Granddad's House (On Geneva Shores) (16 page)

“I can see what you did, or tried to do. What about it, Ms. Brown? Are you pressing charges?” Beau looked at her, frowning, one hand motioning toward her front.

She looked down, pulled her blouse together, and tucked it back into her skirt. “Uh, no. But if you could escort him out of the house, please.” She had to catch her breath. “I need to clean up before the owners return.”

“Let’s go. And one wrong move means I haul you to the station.” Beau motioned for Ned to go downstairs.

Ned glared at Olivia as he passed her on the landing. He continued walking toward the door. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Don’t bother,” she called after him, her hands starting to shake. After Ned left, she sat down in the kitchen, aware of her quaking knees.

“Are you okay?” Beau brought her a glass of water. “Drink this. You look a little pale.”

“Thank you—for escorting him out.” She took the glass and held it with both hands to avoid spilling. “Do you make a habit impersonating the police?”

“Don’t usually need to. I hope you didn’t mind.”

She shook her head and willed her heart to slow down. “Thanks. For doing that.” Not wanting to think any more about Ned, she changed the subject. “What brings you here? Looking for another house to turn into a B&B?”

He smiled slowly. “Genevieve told me you were here. I thought I’d tell you—personally—about the permit situation on your grandfather’s house … since I was in the neighborhood.” He paused. “George and I are consulting on a kitchen renovation a block over.”

“Oh.” She looked sidelong at him, not daring to stare directly, fearing she would act on what she so wanted to do, fall into his arms to feel safer, more secure, after what Ned had tried. But wasn’t being close to Beau just as dangerous?

“George convinced the permit people to give us an extension. I guess you know what that means,” he murmured, scooting closer to her.

Against her better judgment she remained where she was, the heat from his body making her want to draw closer to him, even though she was sure she risked being scorched.

He brought his arm around her back. “Look at me.”

She did.

“You should call the cops and report that jerk.”

“I’d rather not. He’s moving to Boston one of these days.” At least she hoped so. But if Ned came to her office, she’d warn him. And she’d ask Genevieve not to tell him about any more open houses she was holding. But that wasn’t why Beau had shown up. “What was it you said? The extension?”

The tension that had edged Beau’s voice when he’d escorted Ned out of the house ebbed away. “For eighty days, not ninety. I’m willing to find another agent to represent me, if you think it would make things easier for you.”

The way he was looking at her. She felt herself easing closer. Her lips ached to press into his.

“And, we’ll add an addendum that if your grandfather hasn’t found another place to live in eighty days, possession can be delayed.” He leaned to within inches of her. “You look like you’re going to pass out. Want me to carry you to the couch?”

Whatever she was thinking passed and she blinked. Hard. Twice. She took another gulp of water. “No thanks.” She tried again. “
Er, thanks—for the news, and you don’t have to get another agent, unless you want to.” Did he?  “I’ve worked dual agency before.” She cleared her throat, which seemed dry even after several sips of water. Maybe because of what Ned had tried and almost succeeded in doing. “I’ll talk to my grandfather about the addendum.”

“You don’t have to. I’ve already told him.”

“What?” She wrinkled her forehead and stiffened her back. “You went behind my back—again?”

“He asked me to keep him informed.” She dared to look at him and his eyes seemed to spark at her. Along with that superior smirk, his syrupy-slow voice was drawling again. “So I did.”

“Since when do you talk to him first, without me there?”

“I didn’t go behind your back, Olivia. I just told you what I did. If I hadn’t told you, it would have been behind your back.” He checked his watch and stood up. “I need to get back to George and that kitchen
reno he’s working up. And your clients just walked in.”

Olivia turned in time to see her sellers enter the kitchen.

“How did it go, Olivia?” the husband asked.

“Kind of slow. We had three groups come through, and two others—your neighbors.” She realized she was talking too fast, but she couldn’t help herself. “Remember when I said they often come to the first one, mostly out of curiosity if they haven’t been in your home in a while? But they may know someone who wants to move here, so it wasn’t a bad thing that they came.”

His wife wandered in and shooed her two daughters into the family room. “Well, maybe it’ll be a better turnout next time around.”

“I’m sure it will. I’ll gather up my things and be gone in just a minute.”

“Who are you?” the woman asked Beau. “Are you interested in our house?”

