Code Name: Nanny (SEAL and Code Name #5)(49)

“We’re fine.” Summer frowned at Audra. “Patrick said to tell you he was making caprese salad and some kind of bread with white truffle oil for lunch.”

“I’m not hungry.” Audra stalked toward the house, and Sophy followed, deep in a rambling conversation with Liberace, who appeared to be asleep.

Sophy stopped at the porch. “Don’t forget your suit, Ms. M. It will be cool to swim.”

Gabe put down his flat of flowers. “Busy morning?”

“Death by escaped ferret, barely averted. Then I was nearly eyeballed to death by a sullen teenager.” Summer sighed as she stared at Audra’s retreating back. “Make that two sullen teenagers.”

“Two?”

“We gave Audra’s friend Tracey a ride. I have come to believe that mothers and nannies deserve hazardous duty pay.” Summer rubbed her shoulder, which she’d banged against the door when she lunged for Sophy’s pet. “Remind me not to travel anywhere with a ferret ever again.”

“Liberace’s a handful. So is Audra.” Gabe’s voice hardened. “What about the accident with the truck?”

“Sophy exaggerated. It was just a quick lane change. But I think there may have been a brown Honda following us back from school.”

“Plate number?”

“First letters TR. I couldn’t see the rest. I was more concerned with the ferret crawling up my shoulder and keeping the car on the road,” Summer said tightly. “I’ll be watching from now on.” She studied the back lawn. “Everything finished here?”

“All complete. Izzy had to take care of something in town, but he’ll be back to give you a tour. What did Sophy mean about the suit?”

Summer ignored the sudden pressure at her chest. “She wants me to go swim with her. After that shot this morning, I don’t want them exposed out here.”

“I agree. Did you tell Cara what happened?”

Summer rubbed her arm slowly. “She went into full-blown mother mode. She’s terrified for her kids. She said the sooner they leave for Wyoming, the better.”

“Senator Winslow wanted to send in a SWAT team. Under the circumstances, not a helpful move.” Gabe leaned against the side of the garage. “You don’t swim?”

“Not if I can help it.”

“Why not?”

“None of your business,” Summer said evenly. “I have to go. The girls need to eat, then pack.”



Audra barely touched her lunch, and Sophy cut her focaccia into long, narrow strips, then ate each one slowly. As the rich, earthy mix of flavors rolled over her tongue, Summer decided that Patrick Flanagan was probably a genius.

When she complimented the chef, he beamed, sliding more handmade mozzarella onto her plate. “I consider it a work in progress. I’m always trying different types of basil and new olive-oil varieties. Experimenting is half the fun.” He looked anxiously at Audra. “You don’t like the salad, Audra? Caprese used to be your favorite.”

“Uh, it’s—great, Patrick. I’m just full.”

Full from what? Summer wondered. The girl had consumed two bites of oatmeal and half a glass of water for breakfast.

Patrick hovered beside the table. “No, you’re right. I shouldn’t have used that new basil. And the tomatoes that came today were crushingly bad.” Muttering anxiously, he vanished into the kitchen.

“What’s wrong, Audra?” Sophy frowned at her sister. “Do you want some of my bread?”

“No.”

“Is your stomach upset again?”

“No,” Audra snapped.

“Are you sure? Mom said to call her right away if—”

“My stomach is fine, okay?” As if to prove it, Audra grabbed the last piece of bread from Sophy’s plate and shoved it into her mouth. “See. Are you satisfied?” she said around bites.

“Well, that’s what Mom told me.” Sophy sat in a tight ball, small and defensive beneath the sunny window.

“Audra, if you’re sick, I can call your mother or take you to the doctor. You can tell me if anything’s wrong.”

“Nothing’s wrong.” Glaring at Summer, Audra shot to her feet. “I wish everyone would stop asking me that. I’m just not hungry, okay?” She took an angry breath, then flounced out of the room.

Summer stared after her. “Has she had this stomach problem before?”

“Once or twice.” Sophy toyed with a piece of tomato. “Mom got really scared, and our doctor did a whole bunch of tests, but there was nothing wrong.”

“Maybe I should call your mother.”

Sophy’s eyes widened. “Audra will get really mad if you do that.”

All the more reason to call. Summer had heard that more and more teenagers were developing ulcers from stress. Maybe Audra was one of them.

“She gets really angry if you ask her how she feels.” Sophy brightened. “But maybe if she’s okay, she’ll come swimming with us. Even though we’re grounded, we can still swim, right? See, I’m already dressed.” She flipped up the edge of her sundress, revealing a Hello Kitty swimsuit. “Can I go sit by the pool?”

“Not yet.”

“But Gabe is out there.”