Off The Clock Read Online Free

temperatures continued to drop steadily; summer was definitely over. She looked up as Austin slid his tray across from hers.
    “I also need a favor from you.” Austin unwrapped his sandwich and took a bite. “You know a week from tomorrow is the Harvest Ball. Would you be willing to attend with me?
    You wouldn’t have to stay the entire time, just long enough to welcome everyone and for the first dance. This way you’ve got over a week to make arrangements for your dog.”
    Cara gulped. Shelley’s family was planning to be in town and the nurse had already requested the night off. I’ll have to call the Visiting Nurses; I can’t trust my brother! “I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for the week’s notice.”
    “No problem. So, tell me about this afterschool program. I found your memo buried under the menu sheets.”
    “It’s for grades four through nine,” Cara explained. “The YMCA called, wanting to know if they could rent the gymnasium while theirs is being renovated. They would bus the kids, supervise them, and have the parents pick them up. All we’d have to do is provide a snack and bill them for any damages.”
    Austin frowned. “And this would go on for how long?”
    “Starting next month and going until April. They need a new roof and new bleachers.”
    “Oh wait…that’s the one the tree fell on, isn’t it?” Austin leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the table. “When we get back, I’ll make the call myself.”
    “Good.” Cara finished eating her sandwich and wadded the wrapper into a ball. Standing, she shoved her arms into her coat sleeves and picked up her tray. “I’ll see you back at the office.”
    “What’s the rush?” he asked. “Or is your boss that much of a slave-driver?”
    She laughed. “No, he’s pretty easy to work for. I just have an errand to run before I dive into that stack of mail which always arrives on Thursdays.” Cara dumped her trash into the nearest bin and returned for her drink. “I won’t tell Chris we ate elsewhere today if you won’t.”
    “I caught him going through the drive through at Taco Bell last week. Your secret’s safe with me.” Austin winked. “See you later.”
    Once back in her car, Cara called home to check on her mother. Satisfied everything was normal, she made a quick trip into her favorite boutique to see about an appropriate dress for the Harvest Ball.
    * * * *
    Later that evening, Austin sat in his quiet living room, watching a baseball game as he relaxed with a beer. Would Cara find a way to back out of the ball? She seemed to enjoy his light-hearted banter. Would she return, or even acknowledge, his growing interest in her? Time will tell… Austin took another lazy sip of his beverage and tried to make sense of his dating choices.
    Leslie was a mistake; I should have never gotten personally involved with her. So what do I do next? Hire Cara, who’s so damn quiet and efficient. Who knew it would be Ryan , of all people, to open my eyes to the fact she’s a knockout! But every attempt I make to spend time with her, she brushes off. The new commercial for Harmony House aired and he squirmed, watching himself on the screen.
    That wasn’t too bad, but I sound like I’m reading a script. I need to do better next time. He drained his beer and stood up to get another one, his thoughts returning to his office manager. Yeah, Cara’s got some family problems, like her idiot brother, but why doesn’t she get out more? The closer that clock gets to five, the antsier she is to leave. No one claims to know what she does after hours; Roxie says she called someone frequently at the fund-raiser, and kept her eye on the clock so she could leave right at ten. So what the hell is her story? I wish she’d talk to me!

Chapter Five
    Cara studied her reflection carefully. The emerald color of her ankle length evening gown brought out the green in her eyes. Around her neck was the diamond and emerald choker her mother had