Olivia whirled around. “My apologies. Janet Landis, this is Beau James. He’s a client. He came in to give me news about his current offer on another property. I’ll talk with you later, B—Mr. James.” She gestured for him to move toward the door.

He shook hands with Janet and her husband and sauntered in the direction of the front door, taking his sweet Southern time about it. Janet smiled and seemed to coo at him when he made noises about their charming daughters.

The woman is actually flirting with him—and in front of her husband.
And the man didn’t even seem to mind. How does Beau
do
that?

When Olivia approached her car, Beau was standing near his vehicle, parked right behind hers. She tried to ignore him while she picked up her open house signs, slid into the front seat and dialed Ned’s number. It went to voice mail.

“Ned, if you ever come to one of my open houses—or to the office—I’m going to call the cops. Consider this fair warning. Why don’t you just move to Boston and forget about me?” She clicked off the phone and debated for an instant about calling that nice policeman, Sam Hudson, who had dropped off his card after the Reynolds nastiness. But, if Ned never showed up again, it wouldn’t be necessary. She could only hope.

Beau approached her car.
Now what?
He leaned in, so close it took all her willpower not to lean toward him and experiment with another lip-lock.

“I’ll meet you back at your office—so we can put that addendum together and I can sign the offer,” he said.

Her heart sank. Now she would have to tell every agent  who had shown Granddad’s house that a backup offer would be subject to a long wait while Beau’s remained in first position. And Bruce had yet to say if his clients were still interested. She sighed.

“I need to check with my grandfather first.”

“He already told me he’s happy to sign it.” Beau grinned at her. “Remember?”

“Fine,” she said.
Not fine.
“Now, if you’ll get your car out of the way, so I can get to my office.”

“Your red hair’s showing again, Olivia,” he whispered as he backed up, chuckling under his breath.

“Auburn,” she said between gritted teeth and waited until he moved his car.
Going to see Granddad on his own. That has
got
to stop.
Ooh. That man. She had to figure out how to rein him in. She stewed all the way to the office.

But when she thought about it, she couldn’t dispel the notion that the closer he was to her, the harder it would be for her to stop him from whatever else he—or she—had in mind. A kiss? Or something more?

Chapter 9

Later that evening Olivia pulled up in front of her grandfather’s house. As she walked to the front door, she savored the scent of the roses climbing the arbor along the front porch. She was going to miss this old house.

Her grandfather beamed at her. “Livvy, it’s good of you to come see me. I talked to your young man about the house.”

“Granddad, he is
not
my ‘young man.’” She stood in the sunroom, her hands on her hips. Despite his help removing Ned from the Landis’ house, Beau he was
not
hers, by any definition.
What was Granddad thinking? Except she’d been thinking about Beau almost every waking minute. He’d even invaded her dreams. If only he wasn’t a client.

“Well, he could be, if you play your cards right. I know he likes you,
Livvy. Or are you being difficult on general principles?” He smiled back at her. “Is this a social call?”

“Business.” She pulled out the addendum that had been signed by Beau. “Your buyer has added an addendum, and I need your signature if you agree. Of course, if you don’t sign it, the deal is dead—and I’ll have to tell him that.”  She pulled a pen from the side of her purse.

“Sit down and have some tea while I look it over.” He patted the seat next to him.

She reached for the teapot and watched as he read the document, turned back to the front page, and re-read the rest of the offer. He pushed the papers to the center of the table.

“I know where I want to live now.”

She tensed. “Where is that?”

“Beau showed me his place, and it was very nice.”

A high-rise, downtown? Since when? “You’re not seriously considering that, are you? Where would you garden? You know how much you like digging in the dirt. And that building has to be terribly expensive.”

“Oh, so you’ve seen it, too?”

She hoped her face and neck wasn’t giving her away. “Yes
, er, well, no.”
She hadn’t paid much attention that night. Except to Beau. Especially after that kiss. Both of them. “I was there, briefly, to pick up my briefcase—when I forgot it in his car, a while back.” She dared to peer at her grandfather, who was looking expectantly at her from under his bushy eyebrows. 

Why is he looking at me like that, like a cat that’s swallowed a canary? What does he know that I don’t?
She swallowed her tea. “It was dark—I didn’t look around. I was only there for a minute.” Her fingers drummed against the edge of the table.

“Too bad,
Livvy. You might ask him to show it to you. I think you’d like it.”

