Fiance by Friday (6 page)

“My brother is not my keeper.”

“He owns the house.”

“Samantha owns the house. And she’d never make me leave.”

Neil’s jaw started to twitch again.

“Perhaps I need to remind you that I’m not a child.”

His eyes did a quick sweep of her body. “You don’t have to remind me of that.”

She took a step toward him, placed her hand on his arm. “I’ll try and be better about locking the doors.”

He nodded, not willing to let her know how much the thought of her living there alone distressed him. He opened the door to let himself out and called over his shoulder. “And park your car in the garage.”

“Oh my God, Gwen, get up here!” Karen laughed as she yelled from upstairs. “Quick.”

Gwen hustled up the stairs and found Karen hovering over her bedroom window. She’d pulled the curtains back enough to peek out.

“What is it?”

“Look!”

Gwen switched positions with her roommate and narrowed her eyes. It was late at night and the neighborhood was dark…except for the light coming from the new neighbors’ hot tub. A couple of days had passed since their arrival. In the Jacuzzi sat two people, and from what she could see one was a woman and the other a man. If Gwen had to guess, she’d say that they were an older couple. Maybe retirement age. “What am I looking for?”

“Just keep watching.”

Gwen was about to leave her spying perch when the woman stood to move to a different spot.

“She’s naked.”

Karen started laughing. “Ewww!”

“We have naked neighbors…”
I never saw this back home.

Karen peeked beside her all the while giggling. “Look how hairy he is.”

Gwen averted her eyes. “We shouldn’t stare.”

“They shouldn’t parade around naked.”

“They’re in their own yard.”

“Surrounded by two-story houses.” Karen flashed a brilliant smile. “That’s the crazy crap you never get when you’re locked behind security gates at an estate.”

Gwen couldn’t argue with that. She took another quick look.

The phone rang and both of them jumped.

“We shouldn’t stare.”

Karen continued to watch while Gwen answered the phone. “Hello?”

“There’s noise coming from the backyard.” Neil skipped pleasantries and started issuing orders. “Make sure the doors are locked.”

“You know, Neil, normal people say hello when they call on the phone. A little ‘hi, how do you do,’ stuff like that.”

“The motion detectors are off the charts.” There was frustration in his voice.

Gwen purposely hesitated to say anything.

She heard him sigh. “Hello, Gwen. Can you tell me what’s going on over there?”

Isn’t that better?
“Why hello, Neil. Nice of you to call. Nothing’s going on. Our new neighbors are enjoying their hot tub. Perhaps their tub is interfering with your equipment.”

“I should come over and see for myself.”

“Don’t you dare.”

“Why not?”

“I do not need my new neighbors thinking I’ve invited people here to gawk at them.” That wouldn’t be the way to introduce herself.

“Gawk? Who said anything about gawking?”

Gwen peeked through the shade again, catching the unwelcome sight of the hairy man’s backside. “Apparently their hot tub is clothing optional. They opted out.”

“They what?”

“They’re enjoying the jets naked. And I’ll not have you coming over to stomp around my backyard with them out there. If something needs repair, then you can come over tomorrow.”

“They’re naked?”

“That’s what I said. The doors are locked and the alarm is set. We’re fine, Neil. I promise.”

“Fine. I’ll be there in the morning.”

“Suit yourself. I won’t be here, I have an early appointment.”

“Fine.”

“Good night, Neil.”

He clicked off the phone. Apparently saying hello and good-bye was too much to ask for in one conversation.

Chapter Five

Gwen visited the corner bakery where she picked up her morning tea and biscuits before meeting with Michael for the second time.

The skeletons in his closet weren’t unexpected, and none raised any alarms for Samantha, Karen, or Gwen.

Karen was cautiously excited.

Since Michael checked out, it was his turn to approve of Karen’s portfolio before they met.

She drove through the locked gates of his estate, which was located well off the main streets of Beverly Hills. A star map purchased for a small price would point out Michael’s estate, but a tourist would have to scale a twelve-foot block wall to see his yard.

The stone drive reminded her of home. But that was where the similarities ended. The Spanish influence of the architecture was evident everywhere her eye was drawn. Bougainvillea climbed up the columns of the entry, welcoming guests in shades of purple and red. Arched windows and doors reminded Gwen of one of the many missions sprinkled along the California coast.

Michael walked through his front doors with open arms. “Lady Harrison.”

He kissed both her cheeks.

“Gwen, please. No one calls me Lady Harrison unless they want something.”

“We both know I want something. Come in.”

“Your home is beautiful.” She was expecting something modern…sleek.

“Not what you expected?”

“Am I that transparent?” Inside the home the visual delights continued. Expansive walls filled with luscious art led to vaulted ceilings with iron chandeliers.

“It’s the closest thing to a Spanish villa this side of the border…well, that I’ve found anyway.”

