A Weekend of Misbehaving Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I raised both of you. I’m a nurse. I know a thing or two about keeping things under control.”
    “Today’s Thursday. I’ll be back on Monday. It’ll go by fast. You’re taking your blood-pressure medication, right?”
    Her mother ran her fingers through her short red hair. “Will you stop worrying? There is no need.”
    But she did worry. Especially after her mother’s visit last month to the ER because of stress-induced high blood pressure. Alice folded the bodice into a ball and tossed it to the back of her closet. She bit the inside of her cheek, fully aware she couldn’t tell her mother about Buck and his threat. Hell, she hadn’t even told her sister about him. She had questioned her, yes. That’s how she found out Rachel had resorted to a loan shark after accumulating multiple health-related bills. Before Alice started working for Mr. B, Rachel had no insurance to cover her medical costs.
    “I’ll be working a double shift at the hospital, but I’ll make sure to check in with Rachel whenever I can and attend Brenda’s recital on Saturday,” her mother said.
    Alice closed the bag and was about to question her mother’s crazy schedule, then clamped her lips and decided to let it go. For now. “Thanks, Mom.”
    A knock on the door yanked her from her musings. “There’s a limo out front,” Rachel yelled from the living room. “Your fancy ride is here, Alice.”
    Alice barely had time to plant a kiss on her mother’s cheek and wave at Rachel and Brenda before dashing out the door, with her good ol’ Betsey Johnson bag in tow. When the driver opened the door, she expected to find dashing Mr. B inside the vehicle. Instead it was empty.
    “Mr. Baldi asked me to drop him off earlier to visit Cara at her camp. He said she asked to see you, too, so I can take you, and from there we’ll head to the airport,” Gordon, the driver, offered.
    “Sure,” she said, sliding her fingers over the buttery soft leather. She touched a button, and the efficient AC kicked up a notch and blasted cool air in her face.
    She picked up her sketchbook from her bag and took advantage of the smooth ride to draw a couple dresses.
    “We’re here, miss.” Gordon brought the car to a stop. She nodded, then got out.
    High heels probably hadn’t been the wisest choice to brave the organized wilderness of the camp. She spotted Cara and Lorenzo at the shaded area, where picnic tables were arranged under the canopy of huge oak trees. A couple kids waved at her, and she noticed a group on horseback riding not that far from them.
    “Alice!” Cara shouted and ran to her, practically throwing herself at her with a giggle. “I miss you so much.”
    “Same here, kiddo.” Alice hugged her tight, and somehow it seemed in just a couple days her little girl had grown. Was it possible? Cara was already one of the tallest girls in her class. Wait. Her little girl? Alice shook her head. “Are you having the best time ever?”
    A sharp clearing of throat made her look up. Lorenzo stood, both legs apart and firmly pressed on the dirt ground, one hand jammed in his pocket, and the other fixing his black Prada sunglasses.
    “And behaving, of course. Are you behaving?” She winked at Cara, who winked back.
    “Of course. Look, I already have a special badge.”
    For the next hour, she heard all of Cara’s exciting camp stories, and her breath caught in her throat as if she were trying to squeeze on a size twelve. She had to go through with the fake engagement charade to ensure she and her family would be okay. Where else would she find kick-ass health insurance that accepted Rachel as her dependent?
    Yet Cara’s future was also in play. Alice enjoyed spending time with the little girl, helping her with homework, and taking care of her when she was sick. What would happen if she didn’t pull off her role as fake fiancée? Would Mr. B fire her? No way. That was ridiculous. Or was it?
    “We have to go, Cara mia. I’ll pick you up