Free Garden of Dreams by Patricia Rice Page B

with big front windows had probably served as a dining room, but illness must have made it difficult for the absent Aunt Hattie to climb up and down the stairs. Apparently her illness had required electrical appliances of some sort. He found new outlets along one wall that might support at least one of the systems.
    â€œWhatcha gonna do if the computers are broke?” Jackie inquired, following him rather than going about his chores.
    â€œTurn the air blue,” JD answered idly, looking around for surfaces he could rearrange.
    Jackie grimaced. “Do you think she’s got a lawn tractor for the lawn? I could do that.”
    A lawn tractor, the adult equivalent of a child’s toy. JD didn’t think his landlady would much appreciate a kid playing with it if she had one, but the kid should do something useful, and the boy could learn. This father business was a definite strain on the mental muscles, but he couldn’t think of any way of denying him. JD wished he’d had a good example to follow, but all he could muster was a stern look. “Go make your bed and wash your dishes first. Then ask Miss Toon if she wants her lawn mowed.”
    Gloomily, he figured he should feel guilty at letting Nina decide what to do with the kid, but she apparently didn’t have the same problem as he did in dealing with teenagers. As Jackie wandered off, JD began arranging the furniture to suit himself.
    By the time Nina returned, he had his main hard drive up and running. He’d rerouted the network to his own private telephone number since he couldn’t find any local access. Then he’d e-mailed Jimmy to call Nancy. Jimmy could trace the e-mail if he wanted, but JD didn’t have a problem with that. He and Jimmy had built the business together. They had an equal interest in protecting the banking program. His partner could play ignorant marketing director for all it was worth should anyone question him.
    Satisfied that he’d done all he could in that quarter, JD concentrated on the best way to make the money transfer from his bank account without anyone tracing it. If he could set up a local bank account...
    His skin prickled. A breath of fresh air mixed with the fragrance of roses permeated the room. He never noticed such things. His secretary frequently walked through his office, rearranged his desk, and filed correspondence without once disturbing his train of thought.
    Frowning, he concentrated on the monitor, but even though he’d focused his thoughts two thousand miles away, JD knew the exact moment the pixie alighted. He felt her furious vibrations before he even lifted his head.
    â€œMy services are not included in the rent,” she informed him in ominous tones.
    Maybe if he didn’t look up, he wouldn’t have to acknowledge that curious statement. Perhaps he could pretend he was lost in thought. JD rested his chin on his hand and stared at the computer screen, but he had the overwhelming notion she would take his head off in about two seconds. Reluctantly, he glanced in her direction.
    â€œJackie and I can fix our own meals,” he answered politely, still slightly bewildered about what answer she expected. “We can make our own beds and clean up after ourselves, if that’s what you mean. I’m certain you have enough to do without keeping up with us.”
    Nina stared at her uninvited houseguest in confusion. The motorcycle lord of earlier had donned a pair of horn-rimmed glasses that made him look like an absentminded professor. He’d even covered the T-shirt with a blue denim shirt, apparently for easier access to the assortment of pens and pencils he kept in the shirt pockets. The bottom of one pocket had already absorbed black and green ink stains. The disheveled lock of hair once again fell over his bandage. He looked far different from the smooth-talking con man who’d appeared back in the greenhouse. Did this man have an evil twin brother or