Page 47 of One Hot Daddy

"And they're coming here?For us?"Jennifer sounds more intrigued than alarmed, which worries me further.

"Isn't that what I said?Yes,three private jetsfull of meddling socialites and their equally meddling husbands."I massage my temple where a headache is already forming."And according to Dom, they've 'handled' my work situation.Whatever that means."

I hear Jennifer moving about, probably pacing as she does when she's thinking."Well, we should at least meet them before you start panicking.Maybe they're just friendly people."

"Friendly people call ahead.They don't commandeer private jets and rearrange my work schedule."

"You're probably right," I concede, though my gut tells me otherwise."But how do I explain this to tell the children?'Oh, by the way, a group of American socialites is coming to reorganize our lives because your grandmothers think I'm too stressed?"

"We'll figure it out together," Jennifer assures me."Sweetie, whatever happens, we'll handle it.You, me, and the kids.That's what families do."

The word 'family,' spoken in Jennifer's sweet voice, settles my anxiety just enough that I no longer worry I might have a coronary."You are right as always, love."

"I should probably warn you---I'm dying to meet these mysterious club members."

"Sounds like an epic disaster to me," I mutter.Then I glance at my paperwork mountain, wondering if any of it will matter once the American Wives Club descends upon us.I shut my eyes and groan pathetically.I can already tell Jennifer's too curious for her own good."I should go, I suppose.According to Dom, I have about twenty-four hours to prepare for an invasion.I'd better say goodbye now."

"Love you, sweetie."

"I love you too, Jennifer."And I need to marry that woman soon.But my friends seem determined to take over my life, at least for a few days.

As I hang up the phone, I stare at my desk and wonder how I'm supposed to concentrate knowing what's coming.A knock at my door interrupts my spiraling thoughts.

"Come in," I call out, expecting Marjorie with the morning reports.

Instead, my assistant manager, Debbie, enters.She looks suspiciously cheerful."Morning, boss!I've got some interesting news."

"Let me guess---you've been contacted by someone from the American Wives Club?"

Debbie's eyes bulge."How did you know?A woman called Emery MacTaggart contacted me this morning.Said she was handling some logistics for your friends."

Wonderful.Someone I've never met and had never heard of until this morning wants to arrange my life.

I sink into my chair as if quicksand might swallow me up."And what exactly did this Emery person say?"

"She was super nice, actually.Totally professional too."Debbie sits down across from my desk."She's arranged for additional temporary staff to cover your duties for the next week.Said you'd be needing time for 'family matters.'"

My eye twitches.Am I developing a tic?"Family matters?I assume that meansmyfamily."

"Uh-huh.That's what she told me.Oh, and she's booked the entire east wing of the hotel for their group.They'll need conference rooms, catering facilities, and something called a 'war room.'"

A war room?Crikey.I sink deeper into my chair."Debbie, please tell me you didn't agree to any of this."

"Well, she did mention that payment would be handled in full, plus a substantial bonus for any inconvenience."Debbie smiles sheepishly."It seemed rude to refuse such a generous offer."

Of course it did.Money talks, and clearly, the American Wives Club speaks fluent currency.

"How substantial are we talking?"I ask, though I'm not sure I want to know.

"Let's just say it's enough to cover your salary for the next six months."Debbie's smile widens."Emery also mentioned upgrading our conference facilities.Permanently.As a gift."

I gawp at her, speechless.These people operate on a level I can't even comprehend.Who casually throws around six-figure sums to rearrange a stranger's work schedule?

"All right, then."I stand up, tugging my suit jacket down."Get back to your duties, please, Debbie."

As she leaves the room, my skin begins to itch.Whatever I'm being roped into, I suspect it will be a circus of monumental proportions.

Chapter Twenty-Two