Falling for the Nanny (8 page)

Alec shook his head. “My mom owns the place. She used to rent it out. Actually, she still does—to me.”

“Change it.” Patty jotted a reminder in her notebook, then cast a dubious glance at the delicate, cream-hued furniture. A few picture books and a red-and-white fleece blanket provided the only splashes of color. She felt a twinge of sympathy for Fiona, who probably had to be extra careful to keep her shoes off the couch. “Not exactly kid friendly.”

“This was Sabrina's furniture.” Alec ran his hand over a sculpted arm on the sofa. “She insisted on buying it when she was pregnant, then didn't want it in the divorce because it was damaged.” He indicated a nick in the wood and a small stain on one cushion, which to Patty seemed merely evidence that a child lived here.

“How'd you ever marry this loser, anyway?” Immediately, she regretted the question. “Sorry. That was inappropriate.”

He didn't seem perturbed. “Believe it or not, we had a lot of fun in the beginning.”

Enough to produce a child, obviously. “Was she ever violent?”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Did she ever lose her temper and throw things at you? Threaten you with a knife? Slap Fiona?”

His face registered shock. “Nothing like that.”

“Any reason to think she might turn violent now?” Custody cases could bring out the worst in people.

He thought for a moment. “I've never considered Sabrina physically dangerous, but she's impulsive and she can get hysterical. I suppose she could overreact.”

Patty was glad he didn't dismiss the idea out of hand. “What about this boyfriend?”

“I've never met him.” Alec moved past her to the kitchen. “Care for anything to drink?”

She'd love a beer and popcorn, and to stretch out on the sofa next to Alec and watch whatever was on TV while they added a few more smudges to the upholstery. But this wasn't a social visit. “No, thanks. Got a picture of the ex?”

“In Fiona's room.” He checked his watch. “I can't believe it's after seven already.”

“What time are your people due back?” She'd like to meet this nanny, to assess her physical strength and also to get a sense of whether she might be vulnerable to bribery.

And to see if she's in love with her boss, which wouldn't be at all surprising.
But then, the woman might be older. Like, fifty or sixty.

“I told them I'd be home by eight. They'll probably be arriving around then, also.”

“We'd better finish up.” Without waiting for an invitation, Patty walked into the bedroom wing. Just like at Nora's, there were three chambers. At one end of the hall, she peered into what must be the nanny's room, judging by the orderly arrangement of brushes and cosmetics on the bureau. Also, there was a large photo of three similar-looking, pretty young women. “Are those her daughters?”

Alec glanced at the picture. “No, that's Tatum in the middle, with her sisters.”

Patty studied the lovely young woman with braided chestnut hair. So this was the nanny who worked and lived with Alec. But there'd been no hint of romantic interest in his manner when he spoke of her.

The room had only a small skylight. Fiona's bedroom, she soon discovered, came with a partly open window. The neighbor's balcony lay just far enough away to make access difficult but not impossible.

“Switch their rooms,” Patty said.

“I'm sorry?”

“Someone could get in the window.” She stopped. “I wasn't going to make recommendations today. But it's pretty obvious.”

Alec leaned in the doorway. “Not that I doubted you, but I keep forgetting that you really do know your stuff. It's hard to picture you in a police uniform with a gun on your hip. Do you carry one now?”

She hadn't applied for a permit. “No. Mike does, but I'd rather avoid that kind of situation.”

“You used to enjoy target practice when we were in high school.”

“Sure.” After they'd broken up, she'd gone out and shot a bunch of clay pigeons, picturing each of them as his head. “That was one of my best subjects at the police academy.”

“Is that where you learned how to be a cop?”

“Partly. I also studied criminal justice in college. Later, I did some work toward a master's but dropped out when my grandfather died.” With her brother in the army, she'd taken responsibility for sorting through Grandpa's possessions and selling his house, dividing the money equally among her, Drew and Rainbow. “I worked for the probation department
for a few years before I got hired by the Safe Harbor P.D. They sent me to the police academy.”

“What do they teach you there?”

“Crime-scene investigation. High-speed driving in a chase. Interview techniques. What evidence is admissible in court. Lots of stuff.” Returning her attention to Fiona's room, Patty noticed a stuffed rabbit with a Band-Aid around one raggedy ear. “Your daughter shares your interest in medicine.”

“She's a great kid. I hope she'll be her own person.” He chuckled. “The truth is, I hope she'll get a great education and pursue her interests seriously, whatever they turn out to be.”

“Hey, I can't blame you for wanting your daughter to have a purpose in life.” Patty picked up a framed photo of a strikingly beautiful woman. Dark hair tumbled around an oval face with large brown eyes and a full mouth. “This would be the ex-wife?”

