Hank stilled in the doorway of the suite. The plushness of the room could rival the best hotels in New York, but he paid little attention to the interior or his black suitcase, which the hotel staff had brought up earlier. Adrenaline moved through his veins, causing his heartbeat to thrum a wild rhythm. After all this time, the house would be his. The house where he’d spent some of the happiest days of his childhood. The house he associated with his grandparentsand comfort and love. “Give them whatever they’re asking.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, and have my financial officer call me.”
Hank ended the call, kicked off his sandals, and settled himself on the bed. He should set an alarm, but he would only close his eyes for a second...
Hank blinkedand peered around the dark room. Something had awakened him. A buzzing vibrated against his leg—his cell phone. He fiddled with the down comforter until he found it.
“Hello.” He cleared his voice in a futile effort to dispel the sleepiness.
“Hank, sorry if I woke you. It’s Dave Atkins from Sunrise Financial. Your assistant asked me to give you a call. She said you’re interested in purchasing a house in Cleveland?”
“That’s right.” Hank propped himself against the pillows, put the phone on speaker, and rubbed his groggy head. “Though that’s not why I asked you to call me. Listen, I took your advice and purchased the deed on the Parker building.”
“That’s an excellent move, Hank. Are we to go forward with the plans for the fitness center, then?”
Hank stretched his legs out in front of him. “Not yet. I’d like to continue to rent for the moment.”
“I wouldn’t advise that. According to the inspector, the building is in need of some immediate repairs. There are safety issues. It will take a considerable investment in thebuilding to continue renting. Otherwise, you run the risk of lawsuits.”
Hank swung his legs over the side of the bed. “What kind of repairs?”
“Some items are simple. Lights that need to be replaced, cracks in the walls that need to be patched—that sort of thing. Others, such as water leaks and a parking lot with potholes are more extensive.”
Hank stood and flexed his arms. “I have a wild idea. I’m rather handy. Why don’t I take first stab at the repairs?”
“You, Hank?” His advisor sounded surprised. And who could blame him? Hank was a celebrity, not a handyman. “Don’t you have more important things to do?”
“Not for at least a month.” Hank crossed to the window and pulled the drapes open to view the city below. His city, now that he owned a piece of it. “My show’s been canceled. I don’t have another job lined up. This would be a productive use of my time.”
“But you can probably make more money doing appearances—commercials, speaking events, that sort of thing.”
“Maybe, but I don’t have anything lined up right now. I’ll spend some time in Cleveland.”
“Well...if you say so.” His advisor didn’t sound at all sure. In fact, he sounded a lot like Hank had just told him he wanted to join a monastery in Tibet.
“Do me a favor. Email me a list of the repairs the inspector identified, and I’ll take a look.”
“Very good. I’m on it.”
Hank ended the call. That’s when he noticed the time. His stomach sank like he’d swallowed one of the hand-weights he’d lifted almost every day of his life. It was eight-thirty. He was late for his dinner date with Bethany. Hesearched the Internet for Grandma Lou’s number, tapped it into his phone, listened to Travis’s recorded voice telling him they were busy in the kitchen, and left a hurried message. Since he had no idea where she lived, he would have Louis, his driver, drop him off at the restaurant.
He just hoped she’d get his message and wait for him.
CHAPTER TEN
Bethany eyed the hands of the kitchen clock.Eight-thirty. No Hank.He hadn’t returned like he’d promised. The energy drained from her body, and with it, her normal optimism.
She pressed a hand against the dull ache in her lower back and tossed the kitchen sponge into the sink. They’d had so many sit-down customers due to his unexpected visit and all the media attention and fans who’d shown up that she’d been on her feet all day.
Bethany put a stack of dishes away in the cupboard, eyeing the familiar blue pattern that had once belonged to her grandmother and mother.
On an ordinary day, the legacy would have filled her with satisfaction, but not today. The evening ahead stretched dull and endless like a laundry line of old clothes. She shook her head as if the movement might shake some sense into her. Had dinner with Hank meant so much?
Bethany selected another dish to put away as the old dishwasher churned next to her. It didn’t get the dishes as clean as she liked, but it worked. They’d used every plate,bowl, and glass available, including the prized china, so she’d hand-washed, then dried the more delicate pieces.
She untied her apron, her movements sharp and efficient. She should have expected he would change his mind. Should have learned from experience. He was a celebrity after all. Weren’t they all fickle and unreliable?
