Leigh Michaels - Assignment - Twins

“I think they’d probably prefer to be called exotic dancers.”

Nikki shrugged. “Same thing, as it turned out.”

“Anyway, that’s not the reason. I admire you for going out in front of the crowd and facing the whispers because it was Laura’s wedding day too, and you didn’t want to spoil it for her.”

Why there should be a lump in her throat was beyond Nikki’s understanding. She bit her lip. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” The motor twisted, and Nikki heard a crack from somewhere deep inside the dishwasher. “I didn’t like the sound of that,” Seth muttered. “In fact, I think I may have found the problem. Or maybe I just created a new one. That’s not my cell phone ringing, so it must be yours.”

Nikki hadn’t even heard the buzz. That in itself was an indication of how badly the man got to her, she told herself as she retrieved the phone from her briefcase. “This is Nikki Marshall.”

“Thank heaven. I thought you’d never answer.” The voice was soft, feminine, and dripping panic.

Nikki recognized it—Jen was the youngest and least experienced member of the sales staff at the realty office. Why she was apparently on duty alone was beyond Nikki’s comprehension. “What’s wrong, Jen?”

“The MacIntyres are here to make a counteroffer on the house they want to buy, and I don’t know what to do. Can you come in right away?”

With two babies asleep in the next room? It had been difficult enough to take them for a simple walk through the neighborhood. Hauling them out of bed and across town to meet with a pair of clients would be torture. Unless Seth would agree to keep an eye on them…

She looked over her shoulder and saw him putting the panels in place on the front of the dishwasher. So much for that great idea.

“Out of the question, Jen.” She ignored the woman’s protest. “Their file is in my bottom desk drawer. The client number is on the tab of the folder. Pull it up on the computer, find the offer they made last week, put in the new price, print out the form, and have them both sign it.” She glanced at her watch. “Then call the delivery service—have a courier bring the papers here, and I’ll check them over. Got it?”

Jen repeated the instructions and the address. “Okay,” she said doubtfully. “If you’re sure you can’t come in.”

“I’m sure,” Nikki said, and snapped the phone shut. When she came back into the kitchen, Seth was putting the last screw into place. “Is it all fixed?”

“Far from it. I have about fifteen pieces to replace—if the home-supply store has them.”

“Then why put it all back together now? You’ll just have to take it apart later. I don’t mind if it’s in pieces—it’s not like I’m getting ready for a dinner party tonight.”

“Because I don’t want the twins to rearrange all the pretty wires.”

“Oh. Good point. You’ll be back later, then?”

“Tomorrow sometime. I have an engagement tonight.”

“With Elsa?” She kept her voice light. “Or Inga?”

“Neither. Why?”

That figured. By now, Nikki thought, there could have been half a dozen more tall, slim blondes in and out of his life. “Seth, you don’t know the meaning of the word engagement.”

“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, darling…. How many guys have you dated since Thorpe, anyway?”

“A few,” she said coolly. “Why?”

“Anybody who’s lasted more than a month?”

“I don’t think so.” She kept her voice deliberately light. “But then by your standards, a month is an eternity, so you don’t need to worry about me being fickle. I’ll see you tomorrow, if you don’t want that coffee after all.”

He shook his head. “I’ll take a rain check. You know, you look as if you could use a nap yourself, instead of caffeine.”

“I’ve got some work to do. I have a closing on Monday, and a new client coming into town—so I need to refresh my memory of the listings before I decide what to show him.”

“Him? I thought it was normally the woman who chooses the family home.”

“Usually it’s the wife who does most of the looking,” Nikki agreed. “But this guy’s single. Actually, I think he’s divorced. He’s an upper-level executive with the auto-assembly plant.”

“Now that sounds promising,” Seth said. “If you’re really lucky, maybe he’ll be like the commodities broker—and you can find out every step it takes to build a car.”

Nikki didn’t know whether she was getting used to the routine, or the twins were accepting her, or they were all just too tired to make a fuss, but everything went a little more smoothly on Sunday.

The babies had already had their nap and were in their high chairs toying with their dinner when Seth arrived. He let himself in with a cheerful hello, set a large paper bag of parts on the kitchen counter, and gave the coffeepot a speculative shake.

“If you’re hoping to have that cup of coffee you missed yesterday, you’re too late,” Nikki said. “I kept it hot for you till just a couple of hours ago, though.”

He made a face and started to take the bottom panel off the dishwasher again. “The truth is, you forgot to turn the pot off.”

Nikki put another spoonful of peas and carrots in front of Zack. With his index fingertip, he rolled a pea across the tray. Then he tried to roll a carrot chunk, and settled for smashing it into mush instead.

“How’s it going today?” Seth asked.

“We’re doing great, aren’t we, kids?”

Anna gurgled. Zack noticed remnants of carrot on his fingertip and tried to shake them off.

Seth slid under the dishwasher. “How long till Laura and Steve get home?”

“Six hours,” Nikki answered automatically. Too late, she tried to bite back the words.

Seth was grinning. “I’m surprised you don’t have it figured out down to the minute. So you want to tell me how you’re really doing?”

Nikki sighed. “I missed the courier yesterday because I was in the middle of a diaper change when he rang the doorbell. I yelled, but he couldn’t hear me and I couldn’t get there in time, so I have a counteroffer hanging in limbo because the papers are locked up in a delivery van till Monday.”

“That’s rotten luck.”

“And this morning Zack was standing up in his crib when I went in—and the way his face crumpled when he realized that it was me again and not his mother almost broke my heart.”

“Better you than a baby-sitter he doesn’t know at all.”

Nikki twisted around to look at him. “Don’t you have any sympathy for the poor kid?”

“Of course I do. I’m just realistic about it instead of sentimental. It’s good for them to get used to different people.”

“Well, good luck convincing them.” She added a few chunks of chicken to Anna’s tray and handed the baby her cup of milk. “And while you’re at it, try persuading Laura. Though she still hasn’t called back.” Nikki frowned. “Now that I think about it, it’s a little strange that I haven’t heard from her.”

“There hasn’t been a word?”

Nikki shook her head. “Aren’t phone calls from a cruise ship pretty pricy? Maybe Stephen put his foot down.”

“He could try, but I don’t think that would stop her any more than it would keep a mother bear from charging to defend her cubs. Are you in the mood for a bet?”

“Tell me what it is first.”

“Whether Laura calls the minute they land at the airport, or she rushes straight home to her darlings.”

“She’ll call,” Nikki said promptly.

“I don’t think so. If she calls, she’ll be five minutes later getting here.”

“It won’t hold her up a bit, because she’ll send Stephen after the car while she’s on the phone. That’s not a bet, Seth, it’s a certainty—so the only question left is how much money you want to give me. Anna, smashed peas are not a good conditioner for your hair. Come on, sweetheart, let’s go wash it out.” She lifted Anna from her high chair. “Do you mind if I leave Zack here for a minute, Seth? It’s much easier to wash them one at a time.”