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Dani smiled at the older woman’s hospitality and felt a little foolish. “No, thanks. I’d just like to see Caleb for a couple of minutes. Is he in?”
“You lucked out,” Jenna said with a grin. Dani doubted it. “Caleb’s in the study with Mr. McEnroe.”
Dani’s stomach tightened, but she managed to hide her case of nerves. “Good. I may as well kill two birds with one stone.”
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“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing,” Dani said with a smile. “I’d just like to talk to Mr. McEnroe as well.”
“Wonderful!” Jenna walked to the double doors off the foyer and knocked softly before entering and telling the men that Dani had arrived.
“Always ready to have a neighborly chat,” Caleb said loudly. Dani inwardly cringed. “Send her in.”
As Jenna opened the door, Dani walked through. She looked around the room and saw Chase standing near the window, a drink in his hand, his shoulder leaned against the frame. “Afternoon,” he drawled.
“Chase,” she said. Her heart leaped at the sight of him, but her face was set with determination. Gritting her teeth but managing a slight nod in his direction, she finally turned her attention to Caleb.
The older man was seated behind the desk, his glasses perched on the end of his nose, his eyes assessing her every move. He’d half-stood when she’d entered the room but now was sitting again.
“Well, Mrs. Summers,” he said, leaning back in his chair and observing her over the rim of his glasses. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No thanks.”
Caleb grinned. “I see. Business as usual. That’s what I admire about you, Dani, the way you always come straight to the point. Now, to what do we owe the honor?”
Dani stood directly before Caleb’s desk. She couldn’t see Chase, but she could feel his eyes boring into her back. Without flinching, she held the older man’s gaze. “I just came to tell you that I don’t want any of your hands on my land. And that includes Mr. McEnroe.”
“Has there been a problem?” Caleb asked, feigning concern.
“On more than one occasion.”
Caleb turned to Chase. “Nothing I heard about.”
“You can cut the bull; Caleb. You know I was on Dani’s land,” Chase said before finishing his drink and setting it on the windowsill.
“I hadn’t heard that she objected.”
“Sure you did,” Chase said calmly.
Dani took an uncertain step toward the desk, glanced at Chase, who seemed to be watching her with amusement, and poked a finger onto the polished wood. “Then let me make myself perfectly clear. I don’t want any of your associates near my land. As I told Mr. McEnroe, I’m willing to call the police, the FBI or the President—anyone I can to keep you off my place!” She was shaking with rage, but her eyes remained calm and fixed on Caleb Johnson.
Caleb spread his hands over the desk and lifted his shoulders. “Don’t you think you’re being a little melodramatic, Dani? After all, we are neighbors. Just calm down and I’ll pour you a drink or a cup of tea. Jenna’s baked a fresh apple pie and if I do say so myself, it’s the best in the county.”
“No thanks.” She turned on her heel, caught Chase’s eye and strode toward the door.
“Dani—” Caleb’s voice accosted her.
She turned slowly to face him.
“Let’s not act like enemies, all right? You never know when you might need my help.”
“Is that a threat?” she asked.
“Of course not. Just some neighborly advice. And, as for your land, it might be simpler for all of us if you just sold out to me.”
Chase straightened. “For how much, Caleb?” he asked cynically, eyeing the older man.
