NYC Angels: Tempting Nurse Scarlet by Wendy S. Marcus Read Free Book Online

over-sized red leather bag slung over her shoulder, a sleek ponytail fastened with a fancy silver clip, and silver hoop earrings finished off her very fashionable, very appealing look.
    “Remind me again why I’m here?” she asked.
    Jessie didn’t buy a scarf, but she did purchase a pretzel. He watched her count her change like he’d told herand put the money into her front pocket. “Because you told Jessie she could call you anytime for any reason.”
    Scarlet snapped her fingers. “Right. And she wanted
me
to take her shopping for a bathing suit and some new vacation clothes.”
    After his conversation with Scarlet, Lewis had carefully, patiently and tactfully worked to pry the truth out of Jessie. And once she’d opened up to him, months of accumulated fears, concerns and tears had come pouring out. They’d talked for hours, and before bed Jessie had actually said, “Thanks, dad.” His first amiable ‘dad’ followed by his very first hug and kiss good night from his daughter. A moment he would never forget. And though he’d never admit it to anyone, he’d teared up after she’d left the room, overwhelmed with relief. And hope.
    “Yet somehow
we
wound up in Times Square. If
I’m
the one taking her to lunch and shopping,” Scarlet peered up at him from the corners of her eyes, “Why are
you
here again?”
    “Because I’m financing this little clothes shopping expedition, so I get the right of final approval.”
    Scarlet’s smile did something tingly to his insides. “Oh you think so?” she asked.
    He was the father. He knew so.
    In an attempt to avoid a very persistent man trying to hand her a leaflet of some sort, Scarlet bumped into him and tripped. Lewis caught her around her narrow waste. “We’re not interested,” he said firmly and the man retreated.
    “Why’s that guy out in public in his underwear?” Jessie went up on her tiptoes and strained her neck to see around a group that’d gathered on the sidewalk. “Anda cowboy hat and boots? And why are people taking their picture with him?”
    “Let’s keep walking,” Lewis said, steering Jessie and Scarlet away.
    “He does it to attract attention to himself so he can make some money by charging people who want to take a picture with him,” Scarlet explained. “Tourists spend money on the craziest things.”
    Lewis watched the huge jumbotron on the side of a building to find the spot where the cameras were aimed. “Hold on.” He turned Jessie. “Look up.”
    She did. “Hey.” She waved both arms over her head and jumped up and down. “That’s me.”
    “And me,” Scarlet said with a big smile as she jumped and waved, too.
    Lewis bent to talk into Scarlet’s ear, noticing she smelled as good as she looked. “How touristy of you.”
    She stuck out her tongue at him then looped her arm through Jessie’s. “Come on. This store has some great clothes.”
    As much as Lewis hated Jessie’s baggie black garb—that’d turned to be hand-me-downs from a neighbor since her mom had been too sick to work and couldn’t afford new clothes—Lewis was not at all a fan of Jessie’s revealing, burgeoning-figure-hugging choices. “No,” he said again and Jessie stormed back to the dressing room. Unfortunately it seemed last night’s parental epiphany did not mean smooth sailing from then on.
    “You know you’re going to have to give a little,” Scarlet said, remaining by his side instead of following Jessie.
    “That shirt was too tight.” He swallowed. “Do you think she needs a…” God he hated this. Daughtersshould not have breasts for boys who will soon be men to look at. Suddenly baggie black attire didn’t seem all that bad.
    Scarlet smiled, enjoying his angst a little too much. “Bra?” she asked. “Do I think your daughter needs a bra?” she teased.
    “Ssshhh,” he said. “Keep your voice down.”
    She didn’t. “Tell you what I’m gonna do,” she said like some cheesy salesman trying to sweeten the deal.