Read Online Hazard Play by Janis McCurry - Free Book Online

hard . “Maybe I should talk to the person you’re thinking of for the job. That way, they wouldn’t be getting the information secondhand and could ask any other questions. Who is it?” 
    Tess answered with a question, “You said two weeks?”
    “I figure two weeks tops. Depending on this guy’s health, the nurse wouldn’t even have to accompany us all the way to Portland. I could learn enough about how to take care of him during the two weeks to take over.”
    “Not necessarily. It’s not that easy to anticipate asthmatic episodes. It’s not like measles or mumps. It doesn’t just stop.”
    Tess was getting worked up. He could tell by the faint flush on her cheeks.
    He put up his hands. “No offense, Contessa. I’m trying to make it easier on the nurse if the time is too long.” Bailey kept his voice noncommittal. The longer he played dumb, the better chance he had that she would agree to come with him.
    The waitress approached them and Bailey said, “Let’s order lunch. I don’t want to overstay my welcome. What’s good?”
    Tess didn’t bother looking at the menu. “Get the French dip. It’s their specialty. And seasoned fries. They’re hand cut every day.”
    Bailey ordered two of the sandwiches and one coffee. “Have you ever been to Tahoe?”
    “No. Where do you plan to stay?” Her voice was soft and the pink color on her cheeks deepened. “What about the rooms?”
    “I got word that Monroe is staying at Harrah’s. It’s one of the most expensive places in Tahoe so I guess he doesn’t have any problem spending other people’s money. I’ve already made reservations in adjoining rooms. If this guy is going to have an attack, I need to be able to get the nurse without pounding on the hall door. We don’t want the hotel staff in on this.” 
    This was logical, although he could have gotten rooms beside each other that didn’t adjoin. He liked the thought that Tess would be only a door away from him...and it would help with Monroe. Liar. You’re not thinking about him. Admit it to yourself, at least.
    The waitress brought their lunches, refilled Bailey’s coffee and Tess’s water, and left.
    Tess cut her French dip in half. “Adjoining rooms? I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
    “Well, run it by your friend. This is a business deal.” Bailey dipped a French fry into special sauce and tried it. “These are great. Good choice. Tess, I’ve got to be able to get the nurse at a minute’s notice. Aren’t nurses ever on twenty-four hour call?” 
    Bailey watched Tess pleat her napkin. He remembered the feel of her hands on his face as she leaned over him the day of the accident. He had to admit he wanted to feel her hands on him again, but for a different reason and on a different part of this body. There was nothing illegal about wanting to kill two birds with one stone.
    “The nurses I know aren’t available,” she said. She finished a bite of her sandwich. Licked her lips…and he zeroed in on the soft pink fullness of her mouth.
    He took a sip of hot coffee to wrench his attention back to the case. “I can pay more if that’s the issue. Monroe is a white-collar crook. He’s not dangerous. It will be more like a vacation for the nurse. He might not even have an attack.”
    Tess looked up and gave him a shot of her blue eyes; they were as warm and clear as a summer lake.  “A vacation, huh? Sounds nice.”
    “The lake is beautiful.” Like your eyes.
    “ I’m considering taking the job.” She poked her napkin with her fork.
    “You? But, I thought you didn’t...agree with my line of work.” Damn it! Why the hell should he care what she thought? He didn’t want to talk her out of it by reminding her of that first night when they’d fought over bounty hunting.
    “I still don’t like it, but I don’t want this poor man—”
    “He’s not exactly poor, Contessa. He’s swiped two million dollars.”
    “You know what I mean. I think I could keep him healthy. I