There was definitely something going on with her. But everyone was entitled to her own secrets.
Lord knows Maeve had her share.
***
Lacey’s face was starting to ache from smiling. “Thank you so much for coming. I’m glad you liked the house. Please give me a call if you have any questions,” she said, handing two business cards to a young couple on their way out the door.
Her smile faded as she saw the man approaching the house. It was Carolyn’s son.
“Hello, Mr. Miron.” Something about him made Lacey wish there were other people in the house. She glanced in both directions down the street, silently willing cars to stop and see the house. But no one stopped.
“Call me Jeff, please. Nice to see there are people checking out the house,” he said as he watched the couple get into their car. “Has it been busy?”
“Yes, very.”
“Well, I won’t stay long. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by and see if there was traffic. I know my mother’s anxious to sell,” he said, slowly giving Lacey a head to toe appraisal. “Care to show me around?”
Lacey didn’t budge from the foyer. “I’m sure you know your way around.”
His face fell with displeasure.
Lacey remembered the open closets. “But if you come here again like you did last night, I’d appreciate it if you would shut the closets next time. Now that the house is on the market, I’d like it looking pristine when buyers come.”
He was unmistakably flustered. “What are you talking about?”
“You were here last night.”
Annoyance flashed in his eyes. “Yes, I stopped by hoping to see you. I figured you might be checking on the house. I lost your card.”
“What did you want?”
“I thought you might like to catch dinner with me. You know, to celebrate the open house.”
Lacey didn’t disguise her disgust. He was old enough to be her father, and worse, he was married. “No, thank you,” she said firmly, suddenly feeling the need to open the front door.
He blocked her hand as she reached for the knob. “Just business, Lacey. I might have some useful input on selling this place. I did live here for a number of years. I’d hate to see you lose this listing,” he finished, the threat evident in his tone.
“At the end of the six month contract, your mother is free to look elsewhere. But having dinner with you is nowhere in the fine print. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Lacey opened the door.
“You’re rude for a real estate agent.”
“I’m not talking to you as a real estate agent. I’m talking to you as a woman who doesn’t appreciate threats of any kind.” Lacey felt a rush of relief as she saw Maeve’s convertible pull into the driveway. She sent her a meaningful look.
“Excuse me!” Maeve quickly called from her car the moment she opened the door. “We’re not too late for the open house, are we?” She darted up the driveway with Bess following close behind.
“Not at all,” Lacey called back. “Please come in.”
“I’ll talk with you later,” the man said to Lacey in a low tone.
“No,” Lacey said with conviction. “I don’t think you will.” She reached out to Maeve to shake her hand. “Thank you for coming. I’m Lacey Owens. Do you mind signing the book on the kitchen table?”
Maeve and Bess walked into the house, with Maeve shutting the door behind her. “Who the hell was that?”
“That was Carolyn’s son. Creep. He actually asked me out, and basically threatened to take away the listing from me when I said no. He’s married, by the way.”
“And old, ugly, with poor taste in clothing,” Maeve finished for her. “And that was just my first impression.”
“I’ve never been so happy to see you two. Your timing couldn’t have been more perfect.” Lacey let out a long breath, eager to change the subject. “So, how does everything look?” she asked as she guided her friends into the living room.
Bess gasped at first sight of the view. “Oh, it’s just beautiful. Maeve was telling me you completely redid the place.”
“Just some fresh paint and new fixtures. Rented furniture, too.”
Maeve glanced upward. “Is that crown molding new?”
“No. It’s just more noticeable now with the new colors, isn’t it? Check out the chair rail I had installed in the dining room, though. Really adds some character.”
Maeve peered through the doorway and nodded her approval.
Bess smiled up at the sparkling chandelier and the tiny reflections that it sent dancing on the walls. “Look at how that captures the light at this time of day.”