Page 32 of Baby Bodyguard

“Then get a job as a lifeguard. That way you won’t have to wear them at all. Okay, now you’ve been invited in. What’s next?”

“I know this one.” She approached the desk with her arm outstretched. “How do you do, Mr. Hawke? I’m Sami Fontaine.”

He stood and leaned across the desk, shaking her hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Ms. Fontaine. Have a seat.”

“Thank you.” She started to curl up in the chair, then thought better of it. Spine rigid, feel planted squarely on the floor, she sat with her hands folded in her lap and grinned atNoah.

He frowned. “Is that gum you’re chewing, Ms. Fontaine?”

“Sure is. Passion fruit raspberry swirl to be exact. Want some?”

“Get rid of it.”

“This isn’t school, you know.”

“You’re right. It’s a job interview that’ll mean the difference between making your next rent payment or being put out on the streets. The gum goes.”

She puckered obediently, the warning challenge glittering in his eyes too good to resist. She hesitated, trying to decide whether to risk the repercussions if she dinged him with it or if she should settle for depositing it dab-smack on the center of his desk. Before she could make up her mind, Noah flicked a single finger. Instantly, Loner leaped to his feet and howled, scaring the wits out ofher.

Her instinctive shriek of alarm cut off abruptly. Uh-oh. She stared at Noah in wide-eyed horror.

He took one look and started to laugh. “Swallowed it, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” she croaked.

“Serves you right.” He cast a speaking look at the women who were doing their level best to smother their laughter. Even Uncle Reggie fought back a chuckle. “So far you’re getting a great lesson on what not to do. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was doing it deliberately.”

“Hey!”

“Unfortunately, I’ll have to assume that Sami makes a better instructor than employee.” He glanced her way and lifted an eyebrow. “Shall we continue?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t.”

Not that Noah paid any attention to her. Slipping on his reading glasses, he flipped open a folder and scanned it. “It says here that you haven’t held a job for the past five years. Would you mind explaining that?”

“I’m rich.”

“Ms. Fontaine!”

“Oh, sorry. Igather you want me to make something up, right?”

He ignored her question and asked one of his own. “Delia, how would you have responded to that?”

She slanted an amused glance at Sami before answering. “I guess I’d have explained that I’ve been raising four children for the past five years while my husband worked. But he died recently and I need the job to support my family.”

“That’s a good answer, Delia. It lets your future employer know you’re serious about working and not just bored and looking around for an alternate activity.”

“So what do we practice next that I can get wrong?” Sami asked wryly. At her question, Loner released a gusty sigh and collapsed on the floor. Oh,dear.

Noah didn’t appear any more enthusiastic than his wolf-dog. “This might be a good time to discuss our interview techniques.” He picked up a pencil and tapped it against the desk. “Alone.”

The women took the hint. They rose as one and scooted from the room, Uncle Reggie following behind, shaking his head. Even Loner trailed out thedoor.

Noah waited until everyone left before fixing Sami with a steely gaze. “Is this how you teach the women to behave at an interview?”

“Usually I’m conducting the interviews.”

“So you’ve said.” He tossed the pencil aside. “I thought you took this project seriously.”

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