“That's Sabrina.”

Patty didn't want to compare herself to this stunning creature, but she couldn't help it. “Guys must fall all over her.”

“She's used to getting what she wants.” He frowned.

Patty set the picture down and handed him a copy of her business card. “We'll need a JPEG of this and any other photos you have of her so we know who we're watching for. Can you email these to me?”

“Of course.”

He stepped aside to let her exit. In the tight space, her hand brushed the smooth fabric of his suit jacket. Patty's reaction annoyed her. She had to stop feeling so keenly aware of Alec as a desirable man. If she didn't get over this, she'd never be able to do her job.

The moment she entered Alec's bedroom, she wished she could skip this part of the visit. He must have shared that bed with Sabrina, although the colorful quilt tossed over it looked
new. In fact, the whole place was infused with Alec, from the masculine desk in one corner to the walk-in closet filled with neatly pressed suits, slacks and shirts.

Think about the job.
She focused on diagramming, tracking the windows and yet another skylight. “Done here,” she announced as quickly as she could.

“Patty.” He stood in the doorway.

“Yeah?” She kept her face partly turned away, her hair screening her features.

“I didn't expect things to be so tense between us.” Alec's voice rasped with uncharacteristic rawness.

“Tense?” she repeated.
Didn't do as good a job of hiding it as I thought.

He moved closer, his broad shoulders obliterating everything else, his thumb tipping up her chin. “This shouldn't feel uncomfortable. We can still be friends.”

She'd never been good at lying. “Like I told you, I'm the wrong person for the job.”

“No. You're the right everything.” As if he couldn't contain himself any longer, he lowered his head until his mouth met hers.

Slipping her arms around him, Patty tried to remember why she'd been so determined to keep her distance. And failed completely.

The heat of Alec's tongue, the softness of his hair beneath her palm, the hardness of his body against hers… Patty had forgotten how a kiss could rewire her entire system.

As Alec gathered her close, her hands moved instinctively up his chest. She wanted to touch him everywhere, to strip off these annoying clothes, to brush her bare skin against his. In response, he stroked beneath her tuxedo jacket, and her breasts burst with sensation against his palms.

The bed was so close. She had no doubt that, with Alec, sex would be all the things she'd heard about, read about, dreamed about….

With a groan of self-reproach, Patty stepped back. Held him at bay until her gaze cleared, and they stood staring at each other.

“I didn't mean to—” He broke off, breathing hard.

“Me, either.”

“Patty, let's not let this come between us.”

The irony of his words struck her. “The problem was that nothing
did
come between us. Except a few clothes, but we'd have tossed those off in, oh, about ten seconds.” Despite his earnest gaze, Patty put a little more space between them. “Let's face it, we should be past this, but at some level we're a pair of arrested adolescents.”

“I need you. My daughter needs you.” Alec began pacing. “This is my fault.”

“Like you wrestled me to the ground and forced me to kiss your face off?” she scoffed.

“When we're together, I forget that things are different now, that this isn't just about you and me having fun,” he admitted. “But I won't make that mistake again.”

She shook her head. “Lost cause. I wish it weren't, but even after all these years we're still crazy together. You have to find someone else to protect your daughter. I'll explain to my boss.”

Patty didn't look forward to
that
conversation. How was she going to admit she had an embarrassing weakness for an old flame? She hated to think of Mike gazing at her with a disappointed expression that reminded her of Grandpa.

But it could be much worse. What if she accepted this job and blew it because she couldn't focus one hundred percent on protecting Fiona? Her boss might decide she wasn't as qualified as he gave her credit for. And she'd have let everyone down.

Gripping her notepad tightly, Patty strode into the hall. Halfway across the living room, she heard a key turn in the lock.

Should have left five minutes ago.

She paused, holding steady as the door opened to reveal a birdlike woman. More wrinkles lined her inquisitive face than when Patty had last seen her, but the blue eyes remained just as penetrating.

Darlene Denny blinked in surprise. “Patty Hartman? My goodness.”

“Hello, Mrs. Denny.” Patty broke into a smile as a tiny figure pushed past her grandmother and ran over. “Good to see you, Fiona.”

“Hi, Patty!” How could anyone resist that eager grin?

“You two have met?” A penciled eyebrow rose.

“I told you! The lady in the market. She has chocolate bars for dinner.” Fiona jumped up and down. “Fried with sauce.”

“If anyone could fry a chocolate bar, I'm sure it would be Patty.” The woman sounded almost affectionate. Or possibly ironic.

