AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well enough. Walked around the city. I’m looking into different living situations. I like what you’ve done but I’m not ambitious enough to make it happen. Really, it seems like a lot of work.”
“It is. The pool guy is finally coming out tomorrow. And a contractor. Delivery people. And I have to face Antonio and discuss the food situation.”
“And your friend, that you met on your way here, is he visiting?” Peter stared at me, his eyes narrowed.
My cheeks warmed up and I glanced away from him. “He is, for about a week before he travels down to Mexico for a film.”
“Ah. Well, don’t forget about me.”
I stood up and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. His head turned at the last moment and our lips met instead. It was a brief but startling contact. He took my hand, keeping me close a moment longer.
“Goodnight, Sally.”
“Night,” I said, a little dreamily. As I trudged up to my room, the thought began to form in my mind that someone like Peter seemed remarkably understanding about my weaknesses.
There was something so aloof and withdrawn about him though. Josh flashed into my mind, growling at me that I’d never forget him with those sharp horns on his head. I shivered. Well, Mr. MacCullen, mission accomplished. Twisty cold men didn’t seem worth the trouble.
Before turning off my light, I opened up my phone and found the photo I had of Hank and me together in Amarillo. His smile was so excited and happy as he leaned into me. I touched his face on the screen. “Miss you.”
When I’d woken up married (in Las Vegas) to Joshua MacCullen, the worst thing had been the possibility of losing Hank forever. Here I was, three years later, grieving over him again. I wasn’t going to end up with Hank. He was a man loyal down to his marrow, who had risked his life for me, and I’d screwed around on him after one week apart.
In the morning, I decided to check out. Peter was an unsettling temptation, and I didn’t want my life to become any more complicated.
As I stood in the lobby glancing down into my bag, Peter walked up to me.
“Good morning,” he said, a warm smile on his face—for a change. Maybe the guy was a morning person.
“Morning, Peter. I’m glad I ran into you.” And I was, I just hadn’t realized it until that moment. “I’m checking out today so I can go rough it at the house and get more done over there. I’ll definitely look you up at the university.”
“Oh—my evenings are ruined. I think we’ll see each other again soon though. Here’s my card.” He held it out to me.
“Thanks. Good luck finding housing. Although, you seem pretty cozy here.”
“It has its charms. I do know where you live. If you don’t call me, I might drop by and see if anyone will take pity on me and let me join the barbecue.”
I smiled. “We would. I think Antonio has been shopping online for grills since I met him. He’s demanding one in the Brazilian style, which means a rotisserie. I’m trying to stay stern but the food sounds amazing.”
He sighed, staring into my eyes. “Life with you sounds as good as Antonio’s barbecue.”
“Bye, Peter,” I said, hitching my purse up on my shoulder.
“Take care, Sally. I’ll see you soon.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
By Wednesday afternoon, I had freshly washed new sheets and blankets on my mattress and box spring on the floor of my big bedroom. Antonio had things happening in the kitchen and the pool was getting a thorough cleaning.
Michelle the decorator called me with the news that, miracle of miracles, furniture could start arriving Friday if I liked her choices. I really did.
People were coming and going constantly: the cable and internet person, a landscaper I found that had time to pressure wash the outdoor surfaces especially around the pool, my renters and their friends moved in boxes and furniture, packages were delivered, and more.
“What do you think about a dog?” Layla asked me Wednesday afternoon. “My uncle has some really cute puppies…”
“Oh,” I said, a cardboard box in my hands. “Layla, I hate saying no to you, I really do. But, girl, baby dogs and I don’t fit. Every time they cry, my sad little heart breaks.”
I love animals but don’t trust most people to care forthem properly. I can put up with a lot of background noise but a barking puppy would hit my limit.
She stuck her lips out in an exaggerated sad face. “Yeah, okay.”
