Free Off The Clock by Kenzie Michaels Page A

their jobs. I didn’t expect you to bus the tables. Go on, I’ll see you in the morning.”
    “Thank you.” She flashed a shy smile and ducked her head, hurrying off to confer with one of the servers.
    Austin watched her leave as he wandered over to the bar for one last drink. Where did his sweet young assistant go after work? Why had she momentarily panicked when he had asked her to host this important dinner tonight? Hell, for that matter, what did any of his employees do when they were off the clock?

Chapter Two
    Cara Ziegler breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped out into the cool autumn night air. She was afraid she’d overstepped her bounds by the way she’d arranged for a few changes at Harmony House. Either her boss, Austin Harmon hadn’t noticed, or he was waiting to discuss it with her tomorrow in private.
    She smoothed the skirt on her simple black cotton sheath. It was the nicest dress she owned, and if tonight was any indication, she was going to have to either find a way to make it more versatile or else go shopping for another cocktail dress. She’d had many customers inquire about Austin’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s parties, and she hoped that being his hostess tonight wasn’t going to be a regular occurrence.
    Cara grimaced as her feet propelled her to her small car. Glancing around, she slipped off the two-inch pumps and tossed them into the front passenger seat. Flexing her toes, she wondered at the women who thought nothing of wearing stiletto heels all day long.
    She started the car and headed for home, clipping her hands’ free Bluetooth device to her ear and dialing. When her mother answered, Cara assured her she was on her way home.
    A barrage of complaints hit her ear.
    “Mama, I’m sorry. I’m in traffic and I’ll be home in a few minutes. Isn’t Cody there?” Cara winced when she heard the answer. Damn it…couldn’t her brother make it through a few hours without starting an argument? “I told you. I had to work tonight. That’s why I asked Cody to help you. Calm down, Mama. I’ll be there as fast as I can.” She reached up, turned off the unit, and after checking her mirrors, changed lanes and stepped on the gas pedal. Her mother needed her.
    Ten minutes later, Cara stepped through the door of the house she shared with her elderly mother, a full-time nurse, and a lazy black Labrador retriever. The dog met her at the door, purple tongue hanging out and liquid brown eyes beseeching.
    “Hi, Shadow. How’s Mom doing?” Cara bent down to rub the overweight dog’s ears. “Did Uncle Cody feed you?”
    “Hi, Cara.” Shelley, the respite worker, entered from the bedroom. “I’m sorry about that; your mother grabbed the phone while I was getting her medicine ready.”
    “That’s okay. I’m getting used to it.” Cara straightened up and dropped her shoes by the brass hall tree. Removing her coat, she asked if Shadow had been fed yet.
    Shelley’s mouth hardened. “That’s about the only thing Cody did right. The rest of the time he concentrated on irritating your mother.”
    “I’m so sorry.” Cara closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. “I’ll make sure that Mr. Harmon notifies me in advance from now on if I ever have to work late again, so I can call the Visiting Nurses agency.”
    “Honey, you deserved a night off,” Shelley exclaimed. “You had every right to ask your family members to spend some time with Rosalie. You’d think they were afraid of her or something.”
    Cara opened her eyes and moved into the spacious living room. “Yeah, well, I’m the only one who was willing to stay home and take care of her. Alzheimer’s isn’t a quick disease, and I think I’m the only one who’s tough enough to watch Mom go through this.”
    “It’s hard on everyone,” Shelley asserted. “Go on, get out of your party clothes. I’ll let her know you’re back and will be in to read to her.”
    “Thanks.” Cara padded up the stairs to