Page 3 of Never Bargain with the Boss

For a bit longer.

But I do need to find a nanny. Grace ran off the last one nearly two weeks ago, and none of the candidates the agency has sent over have been right, so my search continues. And though I hate to admit it, I do need help. I have an entire division at Blue Lake Assets to run, billions of dollars of investments to oversee, and a daughter whose schedule resembles the queen’s to keep out of trouble.

“Grab your backpack.”

“Yep.” She snatches it from the island and starts toward the front door.

My heart drops into my ass.Did she forget?

I know the time is coming when she’ll leave without our usual goodbye tradition, but when that day comes, I will be absolutely gutted. Of course, I haven’t told her that. It’s not her place to carry the weight of our traditions. It’s mine. I carry them all, because it’s just me and Grace against the world. We have help, like Mom waiting to take Grace to school, along with the rest of our family, who tag-team with me for anything we need, but at the end of the day, it’s me and Grace.

Thankfully, she stops and turns around, a sparkle in her eye. “You thought I forgot, didn’t you?”

I did. I truly did, but I paste a bright smile on my face by force. “No way. Get over here,” I mock growl, jerking my head for her to come closer even as I go to her. We meet on the side of the island, and she leans her head toward me for a goodbye forehead kiss. “Have a great day at school,” I say affectionately, then add more firmly, “and talk to Hannah.”

She smiles as she shoves one last bite of pancake into her mouth, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thanks, Dad. Don’t forget, you have that big lunch meeting too. Eat something other than boring chicken and veggies. Maybe go wild and have…pasta.” She makes a face of horror, knowing that I would never do something that potentially messy while eating with a client or associate.

“Har-har,” I deadpan. I’ve been called uptight on more than one occasion, usually by my sister, Kayla, who is rubbing off on my dear daughter, it seems. But it doesn’t escape my notice that of course Grace knows my schedule as well as I know hers. We’re a team of two, taking the world by storm, one day at a time.

Grace flashes me one more grin, looking more like her usual bubbly self, then she’s gone for another day of school and I’m off to work.

RILEY

Istare at the business card in my hand, in full disbelief that I’m considering dialing the number embossed in bold, black block print on the heavyweight, white linen cardstock. I’m not even sure why I kept it, but it’s been in my wallet for a while now. A couple of years, at least, judging by the yellowed, crinkled edges.

The man who gave it to me was kind in a cold, terrifying sort of way. But the woman with him was warm and caring. Maybe that’s why I kept it. Because of her… not him.

But if I dial this number, I’ll get Cole Harrington.

He promised me that if I ever needed anything, I could call him and he’d help. No exceptions, no questions, no judgments. But I never thought I’d need his sort of help. After all, he’s a high-class private investigator and I’m not living a life of crime and mystery that’d warrant his interest in me. We met when he was investigating my dad, and since I’d met my father for the first time mere weeks before, Cole tracked me down to inform me of his sudden passing.

Which was nice, I remind myself.

He was nice. And he might be again if I explain why I’m calling…

“Of course, I understand. I’m happy for Jordan and so proud of her too.”

I look at the young woman I’ve taken care of for the last two years. She passed her driving test yesterday, earning her driver’s license, and will be able to drive herself to school and volleyball practice. She’s also in her junior year of high school and has a part-time job of her own, so she doesn’t need me as her nanny anymore.

I’ve done my job, done it well, and now, it’s come to an end.

“There’s no rush, Riley,” Bianca, my boss—no, my former boss—tells me again. “You’re a part of the family, so we’re not pushing you out the door. Take your time to find another family that’ll be a good fit. I can maybe even help with that?”

It’s a generous offer but one I can’t take.

The time with Jordan has been special, and Bianca has been more than a great boss. She’s a good friend, but it’s time for me to move on. I’ve known it was coming, and with this opportunity for a fresh start, I’ve been thinking about where I might like to go.

Somewhere Austin hasn’t tracked you down.

I mentally agree with the errant thought, but I haven’t decided where that might be. The beach… the mountains… the city? Another nanny job, or something else entirely? Maybe Cole could help me with that—getting away to somewhere new, someplace safe.

I’ve been staring at the card for so long that the numbers have blurred, and I blink to clear my vision. Am I really going to ask a complete stranger for help? That is not my style at all. Self-reliance, party of one, is more how I roll. Been this way for years, for many reasons.

I don’t even know what type of help he might provide or what kind I might need. Mostly, I just know I should get out of this area, where Austin shows up at my usual coffee shop, thegym I frequent, and the vintage thrift store where I like to shop. While I usually go with the flow, letting fate take me where I’m supposed to be, it feels like I need to be a bit more intentional this time.

Or maybe not exactly intentional, but rather, just further away… and more anonymous.

With a sigh, I shove the card into my purse without picking up my phone.

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