The Prince Charming Hoax (41 page)

“
Even so, Jonathan, this place is going to be expensive. Do you know what Dave was asking for the house?
”

“
I know he wanted to sell it fast and make a final settlement with his wife. He was probably asking for too much money, though, if it hasn
’
t sold yet. Maybe now he
’
s ready to let it go—or to rent it, even. It
’
s costing him money, sitting here empty.
I can call him now, if you want.
”

Leah took a small notepad out of her purse. She wrote down some numbers and handed the pad to Jonathan.
“
This is how much money I have for a down payment and what I
’
m willing to spend per month for rent or mortgage. And I need an answer right away, otherwise I go back to the drawing board tomorrow.
”

She kissed him on the cheek.
“
I appreciate what you
’
re doing, Jonathan. I
’
m going around back to sit on that deck and pretend. Come get me after you talk to your friend.
”

Leah opened the gate and strolled around the yard before settling down one of the chairs on the deck. Odd that this is the only furniture they left, she thought.
It must mean that it was meant to be here so I would have a place to sit when I came.
She smiled, pleased with her explanation.

She looked around her at the overgrown foliage in the planters and along the fence. She
’
d have to hire a gardener to come in and clean the place out and plant fresh flowers and shrubs. The trees looked like all they needed was trimming. Leah got up and peered into the house again from inside the patio. That little room faced east, so she
’
d get morning light in her office and shade in the afternoon. Perfect.

She let her eyes wander to the kitchen and family room. The place was very clean. Looked like it was freshly painted. She could probably move her stuff right in. And Ali would love this place! Especially the hot tub.

Leah looked at her watch. It was more than fifteen minutes since she left Jonathan to call his friend. She tapped her foot nervously. She decided it was a good sign that it was taking so long—if his friend didn
’
t want to sell, the conversation would have been over by now. She thought about calling Roxie, but decided against it. What was the point unless she could get the place?

The screen door slammed behind her. She jumped, startled by the noise.
“
Jonathan! What happened?
”

She didn
’
t need to wait for an answer. He ran over, lifted her up, and swung her around. Putting her down, he shoved her pad back in her hand, with a bunch of numbers crossed out. Leah was confused.
“
What am I looking at?
”

He pointed to the bottom of the page with a number circled.
“
What!
”
She looked up at him, her eyes opened wide.
“
How could that be, Jonathan? I just sold my townhouse for more than this!
”

Jonathan shrugged.
“
He needs the money. As luck would have it, he saw a piece of property near Asheville today that he wants to buy. Timing is everything, Leah. I told him I
’
d call him right back with your answer. You
’
ll have to wire him the money for the down payment tomorrow and he
’
ll start the paperwork. And, oh yes. You can move in immediately and pay rent until you close.
”

Leah began to jump up and down. She threw her arms around him.
“
How can I ever thank you? You are the best, most wonderful man. And, not to sell you short, the handsomest, sexiest one, too.
”

Jonathan held her close.
“
I did mention before that a reward was expected, didn
’
t I? When can I redeem my thank you note?
”

She took his face in her hands and kissed him.
“
I will thank you all night long if you want.
”

He grabbed her hand and started for the door.
“
In that case, let
’
s get going.
”

Leah laughed, then stopped short.
“
Wait, we have to stop at the penthouse, first. I need to walk and feed Mitzi.
”

Jonathan pulled her along.
“
Come on. You can call the doorman and have him do that.
”

“
No, really. I want to do it.
”

Jonathan looked closely at her.
“
You like that dog, don
’
t you? Who would
’
ve guessed? Leah Gold is all mushy over a mutt,
”
he teased.

“
Don
’
t call her that. She
’
s a breed, even if I can
’
t remember which one.
”

They both laughed.
“
All right. Let
’
s go. I
’
ll call Dave on the way,
”
he said.

By the time Jonathan pulled into the Sands, he had clinched the deal with Dave, and she had called Ali and Roxie to share the good news. Once inside, it didn
’
t take Leah long to care for Mitzi. She and Jonathan were getting ready to go out when Leah suddenly remembered one more thing she needed to do.

“
Wait a minute,
”
she said as Jonathan pushed the button for the elevator. I forgot to call Melinda Vanderholt.
”
She looked at her watch and calculated that it was a good time to call. It would be about 9 a.m. in Sydney.
“
I feel ready to talk to her now. I
’
m so happy, nothing can bring me down, not even being evicted.
”
She kissed him.
“
This shouldn
’
t take long,
”
she said and went to the kitchen to get the number to call. She dialed from the kitchen phone.

