Confusion scrambles the words in my head and I come up short for an answer, but that doesn’t deter him.
“We’re going for a ride, sweetheart. And you’re going to sit your pretty ass in the passenger seat, like a princess.”
“Do I have any say in this?” I ask, a bit amused, a lot more suspicious.
He blinds me with the most arrogant grin. “No,” Carter says and turns his palm up, motioning me to give up the car keys.
“You said my car was a death trap,” I remind him, feeling out of place in the passenger seat of my car.
Carter laughs. “If you still haven’t figured it out, I’m inclined to choose against self-preservation when it comes to you.” He takes the exit toward the Coastal route. “Also, I’ll take any chance I can to be around you.” He taps his fingers on the steering wheel and sneaks a peek at me. “Even if it’s two hours of death stares.”
Which I dutifully deliver because I don’t know what else to do besides filling the silence with the local radio stations. His actions tell a different story than the one I’ve made myself believe after he left.
A company car’s waiting for him when we reach my home.
“The jet is ready for you, sir,” the man in a dark suit tells Carter after opening the back door of the SUV.
Carter nods and turns back to me, smiling.
“Um, thanks for the ride,” I say, clearing my throat. “And for the company.”
“Any time, kitten.” He winks and turns on his heels, leaving me disoriented and obsessing over what happened for the next few days.
The living room space that opens into a large deck through sliding glass doors is breathtaking. I’ve been bursting with excitement since I stepped over the threshold of this impressive house. The floor plan is generous and well-divided. The rich, hardwood floorboards almost make me weep.
Valerie’s call came at the right moment since I was driving myself mad over Carter and his behavior.
“As you can see,” Valerie says, waving her hand toward the kitchen, “the place was remodeled last year. It paid off. The sellers got more than they ever dreamed.”
The dark granite countertop beckons me closer. I want to run my palm over its cool surface. “Do you think they’ll let me repaint the cabinets? This kitchen deserves more than beige doors.” A dark dusty-green finish for the lower cabinets would go great with a light wood island after I strip the paint off. Brass lights above.
“You’re free to do whatever you please.” She winks. “Blank check and all.”
“That’s not very specific.”
“Look. They don’t want a cookie-cutter type of house. Something out of a magazine.”
“They must have some idea of what they want. If I meet them, we can talk some options over.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not possible. They’re extremely busy between the move and their overseas business. The best I can do is a video call.” She walks us through the master bedroom with a walk-in closet larger than my living room on the right side and a light blue and marble bathroom on the opposite side. Natural light floods the wide bathtub and bounces off the floor.
“They loved your portfolio and since you’ve been in the area for so long, they trust you to make it fit the Silver Lake Falls story.” She rounds a corner to a camouflaged doubleshower. “Think of it like this. What would make this the perfect home for you, if you could live here?”
I laugh at the absurdity. “A girl can dream, right? At least tell me if they’re young or retirees. Do they have a large family? Pets?” I scramble for any hint.
“They’re young. They want a place to raise their family,” she says, opening the door to what could be the linen closet.
My mind is spinning. OK. Family-friendly. Got it. I can work with that.
“Oh, and they want to move in by the end of October.”
“I have a month to do this?” Panic floods my veins and my ideas scatter in the wind.
“As I said.” She turns on her heels and looks me over, concerned by my shrill tone. “You have endless resources at your disposal. I’ll help you with logistics.” Valerie smiles. “We can do this.”
This is my chance. I just have to imagine having a family and kids without curling into a ball and crying my eyes out. Sounds easy enough.
Chapter Forty-One
