The Single Dad's Virgin Wife. Susan Crosby

       Chapter One

      Tricia McBride came to a quick stop a few feet from the interview room of At Your Service, a prestigious Sacramento domestic-and-clerical-help agency. She stared in disbelief at the owner, Denise Watson, who’d been filling her in on the details of a job opening.

      “Hold on a second,” Tricia said. “Let me get this straight. I’m not being interviewed by the person I would be working for, this Noah Falcon? I would be taking the job, boss unseen?”

      “That sums it up,” Denise replied. “It happens all the time, Tricia.”

      “It does?”

      “Remember, I screen all my potential employers, just as I do my employees. If you find yourself in an impossible situation, you’ll leave, but I don’t think that’ll be the case. Noah’s a successful business owner, a widower with four children. Pillar of the community.”

      “Yet he’s not doing the interviewing.” Tricia didn’t like how two and two were adding up. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”

      Denise hesitated. “Well, to be honest, he doesn’t know his current employee is quitting. She told Noah’s brother in confidence, and he decided to take matters into his own hands and do the hiring himself.”

      “Why’s that?”

      “You can ask him yourself.” Denise opened the door, leaving Tricia no choice but to follow her inside.

      An attractive man about her own age stood. Denise made the introductions. “Tricia McBride, this is David Falcon.”

      Greetings were exchanged, then Denise left them alone.

      “Your résumé is impressive,” David said, taking his seat at the conference table again.

      It is? Tricia thought, but she said thank you then sat. “Why me, Mr. Falcon?”

      He raised his brows at her directness. “Why not you, Ms. McBride?”

      “I’m sure Denise told you I’ll be leaving Sacramento in January to move to San Diego to start a new job. I would be in your brother’s employ less than three months. That seems unfair to the family.”

      “And you’re absolutely committed to this other job?”

      “Yes, absolutely, unequivocally. I’ve given my word.”

      “Just checking,” he said with a smile. “You know, it’s obviously not the ideal situation for us. But the important thing is that we’ll have that three-month cushion to find someone perfect, someone who will stay. Who knows, it could happen next week, and you’d be on your way. We’re not guaranteeing the job for the whole three months, either. But in the past Noah has been forced into making expedient choices. You’ll be giving him the luxury of time to find just the right person.”

      “By that you mean he loses employees frequently?”

      David hesitated. “My brother tends to hire people fresh out of college who don’t have a clue about life yet, not to mention how to handle four children. You were a kindergarten teacher, which leads me to believe that you like children, certainly a necessity for the job, plus you have actual experience working with them. You’re thirty-four, so you have life skills, as well. Denise has done a thorough background check on you, and I feel comfortable that you’ll be an asset.”

      She eyed him directly, not easily fooled. “And what’s the real reason you’re doing this behind his back?”

      He half smiled. “Truth? Noah’s children are in need of a woman like you, even if it’s only for a few months. Their mother died three years ago. The house is…quiet. They need laughter. And someone who will stand toe-to-toe with Noah.”

      “Why?”