Your House or Mine?

by Cynthia Thomason

  “No more than you like playing the judge, Meg. It’s been that way since we were kids. I screw up. You tell me how. And Aunt Amelia makes us kiss and make up.” She buried her face in her arms again and groaned. “Only Amelia’s not here, and I feel like crap, so let’s cut to the chase and get this over with.”

  Knowing her anger was misplaced, Meg sighed heavily. Gloria was truly miserable, and Meg didn’t have a reason to scold her for something that was just Gloria being herself. Besides, what had she done that was so unforgivable? All their lives, Gloria had acted on impulses that Meg denied herself because she overanalyzed them or they scared her to death. Now that she thought about it, she wasn’t angry at Gloria. She was jealous of her.

  Meg sat down at the end of the table nearest her cousin and gently placed her hand on Gloria’s arm. “You didn’t do anything, Gloria. I’m the one who screwed up this time.”

  Gloria raised her eyes. “Really?” A skeptical but slightly victorious grin curled her lips. “What did you do?”

  “I stayed home last night while you and Wade went out. And I’m mad at myself for that and for blaming you.”

  Gloria reached for the glass of water and took a sip. Then she sat up straight. “You like the guy, don’t you?”

  “I don’t know. I shouldn’t.”

  “Why not? He’s definitely decent-looking. Tall, law-abiding. Just your type, cuz. And he’s wild about you.”

  “He is?”

  “Oh, yeah. When he wasn’t saying how we ought to be getting home, he was talking about you.” Gloria frowned and gulped the rest of the water. “To tell you the truth, Meggie, he’s something of a drag in my opinion, but I can see where you’d like him.” She stood up and grabbed a box of cereal off the top of the refrigerator. “So, have you two had sex?”

  “What? No!”

  She found a plastic bowl on the counter and filled it with corn flakes. Meg got a little satisfaction from not telling her it was Mr. Cuddles’s food dish.

  “So why haven’t you?” Gloria said. “Had sex, I mean.”

  “We have issues, Gloria.”

  “Oh, this house thing?” Obviously Wade had told her about the problem. “Big deal.”

  Big deal? “Yes, it is, but that’s not all. There’s his wife who died. I don’t know if he’s come to terms with losing her. And I think his feelings for me have more to do with gratitude than anything else. I’m the first woman…” She stopped talking and stared at her cousin, while she tried to decide how to end that sentence.

  Gloria poured milk in the bowl and took a bite of cereal. While she chewed, her overly critical gaze made Meg squirm. Then she said, “You’re an idiot.”

  Meg slammed the flat of her hand on the table. “Well, thanks for that!”

  “Sorry, but you’re just like you were way back when. Remember the old soapbox derby car that boy from down the road had? All us kids jumped in two at a time and tore down the hill, screaming our lungs out. But not you, Meg. Remember when we were teenagers and how everybody sneaked out at night and TP’d houses all over Mount Esther? But not you, Meg. Remember those guys from that little town west of here and the night they brought beer? We went down to the river and drank and roasted marshmallows. But not you, Meg. Remember?”

  “You’ve made your point.”

  “Right, and this could end up just like back then with you and I arguing and yelling at each other till we’re hoarse. But we’re older now and should know better. Now I’ll just say what’s on my mind and go back upstairs where I plan to be until at least late this afternoon.”

  Meg didn’t even try to cut Gloria off. Nothing stopped her once she got up a good head of steam.

  “Take a chance, Meg. Quit thinking so damned much and do something. The guy likes you. You obviously like him. So stop worrying about consequences all the time and let the poor man take you to bed.”

  “But what about all the problems?” Even as she asked the question, Meg knew the answer. At least she knew what Gloria’s answer would be.

  “You mean this old house?” When Meg nodded, Gloria held up two fingers and used them to illustrate her point. “What do you want, Meg? The man or the house? I’ll tell you this much. If you get the house, you’ll probably lose the man. But if you get the man, you just might get both.”

