The man in question woke up from his daydream and looked at her. He smiled. “You guys are twins, aren’t you?”
Adria was not in the least bit humored. “Yeah, we get that a lot. Yes, we are and I’m not the prettier one in case you didn't notice. Besides, we’re not identical. Who are you?”
“Liam.”
“I don’t know if I believe his story. It sounds a little too fake if you ask me, but then again I’m just an attorney. I wouldn’t know a criminal or liar if I saw one.” Devin finally had something to say.
Turning to face both her sister and Devin, she smiled. “If either of you want to help at all, please feel free.”
“Listen, I promise you I can pay for my stay when I get back home.”
Something was off about Becca as she eyed her sister. She knew that little look in her eyes spelled trouble as she continued to look at the man in question. “Dear sister, please get whatever it is out of your head.”
Becca looked at her, smiling. “What? I believe him, all that is possible...and look, he's an artist too. A really good one it seems.” Becca clip-clopped on her ruined shoes a little closer doing the hair flip thing that no respectable woman of her age should be doing. “Do I know your work? Have I seen it somewhere?”
Adria regarded Devin who seemed to keep his own council for the moment. Their eyes met, and she felt the swirl of butterflies in her belly like when she’d been young and crushed on him. “Can you please help me out here? Do something.”
Adria had a hard time refusing puppy dog eyes and kitty cat faces but actual humans were another matter entirely.
“Hold up here. Becca, you can’t trust this man. He could tell you anything and we’d have no way of verifying it.” Devin moved to stand between Becca and Liam.
Adria wanted to pretend she wasn’t upset about the fascination and adoration he still had for Becca all these years, but she couldn’t hate him for it. Such was the way of her life when sharing a womb with a gorgeous bombshell at any age.
While Devin and Becca talked to the handsome stranger living in their mother’s cabin, Adria checked out his painting. She’d love to have a magnificent piece of art for her wall. As she scanned the few paintings standing in whathadbeen the great room until he moved all the furniture out of the way, she had to admire his talent.
Colors, contrasting textures, designs, and abstract ideas screamed from each canvas. It was hard to ignore his talent. He really was an amazing artist. In the background, she could hear the three still arguing or discussing the matter but blocked it out.
Obviously the man wasn’t dangerous with a talent like this, and he wasn’t likely to harm them with a name like Liam or green eyes that were probably mesmerizing Becca into thinking she’d found the love of her life.
Adria spun around suddenly. “Well, at least he had the decency to move our furniture out of the way and cover it up. If that’s not a caring person, I don’t know what is.”
Devin gave her a look. “Seriously. That’s what we're going to base this decision on? Murderers clean up after themselves too and that doesn't make them any less dangerous.”
She and Becca looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. They started laughing and continued until they could take no more, and hugged each other. Becca had tears in her eyes.
Adria turned and faced Devin and Liam who were conveniently standing right next to each other. “No one who is a murderer would come to this town. Seneca Falls is the last place they’d go to hide because everyone in this town knows everyone.”
Devin’s eyes focused on Becca’s face. It irritated Adria, but mostly she was irritated with her feelings about his obvious adoration for her sister.
“So, you're going to let him stay based on that?” He pinned Becca with a look.
Of course, Adria knew it was coming. “Sure, I think he’s safe. If we find any dead bodies, I'll let you know, Devin.”
Adria smirked and glanced at Liam, who just happened to be smiling back at her. “If you're going to harm someone first, take my sister as she can be very annoying. It’s those shoes she’s wearing.”
He laughed. “I can tell I’m going to like you already.”
The more she studied him, Liam looked like an overgrown surfer from California. His dirty blonde hair was shaggy, and a little long which was right up Becca’s alley. He was tall and lean, with perfectly sculpted muscles. Adria didn’t know his age, but guessed he was under fifty. “Same. You know you don’t look like a painter, you look more like a surfer.”
“Well, I have caught a few waves from time to time. I’ve been to California but not recently, and my favorite place is Hawaii.”
“Interesting. Do you like animals?” At the very least Adria knew she could make friends easily.
“I’m allergic to cats but I used to have a snake and a turtle.”
There goes that…“Oh, well I have three dogs and two cats. I will not ask about your truck, but maybe Devin can help you fix it or something so you can get home to your family in time for the holidays.”
Her brain just barely registered the fact that this man might have a wife, kids, or girlfriend. She and Becca were both assuming he didn't, but she didn't know, and not seeing a ring on his finger meant nothing.
