Falling for the Nanny by Jacqueline Diamond Page A

possibly ironic.
    â€œI 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.
    â€œNice tux,” the older lady said. “I gather you were in the wedding party?”
    â€œMaid 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.”
    â€œYes, I do know her. And, Patty?”
    â€œYes?” She registered Fiona flinging herself into Alec’s arms. What a sweet pair. Honestly, who were they going to find to protect that child?
    â€œIt 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.
    Â 
    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 computerprogram 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.”
    â€œTan 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.
    â€œThese 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.
    â€œWill I get new clothes for my birthday?” Fiona asked.
    â€œI’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?”
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œNo! I want to stay up and talk to