Friday, October 13
Carole looked up from her desk and stared at the man in the doorway.
“Well, hello there.” He flashed a toothpaste-commercial smile and closed the door. “I’m Winston—I. Winston Ford. Friends call me Win. Because I always do. Win, I mean.” He crossed the room, extended his hand over the desk. “And you are …?”
“I’m Carole Barco.” Carole shook his hand. It was smooth, soft, perfectly manicured. Not like Luke’s work-worn hands. “Is there something I can do for you?” She fingered the diamond ring on her left hand.
“I’m sure there is.” He removed his sunglasses, smiled again and looked at her through gray eyes. “Actually, I’m here to buy some property. A lady I met at Gifts Ahoy suggested I come see you.” He handed her a box. “She said to give you this fudge, said it would sweeten you up.”
“How nice.” Carole laughed, opened the box. Taking the plastic knife that came with the fudge, she cut off several pieces. “Help yourself, Mr. Ford. Their fudge is delicious.”
“Thanks.” Win reached in the box, popped a piece in his mouth.
“I’m sure we can find something to suit you, Mr. Ford. Please have a seat.” She gestured to the chair on the other side of her desk.
“Call me Win. I intend to call you Carole. Only when a meeting’s all business do I call a foxy lady by her last name.” He sat, crossed his legs, looked into her eyes. “And I hope this meeting won’t be all business.”
Carole ignored his comment. “What type of property do you want, Mr., uh, Winston?”
“Win, remember?”
“Oh, sorry, uh, Win.” She blushed, tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind her right ear.
“I’m interested in something on the water, preferably four or five bedrooms with private baths, a great room with high ceilings. I own a big powerboat, so a large boathouse or covered dock is imperative. Can you find that for me?”
“I’m sure I can, but it’ll be expensive. Smith Mountain Lake is one of the fastest growing areas in Virginia. Waterfront property here is pricey.”
“The price isn’t a problem, Carole. I’m picky. I can afford to be.” He stared at her. “If I want something badly enough, I don’t stop until I get it.”
Carole felt her cheeks turning pink. “Okay, then.” She put her palms together, touched her chin with her fingertips. “Sweetwater Cove has single-family homes and condos, all with great floor plans. New ones are being built all the time. Do you have a preference for new houses or older homes?”
“Probably older ones that people are still living in. That way I can see how their boats fit the docks, get a better idea of how my boat will work. But I’m open to new homes, too.”
Carol opened her planner, clicked keys on the computer. Options to select virtual tours appeared on the screen. “You can view some homes on my computer right now. Then this afternoon we’ll look at the ones you’re interested in seeing.”
“I’m not a virtual tour kind of guy. I need to see actual houses. And what’s wrong with seeing them right now? No point in putting it off.”
Carole looked at the wall clock and frowned. “I’m meeting someone in forty-five minutes.”
Win reached for the phone on Carole’s desk and held it out to her. “Call him and cancel. It is a man, right?” She nodded and took the phone.
“He’s not there,” Carole said after the sixth ring. “I’ll try his cell.” When Luke still didn’t answer, she hung up. She glanced at the clock again, then opened a yellow legal pad and started writing.
“What are you doing now?” Win stood, jingled the keys and coins in his pocket, sat back down. “I’m ready to go.”
“I’m leaving Luke a note in case he comes while I’m gone. I’ll be ready in a minute.”
“Does this man, this Luke, have a key?” Carole nodded. “He must rate pretty highly, then.”
“He does. We’re engaged.”
“Pity.” Win picked up Luke’s picture on the desk, studied it, set it back down.
“I’m almost ready. Just let me get a few things from the file room and I’ll be right with you.”
After a visit to the bathroom, Carole retrieved her purse and keys from a file cabinet. She hesitated before shutting the drawer. Should she slip her .22 in her purse? After all, she reasoned, I know nothing about this man. He’s too cocky, too sure of himself. There’s something about him that bothers me. He could even be an axe murderer or something.
“Carole, are you coming?” Win said from close behind her.
Startled, she jumped and slammed the drawer shut. Her opportunity to carry a gun had passed.
Win stared at Carol, shook his head. “Hmm-um,” he said.
“What’s wrong?” She twisted around as best she could and looked behind her. “Please don’t tell me toilet paper is hanging out of my slacks.”
He laughed. “No, there’s no toilet paper. And there’s not a damn thing wrong with you. From where I stand, everything looks absolutely perfect.” He licked his lips. Carole blushed and picked up her jacket.
“You blush a lot, don’t you, Carole?”
Her cheeks turned even redder. “Yes. I don’t like it, but I can’t help it.”
“I think it’s charming.” Win took the jacket from her. When she slipped her arms into the sleeves, his hand brushed hers. She trembled.
“That shade of brown looks good on you, goes well with your brown tweed slacks. You have excellent taste.”
“Thanks.” She doubted Luke would have ever noticed that her outfit matched perfectly.
“Let’s go. Time’s flying, and I want to find the perfect waterfront house. You can try your fiancé from the car if it makes you feel better.” Win held out his hand. She pretended not to see it and walked past him.
“Good idea.” She opened the door and nearly bumped into Luke.
“Hey,” she said. “I just tried to call you.”
Luke kissed her gently on the lips. “Forgot my cell again.” He smiled sheepishly, looked from Carole to Win. “Going somewhere?”
“I’m afraid so. Luke, this is Winston Ford.” Luke and Win shook hands. “Mr. Ford, uh, Win, this is Luke Stancill. Luke, Win wants to look at waterfront property. Thought I’d show him around Sweetwater Cove. I can’t go to brunch with you. That’s why I was trying to reach you. I’m sorry.” She saw the disappointment in his eyes. “Want to come for dinner tonight, instead? Around 8:00? I’ll cook something special.”
“I’d like that. See you then.”
“We better go,” Win said. Carole nodded and headed toward her car. Win grabbed her arm. “We’ll take mine.” He put his hand on Carole’s back, steered her toward his black Porsche.
Win called out the window to Luke as the Porsche pulled onto the highway, “I’ll take real good care of her.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Luke mumbled as he memorized the Porsche’s license number.