“I was giving Alec a few tips on security.” That seemed the easiest excuse for her presence. “On my way out.” Patty wondered how awkward it would be to edge past Darlene. For such a small woman, she sure could block an exit.

“Nice tux,” the older lady said. “I gather you were in the wedding party?”

“Maid of honor.” In the awkward moment that followed, Patty wondered what you were supposed to say to the woman who'd separated you from the man you loved.
Stick to neutral topics.
“Guess you know the bride. Nora Kendall. Nora Franco now. She lives around here.”

“Yes, I do know her. And, Patty?”

“Yes?” She registered Fiona flinging herself into Alec's arms. What a sweet pair. Honestly, who
were
they going to find to protect that child?

“It really is good to see you again,” Mrs. Denny said.

Alec's train wreck of a marriage must make even his old girlfriend appealing. “Thanks. Good to see you, too.”

Finally, Darlene moved aside and Patty barreled toward freedom. As she turned to wave goodbye, she snapped a mental image of Fiona sitting atop Alec's shoulders, the little girl's face alive with glee, the father's eyes pleading as they fixed on Patty.

Goodbye, goodbye.
She went out and missed them already.

 

A
LEC BARELY MANAGED
to keep up with his daughter and mother's chatter about everything they'd done that day. Played board games, baked brownies, sung karaoke with a computer
program and read books.
Flown to the moon, jumped into a lava pit…
He'd have bought anything, because he couldn't concentrate.

His body reverberated with the impact of holding Patty. Some vital part of him had burst out of hibernation and nearly attacked her. What was this power she had to arouse his wild instincts?

Disturbed though he was by his own behavior, he'd enjoyed being around her today. Her sense of humor energized him, and her honest, unfettered sexuality put manipulative kittens like Sabrina to shame.

Sabrina. Damn. How could he have let his impulses get in the way of protecting his daughter? Now he had to figure out how to lure Patty back.

Meanwhile, Tatum returned, and his mother and Fiona exclaimed over her new swimsuit, cover-up and other summer clothes. “I'm so pale. Everyone in the mall was staring at me.” Tatum tugged her hair loose from its braid. The strands were falling out anyway, probably as a result of pulling so many garments over her head. “I don't look like a California girl.”

“Tan skin isn't healthy,” Alec replied automatically. “People should wear more sunscreen.” He would have recited a few statistics about skin cancer, but the women were ignoring him. Besides, just because he worked in a hospital didn't mean he had to parrot good advice all the time.

“These are darling. You'll have a boyfriend in no time,” Darlene said.

Tatum stuffed the clothes back into the bags. “I'm not cutting off the tags yet. I may return them. Shopping by myself, it was hard to tell what worked. It was fun to people-watch, though.” She'd eaten dinner at the mall's food court, she explained.

“Will I get new clothes for my birthday?” Fiona asked.

“I'm sure you will. And afterward, I'll take you shopping for anything else you need.” Alec knew from experience that Sabrina was likely to send new outfits, although her choices didn't always meet with his approval. In his view, little girls ought to dress like children, not miniature sex symbols. “Now, isn't it your bedtime?”

“I want to stay up.” His daughter folded her arms stubbornly.

He should have known she'd be overtired and over-stimulated after such a busy day. “Please go put on your jammies.”

“No! I want to stay up and talk to Tatum!” Fiona appeared on the verge of a tantrum.

The nanny intervened smoothly. “Why don't you get ready, and then I'll read to you.”

“You're off duty,” Alec pointed out.

“I don't mind.” Tatum gave him a wistful smile. “I haven't had anyone to talk to all day except salesclerks. I'd enjoy the company.” Taking the little girl's hand, she grabbed the bags with the other and off they went.

He remembered what Patty had said about swapping bedrooms. Well, tomorrow was soon enough. “I'll join you in a few minutes.”

“Okay, Daddy,” Fiona called back.

Darlene sat on a padded chair and rubbed her ankle. “That was fun, but exhausting.”

“You want me to walk you to your place?” He'd never worried about his mother's safety on the stairs or the elevator, until he'd seen the place through Patty's eyes.

“I want you to explain why you had a police officer in a tuxedo giving you tips on security—or was that an excuse for inviting her over?”

“She isn't a police officer anymore. She's a private detec
tive.” Alec saw no point in beating around the bush. “I was hoping to hire her but I scared her off.”

“You did, or me?” Darlene asked.

“Me. She was about to leave when you got here.” He clamped his jaw shut, unwilling to explain further.

Darlene didn't pry. “I used to consider her a questionable influence, but I liked her, all the same. And compared to Sabrina, she's an angel. Private detective, huh?”

“I know you don't like the idea of a guard….”

