and they're getting reacquainted."
"Wow. This is big news. I never pictured your mom dating again."
"I didn't, either."
"She is a lot better, though. Maybe this is good for her."
"She's still vulnerable. I don't know that her ability to see through someone's motives is that good. I need to protect her."
"I can understand that feeling. I was doubtful of my mother's boyfriend, too, because of her addiction issues. But he seems to respect the fact that she needs to be in a sober environment, so there's nothing else I can do. I just worry that my mom tends to lose herself when men come around. But your mom has never been like that. I hardly remember her seeing anyone when we were growing up."
"There were a few losers, like the one who stole money from her."
"Oh, right. I remember that one. So, what are you going to do besides show him a house?"
"Try to get to know him and see if I can figure out if he has a hidden agenda." She glanced at her watch. "I better lock up. I have to meet him in thirty minutes."
"Okay. If you want to talk later, you know where to find me."
"With Jake?" she teased. "Yes, I know where to find you."
Hannah gave her a big, happy grin. "Even if I'm with Jake, I'm still available to you. You know that."
"I do. And I'm glad you're with Jake. It was a long time coming."
"I just had to get out of my own way. That may be advice you need to take."
"I'm not in my way; there's a girlfriend, a baseball career, and now the paparazzi."
Hannah gave her a regretful smile. "I wish it were different. You and Dante seemed like you really clicked."
"I thought so, too. But it was just a click, nothing more—the end."
"We'll see."
"There's nothing to see. Go back to being cynical Hannah; I'm not used to this optimistic version."
"Sorry. I fell in love, and everything just looks rosier."
She pushed Hannah out the door, then locked it behind her and flipped the sign to Closed.
She not only needed to meet Mark Langley, but she also needed a minute to think about what the photographs might mean and what she needed to say if she ran across that photographer. One thing was clear: if she'd needed another reason to stay away from Dante, she'd just gotten it.
Chapter Nine
A half hour later, Keira pulled up in front of a two-bedroom house in a newer development near the outskirts of town. She wanted to show Mark Langley this house first, simply because it was farther away from the home she shared with her mother. She got out of the car and walked up to the front door to open the lockbox. When she entered the house, she turned on the lights. Even though it was still bright outside, she wanted the house to look inviting, and it did. The home had recently been remodeled in neutral colors. Everything was sleek, sophisticated, and well-designed. There weren't many frills, just a clean design, and that seemed perfect for a single, older man.
A car pulled up in front of the house, and she walked out to the porch. Mark Langley got out of the car, wearing brown slacks and a white shirt. He was a handsome older man, she grudgingly admitted. But good looks didn't necessarily make him a fit for her mother.
He gave her a friendly but somewhat wary smile. "Hello, Keira. Thanks for meeting me."
"No problem. The house is ready for you to look at."
She waved him inside, happy that the air conditioning was working well, as it was a warm summer evening. She told him a little about the home as he entered, pointing out a few things before he wandered off on his own. He walked through the house fairly quickly. She wasn't completely surprised, as her male clients were usually focused on only a few key things.
"This house looks good," he said, as he rejoined her in the living room. "I'm just not sure about the location. It's farther from town than the other one."
"By only a couple of miles. Nothing is that far in Whisper Lake. This house is probably the most up to date you'll find in this price range. The roof was recently done as well. It's a house you can move right into and just enjoy."
"I can see that."
"But you're not sold."
"As I said, it's nice, but I'm not convinced this is the location for me."
"All right. We're just