My Lucky Groom

market.”
    “Exactly.”
    “Not that you’re not extremely qualified.”
    “Thanks.”
    “I’ve been asking around.”
    “You have?”
    “The only problem is , I didn’t have a way to contact you.”
    Ventura drew a hopeful breath. “You mean, you’ve heard of something? In journalism?”
    “No,” he said quickly. “Not exactly. But I’ve been keeping my ears open.”
    “That’s good of you.”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, you have my number now.”
    “It’s on my caller ID,” he agreed.
    “Which may come in handy.”
    “How so?”
    “Should” — Ventura gathered her nerve and squeezed shut her eyes — “you need to call me for interview?”
    “Interview?”
    Ventura drew a breath and let it out, counting to twenty-five.
    “Ventura? Are you still there?”
    “I’d like to apply for the position,” she told him firmly.
    “The nanny job?” he asked with surprise.
    “If you’ll still have me.”
    “It’s yours!” he proclaimed with delight.
    “Whhh…what did you say?”
    “I said, you’re hired, Ventura. When can you start?”
    “But don’t I need to interview? Meet the kids?”
    “Formalities. We’ll arrange all that. Doesn’t have to be in any certain order.”
    “I see.” Ventura swallowed hard, wondering what she was getting herself into. How bad were those children if he hadn’t found help for them already? Ventura tried to reassure herself, thinking Richard was probably just picky as any good daddy would be. That made him admirable, didn’t it?
    “It would super if you could swing by on Monday. You can meet the kids and Jason, and we’ll get everything set up.”
    “Jason?”
    “He’s my personal assistant and a really great guy. You’ll have no worries. Jason will teach you everything you need to learn in getting started. Now, all I need is your address. I’ll have him come and pick you up.”
    Ventura set down her cell in a daze as Mary entered the kitchen.
    “What’s up?” Mary asked her. “You look a little weird.”
    “I’ve just been hired.”
    “That’s awesome!” Mary walked over and slapped her a high-five. “Where?”
    “At Richard’s.”
    “You took the nanny job?”
    Ventura nodded, still dumbstruck. It had all happened so fast she could scarcely believe it herself.
    “When do you start?”
    “On Monday.”
    “That’s great! We’ll have to celebrate.”
    “Did I hear someone say celebrate?” Nanette asked, tottering down the stairs in platform sandals.
    Ventura and Mary shared frightened looks.
    “What a wonderful coincidence that is! My cousin Frank has a nice young nephew in town.” Ventura’s mouth hung open as Mary grimaced, seconds before Nanette appeared in a poodle skirt and tiny tank top. “He and his friend Charles are Capitol Hill interns. Imagine that. We’re practically neighbors.”
    “Imagine,” Mary said, blinking at Ventura.
    “Trying not to,” Ventura said under her breath.
    Nanette studied them both with an affectionate grin. “Naturally, I told Frank you’d show the boys around.”

    Cherry trees and dogwoods lined the Tidal Basin reflecting the Jefferson Memorial as the sun rose high above the water. Ventura and Mary shared a paddleboat as two toned blonds, Charles and Wally, commandeered another. The guys smiled and waved, tipping their visors in the girls’ direction.
    Ventura stared at them in awe. “I have to hand it to Nanette. This time, she didn’t mess up.”
    “I know. Amazing. Right?” Mary grinned and waved back. “Which one do you like best?”
    “They’re both really cute.”
    “You choose.”
    Just then, Ventura spotted a hunky, dark-haired man strolling along the path with two gorgeous children in tow, a boy and a girl who both looked to be about five years old. The man moved with confidence and the easy grace of a guy in charge of himself, not to mention his rock-hard body. “I’ll take him,” she said a bit wistfully.
    Mary gripped her arm and whispered, “Oh my gosh, Ventura. It’s him. ”
    “Who?”
    “Richard!”
    Ventura lowered her prescription sunglasses to get a clearer view, seeing Mary was right. It was Richard, no doubt, dressed in khaki slacks and a crisp white polo, buying his two adorable children ice cream from a kiosk vendor.
    “You’ve got it made in the shade working for that dude.”
    “Can’t beat the view,” Ventura said with a sigh.
    “Do you think he sees us?”
    “No, and let’s keep it that way. When I meet his kids on Monday, I want