SEAL the Deal(16)

“Don’t be too impressed. It’s not real crystal. But you wouldn’t believe the fixture she used to have here. Way too 1980s for this price bracket.”

Tracing her finger along the chair rail, Bess’s eyes wandered dreamily out the window to the water view glistening in the late afternoon sun. “I’m ready to move in. How many houses do I have to clean before I can afford this?”

Lacey handed her the flier in answer.

Bess groaned. “Yikes.”

“Actually, it’s priced higher than I recommended. But that son has Carolyn convinced this is what it’s worth.” Lacey shrugged. “It’s close enough that it will be a starting point for negotiation, I hope.”

“That will be a sweet commission when it sells,” Maeve said, glancing at the flier. “I may raise your rent.”

“If it sells. And if that freak son of hers doesn’t convince her to get a different agent when the contract is over.”

“Did you ask him if he was in the house last night?” Maeve raised her eyebrows.

“Oh, I didn’t ask him. I pretty much cornered him so that he couldn’t deny it. And you’ll love this. He said he came to the house last night looking for me.”

Bess’s face paled. “What?”

Maeve scowled. “Creep. Looking for you where? In a closet? And for that matter, why wouldn’t he just call you?”

“He said he lost my card.”

“Right. Like it’s hard to track down a real estate agent’s number. Hasn’t he heard of the internet? I still say he was looking for his hidden stash of Playboys.”

Bess spoke up. “Maybe we should stay here till the open house is over. You know, in case he comes back. There’s something weird about him.”

Lacey took Bess by the hand and couldn’t help noticing it was trembling. “That’s sweet, but I’ll really be fine.”

“Okay,” Bess said uneasily, then surprised Lacey by pulling out pepper spray from her purse. “Just keep this handy till you get home, okay?”





CHAPTER FIVE




Clenching her Spode china teacup in a death grip, Lacey sipped her tea. She could tell just from the feel of it that this single cup was worth more than her entire dining collection purchased in an economy box at Target.

Carefully, she eased back into Edith Baker’s down-filled sofa and gazed at the impeccable surroundings. When Lacey had first driven up to the house, she had been beyond intimidated. The property jutted into the Bay on three sides like its own small peninsula, offering sprawling views from nearly every room. Her mouth had gone dry at the sight.

It was gorgeous, from the manicured gardens that led to the water’s edge to the cathedral ceiling crowned with a genuine Waterford chandelier.

Definitely a far cry from the Miron property that had so desperately needed a sharp eye for detail and hard work before going on the market. Nothing needed her here. Anyone could sell a property like this. It didn’t take anything but a simple listing online and the right price. No challenge at all.

Easy money. How refreshing would that be?

Lacey flexed the muscles in her fingers after safely settling the tea cup back on its saucer.

“Is your hand bothering you?” Edith walked back into the room carrying a fresh pot of tea. “I’ve been having you take down too many notes.”

“No, it’s not that at all,” Lacey confessed. “I’ve been gripping that tea cup too hard because I’m scared I’ll drop it. Your china set is beautiful. At my house, the finest china is a set of coffee mugs that read ‘I love firemen.’ Maeve got them on Ebay.”

“Your housemate sounds like quite a character,” Edith laughed as she refreshed their cups, her gentle tone making Lacey feel surprisingly comfortable. “I like her already. It’s good to have friends who keep your heart light.” She sat next to Lacey and picked up one of the crust-less finger sandwiches she had placed on the coffee table.

A voice called in from the foyer. “I’m here. Where’s the most beautiful woman in Annapolis?”

Something about the voice sent Lacey’s heart racing.

Edith put a hand to her mouth to conceal a laugh. “Such a tease. Time must have gotten by me,” she said apologetically to Lacey, glancing at her watch. “We’re in the living room, dear.”

“Just grabbing one of these cookies off the counter. You sure know how to keep a man happy, Mrs. B. I came straight from work, so didn’t have time to—” He stopped short in the doorway when his eyes met Lacey’s.

Shocked by the jolt of recognition that shot between them, Lacey’s tea cup splashed onto her linen capris at the sight of the man she had met at Dr. Baker’s funeral.