A large rattan armchair with pale gold cushions sat next to a big dresser painted in marine blue. Antique maps, framed in dark wood and rattan, decorated the walls. The bed linens were white trimmed in more marine blue. Two squat, round ottomans sat at the end of the bed, both woven from thick rope. The chandelier over the bed was also made of rope and looked like it could have been taken from a pirate ship.
She smiled.
The vibe was definitely masculine, but she liked it. The room felt powerful. As much as a room could feel that way. It reminded her of Arlington, too. “What do you think, Archie? We good to sleep here tonight?”
He licked his chops and sat beside her.
“I know. You need your bed. And Mr. Brown. I’ll bring them in as soon as we see the rest of the place, okay?”
She opened the other doors in the bedroom. Two of them led to walk-in closets, both of which still held some clothing. The last door led to a sumptuous bath with a big tub, a walk-in shower, and two sinks, all in blue glass tile with tan and gold accents and touches of dark wood. Gorgeous.
From the master there was access to the deck she’d first walked out onto, as well as a small balcony area that overlooked the front of the house. Another door led off that front balcony. It definitely didn’t go into the bedroom or the bathroom, but the glass on the door was covered with a sheer curtain and she couldn’t see in.
She went back into the house and toward the stairs to figure out where that door went. There was only one other door she hadn’t opened. Behind it was the laundry room, which also connected to the balcony. “You know, Archie, this might be a good spot for you. Just while I go out to get groceries. What do you think? Will you be okay in here with your bed and Mr. Brown?”
Mr. Brown was his teddy bear. The two had been inseparable since Archie had been a puppy. Mr. Brown had seen better days, but love was blind. She was a little surprised he hadn’t carried the bear into the house with him, but maybe Archie had wanted to protect Mr. Brown from the unknown.
“Let’s go see the third floor, then we’ll get your stuff.”
They went up the steps together. Her phone rang again. Another number she didn’t recognize. Another call she didn’t answer.
The third floor had a pretty simple layout. A decent-sized family room with three guest bedrooms, one with its own bathroom, the other two shared a bath. There was an open deck off the family room with more spectacular views of the water.
The guest house could be inspected later. Wasn’t like she needed the room. All she really needed was two weeks’ worth of groceries and to be left alone by the paparazzi desperate to find out who she was and why things had ended with Ford.
They had to get bored sooner or later.
She went down to the car and got the rest of her stuff, focusing on Archie’s bed, Mr. Brown, and then her own things, which was only two large tote bags. She carried it all back inside, this time taking the elevator up to the second floor. Lazy but effective.
As she stepped off the elevator, she sang out, “I have Mr. Brown!”
Archie wagged his tail and panted excitedly.
She handed the ratty brown bear to him. He took the toy in his mouth and danced his front paws back and forth, making her smile. “Better?”
He did his best to bark with a mouthful of bear. The silly woof that came out made her laugh. “Good boy. Let’s get your bed down.”
Still wheeling her big suitcase, she carried the plaid and fake shearling oval into the laundry room but instantly had second thoughts. Archie was not a dog who destroyed things. She didn’t love the idea of putting him in here.
She took his bed into the bedroom and plopped it on the floor in front of the stationary glass door. “How’s that?”
He immediately carried Mr. Brown into the bed, circled three times and lay down.
“You’re such a good boy.” She set her suitcase by one of the walk-in closets. Unpacking was a job that could wait until later.
There was no point in making a list for the store, either. She needed everything. Just to be sure of that, she went back to the kitchen and opened the cabinets and drawers. Fully equipped with dishware, glasses, cutlery, and cooking equipment.
She found a pantry cabinet with some food in it, but all of that would have to be thrown away. Same for anything left in the fridge, which she checked next. Nothing in there but three bottles of good champagne.
That made her smile. Those she wouldnotbe throwing out.
Behind her, set under the counter was a wine fridge that was nearly full. Was that Arlington or Lisa’s doing, she wondered. Probably Lisa. She’d never seen the woman without a glass of wine in hand and Arlington was more of a whisky guy.
Harper got Archie set up with food and water in the kitchen and opened a few windows to let some fresh air in. The place wasn’t musty or anything like that, but there was a staleness to the air from being shut up for so long.
With that done, she donned a hat and sunglasses, found her purse on the coffee table where she’d tossed it, and went to check on Archie. He was sleeping, his head resting on Mr. Brown’s belly. She crouched down by his bed and stroked his soft fur. “I won’t be gone long, baby dog. You be a good boy, okay? There’s food and water in the kitchen.”
He briefly opened his eyes to look at her, let out a sigh, then went back to sleep.
