Especially now as he stood inside what looked to be a nicely renovated double-wide trailer. Based on the layout, he was pretty sure it had once been someone’s house. Some of the walls had been removed, replaced by structural support posts that surprisingly didn’t look awkward. What was probably once the living room was now a reception area, complete with a desk but no receptionist.
On the other side, the space that likely had been reserved for the kitchen and dining area was now some sort of design spot. There were three small round tables, each with three chairs. On the tables, catalogs were set out. Probably a way to pass the time while waiting. The same went with the flat-screen television mounted on the wall. It was currently playing the mid-day news and the news cycle was all about the winter storm that was coming. He’d gotten his fill of warnings for the day, so he continued to scope the place. At one end of the house, some sort of refreshment station was set up. Two counters were separated down the middle by a small hallway that led to a bathroom, complete with a sign on the door.
Stone waited several minutes, expecting someone to appear, but no one did. He figured someone was here because there was one of the Dodge Rams with the company logo and one of those sporty new Ford Broncos parked in the small lot reserved for customers. Since he’d seen the same Bronco in the parking lot of the nursery, he figured it belonged to Stevie.
Was she here? Or had she gone out on a job? Was she with Nico? Did they have a receptionist or something?
Of course, whoever worked here could very well be out in the metal building adjacent to the house. There were several trucks with the same logo parked in front of it.
Figuring he would walk over to the building to see if he could find someone, Stone started for the door.
That was when he heard voices coming from the other end of the house. It looked like there were two rooms, one at the far end and one on the right, and a short hallway creating a path along the exterior wall.
He walked that way, hoping he could interrupt and pass over the check and be on his merry way. The last thing he wanted to do was run into Nico or Stevie and leave them with the impression he was stalking them. His run-in with Stevie had been awkward enough. More so because she clearlyexpectedhim to be stalking her.
Both rooms’ doors were closed, but he could hear muffled voices behind one. He raised his hand to knock but paused when he heard his name.
That was definitely Nico and Stevie.
“Yeah? Where’d you see him?”
“At the nursery.”
“And?”
“And nothin’. Did you know he used to have a thing with Byron Cartwright?”
“I didn’t.” There was a hint of amusement in Nico’s voice.
“That doesn’t bother you?”
“Should it?”
“I don’t know.” Stevie groaned. “I really wish…”
Stone held his breath, waiting for her to finish that sentence.What? You really wish what, Stevie?
Nico changed the subject. “Did y’all get a chance to talk?”
“No.”
“You reconsidering havin’ dinner with him?”
“No,” she said adamantly.
Nico laughed.
Howwas that funny?
“You said no but nodded. So which is it?”
“I absolutelyhatethat he’s so damn…” She growled.
“So damn what?” Nico asked. “Handsome? Sexy? Infuriating?”
Stone grinned. Good to know he could be both sexyandinfuriating.
“Yes,” she said. “All of the above.”
