Granddad's House (On Geneva Shores) (15 page)

“He didn’t expect me to, after making me sit on that little bench—like I was a piece of luggage.” She didn’t care that she sounded like a sulky teenager.

“Well, I told him good-bye for you. Be nice to him. After all, he’s buying my house.” He patted her cheek when she came over to give him a good-bye kiss. “As soon as those permits get taken care of.”

She nodded.  “I’ll call you when I know more about the condo you saw today.”

“You do that.”

She was barely in the front door of her town house when her cell phone buzzed in her pocket. She sat down on the porch. “Yes, Granddad?”

“I was going to ask you this before, but seeing those condos got in the way.”

“What did you want to ask me?”

“Don’t you think it’s about time you settled down and got married, Livvy? Your grandmamma and I were talking about that the other day and she agrees with me about—”

“Granddad, you’re interfering again.” She stood up, and closed her door, then dropped her purse, spilling its contents on the rug. “Damn!”

“Are you swearing at me, Olivia Marie?”

“No. I dropped my purse.”

“Then answer me. Are you still waiting for Fred to pop the question? I certainly hope not. You could do a lot better than him, if you ask me.”

“His name is Ned. And no, I’m not waiting for him.” She huffed in frustration. “And, am I asking you? Have I ever asked you?” She felt out of sorts, resentful her grandfather was putting her on the spot. “Granddad, you’re doing it again—interfering.”

“Well, that may be, but you know how I feel about him. He, well he—”

“What?”

“He’s a … what do you kids call them these days? Anyway, he’ll never amount to anything, Livvy. How long has it been since he’s been working?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care. Besides, I’m not seeing him anymore.” She leaned down and began picking up what she had dropped. Beau’s business card fell out and his picture stared up at her.
Funny. I thought I left this in the office.
Her head started to pound. Was she getting a stress headache?

“Well,
good for you. I’m glad about that.” He started breathing hard into the phone.

“Are you okay, Granddad?”

“I’m fine. I’m just thinking.”

“About the condo?”

“About you.”

She gathered up her purse and headed for the kitchen. “You don’t have to think about me, Granddad.”

“You need to find someone like Beau.” Another long pause. “Mr. James.”

“Granddad, please.” She needed some tea, coffee, anything so her mouth wouldn’t feel so dry.

“Hear me out. He’s smart and he has his own business—just like you. Shows he’s got moxy, and I think he likes you.”

“Granddad, I—”

“I know. I should mind my own business. But I want great grandbabies to play with. Now that your dad’s gone …”

“Granddad, when I’m ready to have a family, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Well, hurry up about it. I’m not getting any younger, you know.”

Before she could reply, he hung up.
Damn! First he wants to sell his house to Beau James and now he wants to sell me …
She shook her head, sat down and considered the possibility. He certainly was a better choice than Ned,
but he’s a client.
And Beau was impossible. And what Granddad had mentioned after they’d climbed out of the car. Her face burned thinking about it, but throughout the day, her thoughts came back to Beau and what in the world she was going to do about him.

“I don’t know what’s going on. He was all over this deal—every day, day after day. But I haven’t heard a word in a week, no, ten days now.” Olivia glanced over at the calendar before resuming her pacing.

Bruce leaned against his door and watched her jerky movements. “He’s probably doing his due diligence. Didn’t you say he’s got to mess with those permits and things? You know how slow that office can be down there at City Hall. Let it lie, Olivia. Besides, I thought you said your grandfather wanted a family in there. Aren’t you still showing the place?”

“Of course. Two more people called earlier this week and I’ve got another appointment this evening.” She brushed her hair off her shoulders, wishing she had captured it in a scrunchy. “What about those people you showed it to? You said they liked it.”

“They did, but they’ve just started looking. Maybe one of the other people will come through and you won’t have to worry about this guy—although Genevieve will be upset. She’s gaga for whatever his name is. Beau West, Beau Gest?”

“Beau James.” After Bruce returned to his office, Olivia shut the door to try to think things through. She was sure Beau would have called on Monday. Here it was Friday and not a word, not even an email or, God forbid, a text message.
Should I call him? Or Granddad?
Or just let it ride, like Bruce said? Beau had never called about dinner, either.
Maybe I should call him, except what do I say—that I can’t stand the waiting?
No! That would give him the upper hand. That would never do.

Desperate for someone to see her side of things, Olivia called Sally. “What would you do?”

“Do you
want
to have dinner with him?” Sally answered her question with a question.

“Hmm. I’ve thought about that.”
It’s got to be better than the Sea Shanty with Ned.
“It might be nice—as long as I forget about the wine and don’t take on more than my stomach can handle.” But what else might that lead to? She shivered, imagining another kiss.
To see if it affects me the same way.
And if it did?
Whoa, Nelly!

“You want to test out another kiss, don’t you?” Sally asked.

“How’d you guess?”

“Maybe it won’t be a stunner like that last one.”

“You’re probably right. That one was probably a shock because it was so unexpected. You don’t suppose he’ll take me to the Sea Shanty, do you—where he was arm-wrestling with Ned?”

“
Lordy! I hope not. I never would have guessed he would go there in the first place. Maybe he was slumming. What do you suppose attracted him to that place?”

“He said he went with Fiona’s brother, who’d heard about it from someone at the hospital. He seems to like seafood, though the grease there would never qualify as food.”

Sally laughed. “If it were me and some guy had me all atwitter, I’d just text him. Why don’t you do that?”

