stopping for happy hour at Punky’s, she said. How about if I meet you there?

Sounds good. I’ll see you then.

Shep wandered over. Everything okay?

Peachy, she said.

He smiled. Nothing we haven’t done before. We could circle up at the end of the week to work on integration, if you think you’ll have the framework ready by then.

Yeah, she said, casting one last look at the conference room. I should have something to work with.

Shepherd Hart joined his coworkers at Punky’s Pub for happy hour. On the first day of autumn, the outdoor patio in Hope Falls, Wisconsin, cooled off quickly with the approaching dusk.

Cady and Jemma laughed at a joke he couldn’t hear at one of the tables. He started to make his way over until Trudy walked onto the patio. She greeted him with a kiss to the cheek.

What have I missed? she asked.

Shep downed his beer. Not much.

Is it karaoke night?

Not until Friday.

We can sing a duet later, she purred.

He glanced at Cady and Jemma once more, sure they were having more fun than he was. Jemma nodded his direction and sent him a smile. He raised his empty mug in response and scanned the rest of the team from Apps International. Two people missing. Blake and Shevani. If he was a betting man, he’d wager they were together. How else would Shevani have landed app development when she couldn’t even finish a webpage?

Shep’s gaze returned to Cady once more. She shouldn’t have been saddled with Shevani’s unfinished work, and more likely than not, the new work Shevani had been given would be reassigned. She was in way over her head.

Shep? Trudy rested a hand on his shoulder. Had he missed something?

Yeah, he said.

You seem a million miles away. I’d appreciate if you could pay attention to me when we’re together. I mean, it’s so hard to find times when we’re both free as it is. She followed his gaze. Who’s the girl?

Hmm? He turned his attention to Trudy. Her expression was tight. Angry. Oh. Some people I work with. He pointed out Monty and Jemma and Cady in turn.

They seem more interesting to you than me tonight.

He and Trudy had only been on a handful of dates. She’d been flirting with him at choir practice for months, and when she’d finally asked him out, it had seemed like a good idea. People joked about the beautiful music they could make together based on the fact they were both soloists.

Except he’d wanted to ask Cady out.

You know, Trudy said, looking at her fingernails, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I appreciate how much effort you put into making the time to see me, with my crazy schedule at the hospital, but if you’re more interested in your friends...

Cady was out of reach. She didn’t even know he was alive. Thanks for meeting me, he said mechanically. What would you like to do tonight?

She preened. There’s a carnival over by the park. Would you like to ride the Ferris wheel?

Not on his list of top ten things to do, but if it would make her happy. Shep signaled the server for the check. Sure.

He paid his bill and took one last look at Cady. She caught him looking and waved goodbye. He raised a hand.

Are you coming? Or would you rather spend your evening with the barflies? Trudy asked.

A decidedly catty remark, especially as applied to Cady Spencer. As much as he might have entertained the beautiful music idea, he and Trudy kept hitting sour notes.

Cady would never be so mean-spirited. She always had a good word to say about everyone.

Blake strolled onto the patio, scanned the tables until his gaze landed on Cady. She gathered her things and excused herself to join him. He put a hand to her back and guided her into the dining room.

No, Shep didn’t have a chance with Cady, but he also didn’t want to be with Trudy. He’d talk to her about it when they got to the car.

Chapter 2

Once they’d ordered dinner, Cady launched into her self-promotion campaign, the one where Blake would see how serious she was about her job.

You caught me by surprise at the meeting this morning, she finished. After we spoke on Friday, I was under the impression... She paused to consider she might be taking over the conversation and gave Blake the opportunity to speak, to indicate he’d been listening and supportive of her desire to advance.

I hear you, he said, taking the opening. And I appreciate your enthusiasm. Most people with your drive would want to break away from a company like Apps International in favor of independent contracting. Is that something you’ve considered?

Cady blinked. Did he think she only wanted the work to add to her resume? I can assure you, I want what’s best for the company. He’d mentioned a start-up looking for a web designer, but she’d already told him she wanted more.

Blake wore the same pasted-on smile. Let’s not talk business tonight. I’d like to know more about you, the real Cady Spencer.

She hesitated, assessing her boss. He might be attractive, but she wasn’t interested in a boyfriend, and he was giving off definite date vibes. Even if she might consider dating him, he’d dismissed her too many times, promised her work and hadn’t delivered. She needed a graceful way out of this conversation.

I’m not very interesting, she said. And I honestly thought this was a development meeting. I prefer to keep my personal life and my business life separate. Even if her business life was spilling over into her personal life with the added responsibilities that came with Shevani’s work. Was he testing to see if she was a team player? He should know that by now, and yet...

Blake leaned back in his chair, his smile changing from pasted-on to almost a smirk. Of course, he said. Is there anything more you’d like to discuss?

Is there a reason you changed your mind about giving me the app work? she asked sweetly.

You aren’t the only one with development goals, Cady. He leaned over the table. I wouldn’t want people to get the idea I was playing favorites. His smile turned ugly. Even if you are one of my favorites. I’d hate to think you weren’t up to the challenge.

The challenge? He’d told her she was his best web designer. He wasn’t giving her any challenges.

The server brought their food, giving her the perfect excuse to avert her attention. She gazed at her plate, an uncomfortable feeling stealing her appetite. If she was one of Blake’s favorites, she hated to think how he treated the people he didn’t like.

That thought carried with her when he gave her a cursory hug after dinner. She drove home and spent her night trying to reconcile Blake’s actions with his words instead of sleeping. By the time her alarm clock told her it was time to get up, she’d vowed to meet this latest challenge.

Cady was at her desk early Tuesday morning. Revising the mess Shevani had made was going to take more time than she had. She’d be better off starting from scratch, and she had her own assignment to complete.

As soon as Cady had booted up her computer, she got an instant message from Shevani.

Blake said I could come to you for help. Can you spare a few minutes?

Cady closed her eyes to compose herself. She considered turning Shevani down, quitting her job and going someplace she’d get the recognition she deserved, except she’d built a reputation here. Even if Blake didn’t reward her. If she left, she’d have to