Shotgun Nanny by Nancy Warren Read Free Book Online Page B

looks great. I’ll just go wash up.”

    By the time he got back, Annie’s color was back to normal, her heart rate was back in the training range, out of the imminent cardiac arrest zone, and she was able to face him across a small table with a semblance of calm.

    “Did you get things sorted out at the office?” she asked, sounding just like one of those sitcom moms from the fifties. She noted the horrified fascination on Mark’s face as he examined the green stuff.

    Manfully he shoved a forkful of mush into his mouth, and she had to hold back a smirk when his face flooded with relief. “This is delicious,” he said in obvious surprise.

    “It’s an old family recipe.”

    “Today went fine. My company’s handling the security for the Pacific Rim trading conference in two weeks. Things are pretty hectic.”

    “Wow. I’m impressed.”

    “I will be, too, if we get by without a disaster.”

    There was a small pause. “Does that red light go on every time somebody comes in the house?” she asked, not wanting to be caught making a fool of herself a second time.

    “Yes. I had it wired so you always know when somebody comes in or goes out.”

    “And if it’s a burglar?”

    “Major alarms go off. Here, at the police station and at Saunders Security.”

    “Just so I know and don’t go making a fool of myself again.”

    “Sorry.” He compressed twitching lips. “I guess I didn’t get a chance to finish showing you around the security system.”

    “Uncle Mark, where’s Annie going to sleep?” Emily asked.

    Those innocent words sent an invisible sizzle crackling through the atmosphere between the two adults. Mark glanced Annie’s way, his eyes smoky with desire. The effect was amazing. Her heart rate kicked up again, and her breathing rate increased.

    She was getting a whole cardiovascular workout just having dinner with these people.

    She willed herself to stop the blush from rising to her cheeks. Oh, God. Maybe he thought she’d brought condoms for his benefit, when the truth was she hadn’t even remembered they were in her bag until they’d turned up under the kitchen table with a few other escapees from the backpack.

    “Well, uh…” Mark began.

    Cutting him off at the pass, just in case he had any suggestions she’d rather Emily didn’t hear, Annie said, “I would have put my stuff in one of the spare bedrooms, but I wasn’t sure which one.”

    There were two bedrooms apart from Emily’s, which she’d seen, and Mark’s, at the other end of the hall, which she hadn’t. Emily had pointed out the closed door, and even though she was curious, she hadn’t wanted to pry.

    There was a second bedroom next to Emily’s that was a sort of playroom for the child, with toys, a desk, bookshelves stacked with an entire library of books—mostly educational and the classics. She’d bet her purple and yellow wig he’d bought the works from a specialty kids’ store.

    The other bedroom was set up with bedroom furniture and boasted its own bathroom. Obviously it was the guest room, but it was way too close to Mark’s room for her peace of mind.

    “Why don’t you take the guest room?” he asked.

    Because we’d be sharing a wall, and I’d never get any sleep. “I thought you might be expecting guests.” She shrugged. “I could put a cot or something in the room beside Emily’s, then I’d be there if she needed anything in the night.” As opposed to being available to him if he needed anything in the night.

    “I don’t think we have a cot.” Amusement dawned in his eyes as if he’d figured out what was causing her hesitation. The glance he flicked her way was pure challenge. As if he were daring her to take the room next to his.

    Annie had never turned down a challenge in her life. She forced a carefree smile.
    “Oh, well. I’ll take the guest room then.”

    When they’d finished their dessert of sliced apples and oranges, Emily asked if she could be excused to do