“You know I hate texting—especially with the rules about that and driving. And I’m in the car so much these days.” She sat up in her chair and looked out the window. “Oh,
my gosh. His car just drove into the parking lot. I’d better go.” Ten bloody days.
I wonder what news he has now.

“Call me if he mentions a place to eat,
Liv. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”

But the person who walked in was Fiona on her way to pick up Beau. All she’d said was that they were still waiting and that Beau didn’t want her wondering.
Wondering indeed
. This deal was frustration personified.

She looked up when Bruce knocked and popped in her office.

“Guess what? I’ve got another appointment to show your granddad’s house next week. And it’s a family—dad’s a lawyer, mom’s a teacher, three kids. Wish me luck.”

She grinned. “I will.” Things were looking up.

The next day Olivia looked up from her book as a couple with three children in tow entered the home where she was holding an open house. She welcomed them and smiled as they glanced at her and then peeled off in different directions. She elected to follow the children as they explored the bedrooms at the back of the house. When she returned to the living room, the parents were already out the door, calling to their kids. She looked at the sign-in sheet—empty of their names. She sighed. Another lost opportunity. She went back to her book, chiding herself for not staying with the parents instead of their rowdy boys.

Five minutes before she prepared to close up and return to the office, someone knocked on the door and entered. She rose with a smile, determined to make the most of the prospective buyer. Her smile faded when she saw who it was.

“Ned. What are you doing here?”

He ignored her as he scanned the kitchen. “You don’t offer things to eat or drink at these things?”

“Of course I do. Would you like a cookie?” She held out the plate for him. He took two, and then crumbled them in his fist and tossed the crumbs onto the rug in the family room as he turned his back on her.

“Hey, don’t do that.” Why was he acting like that?

“Why did you say what you did at the Sea Shanty, Olivia? Was it because I got beat? I saw that guy follow you out. I remember now. You were with him at the Salmon House.” He ground his shoe over the crumbs, crushing them into the carpet fabric.

“Ned, please don’t do that.” She brought out the carpet sweeper and began to run it over the carpet near his foot. “I told you. We have different interests.”

“Him and not me, right?” He glared at her. “Since when is your social life so busy you can’t go out with me?”

“He had nothing to do with my decision not to see you. And you don’t own me. I gave you the courtesy of telling you in person, instead of just sending you an email.” Was he trying to intimidate her?

“I saw you at the Iron Bull the other night.”

“Where? Oh.” She glared back at him, thin wisps of his sandy hair falling into his eyes. “It’s a free country, Ned. I can eat there if I want to.”

“You’re supposed to eat with me at the Iron Bull. Who were you with?”

“Sally. We went there to celebrate her birthday.” She finished cleaning up the crumbs as he moved toward the hall.

“The one whose mother had cancer or was it her?”

“Her mother. Sally’s been through so much in the last year.”

“As if I cared.” He continued to glare at her.

Mental note. Do not go back to the Iron Bull.
It was another place Ned hung out. She should have remembered that.

“So, are you seeing that big guy now?” Ned’s voice grated. “The one who beat me at arm wrestling? Women don’t just tell me to get lost like you did.”

“I didn’t tell you to get lost. I said we don’t have anything in common. What you want, I don’t, and vice versa. Like beer, and the Sea Shanty.” She gestured toward the front door after glancing at the wall clock. “My open house is about over. I think it’s time you left. If you want to talk to me, come to the office.”

But he ignored her hint to leave and headed up the stairs. “Yeah, right.”

She followed him into the master bedroom, unsure why he seemed so intent on looking through the house. “Are you looking to buy a home, Ned? You never told me you were in the market. Did you get your old job back?”

“No.” He grimaced. “I’m not. Your admin person said you’d be here.” He turned suddenly and grabbed her arms before she could back out of reach. “Are you going to see him again?”

“Take your hands off me. You’re hurting me.” Her heart sped up. Unsure how to read his actions, she tried to pull away. Ned had never treated her like this before.

He loosened his grip slightly. “That guy—with the black hair. That guy who followed you out of the Sea Shanty.”

He was jealous? “Why do you care? Let me go.” She tried to pull away, intent on getting him out of the house before the sellers returned. “Ned, he’s a client. I don’t date clients. Besides, it’s none of your business who I choose to go out with.”

“It’s my business when you’re supposed to be with me.” His voice rose as he tightened his grip again and held her against the side of the bed. The look in his eyes set her teeth on edge.

“Let go of me,” she repeated. She struggled to get away from him. “I think you should leave now, before the sellers come home.”

But he pushed her onto the bed. Pressing his body against her, he brought his lips to hers while one hand pulled at her blouse.

She struggled to turn her face away from him. His day-old beard scraped against her cheek and chin. “Ned, stop it.”

“Since when do you fight me off, Olivia? You’ve never done that before.” He pulled her blouse out of her waistband and shoved one hand upward toward her breast. “I always thought realtors got off doing it in someone else’s bed.”

“How dare you!” Olivia twisted her hips and finally succeeded in breaking free. She rolled off the bed and away from him. “Get out!” She managed to pull out her phone from her skirt pocket. “I’m calling the police.”

“Oh no, you’re not.” He grabbed her phone and tossed it in the direction of the open door.

She saw her chance to get away and ran for the door. As she turned the corner to go down the stairs, she bumped into Beau.

He took in her disheveled appearance and brought a finger to his lips.

She nodded, forgetting that her blouse was pulled open, and stepped aside as he entered the bedroom and glared at Ned.

Ned backed away, and stood against the highboy. “Not you again. What are you doing here? Are you a cop? I didn’t do
nothin’.”