“It’s lovely, Michael.”
Karen’s going to love it.

“I’m sure if everything works out you’ll be here often enough to enjoy it.”

He led her to a great room with massive windows allowing a view of a garden courtyard. The sound of water flowing drew her eye to a fountain in the center of the yard. Splashes of color mixed in with trees and shrubs.

“I thought you’d lean toward a modern décor.”

“Hard edges and black and white lines…not me. For some of the characters I’ve played, maybe.” Michael indicated for her to sit. “I come from a small town where people take more pride in their yards than they do their cars. I guess some of it sunk in.”

“I’m sorry to admit this, but I’ve not seen your films.”

“So you told me. What about the woman you’re showing me? Has she seen my films?”

Gwen centered her attention on her client. “Karen knew who you were the instant I uttered your name.”

“A fan?”

“Fan would be short for fanatical. Karen isn’t enamored with anyone. Well, perhaps a child with a sad story to tell. But not fame. Not even money believe it or not.”

He leaned against his chair and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Then why would she agree to this marriage?”

“She wants the money this agreement will make her, Mr. Wolfe, but not so she can live a life of opulence and grandeur.” She spread her arms wide indicating the room they were in. “This isn’t a life she wants permanently.”

“I’ve yet to meet anyone who wouldn’t want this.”

Gwen reached into her case and removed Karen’s file.

Michael took it and glanced at the photo. “She’s beautiful.”

Gwen shrugged. “And if you were attracted to women you might be tempted to keep her. But we both know that will never happen.” Samantha’s background check did find the name of his first lover, but not many after. Michael had done a superb job of keeping his personal life personal.

Michael offered her half a smile and flipped the page. “Mind if I read this?”

“Of course not. That’s why I’m here.”

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Water would be nice.”

He stepped into the kitchen and brought back a bottle each of sparkling and plain water. She took the plain and told him to take his time.

While Michael looked over Karen’s information, Gwen moved into the courtyard to give her client all the time he needed.

The file contained a snapshot of Karen. What her interests were, where she spent her time. Her work, up until Samantha brought her into Alliance, had been managing an assisted living home for young disabled patients. On the surface, Karen was a bleeding heart, always helping someone less fortunate than her. Her only family was an aunt who had recently married a rich gentleman who had been in the process of hiring Alliance to find him a young bride. He wanted the bride to tick off his children and grandchildren. All of whom were fighting over his wealth. Karen set up her Aunt Eddie with Stanley and everything turned out remarkably well.

“This woman sounds like a saint,” Michael said from the doorway.

“I’ll be sure and tell her you said so.”

He moved to a chair adjacent her on the patio. “Seriously. No one can be this clean and be real.” He tossed the papers on the table. “What’s she really like?”

“Everything in there is true.”

“Fine. I get that. But what’s she like?”

Gwen thought of telling him that Karen was a kind and witty girl whom he would adore…but instead she decided to tell him something else.

“Last night, while watching the evening news, Karen called me upstairs to spy on our new neighbors.”

Michael’s brow drew up. “Spy?”

“Apparently our new, very old, and quite unattractive neighbors have decided that their backyard oasis…which is clearly visible from all the homes around them, is their own personal nudist retreat.”

Michael’s smile was slow to come, but then he started laughing.

“Karen is not a saint. Yes, all we’ve put in there is true. She is exceptionally bright and funny. Her clever tongue never seems to fail her, even when life erupts. I realize you’re the movie star in this equation, but Karen is the prize. And when your agreement with her is resolved, I’ll lay my bets now that you’ll always be friends.”

“When can we meet?”

Gwen lifted her chin.
Perfect.

An hour later, they stepped out of Michael’s home as he walked her to her car.

She glanced around the door, searching for the cameras that she felt were watching. There was nothing visible.

“What are you looking for?” he asked.

“Where are your security cameras?” The ones on her home were tucked under the eaves but no such device could be seen under Michael’s.

“I have a camera on the gate but that’s it. I have an alarm system.”

Gwen turned a full circle. “I would think you’d want tighter security.”

“Is that going to be a problem for Karen?”

She shook her head. “No. Not at all.” Gwen looked behind her again.
Neil’s paranoia is rubbing off on me.

“Eliza!” Gwen walked into Eliza’s hug with both arms. “My goodness it’s wonderful to see you. How is the First Lady of California?”

Gwen stepped aside and let Eliza into the house.

“I’m stupid busy,” she said as she moved past Gwen. “Who knew that Carter’s job would be so damn taxing on me?”

“Sam and I both warned you about your position.”

Eliza tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear and tossed her purse on the coffee table. “I thought you were exaggerating. There’s at least one political dinner a week, sometimes two depending on who’s in town. Ladies’ luncheons…with ladies I don’t even like. I could do lunch all day long if it were with you guys. Ribbon cuttings, trips to DC.”