“Why would I? Those high rises downtown always seem so cold and impersonal to me—all steel and glass. Hard.”
Like his chest and … Oh dear. I have to stop imagining …

“As a realtor, I would think you would want to know what the latest and greatest places look like.”

“I’ve seen pictures.” She fisted her hands in her lap.

“Surely that isn’t the same. Didn’t you tell me eyes are always better than pictures when I asked you about that place near the high school?”

“Well, yes, I did say that.” One foot began to bounce under the table.
What is my problem?

Her grandfather put down his pen and stared at her.

“Do you have questions about the addendum?”

“No. Beau told me all about it and I thought he suggested a nice compromise. He really is a nice man,
Livvy. I like him.” He hummed then added, “He’s never been to Mount Rainier, and he didn’t even know it was the fourth national park set up in our country.”

“Of course not. He’s not from around here.”

“He told me that, too. But he said he’d like to see it. Why don’t you take him up there? You know all about it, having worked there.”

“That was years ago, Granddad. And I’m sure he can find his way on his own. He doesn’t need a guide.” She reached for her tea cup.

“Do you want me to sign this paper, Livvy?” He settled his glasses on his nose and glanced at her again.

“Only if you want to. If you do, it means you’re selling the house to Beau, and he’s going to make it into a B&B.” Her foot began another jig.

“If the permits can be obtained before the time’s up. Isn’t that right?”

She nodded. “Are you having second thoughts, Granddad?”
Please.

“I want to sign it, but on one condition.”

She sighed. “Do I need to create another addendum?”

“No. This is just between us.”

“Tell me.” She stifled another sigh. Dad was right. Handling a relative’s sale was so much more difficult than other clients.

“Beau’s never seen Mount Rainier. I’d like you to take him up there—that is, if he asks you to.”

“What?” Her lungs seemed to push air out in a rush, leaving her breathless. Being in a car with him all the way to The Mountain? That would be agony.
Maybe not.
Or dangerous.
So close to his lips.
Really dangerous.
To his strong arms and long muscled legs.
Totally toxic to her peace of mind. Certain of her body parts seemed to be screaming in the affirmative.
Never.

“You haven’t been very nice to him,
Livvy, and I’m not sure why. It’s not like you to be so—so, I don’t know—like your Grandmamma was with me. Unfriendly. You know better than that with a customer.” When he looked at her, there was something odd, almost wistful, about the way he was peering at her. Then he reached for the teapot and mumbled, “What is it about women these days?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’re so much like her. Sometimes I forget it’s you and not her standing in front of me, especially when you have your hands cupped around her china cup like that.” He beamed at her.

Olivia bit her lip and frowned. “You want me to take Beau to The Mountain?”

He nodded.

“I doubt he’s going to ask.”

“But do you promise?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die.”  Just like when she and Sally had
promised not to climb to the top of the biggest tree in the back yard. But they’d clasped hands behind her back with their fingers crossed. No such luck today.

“Then I will sign these papers,
Livvy. Give me the pen.”

She did so and he signed the papers with a flourish.

She stifled a sigh.
So much for wanting to find a family for Granddad’s house.
“I’ll bring you a copy tomorrow, Granddad.”

“No rush. I know you’re really busy at the office. I see your signs all around town.”

“I’m glad you noticed. So tell me more about where you want to live—except I can’t believe it would be in that high rise.”

He smiled at her. “Beau, or maybe it was George. One of them, anyway, told me about those condos he and his partner designed and I drove by them the other day. They’re right over by Commodore Park.”

“I know. We saw them together, remember?” Granddad forgot we were there? She peered more closely at him, but he seemed his usual alert self.

“Oh. That’s right.” He stopped his pouring of the tea, second cups for the two of them. You came, too.” He gestured for her to blot a small spill with her napkin. “The one I liked the best is on the end. It has a nice yard in the back and I could garden there. In fact, the sun is just right for roses.”

“Do you want me to write up an offer now? I left a message for the listing agent that you did like them.”

“Yes. But I’m in no rush. Whenever you have the time. We have plenty of time, right? Eighty days?”

“Yes. Plenty of time.” She made a note to call the listing agent again. How fast were they selling? “I’ll get back to you.”

“Thank you,
Livvy.”  He walked her to the front door. “Have a nice time at Mount Rainier,” he said, right before he shut the door.

