A moment later a black Porsche bumped along the road, heading towards the barn.Ethan shifted back, peering through the gap as the car drove past.The man inside wasn’t someone he recognised from his time living in the town, but maybe he was the elusive Darren.
He waited a moment until the car stopped and silence filled the air.Footsteps crunched, moving away from the barn, and Ethan widened the gap to peer out.
Tall guy, grey business suit with smooth lines showing he wasn’t carrying concealed, neat hair, polished shoes which probably cost a fortune.He held his phone up as if he was taking a photo and avoided all the thigh-high weeds with an expression of disdain on his face.
Definitely not the gardener.
No visible weapons, and the man didn’t move like someone who had training.In fact, the man was oblivious to his surroundings.
Who was he?
It clicked into place.The property developer.He’d probably driven in here because he hadn’t wanted to get his clothes dirty.
Perhaps Chelsea was in town to negotiate a deal with him.But then why would she want Darren’s number if it was all going to be bulldozed anyway?
More likely the guy was using the opportunity to plan what he would do with the land and didn’t realise she was around.
Another car engine and the businessman spun around, his muscles tight.Ethan shifted back, so he wasn’t spotted, but could still see.
This car didn’t drive past but instead stopped.Chelsea was back.
Ethan clenched his hands, waiting to see what the businessman would do.
The man glanced at the car and back towards the house.Yeah, Chelsea will hear you if you drive out.Ethan smiled at his conundrum, even though he shared it.
From here the front door of the house was visible as Chelsea lugged an enormous suitcase up the steps and stuck a key in the lock.She hip-bumped the section of the door that always stuck and went inside.
Ethan shook his head.Aunt Maggie still hadn’t fixed the door.She’d rarely shut it, preferring to keep the fly screen locked rather than the solid wooden door.
Chelsea’s bedroom was on this side of the house.Ethan imagined she would go there automatically rather than using Maggie’s bedroom.
The man was still prevaricating.
Ethan lifted his gaze to the balcony and sure enough, Chelsea came to the window, frowned and then struggled with the catch as she lifted it up.“Excuse me.Can I help you?”
The man glanced up and smiled.“Hello.You must be Sabine Longmeyer.I’m Johann Meuller.”
“Sabine is my mother.I’m Chelsea.What are you doing in my garden, Mr Meuller?”Her tone was more refined but brooked no nonsense.
Hergarden.Ethan grinned.
“My apologies.I’ve been in discussions with your mother about buying this property.”He looked down a bit bashful.“I guess I was getting ahead of myself, but I do want to get started as soon as possible.”
Chelsea raised her eyebrows.“We haven’t agreed to sell yet.”
He winced.“I’m sorry.My last discussions with your father implied you would be selling.”
“My father?”Her tone was deadly.
Ethan winced.Chelsea rarely spoke about the man who had sired her.It was a particularly sore topic.
“Mr Longmeyer…”
“Mystepfather,” Chelsea said.“And he has no say in whether we sell.”
Johann started to speak, and Chelsea waved him off.“Remove your car from my garden and then come to the front door.I won’t continue to yell at you like this.”She closed the window and disappeared.
Johann swore, staring death after her, his posture stiff.Ethan reevaluated his danger level.This man, when angry, could be a threat.
