Falling for the Nanny (17 page)

Then they fused completely. Lightning flashed and the world shimmered. Patty held on to the glorious moment as long as she could, and held on to Alec even after the storm abated, leaving a rainbow arcing across a clear blue sky.

Curled around her, he said, “I never…” The words trailed off.

That about summed it up. “Yeah, me, either.”

“We're like cells that hook into one another.” Alec tightened his grip on her. “It's as if we have receptors especially encoded for each other.”

“No biology talk,” Patty told him.

He laughed. “I can't help it.”

“We did enough biology for one evening.” Not exactly true. “Well, for an hour, anyway.” But they wouldn't have time for another round. Recalled to duty, she sat up. “We'd better get dressed before our little pal comes calling.”

Alec stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Forgive me?”

“Hey, you weren't that bad,” she joked.

He gave her a light poke. “I mean for my stupidity in high school. I made a terrible mistake.”

Much as she wanted to accept that it was true, Patty forced herself to be practical. “You aren't thinking straight. Maybe we could have made it together, maybe not, but what we did tonight, well, that was just releasing some pressure.”

In the faint, late-afternoon light, his eyes grew dark and unreadable. “Is that all this meant to you?”

What did he expect, a declaration of undying love? “It was great. The best. But as far as anything further, let's keep it real.”

Her chest gave a painful squeeze.
Liar.

But Patty couldn't be anyone except who she was, the ex-cop, the no-holds-barred lady on a skateboard who didn't fit the life Alec had chosen. The director of laboratories. The handsome man in a suit. Sooner or later, he would remember why he'd broken up with her in the first place.

He made no move toward his clothes. “I imagined we meant more than that to each other.”

She turned away to hide the hurt. Yes, he meant more to her than a one-night stand. Too much more. Too much to risk that looming moment when, sooner or later, he realized that his intense emotions were only a reaction to the sense of danger and the enforced intimacy. That he might like being alone with her, but he didn't want his colleagues to associate him with this rough-edged woman.

“You'll always be special to me, Alec.” Her voice sounded gruff in her ears.

“But you're only here because my daughter's in danger,” he finished for her.

“Close enough.”

The creak of a floorboard in the hall sent her bolt upright, even before a tiny voice called, “Daddy?”

“Hold on a sec, sweetheart.” Alec fumbled for his clothes, while Patty dressed in record time, even for her.

She left it to Alec to make an excuse. He opened the door and said, “We all had a nice nap. You hungry?”

“Yeah!”

After omelets and a salad, Fiona asked for the rest of her gifts. She settled happily in the living room, tearing the wrappings off the packages. Darlene had selected doctor and nurse dolls and a couple of DVDs. Patty was glad to see Fiona grin on receiving the book she'd picked out for her,
A Day at the Police Station.
But the obvious favorite came from Alec, a junior microscope set with a kit and book so Fiona could make her own slides.

“Can I use it now?” the little girl begged.

Alec glanced at Patty. “Go ahead. I'll clean up in here,” she told him.

“Wait.” He scraped a tiny sample of the leftovers onto a plate. “We can start by looking at this up close and personal.”

With a whoop of joy, Fiona helped him carry her new gear into her room. A young scientist in the making.

So the birthday had a happy ending, after all, Patty mused as she cleared the plates and went into the living room to remove the torn paper and ribbons. As she lifted the shopping bag that had held the gifts, she was surprised to feel enough weight to indicate they'd overlooked one.

From inside, she took out a flat package wrapped in elegant pink paper covered with a lacy pattern. Another present from Sabrina, or perhaps Eduardo. Curious, Patty debated for a moment, then slid off the shiny ribbon and loosened the tape on the back so the wrappings could be refastened without much damage.

From inside, Patty drew a book. Her breath caught as she read the title.

The Kid's Guide to Living Abroad.

Opening it with a sense of apprehension, she read the single word written on the flyleaf:
Soon!

On Sunday morning, Alec awoke and reached out with sleepy contentment. For a moment, as his hand met empty space in the bed, he wondered when Patty had arisen, and then he remembered.

