Nanny by Christina Skye Page A

this?”
    â€œI didn’t want to bother Cara. There was no need. I could handle myself around Susanne. I kept my mouth shut and my hands to myself. Things aren’t always what they seem, Ms. Mulvaney.”
    â€œProbably not.”
    â€œSo you believe me?”
    â€œI’m thinking about it.” Summer frowned. “You’ve got an accent. Were you born here?”
    â€œSouthern Wyoming. As beautiful a place as God ever set his hand to create.” Gabe scanned the trees near the house. “My dad’s work kept us on the move. Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, we hit all of them. After that I spent ten years Down Under. People tell me I still have a bit of a roll with the arr’s.”
    â€œToss a shrimp ahn the bahbie,” Summer said. “I can hear it now.”
    â€œWhat about you?”
    â€œOh, here and there,” Summer said vaguely.
    â€œEast Coast.” He crossed his arms. “Somewhere south of New York City, but north of Virginia.”
    Summer wasn’t about to discuss her past.
    Gabe held out one hand, studying her face in the deepening twilight. “Truce? Since we have to work in close quarters, feuding could be unpleasant.”
    Summer considered his outstretched hand. She wasn’t fighting, but she wasn’t ready for a truce, either. “I can live with unpleasant. Good night, Mr. Morgan.” She moved past him, up the big stone steps.
    â€œTough, aren’t you?”
    â€œTough enough.” Summer wondered why she didn’t quite trust the man. Was it because he had appeared from a perfect spot for surveillance or because of what had happened in her shower?
    â€œDon’t worry,” she called over her shoulder. “You keep out of my way and I’ll keep out of yours. No contact, no problems.”
    Gabe started to answer, but gravel shot over the driveway, and Summer spun around hard, verifying that the two girls were up on the porch in a position of relative safety. As lights cut across the darkness, she relaxed, recognizing the black Acura.
    Senator Winslow turned off the motor, then moved around to the passenger side where Cara was gathering her briefcase, suit jacket, and a pair of killer heels that looked very uncomfortable. Up on the porch the girls let out a yell, racing to their mother, who dropped the shoes and caught them both in a tight grip.
    In that moment Summer saw how strong the tie was that bound them. Despite Audra’s bouts of sullenness, she was loose and smiling in her mother’s arms, while Sophy’s good humor flared into incandescence.
    As the senator watched the noisy reunion, Summer registered his confidence and power. With his broad shoulders and rugged features, he was someone who would always be noticed. When he walked toward her, Summer saw the lines at his mouth and forehead that his easy smile couldn’t conceal.
    â€œMs. Mulvaney, isn’t it? Welcome to California. You’ve had quite an eventful first day.”
    When he spoke, Summer understood why journalists on the Capitol Hill beat had dubbed Tate Winslow “The Voice.” Every word rolled with deep resonance and a hypnotizing sense of candor.
    A voice like that was a dangerous weapon for a politician, she thought cynically.
    â€œIt’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Yes, we had a little excitement. Thankfully, the problem was brief.”
    The senator nodded, then turned to Gabe. “Did you get those lights repaired?”
    So much for her suspicions, Summer thought, grimacing at Gabe’s I-told-you-so smile. “All but the last junction box, sir. I should have that one fixed in half an hour. After that I’ll work on the new path lights.”
    â€œGood.” The senator glanced toward the darkness of the beach. “More lighting should improve the security here. At least that’s what the experts tell me.” He watched a dark sedan pull into the driveway.
    â€œAre you expecting