Copper Lake Confidential - By Marilyn Pappano Page 0,70
feet seemingly stuck to the concrete. She looked as if she might issue a command anyway, but apparently remembered that she wanted something from Macy. A lot.
On her ridiculously high heels, she came back to stand in front of Macy. “So. You’ve had a chance to go over the contract and showed it to that Calloway boy. The sooner we get your signature, the sooner we can get to work on saving Fair Winds—”
“I went out there last week. There’s nothing to save it from. Everything is in excellent shape.”
Only the glint in Louise’s eyes showed her surprise. “On the surface, perhaps, but a house of that age—”
Macy could probably count on one hand the number of times she’d interrupted one of Mark’s friends or associates. She did it again. “Louise, I’m not giving the house to you.”
Splotches of pink appeared in the older woman’s cheeks. “Not to me, of course, but—”
“Not to you, not to your preservation group, not to anyone at this point. I realize something must be done with it, but it’s not in the top ten of my list of things to deal with right now. Robbie Calloway has made sure that the house has been protected and maintained for the past eighteen months. He’ll continue doing so until I’m ready to deal with it. I’m sure you’re disappointed, but you have to understand that this is Clary’s inheritance. Her legacy. As her mother, I’ve got to consider what’s in her best interests. Now I appreciate your coming out on such a hot afternoon, but I have to get back to work.”
Without waiting for a response, Macy walked past the woman and into the utility room, closing the door and leaning against it. She wouldn’t put it past Louise to barge in, trying to use sheer will to force Macy into the decision she wanted.
But there was no shove on the door, no imperious knock. Faintly she heard the thud of the car door, followed by the sound of the engine. Louise was retreating. For the moment.
“That was one scary woman.” Anne came around the corner with a box cradled against her, and Macy obligingly moved aside and opened the door. While Anne placed it with the other books, Macy closed the garage door. If Louise did come back, or anyone else, for that matter, she could pretend she wasn’t home.
Macy told her what Louise had wanted.
“Ballsy woman,” Anne said with a grunt. She stretched her arms over her head. “I’m gonna need a massage before long.”
“I’ll send you to the best resort in the world when we’re done.”
“You come, too?”
Macy opened her mouth to answer, sure, of course, but nothing came out.
“Aw, you’re gonna be here cuddling up to Dr. Stephen, letting him work out all those kinks.”
Heat spread from her cheeks all the way down through her body. “Stephen and I—”
“That has a nice sound to it, doesn’t it? ‘Stephen and I.’ That’s how I knew I was falling in love with Brent, when saying ‘Brent and I’ gave me warm shivers. You know it’s not just you anymore. You’re part of a couple. There’s someone who will notice when you’re sad or happy or late. Someone who will always be there for you, who puts you first. It’s the coolest feeling in the world.”
Macy didn’t know Anne’s life story, but she did know her sister-in-law’s family wasn’t warm and fuzzy like the Irelands. Parents out of the picture, a brother who died in the war, a sister with more psychiatric diagnoses than an entire team could treat successfully. When she and Brent had met at the resort, she’d been hungry for affection, looking for somewhere to belong. Anne’s family’s loss was Macy’s family’s gain.
Focusing on Anne’s comment, Macy primly said, “Stephen and I aren’t in love.” Though the words gave her a pang.
Anne snorted. “News flash, darlin’—you’re well on your way, and I think he’s already there. He adores you, adores your child, likes your family and couldn’t care less about your money. And he’s not Mark. This one’s a keeper.”
And he had Anamaria’s thumbs-up, too.
Smiling as broadly as a child at Christmas, Macy made a sweeping gesture toward the door. “Let’s get back to work so you can get to that spa sooner. Be thinking what region you want to go to. France, the Bahamas, the South Pacific.”
“You know we’re doing this because we love you. We don’t need bribes.”
“That’s why it’s not a bribe. It’s a thank-you. For everything.” Most especially