  What Gloria was suggesting was ridiculous, and Meg told her so. “You’re saying I should sleep with him to get the house?”

  “Of course not, because it might not work. I’m telling you to sleep with him because you want to. Ashford House might just be a bonus.” She blew out an impatient breath and gestured at all the kitchen collectibles Meg had spread over Amelia’s counters. “Look, Meg, you might know a lot about all this old stuff, but I know about men. When a guy’s been celibate for two years like Wade, and finally chooses you over every other woman he’s encountered in all that time, he’s serious. Give the guy a break, and yourself one at the same time.” She shook her head, a sign of her pathetic appraisal of Meg. “For some reason, you’ve spent your life telling yourself you don’t deserve the happiness other people take for granted.”

  Meg was too astounded to speak. Was that true? Had she done that? After a moment, she got up, poured herself a glass of water, and faced Gloria. “Let’s assume you’re right.”

  “I am right.”

  “Okay, but think about this. I can’t have sex in this house. Not with Spence and Jenny and Roone…”

  Gloria dismissed her with an abrupt wave of her hand. “You’re hopeless, Meggie. In the first place, I don’t care where you have sex, but this house is as good as anyplace. It’s huge. If you can’t find a secluded spot, you’re not looking. Especially when I’m offering to take those two kids to the movies tonight.”

  Meg swallowed. “You are?”

  “Yeah, but only once. And it’s up to you to avoid Gramps. Think about it. I’m going back to bed.”

  Gloria left the room just as the phone rang. Meg picked it up and barely managed to say, “Hello.”

  “Hi, Meg. It’s Wade. Can you come down to the office? I’ve got some information on that theft ring.”

  WADE’S VOICE ON the telephone had been serious, almost somber. For sure he had bad news to tell her, probably one more disaster in an endless parade of them. Her aunt was dying. She knew that now and had to accept that it was Amelia’s wish. She was going to lose Ashford House. There was little hope of finding the deed. And now her brother might be in serious trouble with the law and the future of Colonial Auction House could be in jeopardy.

  And Meg couldn’t erase feelings of resentment with regard to their business. Why did she always have to bear the burden of her brother’s lack of responsibility? She thought again about Gloria’s suggestion that she grab a little happiness for herself and forget all her problems for a while. Could she do that? Did she deserve such happiness? Did Wade even think of her that way anymore? And, the most important question—was a one-night fling with Wade what she wanted, even if that’s all it turned out to be?

  She pulled into a parking space at town hall and got out of the car. She knew the answer, and it was yes.

  Just thinking about what lay ahead in the next few minutes and maybe later that night, Meg was trembling when she entered Wade’s office. This first encounter had her nerves crackling with dread. The one to come later that evening had her blood heating with anticipation. Both were terrifying.

  Wade looked up from a stack of papers when she came in. “Oh, Meg, good, you’re here.” Amazingly he looked at ease, even in this environment of clipboards, file cabinets, and computers. With his sleeves rolled up, his hair comfortably mussed, he appeared as relaxed in the office as he did on the porch of Ashford House. Maybe this was a good sign.

  Meg took the chair he offered but remained silent, not trusting herself to speak.

  He opened a folder on his desk. “It’s all here,” he said. “I got a faxed report this morning from the Jacksonville PD where the investigation originated.”
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br />   “So there is a theft ring?” she said.

  He nodded. “’Fraid so. It’s pretty much as I told you yesterday. It involves stealing from freight lines and warehouses and then dumping the stuff at an assortment of irregular fence operations.”

  “Like Colonial Auction,” she said, her voice tense with anxiety.

  “It appears so.”

  She put her face in her hands. “Oh, God, I knew it. Jerry’s going to jail.” And then when an equally horrible outcome occurred to her, she added, “Maybe I am, too.”

  “Nobody’s going to jail,” Wade said. “At least not if Jerry cooperates now. He didn’t knowingly sell stolen merchandise, did he?”

