By noon the next day, Angelique had congratulated herself several times over for hiring Sarah as her replacement. She used all the software proficiently and knew nearly as much about the computers as their IT team. She’d shown up early, with Liam in tow, looking professional, but chic, and had proceeded to make friends with everyone in the office. Angelique had told her about Dr. Maze’s weakness for sweets, so Sarah arrived with a batch of homemade macadamia and white chocolate cookies, an instant crowd pleaser.
Angelique passed Sarah’s purse to her while walking out of the office for lunch. “They’re not going to miss me at all around here, honey. You’ve even got Dr. Maze eating out of your hand like a pet monkey.”
Sarah blushed. “It’s just the cookies and your advice.”
Angelique stopped midstride to face Sarah, placing her hands on her shoulders. “Stop that, do you hear me? You have done absolutely everything right today, and this place is damn fortunate to have you.”
“Did someone have a good morning?” Liam asked from just behind Angelique.
Sarah, who’d caught his gaze as he approached, smiled shyly, but managed a nod. “Someone did.”
Angelique spun around to face him. “I forgot you were here.”
“Nice. Just what every guy wants to hear.”
“Oh, grow up,” she barked. “We were busy.”
He nodded, wondering how long she would keep up the cold shoulder routine she’d given him for two weeks. At least he knew Mike wasn’t any better off. They’d spent the last two Friday and Saturday nights drinking beer and having the southern man’s version of a pity party. He turned to Sarah. “How’s the new job going?”
“Good, if my new boss is to be believed,” she answered. “My Excel skills are a little rusty, but I’ll get it back.”
Angelique snorted. “Don’t listen to her, she’s an expert user in any software we have. She can already run that place with her eyes closed. Where are we going for lunch?”
“My treat, ladies,” Liam added.
“I don’t know about you two, but I’m hungry for a big juicy hamburger. Any good places around here?” Sarah asked.
Angelique nodded as she pulled her keys from her purse. “There’s a real nice mom and pop restaurant just down the street that makes great burgers and sandwiches. I’ll drive.”
“I call shot gun,” Liam called out.
Angelique shot him a look that would freeze molten lava. “The hell you do. You’re riding in the back.”
The door jangled again and Nash glanced up at the thirty-something year old man entering the diner. Though the man looked nothing like Sarah’s ex, he couldn’t rule out the possibility of Troy sending someone in his place to harm or abduct Sarah. In all likelihood, the asshole probably hung out with people who’d do it for very little incentive.
“Does that guy look familiar, Sarah?”
“Nope, never saw him before,” she said, wiping her mouth with her napkin before dropping it on the table. “That was the best burger I’ve ever eaten. I’ll definitely be coming back to this place.” She scooted her chair back and pointed to a hallway. “Restrooms?”
Angelique nodded. “I’ll go too.”
Liam placed his hand on her forearm. “Could I have a word with you?”
Angel signaled Sarah to go ahead before she sat back down. As soon as she was out of ear shot she turned to Liam. “Have you ever noticed that she will not drink anything unless it’s bottled or canned and she’s broken the seal herself?”
“I have,” he said, nodding. “Mike said one of the nurses in the hospital said she was obsessive about it. She’s even that way at the ranch where she knows she’s safe. That’s a good damn indication of one thing.”
“Date rape?” Angelique said, getting a sick feeling in her stomach at his nod. “Men can be such pigs.”
“Not all of us, Angel, although some of us can be pretty damn stupid at times. Are you ever going to forgive me?”
“I forgive you,” she said sternly.
“That had all the feeling of a root canal.”
Her eyebrow crooked ominously. “I could take it back.”
“You’re still pissed at me,” he commented.
She gave a long, drawn out sigh. “I’m not pissed, I’m disappointed. I shouldn’t have to justify myself to you or Mike. We’re all friends.”
“Not just friends, Angel.” At her stony silence, Liam leaned forward. “You know, any normal woman would be jumping up and down to have two guys chasing after her. But not you,” he snorted.
“Chasing after me?” she hissed. “Kids in grade school chase each other. Adults strive for something more meaningful, and that involves trust.” She turned her head to watch a young mother pick up her crying newborn. “It sure as hell doesn’t include questioning my motive to move back to Lafayette.”
“I’m sorry, dammit!” he said, loud enough to cause more than a few heads to turn in their direction.
“Wonderful,” she groaned, turning a bright shade of crimson. “I just love being part of the main attraction.”
Liam sat back and clenched his jaw. When the waitress chose that moment to bring the check to the table, he grabbed it from her. He stood up, pulled out his wallet, and threw a five on the table for the tip. “I’ll go pay the check,” he said, stalking angrily off toward the cashier.
