Falling for the Nanny by Jacqueline Diamond Read Free Book Online Page A

that was a crime, but I doubt it,” his mother scoffed.
    â€œThen let’s consider hiring some security.”
    â€œWe have an alarm system. Let’s start using it,” she countered.
    â€œAlarms don’t work unless you close the doors,” he pointed out. “And she specifically mentioned Fiona’s birthday.” They’d scheduled a party for next Saturday at a kid-oriented pizza parlor, inviting some new friends from the neighborhood and children of Alec’s coworkers.
    â€œShe wouldn’t ruin her own daughter’s birthday!” Darlene looked shocked.
    â€œOh, wouldn’t she?”
    Fiona returned with a juice bar she’d retrieved from Grandma’s freezer. “What about my birthday?”
    â€œWe were just discussing our plans.” After giving them each a hug, Alec went out, leaving the subject unfinished. It needed more thought, but not right now.
    He had no idea where the time had gone, but he was running late. He called Bailey, who agreed to meet him at the wedding chapel. A good thing, because by the time he dressed and drove the short distance, it was a quarter to four.
    Cars crammed the small lot wedged between bluff-topped buildings. Alec circled his large sport utility vehicle in search of a space, and found one half-hidden between the two structures. Unfortunately, the open rear door of an aging sedan blocked his access.
    The person he glimpsed inside must be digging around to find a wedding present, judging by the odd scrambling motions. Well, no sense in both of them being late, Alec reflected, and tapped his horn to let the driver know he was waiting.
    An arm shot out the door. The attached fist formed the universal signal for “get lost.”
    â€œGive me a break,” Alec muttered irritably, and hit the horn again.
    The fist vanished, but now the occupant kicked the door open even wider. Two sock-clad feet and a pair of loose-fitting black pants stuck out. Judging by the wiggling, the idiot was pulling on his pants. Changing clothes, right here in the parking lot.
    Alec had no intention of abandoning the only available space. Leaving the SUV in the aisle, he marched over. “Hey! I need to park. How about a little consideration?”
    Then he noticed that the black pants had a satin tuxedo stripe up the side. And that the person squirming around in the back seat wasn’t a guy, but a woman with straight blonde hair and an aggrieved thrust to her jaw.
    He nearly laughed out loud, except he doubted Patty would appreciate his amusement. Seeing her felt good, though. Damn, he’d missed her and her shenanigans.
    Patty executed a quick movement that brought her face into scowling range. “How about you stick your space-hogging… Oh, hey, Alec.”
    â€œWhat’s going on?” he asked, and gave up trying to stifle his grin.
    â€œI’m the maid of honor,” she said as if that explained everything. “Just finished a job.”
    â€œWhy aren’t you getting dressed in the bridal chamber?”
    â€œCan you do that?” she asked as she fastened her pants. “I’ve never been in a wedding before.”
    â€œI believe they reserve a room for the bride and her attendants.” Never mind—she was nearly dressed, anyway. Then he spotted a brownish-red patch on her cheekbone. “Where’d you get the bruise?”
    â€œCreep tried to roofie my client’s daughter right in the middle of a restaurant.” As usual, she spoke in a kind of verbal shorthand.
    â€œYou got into a fight?” Alec couldn’t think of any other woman who would take a punching match in stride. He didn’t much like the idea that Patty put herself at risk as part of her job, but he admired her courage. Always had.
    â€œYeah.” A couple of black slip-on shoes hit the pavement. Patty stuck her feet in them and stood up, tucking a white shirt into the pants. She didn’t seem to notice