Page 99 of Almost Dead (The Cahills 2)

“When can we have a real disc

ussion?” Jonathan demanded. “This is important to me, Jack.”

“Dad…” Jack tried to comfort B.J., whose upset had turned to tears. Jonathan tossed his hands in the air as if everyone were conspiring against him just as the doorbell rang again.

This time Jack discovered Tanya on the porch. “I came to get my check,” she said uncertainly.

B.J. held his arms out to her as if she were a savior, and Jack, a bit reluctantly, handed him to the nanny, who cooed at him.

“There you go,” Jonathan said with relief as the little boy stopped crying.

“Go park!” he told Tanya. “Park!”

She turned her gaze to Jack. “You want me to take him to the park?”

“No, that’s fine. We were just leaving. You don’t have to.”

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” Jonathan said, smiling at Tanya. To Jack, he added, “Didn’t I tell you she was great?” He loved taking credit for discovering her.

“I don’t mind,” she said.

“She’s the nanny,” Jonathan declared, as if Jack were just about as dense as he could be.

Jack was about to explain that Tanya was no longer employed, when he caught her eye. “I’d be happy to,” she said, hugging B.J. and smiling. “He’s a great kid. And you’re busy. It’s no problem, really.”

“You sure? He hasn’t been Mr. Happy today,” Jack warned.

“I think I can handle it.”

“You’re a fine young lady.” Jonathan gave her a warm look.

Jack handed Tanya her check, then helped tote the stroller to her car. They strapped B.J. into the extra car seat she used. “I’ll give this back to you, since you paid for it,” she told him.

“I’m sorry things haven’t worked out.”

Tanya shrugged that off. B.J. waved at him from the backseat window, and, with a deep breath, Jack returned to his father, who immediately, and enthusiastically, launched into more discussion about his new venture. Jack silently wished he could have gone with Tanya and B.J., his attention drifting a bit as he wondered how many more times he would play this scene out with his father. It was always jab and parry. And inevitably Jonathan would leave feeling Jack wasn’t a “team player” because he hadn’t invested in the latest investment opportunity.

Jack did agree to some free advertising in his magazine, however, and Jonathan finally wound down. He seemed to want to try one more approach, but Jack walked him to his car, casting an eye to the sun, which was now fighting against encroaching dark clouds. Jack checked his watch, worrying a bit. How long had Tanya been gone?

“The boy’s in good hands,” his father assured him as he climbed into his car. “Don’t you worry about Tanya, now.”

Jack watched his father head down the street. He didn’t have Tanya’s cell number. He wondered if he should go to the neighborhood park and look for them himself. The dark clouds were winning, swallowing up the sun and darkening the sky as if night were approaching. It appeared the heavens might open up in a downpour at any minute.

His father was right about one thing, though, Jack reminded himself: Tanya was a capable nanny. Cissy’s problem with her had been because of a personality clash. It had nothing to do with her love and care for B.J.

But he sure as hell wished she’d get back here.

When another fifteen minutes had elapsed and the first fat drops of rain hit the ground, Jack was through waiting. He grabbed his coat and headed determinedly for the door. Before he could fold himself into his Jeep, Cissy’s car turned into the drive and pulled into the garage. Jack turned back her way, reaching her as she was climbing from the car.

“Is Beej in your car?” she asked.

“No.”

“You left him in the house?”

The rain suddenly poured down in a torrent, pounding on the pavement, bouncing like silver pellets. Jack squeezed inside the garage beside Cissy, and they both watched the sudden flood as he explained, “Beej is at the park with Tanya.”

“Tanya?”

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