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Deadly Proposal(51)

By:Lily Harper Hart


“So, show us the house.”

Tanya put the key into the door lock, pushing it open, and then ushering them inside. James forced a smile onto his face as he passed the attractive real estate agent. He didn’t like her on sight.

The first room they entered was a large foyer. It was clean, all straight lines and high ceilings. It felt … airy. James had to admit, even though the house was older, it had a modern feel.

“What’s the electrical situation?” he asked.

“Fully updated three years ago,” Tanya replied. “All the plaster and paneled walls have also been replaced with drywall.”

James nodded, following Mandy into the room to the right.

“This is the living room,” Tanya said. “As you can see, there’s plenty of room and Internet and cable interfaces are all upgraded.”

James glanced at the far end of the room where a wrought-iron spiral staircase rested.

“What’s the deal with the stairs?”

“There are three different staircases on the main floor,” Tanya said. “Two are spiral. Since this is Harrison Township, and the lake is so close, this house has a nautical feel. The staircase behind the main foyer is wider.”

The tour continued, covering the main floor of the house first. The first floor encompassed the huge living room, the open foyer, a full dining room, and an engaging kitchen with a homey eating area.

James was a little charmed himself.

Tanya showed them all five rooms on the second floor, with the master suite boasting a private bathroom and whirlpool tub big enough for two.

When Tanya led them into the backyard, Mandy could barely contain her glee. James was more stoic, but even he was impressed. “How long ago was the roof replaced?”

“I can see you know what you’re talking about,” Tanya said, practically purring. “It’s been two years.”

James ignored her flirty behavior. “And the lining in the pool?”

Tanya checked the file in her hand. “Four years.”

James fixated on the rectangular guesthouse off to the right. “Let’s see that.”

Tanya led the way, casting the occasional weighted glance in James’ direction. She was clearly trying to pique his interest, all the while he was trying to make his disinterest evident without tipping Mandy off that anything was going on.

The door to the guesthouse opened into the saloon Mandy had told him about. The walls were paneled with wood, the bar authentic looking and entirely delightful. The room was so large they could have thrown a party with everyone they knew and it wouldn’t have been crowded.

James ran his hands over the hand-carved bar, sighing. It really was beautiful. He saw the potential, and he couldn’t help but let his imagination run a little wild, too. Tanya led them up the stairs at the back of the guesthouse, into the open loft. Actually, the word “loft” was an exaggeration. It was really two rooms, both graced with bay windows that looked down upon a gorgeous expanse of trees and field.

James watched Mandy as she looked around the room. She was beaming.

“Okay,” he said. “Tell me what you want to do up here.”

Mandy bit her lower lip, embarrassment washing over her features. “Do you remember our first date?”

James stilled. He wasn’t sure what she was considering as their first date. He’d taken her out to dinner. A night later, he’d just taken her. Five hours after that, he’d left her in the dust. After realizing his mistake and reuniting, they’d gone to an art festival together. Those were his options.

Actually, the more he thought about it, they’d never had an official first date. There was no way he was admitting that to her.

“Of course.”

Mandy’s eyes narrowed. She knew what he was thinking. “What was our first date?”

“Why don’t you tell me,” James suggested.

“I was thinking of our first dinner together,” Mandy said.

James wracked his brain, searching for what she was trying to tell him. Then, out of nowhere, something clicked.

“You want to make this an art studio, don’t you?”

The tension in Mandy’s shoulders vacated as she slumped in relief. “You do remember.”

James glanced around the room again. That was the night she’d admitted that being a court clerk wasn’t what she’d envisioned for her life over the long haul. She’d said she had dreams of making art her future – if it was possible.

James searched the room, overlapping his future fantasies with the realities of right now. It was perfect.

He glanced over at Tanya. “I need an inspector in here,” he said. “If I like the report, we’ll make an offer.”