She'd turned down his effort to bridge the gap between them, and spent the night in her own room. The scent that infused his senses was left from yesterday afternoon's lovemaking.

Was she right about this powerful desire being a reaction to the intensity of their situation? He couldn't be certain. For today, he had no choice but to accept Patty's decision. Besides, he had more urgent matters to deal with.

Just when he'd figured his ex-wife's threats were nothing more than bluster, that book with the ominous inscription had turned up. More drama—typical of Sabrina. After he and Patty discussed it last night, they'd agreed not to make an issue of it today, but to remain on red alert.

Prying himself from the cozy bed, Alec peeked out. The smell of coffee told him Patty had beaten him to the punch, and he heard his daughter's voice chirping from the front room. She seemed to be introducing her new dolls and bear to Hoppity and the old gang. All safe, for now.

He checked the clock. Nearly ten. How had he slept so late?

Alec hurried to shower. Much as he hated to be separated
from his daughter today, he'd promised to show Eduardo around the lab. After postponing the visit because of the birthday party, he could hardly explain to Owen that he'd alienated a potential research sponsor because he felt an urge to play security guard.

Patty was on duty. So was Mike, who'd agreed to follow Fiona at a discreet distance when she went out in public, even though, as it turned out, she and Patty wouldn't be mall hopping with Sabrina. When Alec had called Darlene after dinner to make sure she'd recovered from her exhaustion, she'd felt fine, but informed him that she, Patty and Fiona had a lunch date, and she didn't intend to let Sabrina interfere. “Shopping? She'd bore that child and the rest of us to death trying on clothes for herself. We can meet her at your place after lunch.”

He'd reached his ex on her cell. Caught up in the excitement of the party, she'd agreed to the change with a minimum of grumbling. Now that she knew their daughter's latest size, she'd said, she could shop by herself and bring everything over later. She hadn't even asked how Fiona had liked the book. That was typical of Sabrina, to stir up trouble and then put it out of her mind.

After his shower, Alec shaved and then stood in front of his closet, debating whether to wear a suit. It seemed ridiculous on a Sunday, so he settled for slacks and a sport coat. In Southern California, that was practically formal wear, anyway.

He wondered briefly if Eduardo meant to spring some surprise on him—tie him up at the lab, perhaps? But like yesterday's fireworks commotion, the book inscription probably amounted to nothing.

Opening the door to the hallway, he heard Fiona say, “Can we have pancakes?”

The voice that answered was Darlene's. “For lunch? I don't think so.”

“But I had a sandwich for breakfast!”

Cooking was not Patty's forte, Alec reflected with amusement as he emerged to see the three of them sitting around the table, playing cards. A sandwich for breakfast? His guess: peanut butter.

“Hello, son,” Darlene said cheerfully. “Fiona's teaching us the game Rosita showed her. That woman's amazing. She stopped by this morning on her way to church to make sure I was feeling well and to find out how the party went.”

“Hi, Daddy!” Without waiting for her grandmother to finish speaking, Fiona leaped up, scattering her cards, and hurled herself across the room. When he swept her into a hug, his little angel bestowed butterfly kisses on his cheeks. Tears of love pricked Alec's eyes.

Patty good-naturedly scraped the deck together. “She couldn't remember all the rules, anyway.”

“But we were having fun,” Darlene teased.

“Yeah, I like games where you make up the rules as you go,” Patty agreed.

“Where are you planning to eat lunch?” Releasing his daughter, Alec went to pour himself a cup of coffee.

“Patty's choice,” his mother said.

Fiona scooted over to her. “Pancakes! Pancakes!”

“I was thinking maybe health food,” Patty said, dead-pan.

Big brown eyes gazed up at her. “No sprouts! Please.”

“Or foreign cuisine.” Patty cocked her head as if deep in thought. “French? Dutch? I know! Belgian.”

Darlene regarded her askance. Fiona looked uncertain, too.

Then Alec got it. “As in, Belgian waffles?”

