Read Online Falling for the Nanny by Jacqueline Diamond - Free Book Online

elbows and drink-doctoring weirdos?
    Alec was trying to figure out how to draw her attention when Bailey beat him to it by calling out, “Patty!”
    She gave her a friendly wave. “Hey, Bailey.”
    â€œGuess what?” the nurse cried in a voice that carried over the hum of conversation. “I’m pregnant!”
    Alec could have sworn every single person in the ballroom, right down to a waitress cleaning up a spilled drink, turned to look.
    As for Patty, she wasn’t smiling at Bailey. She was glaring straight at Alec.
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    P ATTY’S RUSH OF OUTRAGE surprised her. Why should she be so upset that Alec Denny, barely arrived in town, had decided to make babies with an old friend from high school who wasn’t her?
    She’d just never imagined he felt that way about the bubbly underclassman. Patty was almost certain the two hadn’t dated way back then. So how and when had they reconnected? And what was this business about having babies, anyway? Wasn’t one daughter enough?
    Mike was watching her curiously, so she dug deep and said, “Congratulations, Bailey. And you, too, Alec.”
    They both blinked as if she’d said the wrong thing. Patty was good at that, but this time she felt fairly certain she’d observed the social graces. In case she’d left anything out, however, she added, “I’m sure Fiona will love having a little brother or sister.”
    â€œYes, that’s wonderful news,” added her companion, extending his hand. “Hi, I’m Mike Aaron. Patty works with me at Fact Hunter Investigations.”
    â€œAlec Denny. Director of the new laboratories at Safe Harbor Med Center.” The men shook hands. “There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
    Yeah? This Patty had to hear.
    â€œOh, it’s not Alec’s baby.” Bailey was practically hopping up and down with excitement. “I’m a surrogate for my sister and brother-in-law. Isn’t that cool? I mean, I wish Alec could have helped, but he wasn’t here.”
    Mike and Alec seemed at a loss for words. “Yeah, he’s quite a stud,” Patty said.
    The nurse flushed as red as a valentine. “I mean, because he’s a clinical embryologist. Instead, I went to this center in L.A.”
    â€œWhat exactly is a clinical embryologist?” Mike asked.
    Alec responded with practiced professionalism. “I workwith human embryos. Once our labs are set up, we’ll perform in vitro fertilization, process sperm for artificial insemination and handle a variety of related processes.”
    â€œYou use sperm donors?” Mike inquired.
    â€œThat’s part of it,” Alec said. “We also help couples conceive their own genetic babies using less than optimal eggs or sperm, and in some cases we can prevent birth defects. The field is rapidly advancing and Safe Harbor will have the most up-to-date facilities available.”
    â€œAbout these donors. I’ve always wondered—where do you find them?” Mike asked.
    Patty nearly teased him about wanting to become one, but decided against it. Mike’s sense of humor could be unpredictable.
    â€œSperm banks advertise at universities and other likely places to find acceptable donors,” Alec said. “Others put ads on the internet, but we have to be very careful.” He explained that donors were screened for infectious and genetic diseases, personal histories, physical characteristics and personality traits.
    Patty only half listened. She was still enjoying the fact that Alec wasn’t about to become a father again and that Bailey, given her condition, wasn’t likely to be in the market for a guy right now.
    â€œYou and Patty are both detectives?” Alec’s question penetrated her thoughts.
    â€œWe are.” Mike straightened, going on new-business alert. “I’m licensed by the state of California, and Patty works for me. Can we help you with