“
Hello, Mrs. Vanderholt. This is Leah Gold, returning your call.
”

“
Hello, Miss Gold. Thank you so much for calling. I received such disturbing news from Iris Blackman about Roxanne Stein.
”

“
Iris has already called me and told me that I need to leave, Mrs. Vanderholt. I
’
ve made arrangements to be out before the end of the month. But, I want to thank you for allowing me to stay here in your absence.
”
Leah was gambling that if she showed respect and appreciation, Melinda would be too embarrassed to be rude. Besides, Leah had taken away her steam by saying she was leaving.

“
Oh, no. Miss Gold you can stay. When Iris told me that she let Roxanne go, I was furious. Roxanne is a talented and hardworking employee, and I told Iris that she should only be concerned with Roxanne
’
s on-the-job behavior. What Roxanne does in her private life is her own business. I took my account away from Iris, so disregard her message.
”

Leah mouth dropped open. Jonathan gave her a quizzical look.
“
What
’
s up?
”
he said.

Leah held up a finger, indicating for him to wait.
“
I totally agree with you, and I
’
m so pleased that you are being supportive of Roxie. But I
’
ve already made arrangements to buy a house. I was staying here on a temporary basis, as you know. But, let me thank you again for making your home available to me.
”

“
You
’
re welcome. And, congratulations on your new purchase.
”
Melinda cleared her throat.
“
Can I ask you a favor, please?
”

“
Of course. Anything.
”

“
Can you take Mitzi with you until we get back? I can have the maintenance people at the Sands water the plants, but I hate to have Mitzi all alone while we
’
re away.
”

Leah looked over at Mitzi eating her dinner. The dog looked up and seemed to know what going on. She came over and rested her head between Leah
’
s feet and looked directly up at her. Leah reached down to pet the dog.

“
Of course. I
’
d be happy to take Mitzi while you
’
re gone.
”
She tried not to laugh as she saw Jonathan
’
s eyes widen and him motion for her not to do it.
“
No, no,
”
he mouthed and waved his hands. She turned away in order to keep her composure.
“
When will you be returning, Mrs. Vanderholt?
”

“
We were planning to live abroad this year while our son goes to school in London. We
’
ll probably return in June. Is that all right with you? I will send you an allowance for Mitzi.
”

“
No, please. I couldn
’
t accept any money after you were so generous about letting me stay here. Whenever you return will be fine. I
’
ll be in touch once I leave here to give you my new contact information.
”

“
Thank you, Miss Gold. And good luck to you.
”

“
Thank you, Mrs. Vanderholt.
”

“
Jonathan, stop looking at me like that,
”
she said, laughing as she hung up the phone.

“
You are such a softie,
”
he said and shook his head. He came over and lifted her up and sat her down on the counter. He put his arms around her and looked into her eyes.
“
But that
’
s one of the reasons why I love you.
”

Leah slid down and put her arms around his neck.
“
Jonathan, you are so wonderful. Not just today, but so many times. You
’
ve have been there for me, even when I thought you were against me.
”

He leaned back so he could look in her eyes.
“
But—
”
he prompted, as if he was waiting for her to say more.

“
You know my plans for the immediate future. And they won
’
t include a lot of time for much other than writing the book and promoting my cause.
”

“
Leah, I love your passion in all its forms. Your passion for me, for your work, and for helping others. So go ahead and write your book and go on tour. If you let me come with you, baby, I
’
d be proud to carry your books.
”

Leah looked up at him and smiled through her tears.
“
And that
’
s why,
”
she said,
“
I love you.
”

Mitzi
’
s whimpering as she tried to squeeze between their legs interrupted their kiss.
“
Looks like one more thing we
’
ll have to get used to.
”
She picked up Mitzi.
“
Let
’
s stay here tonight, Jonathan. Do you mind?
”

“
Not as long as I can collect the reward you promised to pay for my services.
”

Leah put her arm around his waist, and they headed for the bedroom.
“
Not only will I keep my promise, I
’
ll throw in a mystery bonus,
”
she said and grinned.

“
Why is it a mystery?
”

They had reached the master suite. She pulled the box with the cock ring out of her nightstand drawer and handed it to him.
“
Because I
’
m not sure what to do with it, but I think you will.
”

Jonathan
’
s eyes widened in surprise as he shook the contents out into his hand. Then he dropped his pants and pushed her gently down on the bed.
“
Let
’
s call it a performance bonus, Ms. Gold, and I
’
ll show you how it works...
”