I gave him a polite smile. "Mr. Langdon, let's be honest. I live here because I work here. We're not exactly in the same social circles as the rest of the residents."
He waved that away. "Nonsense. You're friends with the next owner of the estate, and hopefully will become so with the current one." He meant himself. "I think that means you're in exactly the same circles as most of these people. Your daughter shouldn't have any problems. Now, I heard you're divorced?"
"Um, not officially. Legally separated. He signed the papers, but we have to wait the required six months before we can get a court date."
He reached over and patted my hand. "Well, if you need anything, Elena, don't be afraid to ask. I'm still an attorney, even if I don't take any new clients, but I'll make an exception for a family friend. If you need representation, just let me know. Hell, I know how hard it was when my wife left me, and my kids were already out of the house. How's your girl taking this?"
"Gabby? Not well, in all honesty." I shrugged. "She can't seem to understand why we had to move, and she's angry she won't be going to school with her friends anymore. It doesn't matter to her if it's a better district. All she knows is that she's starting all over because I turned her life upside down - but she came with me, so there's that."
He nodded. "The joy of raising a teenager, am I right? Yeah, I don't miss those years at all. Ashley was a terror."
I laughed. "Oh, I can believe that. Granted, I'm not sure much has changed."
"Not really." He smiled and lifted his head. "Speak of the devil..."
Ashley placed a beautiful wine glass in front of me and claimed the chair to my left with a drink of her own. "You aren't embarrassing me, are you, Dad?"
"Not more than usual."
I turned to face her. "Why didn't you tell me your dad owned the estate?"
She waffled her head. "Because when people find out that my family's loaded, they stop liking me for being me and start liking me for being rich. Just one catch. I'm not rich. Dad's got a lot of money on paper, and we're comfortable, but that doesn't mean I own a yacht."
"Well, I'm still glad you managed to get me a job and a house. Seriously, Ash, I'm in your debt."
"Yeah..." She flashed me a devious smile. "Just remember that when I make you call back all the people who don't get approved for a lease."
We both laughed at that, and then at a few more things. Oddly enough, I found I liked her father as much as her. Henry was a very kind man, and quite a bit older than I would have expected. While Ashley was only in her late thirties, her father looked to be pushing seventy. That didn't mean he wasn't spry, though, even with his obvious limp. He also had the same wicked sense of humor as his little girl.
While we talked, a few other residents came by to introduce themselves. I wouldn't remember half their names, but I did notice one very odd thing. Every single person seemed to have the same strange, honey-colored eyes. Like clockwork, one after the other, I couldn't help but notice them. Light skin, dark, or something in between, it didn't matter. Not a single person at this party had blue or green eyes. Not even really brown. These were just one shade too dark to be yellow, closer to gold, and all of them were striking.
I wanted to ask Ashley about it, but something held me back. Mostly, that her eyes were the exact same shade. I'd always thought hers were so pretty, but now I was more worried that I was losing my mind. It made sense for Ian and Henry to have the same eye color - they were related, after all - but the entire community? They couldn't all share family ties, could they? Unless it was something in the water?
So, to make sure I didn't lose my job before I even started, I kept my mouth shut. It was easier this way. Besides, this seemed like one of those times when what I didn't know couldn't hurt me.
CHAPTER 5
Eventually, my wine glass ran dry. Ashley offered to get me another, but she was in the middle of a conversation with someone else, so I convinced her to