Game Over! (Parker & Knight Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

tell her mother the good news.
    Lyla Jones hugged her daughter, and looked over at Parker.
    “You’ve known each other less than a year, you don’t waste time, do you, Rick?”
    “I know a good thing when I see it.”
    She opened her arms.
    “Come here, you’re part of the family now.”
    Parker hugged her and was surprised to see a genuine smile on her face when they parted. He had always suspected that Heather’s mother didn’t like him much, but news of their engagement seemed to sway her opinion the other way. Perhaps she only needed proof of Parker’s affection for her daughter before she would give her own.
    As they ate lunch in the dining room, Heather’s mom gave them some news.
    “You’re selling the house?” Heather said in surprise.
    “Yes, you practically live with Rick now, and once you move out after the wedding, I’ll really have no need for a house this size.”
    “Wow, it will be weird not to have the house to come to. I mean I grew up here, but I see your point.” Heather said.
    “Your Aunt Jenny’s house is bigger than this, and with her kids gone and Uncle Bill passed on she’s been pretty lonely, and she asked me a few weeks ago if we’d like to move in with her. Now that you’re getting married, I just might take her up on that.”
    “That sounds great, Mom, you and Aunt Jenny always were close, and that way you’ll be able to look out for each other.”
    “What about that research project, have you heard from them yet?”
    “Not yet, but the decision should come in the mail any day now. Oh, if I wasn’t so happy about my engagement I’d be a nervous wreck.”
    “Don’t you have to work, or have you taken the day off?” Lyla Jones asked.
    “I quit last night.”
    “Why?”
    Heather told her mother about Rachel’s scheme, and Lyla gave Parker a worried look.
    “Just how crazy is this ex-wife of yours?”
    “She’s not violent, and in time I’m sure she’ll move on, but I don’t want to talk about her, I just want to concentrate on Heather and our future.”
    “A future that includes her becoming a doctor, correct?”
    “Absolutely, I have no intention of derailing her goals; I also plan to take up the slack of her lost job so that she’ll have more time to study.”
    Heather gave him a surprised look.
    “I can find another job, Rick, the finances don’t have to fall on your shoulders alone.”
    “I know medical school can be grueling, and once you intern you’ll start earning a salary again, but until then, I’ll cover our expenses so that you can concentrate on your studies.”
    “All right, but hopefully I’ll get this position with the research project and have my tuition paid for by them. That will be a tremendous help.”
    They stayed a while longer, talking and laughing, but then decided to go see a movie. They invited her mother to join them, but she declined.
    After climbing into the car, Heather gave Parker a long kiss.
    “What was that for?”
    Heather ran a hand along his thigh.
    “I don’t really feel like a movie, do you?”
    Parker smiled. “No, let’s go home.”
    “You know, I still have that slutty Taggart’s uniform,”
    “Ooh la la,” Parker said, and Heather giggled.
    ***
    R achel left Taggart’s just after midnight. She locked the office door, but as she turned to walk down the stairs, she saw Nico leaning against her car. She jumped in fright, and found herself frozen in place.
    “I’ve come for my money,” Nico said.
    “The ten-thousand?” Rachel said, in a voice that was not much more than a whisper.
    “Two thousand, two thousand a week, every week,”
    “Tim won’t pay you,” Rachel said loudly, as her nerve came back,
    “He’ll pay, one way or another, he’ll pay,”
    Rachel searched the contents of her purse and took out a small canister of pepper spray.
    “Don’t come near me,”
    Nico’s eyes roamed over her.
    “You are hot, Blondie; I think you and I could have a good time.”
    “Go away or I’ll