Taken by Tuesday (Weekday Brides Series) by Catherine Bybee Page B

London.
    “I have ya covered, Mac.”
    Neil chuckled with the use of his nickname.
    They both paused. Rick reflected back to when Neil was introduced to him as Mac. Back then, everyone on their team called Rick Smiley. Life was too short to frown all the damn time. He pushed away the memories that always threatened to remove the smile from his face and forced the smile again.
    “How is the ol’ mother-in-law?”
    Neil grinned. “Linda’s actually kinda cool.”
    The slang caught Rick by surprise. “How so?”
    “Hard to describe. Just easygoing now that Emma is here.”
    “You won her over, did ya?”
    “Sometimes quiet and stoic wins.”
    Neil’s comment just made Rick’s smile bigger. “Vain much?”
    Neil glanced at the monitors, looked back. “How is everything with you?”
    Rick found the question odd. “Great . . . fine.”
    Neil shook his head. “When we hooked up, you said you hated LA, yet you’re still here. I keep expecting you to move on.”
    “Oh.” Rick leaned against the desk, glanced out the window. “Trying to get rid of me?”
    “Surprised.”
    “Working with you doesn’t suck.” It didn’t. In fact, Rick finally felt connected with people, something he had only felt when he was on active duty. Didn’t suck that some of those people introduced him to Judy . . . and she didn’t suck.
    “So you’re gonna be around for a while?”
    “I don’t feel the need to move on, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
    Neil nodded. “Good. I’m going to be gone for two weeks. I need you to watch everything here.”
    “Not a lot here when both yours and Blake’s families are gone.”
    No, there was a security team at Albany fit for a duke and his family. Not that anyone needed to worry with Neil among them.
    “I need you ready to help Carter or Eliza if something happens. Michael will be back before the fundraiser.” The fundraiser was a black-tie event at The Village to help raise funds for the kids there. Carter, the governor of California, had a security team, but when push came to shove in the real world, Carter knew he could depend on Neil . . . and Rick was an extension of Neil when he wasn’t available to help. “How’s the campaigning going?”
    “I think a second term is a shoo-in. We need to keep ourselves open to any threats.”
    “So,” Rick recapped, “everything should be perfectly boring while you’re gone?”
    Neil looked up and glared. “When is our life ever boring?”
    Then, as if on cue, noise from the baby monitor interrupted their conversation and Emma fought her nap.

    “There’s a black-tie event at The Village right after we get back.” Samantha handed a check to Meg and turned away. She glanced at the amount and nearly choked.
    “What’s this for?”
    “It’s a clothing allowance.”
    Meg hadn’t spent that many zeros on clothes her entire life.
    “For clothes?”
    “Crazy, isn’t it?”
    The only thing Meg could do was nod.
    “The rich sniff out cheap crap. I understand the need to pick up a bargain, but don’t start at a big box store.”
    “But—”
    “I expect receipts. Evening gowns go to your feet, keeping in mind your shoes. There will be alterations and accessories. I expect every image recorded in the tabloids to reflect wealth. Even those from a dance club.”
    Meg closed her eyes, swallowed hard. “You saw that?”
    Samantha laughed. “Cute guys.”
    “They’re gay.”
    “Still cute. Next time wear a silk shirt. The rich know all about the paparazzi. Most love the attention, but anyone watching us will expect a certain level of quality. And once you’re here, they want you to be someone that can relate to their issues. Even if you can’t.”
    “I don’t even know where to shop.”
    “Not a problem. I have Karen stopping by tomorrow to take you and Judy out shopping.”
    “Seriously?”
    Samantha laughed. “Seriously.”
    Meg sat back in her chair with a laugh. “This doesn’t feel like work.”
    Her boss