Free A Bargain with the Boss by Barbara Dunlop Page B

put her compact car into Park outside her town house, set the brake and gripped the steering wheel. She was home an hour early, and it felt surreal. The sun was too high in the sky and kids were still playing in the park across the street, whooping it up on the slide and the jungle gym.
    Fired. She’d been fired from Tucker Transportation. She had no job. She had no paycheck. Her savings might take her through the next month, but she had mortgage payments, utility payments, phone bills and food bills.
    She cursed the new shoes on her feet. She’d worn them for the first time today and she couldn’t take them back. Then again, they were gorgeous and they’d been on sale. And, really, how much would a refund help? It would barely fill up her gas tank.
    She couldn’t waste time worrying about might-have-beens. She had to get it together. She had to start job hunting right away.
    The front door opened and Jade stood there, looking out, her rounded belly pressing against an oversize plaid shirt. Amber was reminded that she also had Jade and the baby to worry about. Not that it changed her plans.
    She’d update her résumé tonight and get out job hunting first thing tomorrow. It would have been nice to have Dixon as a reference. She sure couldn’t use Tuck.
    She turned off the engine, trying unsuccessfully to banish his image from her mind. He’d been angry. That much was certainly clear. But he’d looked hurt, too, seeming disappointed that her loyalty was to Dixon. She wished she could have given Tuck what he wanted, but she couldn’t serve them both.
    She stepped out of the car and waved to Jade as she walked up the stepping-stones. The sage and asters were barely hanging on. The other blooms had faded away, and only the leaves remained. October was not exactly a cheerful month.
    As she approached the door, she pasted a smile on her face. “How are you feeling?”
    â€œHuge.”
    Amber widened her smile at the joke.
    â€œI made an appointment at the community clinic,” said Jade, as she stepped back from the doorway.
    â€œThat’s good.” Amber had been insistent that Jade get proper medical care. “When is the appointment?”
    â€œI told them my due date and they got me in tomorrow.”
    Amber glanced at Jade’s stomach. “I guess they know there’s no time to waste.”
    â€œBeing pregnant is not an illness.”
    â€œBut you want a healthy baby.”
    â€œOof.” Jade’s hand went to her stomach. “This one’s healthy, all right. It’s got a kick like a soccer player.”
    â€œI can drive you to the appointment,” said Amber. She’d be happier if she heard firsthand what the doctor had to say.
    â€œI can take the bus.”
    Amber dumped her purse and headed for the living room. “It’s no trouble. I can afford to take a little time off.”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œPositive.”
    Amber would be taking more than just a little time off. But she didn’t see any need to say so immediately. Hopefully, she’d have a new job lined up before she had to share the news about losing this one.
    â€œAre you hungry?” she asked Jade.
    â€œI made macaroni casserole.”
    Amber couldn’t hide her surprise. “You cooked?”
    Not that macaroni casserole was exactly gourmet, but Jade had never been handy in the kitchen, nor particularly self-motivated when it came to household chores.
    Jade grinned proudly as they walked to the kitchen. “It’s all ready to pop into the oven.”
    â€œThat sounds delicious. Thanks.”
    Jade turned on the oven while Amber set out plates and cutlery and let her optimism build. She had five solid years of work at Tucker Transportation. She’d built up her administrative skill set, and surely that would be transferable to any number of companies. Maybe she could gloss over her reasons for leaving. She might even