Page 35 of Baby Bodyguard

He leaned forward until they were almost nose to nose and her pretty green eyes were fixed square on his. “Why, Ms. Fontaine. Ido believe you’re hyperventilating. Any special reason?”

“I— You—” She took a quick step back and thrust sunlit curls from her eyes, all the while shoving an outrageous lie through her pearly whites. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Hawke. None at all.”

“I didn’t think so.” He flicked the tip of her nose with his index finger. “In that case, I’ll see you later.”

She cleared her throat. “Much later. Right?”

“Absolutely.”

Satisfied that he’d be smart spending his day of freedom as close to Sami as possible, Noah deliberately kept out of sight for the next couple hours in case she decided to get rid of him with some trumped up excuse. He could guess what she had planned. He just couldn’t decide what to do about it. Of course, he hadn’t been hired to do anything—at least not about her baby scheme. But since her overall protection fell on his shoulders, he figured he was stuck with the job, especially since he didn’t see an immediate end in sight.

So far, he hadn’t discovered anything useful. No more notes had been left. He hadn’t noticed anyone strange or unsavory hanging around outside the house. His mouth pulled to one side. Just inside. In the meantime, he’d run background checks on everyone he’d come into contact with. He’d also turned the latest blackmail note over to an associate to see if fingerprints could be lifted off the stationery. Babe hadn’t wanted to involve the authorities, but then, his associate wasn’t an official authority. Until Noah received some feedback, he’d have to hang tough and deal with Sami the best he knewhow.

Just after noon, his worse fears were confirmed. The doorbell rang and Sami pelted down the hallway in her bare feet. Snatching open the door, she hastily ushered her “guest” into the parlor off the foyer, the same room she’d used to interview Noah and the other baby-makers. It didn’t take a lot of brain power to reach the most obvious conclusion.

The interviews had resumed.

Now what? Noah’s eyes narrowed as he considered his options. He could walk in on her, though she’d most likely toss him right back out again. He could come up with some lameexcuse to drag her away from her interview. That might work—for a whole two minutes. Or he could hang around in the hallway ready to rush to her defense should she call for help. Unfortunately, the door made an excellent sound barrier.

That particular detail worried him the most. She could stand in there shrieking at the top of her impressive lungs and he doubted he’d hear her. Another idea occurred—one he didn’t like, but suspected would be his only choice if he wanted to keep tabs on Sami and her “guest.” It’d also mean changing his job description from man Friday to groundskeeper and went against every code of behavior he’d ever held dear. But for Sami… He shook his head in disgust.

Face facts, Hawke.

He’d do anything for Sami, cross any line, break every promise. Whatever it took to keep her safe, he’d do. Once decided, he didn’t waste any time. Heading for the kitchen, he exited out the back and circled to the side of the house. He could only hope that no one saw him skulking in the bushes and called the police. Or perhaps that would be the best thing for all concerned. Once they arrested him, the blackmail scheme would be forced into the open and his job would come to a fastend.

Babe might be ticked off, but at least Sami would discover the truth. Though he’d bet good money what she chose to do with the information would defy rational explanation. Knowing her, she’d track the blackmailer down, bring him home and feed him. Then she’d train him for a job. Or hire him herself. Damn. The SOB could go from blackmailer to Sami’s next man Friday in one easy step. She’d need a new employee, too, since Noah would still be warming a bench in the local pokey.

Crouching next to a prickly bougainvillea, he risked a quick look in the window. Good. He’d found the right one. Sami satcurled in a chair next to her guest—definitely a potential baby-maker if the man’s ecstatic expression gave any indication. Unfortunately Noah couldn’t hear a word they were saying. As quietly as possible, he pushed at the window casing, amazed when it actually gave beneath his prodding.

If he were caught now, he’d have a lot of explaining to do, none of which would stand up to intense scrutiny. The chances that this man was Sami’s blackmailer were next to nil. Still, Noah needed to be available to help his employer out of a sticky situation, just incase.

The murmur of voices drifted down to him, too muffled to make out clearly. Swearing beneath his breath, he gave the window another gentle push. It glided silently upward. Well, hell. That wasn’t very safe. The minute he finished listening in on Sami’s interview, he’d blister her about her lax security measures. Satisfied he could now hear their conversation, he knelt in the dirt and pretended to weed the flowerbed.

“So… Mr. Sylvester, is it?” Noah heard Samisay.

“Make it Thomas.”

“Thomas. Ihave a number of questions for you, if you wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all.”

“You understand what I’m after?”

“A baby, Ibelieve you said?”

“That’s right. Do you have any problem with that?”

“Not even one,” Sylvester assured cheerfully. “Only too happy to help.”

Thepig!Noah yanked viciously at a clump of weeds. He’d be only too happy to help, too—help good ol’ Thomas out the doorwith an expeditious right hook. Sami, on the other hand, found his answer perfectly acceptable.

“Great. Ijust needed to make certain you knew what I expected. Ababy, Imean. During my last round of interviews one of the men didn’t understand my ad at all. And he wasn’t very happy when I explained.”

“He doesn’t sound too bright.”

“Oh, he’s bright. Brilliant, even. To be honest, he had all the qualities I wanted. He just misunderstood the situation. Ashame really.” A pensive note crept into her voice. “He would have been perfect for the job.”

Perfect? Noah grinned. It would seem eavesdroppers did hear good things about themselves on occasion. So she considered him “perfect,” did she? Interesting. He found her pretty damn exceptional,too.

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