Babysitting the Billionaire (13 page)

“Marmalade’s easier to change,” the Senator said,
pressing the sound up on the tablet with a somewhat sticky finger.

“May Reed here,
live at Penguin Station One. Coming up today, more fun with baby penguins, growing
up so fast. But first, I’d like to welcome a very special guest: expedition
leader Beau Kurck.”

The Senator frowned. “She’s such a doll. But why is Beau
so antsy?”

“Just wait. It gets better.” Sadie wiped at the edge of
the tablet with a dishrag. The Senator waved her away, intent on the screen.

“We’ve been out
here for months and chatted to everybody else on the team. But you, Mr. Kurck,
have been camera-shy up ’til now. What made you change your mind?”

“You did, May. No,
really. That threat to never speak to me again was quite the weapon.”

Sadie pushed into Jane’s side, trying to share her perch
on the stool.

“You’ve seen it.” The Senator pushed back.

“So have a half-million people, in just the first three
hours.”

“You didn’t take
me seriously? We’re all here in a little cabin in the snow, you know.”

“I did indeed. And
I found it unacceptable.”

“He fired her?”

“Wait for it.”

“May Reed, the
thought of not hearing your voice, not feeling your touch—even if it’s through
four layers of Thermacloth—is untenable. You must remedy this.”

“I take it back.”

“Not good enough.
Marry me.”

The last bite of toast hit the floor, marmalade-side
down, of course. “He didn’t,” the Senator said.

“He did.” Though her hand stretched out, Sadie did not
bend down to pick up the toast. Thirty more seconds wouldn’t cause any more
harm. “Had me rushing around to get the ring resized and shipped out in
Thursday’s packet. His mother’s ring.”

“How did you have it?”

“The man plans ahead; you know that. I think he measured
May’s finger while she was sleeping.”

“May? Stop it,
please. You’re not supposed to cry. People are watching. Don’t. I take it
back.”

“Don’t you dare
take it back. Lunk-head.”

“Does that mean
yes?”

“Yes, yes. Now
find me a tissue.”

The senator couldn’t hold back her smile. Wrapping an
arm around Sadie, she squeezed tight. “So, you got your viral video.” Her voice
was gruff.

“And no penguins were harmed.”

The End

www.nickypenttila.com

Other Books by Nicky Penttila:

A Note of
Scandal

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Evernight Publishing

www.evernightpublishing.com