“There has to be calcium in that whipped cream they put on the top, with the nuts and syrup,” Patty said.

Fiona gave a jump. “Yay!”

Darlene chuckled. “I guess I'm outvoted.”

“I'm sure they serve whole-grain picklewurst if you really want some,” Patty told her solemnly.

His mother burst out laughing. “I hope you made that up because it sounds awful.”

“Yeah.” Patty grinned. “We gals are gonna have a good time.”

He didn't doubt it, Alec reflected as he took a yogurt from the fridge. “Wish I could join you. Still, I'm curious to see Eduardo's reaction to the lab.”

“Seems odd to me,” said Patty. “I mean, that a businessman from Argentina would consider investing in American medical research.”

“Networking with potential markets for their technology could be very valuable to the Patron family. And our program will be glad to get sponsors, wherever we can find them.” Alec leaned against the counter.

“Sponsors for what, exactly?” Darlene asked.

“Owen Tartikoff's always looking for a fresh approach, some way to rev up the fertility rate, and if it involves a new medical device or technique, all the better. Something as simple as increasing the percentage of nitrogen versus oxygen in the air while culturing embryos has made a significant improvement in the outcome. So to answer your question, yes, Eduardo's interest might be genuine.”

Or it might not.
He still wished, fervently, that he could stick close to them today. “What time does Mike come on duty?” It was nearly eleven now, he realized.

“Five minutes ago. He texted me that he's outside,” Patty said.

“By the time we're seated and served, it'll be nearly noon.” Darlene shot Fiona a meaningful glance. “Better put on your shoes and wash your hands.”

“Yes, Grandma!” The little girl pelted off.

“Have fun.” Alec took a deep breath, and his gaze met Patty's in shared understanding. For today, they were united in purpose.

As for any chance of them staying together after this was over, that would have to wait.

 

P
ATTY KEPT A SHARP WATCH
as she shepherded Darlene and a chatty Fiona out of the condo. The sight of Mike sitting in his car at the curb should have reassured her, but she couldn't shake the nagging sense of something working beneath the surface.

If Sabrina had hired an accomplice, he or she had no doubt figured out the basic security arrangements and made efforts to counter them. She wished Mike's brother Lock had arrived, so they could throw in a new person less readily identifiable, but he was still laid up in Flagstaff while his leg mended.

A child could be easily whisked away from Southern California. Driven to the Mexican border less than two hours to the south, hustled into an airplane and flown out of the country, or bundled onto a boat. Pleasure craft from the local harbor weren't monitored, nor were flight plans.

In other words, if people with access to Eduardo's wealth got their hands on Fiona, they had a good chance of smuggling her out of the United States. So, as a precaution, Patty drove a circuitous route to Waffle Heaven, located in the same commercial strip as the Suncrest Supermarket. Once inside, she slipped the hostess a large tip and explained quietly that they were in a hurry. She also requested a booth in a back corner from which she could scan the entire room.

They were seated almost immediately. While Patty felt a twinge of guilt at moving ahead of several large groups of brunch goers, it was important to spend as little time here as possible.

She'd almost forgotten the reason for this get-together until,
after they placed their orders, Darlene said, “I'm glad we have this chance to chat, the three of us.”

“Four.” Fiona held up her new teddy, Blue Boy, named for the color of the ribbon around his neck.

“I hope he knows how to behave in public,” Patty remarked. “You never can tell with a new bear. Some of them have no manners at all.”

Fiona giggled.

“Exactly,” Darlene said.

“Exactly what?” Patty asked.

“Exactly why you're wonderful with my granddaughter,” she stated.

“Thanks.” Patty noted a single man being escorted to a nearby table. That was odd—you didn't usually see a guy dining solo at Sunday brunch. Nor did the gray hair rule him out as a potential threat.

Briefly returning her attention to Darlene, she said, “You aren't under the impression that I'm available for full-time nanny duty, are you?”

The grandmother's laugh rolled through the restaurant. “That isn't even close to what I meant.”

