She schooled her features into a look of dismay—which wasn’t hard. “I suppose I can see his point. But I can’t imagine you not living in this house. It’s always been your home.”
“I know. I can’t imagine leaving here, either.” She sighed and leaned more heavily on her cane. “Age is creeping up on me, though. The calendar doesn’t lie. One of these days I may require a caretaker.”
“Well, if you ever decide you’d like someone to be close at hand, I’d be happy to step in. I’m here two days a week as it is. That might put your cousin’s mind at ease. Yours too. I’d hate for you to have to leave this beautiful house unless no other option was available.”
Natalie studied her for a minute, with the assessing gaze that was as sharp as it had always been. “I appreciate that, Lydia. You’re a hard worker, and you’ve been very reliable in the years you’ve been with me. Your idea may be a sensible solution. You don’t have any family who would object to you leaving your own place behind to live here?”
Ha.
Randy wouldn’t give a rat’s patootie where she lived once Ashley moved in.
But cutting ties with him completely wouldn’t be smart. It was possible he’d be useful if she needed help with certain parts of her plan. Assuming she dangled an incentive in front of him.
“No, ma’am. I’m living with my brother, but I plan to move soon.” Like ASAP.
That’s why she had to plant a seed with the professor too, to expedite the process.
“Let me give your idea some thought.”
“Of course. If you’re finished in the study for now, I’ll go ahead and clean in there.”
“Yes, we’re done. Cara’s gone back to the cottage, and I’m going to brave the noise and mess in the kitchen to have a quick lunch before my nap.”
“Good luck with the nap.” She cringed as a hammer banged.
“I may resort to ear plugs, like I did yesterday. I’ll see you on Friday, Lydia.”
“I’ll be here. Like always. You can count on me.”
She moved aside as Natalie left the room and limped downthe hall toward the kitchen, then trundled the vacuum cleaner into the study and closed the door. Exhaled.
While Natalie hadn’t jumped at the idea of a permanent housemate, she hadn’t nixed it outright, either. On the contrary. She’d appeared to be receptive.
The groundwork for the relocation had been laid.
Now on to a bit of recon here in the study.
Wiping her palms down her slacks, she crossed to the desk. After casting a glance back toward the door, she quietly opened the drawer. Pulled out the treasure. Snapped several fast photos with her phone as proof the merchandise existed. Then she returned it to its spot, stowed her cell, and went back to the vacuum cleaner.
Important as it was to have photos, they might not be needed that soon. If Natalie agreed to her plan to move in here, there wasn’t as much urgency to deal with the merchandise. In fact, it would be smart to wait until the professor was gone and the project she and Natalie were working on was finished. There was too much activity in those desk drawers at the moment.
She flipped on the vacuum and began running it in rhythmic sweeps over the large area rug, leaving a meticulous pattern behind in the nap.
If she could expedite the professor’s departure, that would speed up both aspects of her plan.
So as soon as she finished cleaning in here, she’d plant seed number two.
CARA TIED HER SPORT SHOE,rose, and picked up her sunglasses.
Time for her post-lunch walk.
And with Micah still hammering in the kitchen, there was no chance she’d come upon him suddenly in the woods and startle both of them.
She took a swig from her bottle of water and—
At a sudden knock, she jerked. Coughed. Spun toward the door.
A muffled voice spoke, but she couldn’t decipher the words.
