“That woman does not like you.”
“That was never in doubt.” I watch my mom walk through the front door and close it behind her. “The question is, does she need money more than she hates me?”
“No, actually.” He pauses to let the curses that come out of my mouth run their course. “I’ve been in this business a long time and I’m confident this is the first time I’ve ever told the owner of a rundown house in a small town that a client is offering them significantly more than the property’s worth, and been told my client can shove his filthy money up his ass.”
The word filthy crawls under my skin, triggering an old, deep-seated rage. “That sounds like Gin.”
“That was one of the kinder things she said, actually. I know you wanted this house for whatever reason, but I can have an agent scout some comp properties for you.”
“No.” I don’t want similar houses. I want that one. “Keep the file on top of the stack and I’ll be in touch when she’s a little more open to what you have to say.”
“I don’t see that happening.” There’s a pause and then an awkward chuckle. “No duct tape, zip ties or baseball bats, Hayden.”
“Not my style. Talk soon,” I say, and then I hang up.
It’s time for Plan B.
I glance at my watch and judge I have another minute or two before my mother sends the kids out after me. It’s not usually a threat she follows through on because she knows work is important to me, but Colleen’s in a mood. Plus, I haven’t seen my niece and nephew since Christmas, other than video calls, so they’ll be eager to see me.
I pull up the contact info for Cara’s grooming business, which I saved in my phone before leaving Boston. Rather than taking a second to think about what I’m about to do—giving any uncharacteristic second guessing of myself a chance to creep in—I hit the button to make the call.
She answers on the third ring. “Pampered Paws Grooming, Cara speaking. How can I help you?”
I thought I was ready to hear Cara’s voice again after all this time, but I wasn’t prepared for how the years have aged it like fine wine. Her voice is deeper now—and slightly husky—and my body tightens in response.
Once upon a time, I was head over heels for Cara. But that was a long time ago, and now she’s a means to an end. I need to remember that.
“Good afternoon,” I say, as casually as I can manage. “Do you have availability for a canine nail trim? I’m not sure how, but my dog has a ragged edge on one nail and I don’t want her chewing at it or catching it in her hair.”
“Of course. I can squeeze her in tomorrow at ten. Have you been here before?”
“No. I’m in town for a short time, visiting family.”
There’s a long pause and just when I think she’s placed my voice, she clears her throat. “Okay, let me just take down some information, then. Your dog’s name?”
“Penelope Louise.” The dog looks up at me, her head cocked as if trying to figure out why I’m talking about her.
“That’s a big name.”
“She has a big personality.”
“On a scale of one to five, how well is she trained?”
“It’s hard to say. You don’t really train a Shih Tzu. They either like you enough to want to make you happy—if they’re in the mood, of course—or they don’t.”
Her laugh is soft, and I close my eyes for a second to savor it. “So a one, then. But I can’t wait to meet her. And your name?”
It’s the moment of truth. “Hayden Reilly.”
Nothing but silence. I’d think she hung up on me, but I can hear her breathing. Based on the slight force behind each exhale, I assume she’s trying to control her temper. The odds are against me—there’s a good chance she’s going to refuse to let me through her shop door—but I’m banking on a pet groomer in a town this small being very reluctant to turn away business.
“I have you down for tomorrow morning at ten o’clock,” she says. There’s definitely no warmth in her voice now. “Are you actually going to show up?”
Ouch. I probably deserve that. “I’ll be there.”
“I’m charging you double,” she says curtly.
“That’s reasonable for a short notice appointment, I guess.”