“Sorry. What
did
you mean?” Ah, here came a jaunty woman to join the single guy. Not suspicious, after all.

“I wanted you to know that I approve of whatever you and my son decide to do.” Darlene folded her hands on the table.

Patty had no idea what that meant. “You mean, if we hire a gorilla as her next nanny, that would be okay?”

“A gorilla?” Fiona's eyes widened. “Oh. You're
kidding.
”

“I don't think our little girl needs another nanny,” Darlene went on calmly. “She's ready for preschool. Besides, I was thinking more in terms of a step…”

A waitress materialized, balancing three large platters. “Who had the Walnut Maple Surprise?”

Was Darlene Denny, who'd once scowled at the mere sight of Patty, suggesting that she would welcome her as a daughter-in-law? Patty was so astounded that she couldn't remember what she'd ordered. Fortunately, the others were able to identify their platters.

“The Pineapple Express must be yours.” The waitress slid the plate onto the table in front of Patty.

“Yes,” she said. It must be, since it was the only one left.

After the waitress left, Darlene sat toying with her fork. “A girl needs to grow up with a role model.”

“Me?” Patty had never envisioned herself in that light. “I don't own a pair of panty hose and if there are multiple forks beside my plate, I pick one at random.”

“I'm talking about a woman who shows integrity. Loyalty. Responsibility,” Darlene said. “That's the kind of woman Alec should have married. I hope you don't mind my speaking so plainly.”

“Not at all.” How ironic that Darlene had given her blessing, twelve years late. Patty hoped the woman wasn't going to be too disappointed when she and Alec went their separate ways.

Clearing her throat, she surveyed the restaurant again. Still no obvious danger. She dug into her waffles, eating fast out of habit. On duty, you never knew when you might be interrupted.

Fiona couldn't finish, and begged to take her leftovers in a carton. “It's for Hoppity. He misses me.”

“I wondered how long Blue Boy would stay in favor,” Patty said. “I mean, new is fun, but old friends are the best.”

“They certainly are,” Darlene replied, and signaled the waitress.

Eight minutes past twelve. They'd finished eating early, which was fine with Patty. The sooner they got safely home, the better.

 

“D
R
. G
IOVANNI'S LAB
in Buenos Aires is not nearly so extensive.” Eduardo, who'd alternated between admiring exclamations and pointed questions, paused at a newly installed workspace. “This clear hood, it reminds me of what you see in a salad bar. To keep customers from breathing on the food.”

“It serves the same function here,” Alec agreed. Around them, the hospital basement lay silent and empty on a Sunday. “It's called a laminar flow hood. There's a built-in fan to keep the air circulating in a pattern that reduces contamination while we handle reproductive material.”

The Argentinean, who'd worn a magenta silk shirt and gray tailored slacks, spread his hands expressively. “I wish my family had not insisted I pursue business. I love science.” He'd already explained how overjoyed he was about the purchase of a small biotech firm, and how he wished to educate himself in the field.

“This is the lab that's closest to completion. There's not much to look at in the others unless you're fascinated by pipes and drywall. Do you want to tour the rest of the hospital?” Alec had explained earlier how they were fitting their program into the existing structure.

“Not today, thank you.” The visitor seemed in no hurry to leave, however. “My older son, Eduardo, is only fifteen, but very advanced in his studies. He talks of going to university in the U.S. I have heard good reports of the biology program at UC Irvine, but after this visit, I think he should look elsewhere.”

“What changed your mind? It's a very attractive campus.”

“Oh, yes, and excellent faculty. But this area has a high crime rate, no?”

“Orange County?” Alec wondered where on earth the man got his information. “We have our share of crimes, but the overall rate is fairly low.”

“Yet you must hire such security for your daughter's birthday party.” Eduardo showed no hint of irony.

Was the man trying to provoke a response, or was he truly unaware of the situation? Alec decided to level with him. “I hired a guard because, about a week ago, Sabrina threatened to take our daughter to Argentina.”

“But I thought the court does not allow this,” the man responded, with what appeared to Alec to be genuine dismay.