Windswept Way (Hope Harbor #9)(30)
Author: Irene Hannon

 

“I can cook for you—cleanup included.”

 

“No offense intended, Jon, but you are not a Cordon Bleu chef. Heck, you’re not even a fast-food-caliber chef.”

 

“I’ve improved.”

 

“Glad to hear it, for your sake. But I still want to eat out. If you spend the evening cooking, it will be hard to have any in-depth conversations. Trust me, I know. Our kitchen is a madhouse at dinner.”

 

“There aren’t eight-year-old twins running around here.”

 

“More’s the pity.” After giving him a pointed look, she commandeered his arm and tugged him toward the house. “I want quality visiting time while we eat decent food neither of us has cooked, tonight being an exception. I’ll admit I’m tired after traveling all day. But beginning tomorrow, you and I are going to have long talks over dinner.”

 

“About what?” As if he couldn’t guess.

 

“Anything and everything. Your business, this new job you mentioned, how you like living in Oregon . . . romance.”

 

“There’s nothing to discuss on the romance front.”

 

“We’re going to talk about that too.”

 

Jon stifled a groan.

 

Much as he loved his sister, she could be as dogged as a seagull following a fishing boat.

 

But she was only going to be in town a week. He could dodge and weave for that long. Try to appease her by coming up with a few creative dinner locales that didn’t involve sit-down restaurants. Tell her about his business, give her a peek at Edgecliff, perhaps steal away from work for a few hours and take her up to Shore Acres State Park. She’d enjoy the gardens there.

 

All he had to do was listen to whatever she had to say, agree to take it under advisement, and change the subject. Should be simple.

 

After all, how much could she disrupt his life in a mere seven days?

 

 

 

Everyone was gone for the day.

 

Half hidden behind the drapery in the dining room of the main house, Rose kept tabs on the cloud of dust approaching the tunnel of foliage at the entrance. Foliage that was destined to come down soon.

 

As Ashley had explained during the daily briefings they’d agreed on and launched today here in the kitchen after the crews left, the entrance would be more impressive—and welcoming—if the tangle of concealing brush and the warning signs were removed.

 

Hard to argue with that logic, even if the greenery and those notices had done an excellent job discouraging visitors.

 

Now, however, the time had come to again welcome guests to the gracious home that had once known much happiness. Meaning changes had to be made.

 

Ashley’s car disappeared from view, and Rose let the drape drop back into position.

 

At last she could visit Allison in privacy.

 

Her cell phone began to ring as she crossed the foyer toward the parlor, and she pulled it from her pocket. Smiled.

 

David. Checking up on her, no doubt.

 

She put the phone to her ear and greeted him as a kaleidoscope of rainbow colors danced across the floor, courtesy of the sun beaming through the stained-glass window on the landing. “Good evening, David. I didn’t expect to hear from you again this soon.”

 

“I thought I’d call and see how you’re adjusting to all the activity at Edgecliff and to your new quarters. Living in the cottage has to be quite different than living in the house.”

 

“I still spend a fair amount of time in the house. I’m here now, as a matter of fact. Ashley gave me a briefing in the kitchen a few minutes ago on our project. And the cottage is cozy. Plus, I have Lucy Lynn close by there. So far, it’s all been working out fine.”

 

“Glad to hear it. I’ll have to drive over soon and see the progress.”

 

“You’re welcome anytime. Eugene isn’t that far away. Give me a day’s notice and I’ll have a batch of scones waiting.”

 

“I’ll hold you to that. Any special plans for the evening?”

 

She continued toward the parlor. “I’m going to spend an hour with Allison.”

 

“A pleasant end to the day.”

 

“Always.”

 

“I’ll let you go, then. Remember to call me if anything comes up that we should discuss. Anytime.”

 

“You know I will. And thank you for following up. It’s a blessing to have such a conscientious attorney. I’m sure all your clients appreciate your diligence. I don’t know what I’d do if you ever retired.”

 

“Sixty-five is ten years away. I intend to remain on the job at least that long. And after all these years, I’d like to think we’ve become more than business associates.”

 

“Indeed we have, David. I don’t know what I would have done without your wise counsel, savvy advice, and friendship.”

 

“You would have been fine. You’re a smart, strong woman who knows what she wants. This latest project proves that. As does Lucy Lynn.”

 

Lips curving up, Rose pushed the end of the pocket door that was peeking out of the wall between the parlor and foyer back into its hiding spot. “Charley Lopez gets the credit for Lucy Lynn.”

 

“I must meet him on one of my visits.”

 

“With enough warning, I may be able to arrange that.”

 

“I’d enjoy that, along with a taste of those tacos you always rave about. Now I’ll let you get to Allison.”

 

“Thank you again for calling—and for caring, David.”

 

“My pleasure on both counts.”

 

As they rang off, Rose moved across the parlor in the quiet house. Ashley had said she had a meeting this evening with a wedding planner in Coos Bay to pique the woman’s interest in Edgecliff and encourage her to recommend it as a venue. That meant her partner should be gone two hours, minimum.

 

A generous window to spend private time with Allison.

 

 

 

Well, shoot.

 

Ashley stopped at the end of Windswept Way and riffled through the folder on the seat beside her.

 

The revised schematic of the gazebo gardens Jon had given her this morning wasn’t in there.

 

She’d have to go back and get it.

 

Could be worse, though. What if she’d been halfway to Coos Bay when she’d thought of it?