Daddy on Demand / Déjà You: Daddy on Demand / Déjà You. Lynda Sandoval

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СКАЧАТЬ her politeness mixed with irrepressible honesty. She made him happy that he’d come home. She made him want to hug her with her youthful eagerness to please, seasoned with an instinct to stand her ground when the situation mattered. Refreshing, that was the word. She looked and was the genuine article. It didn’t hurt that her eyes matched the color of her sweater, although it was too long and hid her cute bottom, particularly in those slim-fitting jeans. He made the right choice to come home instead of slumming about tonight with people who were more acquaintances than friends, and who relentlessly altered their opinions to gain favor.

      He knew she watched with studentlike attentiveness as he used the latest in cork-removal technology to open the bottle. “This is a client’s latest invention. I think our ads are three times better than the product.”

      “I remember you always made a point to test the quality and value of the item you were being asked to market. Not all of your people did that.”

      “Their success ratio exposes them sooner or later, and they move on. Jacobs left shortly after you did.”

      Sabrina gasped. “You knew?”

      Pouring, Collin nodded. “I knew.”

      “I’m so glad. It had bothered me. I’d wake up at night wanting to write you an anonymous note to expose what a sloppy businessman he was.”

      “Not handwritten, I presume? You didn’t believe me when I told you that you had the loveliest penmanship I’d seen in years.” Noting her cheeks blooming even as he touched his glass to hers, he changed the subject. “So the delivery went smoothly? You’re pleased with the furniture?”

      “Yes and the men were happy to come to somewhere so elegant. Tony, the supervisor, said they’d never delivered bunk beds to anything higher than two floors.”

      Collin barely swallowed his first sip of wine before something struck him. “How did you tip them?”

      Sabrina shrugged. “I used what I had on hand.”

      And would probably never ask to be reimbursed. “I’m so sorry.” He immediately reached for his coat and drew out his billfold.

      “It’s not necessary.”

      He drew out everything in his wallet and set it on the counter. “Household money. Nothing comes out of your salary. Put it wherever is most convenient for you to access. We’ll talk later about whether it’s more comfortable for you to buy groceries with the credit card or with cash.”

      “Thank you. I’ll bring you receipts.”

      “I don’t need them.”

      “Well, I’ll keep a ledger and it will be here in the kitchen for you to review whenever you want to.”

      With that Collin took another sip of wine and got up to bring out plates and silverware. He was aware of her watching him the whole time. “What?” he finally asked.

      “I’m just not used to being waited on. Everything smells heavenly. It’s making me realize I’m hungrier than I thought I was.”

      “How are you about sushi?”

      She responded with a polite smile and no comment.

      “I’m the same way. You’d be surprised how often clients request it, or else I’m attending a function where it’s prominent. Ah!” He pulled out two sets of wrapped items. “Chopsticks instead of the silverware?”

      “Oh, great!”

      Collin couldn’t explain it, but the food and wine tasted better with Sabrina to share it with. “It’s not any of my business, but are you okay with the other employer?”

      “It worked out fine.”

      “And you notified whomever you had to about your accounts and all?”

      “Also talked to Cassidy.”

      “And your family.”

      “I’ll get to that.”

      “Sabrina—”

      “They have my cell number. If there’s an emergency, they can get hold of me.”

      Collin decided to back off, for now. But he would feel better if her family—brothers included—knew she’d switched jobs. “What about Cassidy?”

      She looked startled. “You didn’t talk to her?”

      “I ended up in meetings most of the day. We kept missing connections. What’s the latest?”

      “I should let her tell you.”

      Collin went to make the call shortly after Sabrina excused herself and turned in for the night. That it was only minutes before midnight was testament as to what a great time they’d shared this evening. Just as he retired to his room, his sister’s number showed up on his cell phone’s display.

      “Practicing ESP or giving up sleep altogether?” he asked her as his gaze moved to the digital clock on the night table.

      “We just came off the field. I’d feed the original Declaration of Independence into a paper shredder for an apple martini right now.”

      Instantly sympathetic, Collin asked, “That’s disturbing considering how physically fit you are.”

      “Oh, that’s not the problem. As sick as I am of being wet, cold and forbidden to use the legs I was born with, it’s the animal life I’m expected to sample that makes this a torment.”

      “Then I’ll skip mentioning that Sabrina doesn’t like sushi any more than we do.”

      “Funny man. If you’d stayed in England, I’d have grown up to be an only child. Almost a princess—albeit a Plains Princess.”

      Chuckling, Collin replied, “Speaking of fairy tales…Sabrina has the kids’ room looking outstanding. I can’t wait for you to see it. Gena and Addie are about to be submerged into a fantasy world.”

      Cassie sighed, the sound of her boots hitting the floor discernable. “You’ll have to send me a photo—first tell me what your calendar looks like. Can you and Sabrina come down this weekend?”

      So that’s why Sabrina had been reluctant to share what she and Cass had talked about. “That’s rather short notice.”

      “I want both of you to come so the girls get used to the idea of being around you two as a unit, and so you can haul some of their stuff up there. I’ll bring the rest when I drop them off.”

      This was happening way too fast for him and the combination of fatigue and stress in her voice worried him, as well, but he tried not to expose any of that. “All right,” and added with as much cheer and irreverence as he could muster, “What can we bring you? Diapers for the long flight overseas?”

      “Just your pretty face—and Sabrina.”

      “Love you, Captain.”

      “See you СКАЧАТЬ