“You guys in a huddle again?”
Emma didn’t miss a beat, thinking faster on her feet than him and Jack. “We’re discussing furniture and the best place to buy it. Now that the painting is almost done, we can move in as soon as we have a bed and kitchen stuff.”
“The electrician is coming tomorrow to sort out the wiring in the kitchen. If we order a stove today, you’ll have the basics. Where is the best place?”
Emma rearranged her ponytail, pulling it tight. “Probably Manukau. We’ll start there. You guys coming?”
“Dad wants us to drop by the office to discuss a new job,” Hone said. “I want you to watch everyone around you and listen to Emma. Okay?”
“Sure,” Cassie said. “Believe me, the first clown I see, I’ll scream loud enough to wake the dead in this town and the next one over.”
“Not funny,” Hone said, concerned yet unable to justify an order for her to remain at home, out of sight. “Everything has been quiet, but I want you to be extra careful.” Despite their audience, he drew her close and kissed the tip of her nose. “Promise?”
“I promise.”
Her words should have relaxed him, but his dragon rumbled, writhing beneath his skin to highlight his uneasiness. Emma was a trained operative. He’d trained her himself, and Jack had helped. She was good at her job and would inform him if anything seemed wonky.
“Right,” Emma said. “Practicalities. Will a king-size bed will fit in the spare bedroom?”
“It will be a tight squeeze, but not, if you and Jack take the master. I’ll get a double for the spare room and keep the smallest bedroom as a music room. Don’t worry,” Cassie said, tapping her head. “I have the measurements in here.”
Hone gave Cassie a quick kiss and shunted her toward the doorway. “We’ll wait until the plumber finishes.”
As she and Emma pulled out of the driveway in Jack’s vehicle, a late model sedan drove past. The driver waved and Cassie returned the greeting. “That’s my neighbor. That must be his son.”
“At least he’s not the nosy neighbor type,” Emma said. “Do you think he’d be interested in leasing your land?”
“Maybe. I’ve got a bit of time. Once the house is sorted, I’ll walk the boundaries and see what needs doing. It was never an economical block. Maybe Matthew wants to grow Christmas trees on it. I wouldn’t mind having trees on the place. It might be nice.”
“Are you leaving?”
“Probably,” Cassie said.
“What about Hone?”
“Weren’t you the one who warned me about him? Said he didn’t do anything except casual?”
Emma’s hands clenched and unclenched on the steering wheel. “He seems happy, less restless with you around.”
“Doesn’t mean he’s ready to commit,” Cassie said even though her heart ached as she forced out the truth. Her phone buzzed, and she frowned at the screen. “Kevin. I should take this.”
“Go right ahead. With this traffic, it will take a while.”
“Kevin,” she said. “How are you? You still in New Zealand?”
“Leaving tonight. Have you signed the contract yet? We need to make plans for this year. We’ve left it too late already. Probably won’t be able to book much in the way of concert venues.”
Cassie opened her mouth to blast him for his negative attitude, aware that in the past she would’ve let it slide. As it was, she bit back her retort. “I’ll get on the contract tonight.”
“Good, I need you to sign and get it back to me by the end of the week. Clock’s ticking.” He hung up before she could reply.
Cassie pulled a face. “Kevin is an asshole.”
“So why are you signing with him?”
“I don’t think I will, but I’d be silly not to consider his offer. Two months ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated.”
“Because you were a couple?”