Angelique grabbed her purse and escaped to the women’s restroom. She opened the door, seeing Sarah resting one hip against the wall.
Sarah grinned crookedly up at her. “Was trying to give you two some privacy.”
Angelique fanned her flushed face in silence as her co-worker sucked in her breath.
“Oh oh, What happened?”
“It’s called a face-off; we’re both stubborn.” She washed her hands, reapplied her lipstick and threw the tube back into her purse. “I think Liam’s under the impression that it’s easy for me to be around him and Mike without wanting more.”
“You want more?” Sarah asked.
“Of course I want more. God, you’ve seen those two. They each deserve a spot on the Hunk of the Month calendar. I know from experience that throwing sex into the mix would only complicate things.” She blew out an exasperated breath. “Things are complicated enough as it is.”
“And now you have to see Liam five days out of the week, all day long, because of me,” Sarah added.
Angelique slipped her purse strap over her shoulder and faced her. “Under normal circumstances, I’d be fine with it, but he’s not happy that I’m moving back to Lafayette.”
“Too close to Detective Harper?”
“Yes, but close to my parents, which is where I need to be.” She checked her watch and sighed. “Come on, it’s time to get back to work.”
Angelique placed the last of her dishes in the cabinet and poured herself a half glass of wine before relaxing on the couch with a book. She’d only read three pages before her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and made a face.
“I’m sorry,” she said immediately into the phone, before she lost her nerve.
“Angel?” the caller asked, sounding surprised.
“Yeah, Mike, it’s me; and I owe you an apology,” she said.
“I’ve been trying to call you for two weeks to apologize for the other day,” Mike insisted.
“I know, and I should have returned your calls. I’m sorry for that, also.”
“Well now I’m confused all to hell.”
“You were right, I was jealous, even though I knew I didn’t have reason to be.” She chewed on her lower lip while waiting for him to reply. “Are you still there?” she asked after a lengthy silence.
“Still here,” he mumbled, “just terrified to put my big foot in my mouth again.”
“I am sorry, Mike. Sarah is a wonderful lady, and her twins are darling. We’re already great friends and I never should have asked if you had feelings for her.”
“I don’t, you know, but can’t I gloat just a little that you were jealous?”
“Go ahead. I guess I have it coming.”
“I’ll save it for the next time I see you. Now, how was your day?”
“It was good. Sarah is going to be a wonderful addition to the Lake Coburn clinic.”
“Great news, but does this mean there won’t be any delay in you moving back to God’s country?”
“Lafayette doesn’t exactly spit out affordable rent homes, Mike. It may take me awhile to find a place.”
“You like the neighborhood I live in, don’t . . . ?”
“I’m not moving in with you,” she cut in.
“I’m not asking you to. There’s a house on the next block that’s up for rent. The owner asked if I could help her find someone reliable. She’s not advertising, because she wants to be selective.”
“Is it livable?” she asked. “I’m not sure I can afford a house in that neighborhood.”
“It’s spacious, and in great shape. Nan is going to Paris for two years and just wants someone in it. She doesn’t want to go through the bother of switching all the utilities off; she wants everything left in her name.”
“No deposits?” Angelique asked.
“That’s right . . . Now you know why she asked me to help her find a reliable renter. She inherited the place and is only asking the loan note for her renovation.”
Angelique made the sign of the cross and asked the important question. “How much?”
“Four hundred and you pay for all the utilities. She said the satellite is optional, because she’s already fulfilled her contract agreement. She can cancel it or leave it on for you if you want to pay the bill; either way is fine.”
“That’s less than half what I was paying in Lake Coburn. When can I see it?”
“As soon as possible, because she said if there’s any furniture you want her to leave in the house, it’ll save her from putting it in storage…especially her antiques…she’d rather have them being used and taken care of. I told her you may be interested, and that I could personally vouch for you.”
“So what’s this woman’s name, and how well do you know her?” she asked, fighting back yet another bout of unexpected jealousy.
“Her name is Nan Miller, and she’s head of our neighborhood watch program. She’s absolutely gorgeous, inside and out,” he added for effect.
“Two years in Paris, huh?” she said, flatly. “How nice.”
“What do you think, dear?” The diminutive woman had to step back to look all the way up at Angelique. A curly cap of snow white hair framed the face that was still relatively wrinkle-free, despite her seventy something years. Blue eyes sparkled with delight as she waited for her to answer.
Angelique walked around the beautifully landscaped backyard, to where Nan stood, surrounded by fragrant blossoms of early blooming tulips and daffodils. “It’s absolutely perfect, and I’ll take it, if you’ll have me.”
