Page 35 of The Rough Ride

He looked at his watch. By now, Liz would be up and moving with Ella. How the hell would they make a relationship work with Ella in the mix? And he’d damn near had a panic attack peeking on the little girl this morning. He moved on, pushing the thoughts of Liz and Ella to a mental shelf and continued with the calls. An hour later, he came up empty. Two thirds of his list was on a beach somewhere, and the other third currently worked other assignments. The holiday weekend and bad timing didn’t help either.

There were a few prospects he couldn’t reach by phone, and he sent them a text. He’d wait to hear back. With any luck, one of them would be thrilled to have the work.

But just in case, because the wholefail to plan and plan to failthing sat in his gut like a rock, he packed a briefcase and extra gear bag.

21

Angie Richardson fluttered about the kitchen like an irritated bird, shoving little things in what she called a tote. It looked more like a duffle bag to him.

Nick eyed the five typed pages spread out on the counter. If she kept adding directives spit out by the kitchen printer, it would soon qualify as the size of the US constitution.

“I’ll never understand why fundraising has to take place on holiday weekends. Holidays are for family, sowhatif Congress is out of session? Can’t these fundraisers happen next weekend once Lindsay’s back in school? I just don’t get it.” She tossed an exasperated look at Nick and shoved a pair of sandals in the tote as she continued.

“You don’t need to bother yourself with those notes. They’re for Hilde, who, for some reason, has chosen this morning to be late. She’s got all sorts of fun planned for the kids. A barbeque, toasting marshmallows, crafts, movies in the big tent out back, watching fireworks on TV, and fun in the sprinkler and pool. Oh, but Lindsay is going to a friend’s house this weekend. They’re picking her up at noon.”

Ah, yes. He’d run a background check on that family last week. They came up clean.

Angie looked at Nick again. “I hope you brought something besides the suit you’re wearing. It’ll be hotter than Disneyworld in July the next few days.” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “Just so you know, I put a whole bunch of leftoverRichardson family reunionT-shirts in the security office closet, in case your crew ends up outside sweating like harvest pigs.”

The senator rolled a suitcase through the kitchen and set his coffee mug in the sink.

Angie pursed her lips and shot her husband a glare. “I just hate being away from the kids on a holiday weekend, Beau.”

“Me too. But duty calls.” He tapped his watch. “We need to leave, like five minutes ago.”

“We can’t just yet. Hilde isn’t here. She texted me at 6:30 that she’s running late and will be here shortly.” She crammed a bite of banana in her mouth and shoved an orange in her tote.

Nick offered her a tight smile.

“Ang, all three kids are still asleep. Nick’s here to protect them. It isn’t like we’re running off and leaving them alone. Private jet or not, we still need to clear security and leave on time. The first fundraiser starts in six hours. Let’s go, sugar.” Senator Richardson zipped his wife’s bag shut, tossed it on top of the suitcase, and headed for the garage.

“I’m not leaving until Hilde’s here. If you have to leave this very minute, fine. I won’t go. You can give the donors my regrets.” She leaned against the sink and proceeded to finish her banana.

Beau walked back into the kitchen. “Youhaveto go, sugar. You’re the keynote speaker at three events, and you’reintroducing me at the other two. Remember all the work you’ve put into those speeches?”

“What kind of mother leaves her kids on the last weekend of summer? And Hilde’s not here.” She swiped at her cheek.

“The kids are sleeping, mama bear. When they wake up, Hilde will be here. They’ll never know the difference,” he implored. Beau drilled a serious gaze into Nick. “Do you mind if we leave? Hilde’s on her way.”

Nick shrugged out of his suit coat and laid it across the back of a kitchen chair. There were millions of dollars on the line here—not to mention the full-time employment of at least twelve people he’d hired. The panic clawing at his brain made him itchy. He was damn uncomfortable just beingaroundkids. There was no way he could babysit them.

Nick plastered on his most chill smile and crossed his arms. “You should leave. Don’t worry about a thing. Hilde’ll be here any minute, and the kids are safe with me.”Yeah, right.His stomach tossed his breakfast around, but he swallowed hard.

“See, sweetness? It’s fine with Nick. Let’s go.” Beau placed his hand on the small of Angie’s back and kissed her hair.

Angie looked around her husband to Nick. “Are you sure you’re comfortable with this? I mean, Hilde’s always been dependable. She was out sick two weeks ago, but she’s better now.”

Nick nodded. “Absolutely. It’s only for a little while. The kids will have a great weekend. It’s no problem at all.”

“Oh God, alright. You can call me if anybody has any questions. Or text me. I answer texts pretty quick. Thank you, Nick. We won’t forget this.” She looped a purse across her shoulder. “Oh, and there should be three more pages in thatprinter for Hilde to read. Just line them up next to these.” She tapped the counter. “You’ll text me when she arrives?”

“Will do.”

Nick followed them out, nodded at the previously cleared limo driver, and gave them a short wave as they pulled away from the house. His chest constricted like a rubber band pulled too tight.

He scrolled the contacts on his phone and located Hilde’s number.

Surely, she’d be here before the kids woke.

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