What was that all about?
Granddad was being mysterious. Olivia’s cell phone rang and she turned off the car to answer it. “I’ll be right there, Bruce. Just wait for me.” She headed back to the office to talk about the commercial transaction Bruce had said he had in the bag, but now seemed to be falling apart again.

Later that week, Olivia called her grandfather. “Is it possible for you to come to the office this evening?”

“I think so. What’s up?”

“Another offer has come in.”

“But we already have one. From Beau.”

“I know, but this can be a backup. And, if the permits don’t come in on time, in another sixty days, Beau’s deal dies. You need a backup, in case that happens.” She swiveled her chair and looked into the parking lot.
Only one spot open.
Lots of activity today.

“Can I come in after
Questions and Answers
is over?”

She smiled. “That would be fine.”

“Did you write this offer, Livvy?”

“No. I can’t write two offers on the same property. Bruce has it. He’ll present it to you, with me here, too.”

Olivia went home, ate a quick dinner and returned to the office, arriving just before her grandfather drove in. She straightened her desk and turned on the light over the conference table.

“Well, where is it?” he asked. “I’m ready.”

“Bruce isn’t here yet. Sit down and let’s talk about what’s going to happen.”

“Won’t it be the same as when you brought me Beau’s offer?”

“Not exactly. Bruce is going to tell you about his clients and then he’s going to tell you about the offer. You can ask him questions, but please don’t give away how you feel about it. Pretend you’re in a poker game with your friends at the senior center. After he presents it, he’ll leave, and you and I will talk—so you can decide if you like the offer, or want to change it in any way.”

He nodded. “What’s the name of the island off the coast of Africa?”

“Madagascar.” She smiled.

“You’re good. Did you see the show tonight?”

“No, but I think you asked me that one before.”

A knock sounded, and Bruce entered.  “Hello, Mr. Brown. How are you tonight? Ready to sell your house?”

“I already have, but Olivia says you have another offer.”

“Yes, and I think you’ll like it.”

“Well, come on in and tell me. No sense wasting time.”

Bruce took a seat at the end of the table facing her grandfather. Olivia sat next to him and glanced at the copy she was handed.

“Let’s see,” Bruce began. “My clients just moved to town. Liam O’Hara—he’s a lawyer. Works in Seattle, but wants to raise the kids in a smaller town. That’s why he picked Evergreen. They’re from Iowa. Your house reminds them of where he was raised. Actually, that’s true for Mary Ellen, too. Same vintage, anyway. I can’t remember if she said her folks lived in a Victorian, but you know how it is in the Midwest. Older homes than you usually see around here. That’s one thing that appealed to them both. They don’t like the new ones as much.”

Robert smiled. “What else?”

“They have three kids. The oldest is twelve and she picked out the room with the two gabled windows and the window seat in between. Next is the boy. He liked the room that has the extra closet, the one with the half door? The baby is two. Mary Ellen says she’ll be in the sitting room next to the master until she’s bigger. Then she can go down the hall next to the older daughter’s room. And Mary Ellen loves your garden, especially the raised beds where you used to put in vegetables. She’s a gardener and can’t wait to start putting seeds in the ground. That’s what she said, anyway.” Bruce smiled at Olivia.

She nodded encouragement.

“How much?” her grandfather asked.

Olivia placed a hand on his arm. “Let Bruce tell us the rest of the offer, Granddad. He’ll get there.”

“They came in just under full price, and would love to get in before school starts. I told them you already have an offer and there are some issues that are taking longer than forty-five days, which was when they wanted to close.”

“Are they paying cash, or getting a mortgage?” Olivia asked.

“A mortgage. Here’s the pre-approval letter. As you can see, a local bank. They’re using Jackie as their loan officer. She said their credit is A-1.”

“What about earnest money?” Olivia made a quick note.

“Eight grand. Here’s a copy of the check—same bank. They’re very serious, very eager.” Bruce looked at her grandfather. “Olivia said you preferred people with kids. This family wants to raise their kids in your house.” Bruce paused. “Any questions, Mr. Brown?”

“No questions. But if I do,
Livvy can come get you.”

“Then I’ll go work on some things in my office.” Bruce rose from his chair. “You know where to find me.”

Olivia shut the door. “What do you think of the offer, Granddad?”

“It’s less than what Beau is giving me.”

“Yes, but it’s a family, Granddad. What you always wanted.”

“It doesn’t require rezoning or permits and things?”