Read Online Relatively Risky by Pauline Baird Jones - Free Book Online Page A

baby carriage at the foot of the tree. He knew just how that cat felt. In fact, at this moment, he wouldn’t mind being with the cat.
    â€œShe ran right out of the dress,” Georges said, his admiration evident in his face and his voice. “And up the tree.”
    â€œNow she can’t get down,” Fancy said sadly.
    Won’t was more like it.
    â€œI could go up and get her,” Nell said, “but she’d probably just go higher now that she’s scared.” She lowered her voice as if sharing a secret with them, “Do you know what a lure is?”
    Fancy’s eyes got wide and she shook her head. Georges small round face brightened with interest. Alex felt his senses stir at the way her lips pursed.
    â€œA lure is like bait. Fish like worms, so fishermen use them to lure the fish to the hook and catch them. What does your cat like?” Nell asked.
    Fancy’s small face screwed into a tiny frown as she pondered this. Finally she said, “Tuna?”
    â€œYes, cats do like tuna. So I’d move the baby carriage where your cat can’t see it, then put a can of tuna at the base of the tree and lure her down.”
    â€œLure,” Fancy said, with relish. Alex could tell the word delighted her. His libido shared that delight, though for entirely different reasons. It gave a little kick every time Nell said it. He looked away, but he couldn’t escape the sound of her hushed, husky voice.
    â€œLure,” Nell said. “And if you don’t want her up there again, maybe you should put the dress away. I’ll bet your cat is tired of playing dress up.”
    â€œOh,” Fancy drew the word out, her expression wise and knowing. “Okay.”
    She and Georges took off running, their small bodies thrusting through the humid air with youthful zest. At the gate, Fancy turned to cry, “Thanks!”
    Nell waved and smiled as she rose from her crouch. The requirements of etiquette satisfied, they disappeared from sight.
    â€œCute kids,” Alex said, aware the words came out a bit flat.
    Once again her gaze assessed him. It seemed to see through him and inside him, all the way down to the parts he wasn’t that proud of, to his fear of being back in that kid zone. A familiar panicked feeling rose inside him, one all too familiar. All those eyes, all those gazes assessing him and finding him wanting. All those years of never being quite enough. He wasn’t mom, or his sisters’ mom. They were both gone and he’d missed them, too. Had never been able to take their place.
    Nell’s mouth curved slowly into a smile that was new and just for him—though he didn’t know how he knew it. Might be deluding himself. Didn’t mind. Delusions had their place when a day started out like theirs did. Her eyes reflected the new smile, too. She took her portfolio back, tucking it under one arm. Took his hand in hers, sliding her fingers between his with the innocent trust of a kid and said, “Two questions?”
    He couldn’t speak yet, his throat was still tight, though tight was easing, as if the palm of her hand was absorbing the panic and neutralizing it. He arched his brows, giving her tacit permission to continue.
    â€œI didn’t catch your name earlier?”
    â€œOh. I’m sorry.” It was habit to pull out his ID and show it to her. “Alex Baker.”
    â€œHomicide.” Her eyes widened briefly.
    It felt like she took a step back though she didn’t move. So he inched closer. “You said two questions.” The tension inside him was almost gone now. Her face relaxed a bit, her lips trying to curve.
    â€œWhere are we going to eat?”
    There was a nudge in the question, he felt it, and heard her stomach growl again. He grinned. “Have you ever been to The Italian Pie ?”
    â€œNo, but I love pie.” Her eyes invited him to stay in her comfort zone as long as he needed. With a sense