“She's perfect. Hire her, at least for the birthday party.” His mother flexed the ankle and winced. “It would be just like Sabrina to show up and make a scene.”

He should have mentioned the upcoming party to Patty. “I suspect I didn't make things sound urgent enough. If she realized there could be a threat next weekend…”

“What kind of threat?”

He hadn't heard Tatum come in. Now the nanny stood regarding him with a pronounced pucker between her eyebrows. The sound of running water from the bathroom indicated Fiona's whereabouts.

“My ex-wife demanded an unsupervised visit with our daughter, and when I refused, she threatened to take her to Argentina.” Much as he hated to alarm the nanny, she had a right to know the whole story. “I'm looking into hiring a security guard.”

Tatum stared at him in alarm. “Do you know anything about that man she's dating?”

“I believe his family owns a manufacturing company.” All the same, he supposed he ought to research Eduardo Patron, since the man might someday become Fiona's stepfather.

The nanny's chest rose and fell rapidly, as if she were on the verge of hyperventilating. “I didn't sign up to get in the middle of a kidnapping.”

“Please don't make too much of this. It's probably an idle threat,” Alec assured her.

“Besides, he's hiring a former policewoman to protect Fiona,” Darlene interjected, ignoring the fact that Patty had turned down the job. “I know her personally. She'll be great.”

Tatum glanced toward the hallway. The water had stopped running. “If you say so.” She headed back to her charge.

“I'm afraid it won't take much to send that girl scurrying home to Boston,” Darlene murmured.

Alec feared the same thing. Losing Tatum would be more than a mere inconvenience. Continuity of care was important to a child.

He had to change Patty's mind. He had logic on his side, since she'd already surveyed the premises and sketched the layout. Surely she wouldn't want to waste all that work.

He decided to make her a proposition: guard duty for a few days, and putting together a report with security recommendations. No private time with him. No bedroom encounters, no stolen kisses, no temptation.

Alec's hands tightened in anger, more at himself than at his ex-wife. How could he have forgotten, even for a moment, that Fiona's safety came first?

The sooner he made his case to Patty, the better. In a small town like Safe Harbor, it shouldn't be hard to find out where she lived. Come to think of it, she'd mentioned renting Leo Franco's house, and Alec had Tony Franco's cell-phone number. He'd give the attorney a call.

“I'll talk to Patty tomorrow,” he promised his mother.

“She'll come around.” She seemed utterly confident.

Alec hoped she was right. Now he intended to stick to his regular routine and read his daughter a bedtime story. Fiona had had more than enough disruptions for one day.

 

W
HACK
! The bank shot careened off the edge of the pool table, hit two other billiard balls and missed the pocket entirely.

Patty hated being off her game, even when she was alone. Why did Leo have to go off on his honeymoon and waste a perfect Sunday morning for their big match? She'd taken quite a few bets yesterday—maybe not the brightest idea, since Leo was one heckuva pool player, but it would be fun.

Not going to happen today, she reflected, and sank the next couple of balls with smooth calculation.

She almost wished she hadn't wrapped up so many cases this week, because she had nothing to do today. After years of working rotating shifts on patrol, Patty wasn't accustomed to having weekends off. Well, she hadn't had the
entire
weekend off, since she'd worked yesterday afternoon, but that had been fun. Aside from the elbow-in-the-face part, but the bruise hurt only when she laughed.

A smart police officer or detective avoided physical confrontations as much as possible. Still, there was something about being in the middle of the action that made her feel truly alive. After college, when she hadn't immediately been able to land a job on a police force, she'd considered enlisting in the military to follow in her grandpa's footsteps. He'd have liked that. But Drew had beaten her to the punch, and Patty hated coming in second to her kid brother.

She should have enlisted sooner. That would have proved to her grandpa that she wasn't a weakling like her mother. Sometimes she used to catch him watching her uneasily, as if just waiting for her to screw up.

Patty still cringed at the memory of his displeasure when he'd seen a D on an English paper she'd brought home the first semester of her senior year. Too much partying, too much moping after Alec. In her grandfather's eyes, she'd read the thought that she was headed straight downhill, like his own daughter.

Patty had buckled down and brought up her grades. When he saw them, he'd given a tight nod as if to say,
Well, you pulled it off this time.

Sometimes she still felt as if she was proving her worth. To Mike. To Grandpa's stern ghost. And mostly to herself.

The doorbell rang. She gripped the cue, all fired up and ready for action. No one was going to get the drop on Patty Hartman.

Annoyed, she forced herself to ease off. She was living in a two-bedroom house in a cozy beach town where, on a Sunday morning, the worst-case scenario might be overly pushy missionaries at the front door.