Nan smiled broadly, finally displaying a few well-earned laugh lines. “Of course, dear, I know Michael would never suggest anyone who wasn’t completely trustworthy. He’s such a good boy. I don’t want my wonderful place to sit here empty and lonely for two years. Houses die a little each day when they’re alone, did you know that?”
Angelique smiled at her charming, if a little quirky, prospective landlady. “No, ma’am . . . I hadn’t heard that, but it makes perfect sense to me.”
“Of course it does. A house isn’t a home until it’s filled with love. Houses aspire to be homes from the second they’re created, just as humans aspire to be loved from the second they’re born. A home and its human have a symbiotic relationship, you know, each beneficial to the other. It pleases me immensely to know that someone who understands that will be keeping my ‘Sonny’ company for the next two years.”
“Sonny?” Angelique looked around warily, suddenly expecting to see either a pet of some kind, a grave, or even an urn filled with a dead husband’s ashes.
Nan smiled at her. “Sonny is the name I gave my home when I moved in. He wasn’t a happy home until he got a name.” She looked at her with wide set, serious eyes. “You must call him by his name, you know, or he won’t be happy.”
“And…um . . . what happens he’s not happy?” Angelique asked, trying not to laugh.
“Oh, things will go wrong. For instance, the door on the hall closet will stick and you won’t be able to get to your things. Or you won’t be able to get the windows open, or the front door won’t lock or unlock. Lots of little things like that. But—” she said, pointing to Angelique with an arthritic finger, “—If you call him by his name and treat him right, he’ll do the same for you.”
“I’m assuming you mean he’ll treat me right, but not call me by name…correct?” she said, ready to call it quits if she was wrong. Nothing says deal-breaker quite like a talking house.
“Of course, dear . . . Whoever heard of a talking house? What a bunch of malarkey. No, no, what I’m talking about is symbiosis at its finest. Can you do that for him?”
Angelique nodded slowly. “I think so.” She turned and looked back at the house. “This place isn’t haunted or anything, is it?” Because ghosts would definitely fit in there as deal-breakers also.
Nan put her head back and laughed jovially. “Oh dear, you’re not one of those crazies who believe in ghosts, are you?”
Angelique shook her head. “No ma’am! I just thought maybe that’s what you . . . What Sonny . . . Oh . . . No, ma’am,” she stammered. “I certainly do not believe in ghosts, and I will definitely be sure to call . . . Sonny . . . By his name . . . Occasionally.” She sneaked a peek at Mike, who stood behind Nan with his hand planted tightly over his mouth in a gargantuan effort to keep from laughing.
“I’m afraid occasionally won’t cut the mustard when it comes to Sonny, dear. You see, I’ve got him quite spoiled to hearing it several times a day,” Nan pressed.
Tight lipped and feeling the desperate need to curse out loud, Angelique finally spoke. “I’ll do my best, ma’am.”
“But what if your best and mine don’t comp . . . ”
“I’ll do it!” Angelique interjected loudly. “I will! I’ll call him Sonny every day, all day long, if that’s what it takes to keep him happy. I promise!” The last she threw in as a desperate plea.
The old woman gave her a strange look. “Oh, I believe you dear, but saying it won’t help unless you truly mean it.”
Angelique stared at the old woman then let her head fall forward in dejection.
Nan placed a fragile hand on her arm and giggled girlishly. “I’m joking, dear.”
“You are?” Angel asked, wondering what part of it she was joking about.
“How could I expect you to feel as deeply for my old friend as I do when you’ve only just met him? That would be absurd!” She turned and walked to the kitchen door, chuckling the entire way. Once she got inside, she called out. “I’ll set out coffee and fig cake.”
Angelique stared at the door until Nan had disappeared from sight. She wheeled to face Mike. “You might have warned me!” she hissed.
Mike held up his hands in self-defense. “I had no idea, I’ll swear to it on the bible! Our neighborhood watch meetings are never here.”
“Hasn’t she ever mentioned Sonny?”
He shrugged. “Every once in a while she’d say she had to get home to him. I always thought he was a pet of some sort. A few people suggested she had a man waiting for her at home. I guarantee that no one thought she was talking about her house.”
Angelique buried her face in Mike’s broad chest to smother her laughter as he enfolded her in his arms. “Oh, Lord, what am I getting myself into?”
His chest rumbled with deep laughter. “To tell you the truth, Angel, I’m still not convinced she won’t call you from Paris once you’ve settled in to tell you she was only kidding. She’s got a hell of a sense of humor.”
“That’s what I’d call a twisted sense of humor. And seriously…I don’t know what would be worse,” Angelique groaned. “Joke or no joke.”