In Love With The Boss

He frowned at that. “I never mix business with pleasure, as you very well know.”

“Good. No problems, then?”

“Not so far.”

“How are you managing for meals?”

“I’m doing fine with the frozen dinners.”

“Is there anything else you need? I could drop in tomorrow with some supplies.”

“No!” Jordan lowered his voice. “Thank you, Amber, but that won’t be necessary. Sa... Miss Milligan offered to bring in what I need.” If she can carry them all, he added inwardly.

“Sounds as if she’s taking good care of you, then.”

She didn’t know the half of it, Jordan thought with a smug smile as he replaced the receiver. He’d landed himself one heck of a deal. An efficient temp, a great cook, an attentive nurse and no strings. What else could any well-confirmed bachelor ask for?

He rubbed his hands together and leaned back on the lumpy couch. It looked as if Jordan Trent had fallen smack on his feet again. He was beginning to look forward to the next four weeks after all.

Chapter Three

Less than an hour later the phone rang again on the River Rat, startling Jordan out of his doze. Frowning, he slowly reached for it. He’d taken great care never to give out the phone number on the houseboat to anyone except Amber.

Miserable as it was, this place was his refuge whenever he needed a respite from his hectic life. He wasn’t about to have his sanctuary invaded by one of his persistent female acquaintances. Though he’d have to find another place to hide once he’d sold the old tub, he thought as he placed the receiver to his ear.

He spoke in a hoarse whisper, just in case he needed a disguise. The voice that answered him was pleasantly familiar and full of concern.

“Mr. Trent? Are you all right?”

Of course, he’d given the number to the temp agency. The alarm in Sadie Milligan’s tone was gratifying. Jordan cleared his throat. “I’m fine, Sadie, thank you. Just a frog in my throat.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I thought perhaps you’d fallen again.”

“I promised you I’d be careful.”

“Yes, well, I have the impression that you don’t always do what you’re told.”

There it was again...that delightful motherly tone that made him feel so...pampered. “Ah, but I always keep a promise.”

She laughed, a low, musical sound that seemed to ring bells along the wire. “I forgot to give you my phone number...just in case you should need help or something and can’t get anyone else.”

He reached for the pen lying on the floor next to the couch and scribbled the number down on his wrist. “Got it. Oh, I’ll settle up with you over the groceries when you get here in the morning.”

There was a short pause, then Sadie said casually, “Please, don’t worry about it. I’ll put the charges on my credit card, and you can pay me back whenever it’s convenient. I’m in no hurry.”

Realizing she thought he couldn’t afford the groceries, Jordan opened his mouth to protest. Before he could say anything, however, Sadie had wished him a breathless good-night and hung up.

Jordan replaced the receiver, feeling a tide of guilt washing over him. He’d taken this poverty thing too far. He should be ashamed of himself, taking advantage of the woman’s good nature. First thing in the morning, he promised himself, he’d tell her the truth and apologize. Maybe if he explained why he’d done it, she wouldn’t be too upset with him.

He missed her when he struggled to undress for bed. He missed her reassuring presence hovering close by, ready to leap to the rescue if he should lose his balance.

He couldn’t help wondering why someone like Sadie Milligan wasn’t married. A woman like her would be loyal to the core. There had to be men out there who appreciated a woman for her personality rather than her looks.

If he were looking for someone—which he wasn’t—he reminded himself emphatically, but if he were—looks would be way down on the list. In Jordan’s experience, most of the beautiful women he met were obsessed by their appearance, and had very little else to offer.

. He hadn’t met a woman yet with the warm, generous, sensible nature of Sadie Milligan. Well, maybe Amber came close, but she was happily married.

He went to sleep thinking about Sadie, and woke up with the eager anticipation of her arrival. While he waited for her, he browsed through the morning paper. He usually only read the sports page and the business section, but this morning he had time to kill, and flipped idly through the entertainment section.

The sight of his picture slap-dab in the middle of the page gave him a jolt of dismay. It had been taken at a charity dinner for the local arts association. The woman with him was a casual date. He’d decided that same evening not to pursue the relationship when she made it clear she was looking for a rich husband. He hadn’t seen her since.