Page 14 of Baby Bodyguard

“She hasn’t had the best luck with men,” Sami conceded the point.

“Very gracious of you to state it that way, my dear. In my opinion, your mother’s ability to judge character is appalling.”

Sami privately agreed, not that she’d admit that to her uncle. As much as she adored Reggie, her mother received her first loyalty. “I’m sure she thought I’d need help now that she’s moved out,” Sami offered, hoping evasion might change the subject.

“Then…” Her uncle cleared his throat. “Your mother’s involved in another relationship?”

“If she is, she hasn’t told me about it.”

“But that’s the only time she moves out, isn’t it?” Regret lined his face and dimmed the blue of his eyes. “So. Iassume we’ll soon receive invitations for marriage number five.”

“Six.” Sami touched his arm. “She loved Daddy more than anyone, Uncle Reg. You know that. No one’s been able to replace him.”

“But still, she continues to try. Not that my brother is easily replaced.”

“Perhaps the next man will be different.”

Reggie’s chin firmed, as though anticipating a blow. “You’ve met him?”

“Like I said. If there’s someone new, she hasn’t told me about it.” Sami made a face. “You know how Babe is.”

“Yes, my dear,” he murmured with a melancholy smile. “I’m well aware of your mother’s eccentricities.”

“Well, this is a new one on me. She’s always waited for an engagement ring before leaving home. This time there wasn’t even a hint. Acouple of days ago she packed her bags, gave me akiss on the check and breezed out the door. Ionly see her when she stops by to collect the mail.”

“What in the world is that woman up to now?”

Sami caught her lower lip between her teeth. How could she possibly answer that? Babe was impossible to anticipate. “Perhaps she wants to live on her own for a while. She’s using the Nob Hill apartment.”

That gave him pause. He stood carefully erect, his spine military-straight, his shoulders taut. He tugged at his crumpled collar, focusing on a spot an inch above her head. “Your mother is not one to live on her own for long. Isuspect we should prepare ourselves for the worst.”

“Perhaps it’ll be for the best this time.”

For some reason that only depressed him all the more. “We’ll have to hope so. Your mother deserves happiness. Perhaps she’d find it if she didn’t flit from—” He broke off, ahint of color slipping along his cheekbones.

“From husband to husband?” Sami asked dryly.

Anguish scored his face with deep furrows. “I apologize, my dear. That was unforgivably rude.”

She patted his arm. “Not rude, Uncle Reggie. Just honest.”

“Well, Ms. Fontaine?” Noah interrupted. “What’s the verdict? Do you risk life and limb to keep me on? Or should I go now?”

Sami gave her uncle a reassuring smile before rejoining her “employee.” It bordered on the ridiculous to refer to him as such. She’d never met a more fiercely independent soul. His eyes had darkened in the few minutes she’d been talking to her uncle.They appeared harder, more untamed, blazing with a coldness that sat oddly with such a passionate spirit.

“How can I refuse my mother’s birthday present? Or refuse you the chance at your first man Friday position?” she asked lightly. “You understand that I’ll need references and a copy of your résumé?”

“Otherwise I’ll be forced to put my foot down,” Reggie explained in a no-nonsense voice.

“That’s not a problem.”

“When will it be convenient to move in?”

Before he could respond, apint-size boy burst through the door. “Hey, Sami! You oughta see the car out front. It must take up a whole block. And there’s this great big guy standing there. He’s wearing a uniform and everything.”

“Hey, Pudge,” Sami greeted her helper. “You’re late. You didn’t get another detention at school, did you?”

“Nah. I’ve been outside helpin’. You’re the one who’s late. Oh!” He snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot. You better come quick. That’s what I come to tell you.”

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