  She shook her head.

  “He acted in accordance with Florida State statutes regarding auction houses?”

  “Yes, I’m sure he did.”

  “And he had no reason to suspect that the charity was involved in criminal activity?”

  “No.”

  Wade shrugged, and the tightness in Meg’s chest eased. “I think law enforcement officials will regard your brother as a victim, not a conspirator,” Wade said. “Maybe an inept, careless victim, but a victim nonetheless. I’ve seen lots of cases like this, and the poor guys who get caught with the merchandise usually just get a warning to be a little more conscientious from now on.”

  Meg placed the flat of her hand over her chest where her heart still hadn’t returned to a normal beat. “Oh, Wade, thank you.”

  “I’ll talk to the cops in Orlando and fill them in on what’s been going on.”

  “And I’ll call Jerry right now and tell him not to sell any more of that stuff.”

  Wade held up a finger. “I don’t think I’d do that.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “There’s one other possible problem,” Wade said. “According to the fax I got, the guys who handle the stolen merchandise don’t always work alone.”

  “Well, then, who…?” Meg paused when the answer suddenly came to her. “Oh, no. Mary Beth?”

  “A young, female accomplice has been reported in a couple of instances,” he said.

  Meg closed her eyes, tried to imagine her brother’s reaction when he heard the news. “Poor Jerry.”

  “When is he likely to see the guys who’ve been bringing the merchandise in?”

  “Probably Monday. That’s when we make consignment checks available. I think he told me the men come by the auction in the morning and pick up their percentage.”

  “Then unless I miss my guess, that’s the procedure I think the Orlando police will want him to follow. They don’t want the perpetrators alerted because of a change in routine. I have a hunch your brother will be told to run a few of the items through the sale as he has been doing so Horton will be in on Monday as usual to pick up the check.” He smiled. “And that’s when he’ll find a little surprise, like an FBI agent and a couple of Orlando’s finest.”

  Meg wished the news weren’t so damaging. Maybe Jerry wouldn’t be facing a jail sentence, but he’d still very likely panic. This situation might be more than he could handle, especially now that he’d have to consider that Mary Beth was involved with the criminals. He might even insist that Meg come home, but of course she couldn’t, not with Amelia’s auction just two days away. And she couldn’t even provide moral support on Monday when Horton came to pick up his check. She’d still be doing the accounting from the Mount Esther sale.

  Concern etched Wade’s features as he leaned forward. “Meg, what’s wrong? I just told you that everything should be okay with your brother.”

  “You don’t know Jerry. He’s not a take-charge person and I don’t know how he’ll react to this news.”

  “Maybe you should give him more credit. He’s a big boy, isn’t he?”

  Meg only grimaced.

  “You probably should call him soon and let him know what’s happening,” Wade suggested. “Once I get in touch with Orlando PD, I figure the cops will be at your place pretty quick. They’ll advise him what to do.”

  The police at Colonial Auction? Jerry never even dealt with customers coming in with complaints. He always sent them to Meg. And now he was going to face a police investigation?

  Wade reached over the desk and touched her arm. “He’ll be all right, Meg.”

  She nodded, resigned to putting Jerry in charge of this latest dilemma. Wade was right. Jerry was a big boy. He’d made a mistake and he would have to face the consequences. Then maybe she could turn her thoughts to her own goals, especially the one she’d set for that night. Time was running out, and she had to put a plan in motion to insure that she and Wade would be alone. She took a deep breath and initiated the first of the details that would result in a night she hoped she’d never forget.

  “What time will you be home this evening?” she said.

  Wade frowned. “I don’t know. When will your cousin not be there?”

  Meg held back a chuckle. “You didn’t get along well with Gloria?”

  “Let’s just say I’ll never forgive you for bowing out on that little excursion to McGruder’s last night.”

  “Actually Gloria is taking both kids to a movie tonight.”

  His eyebrows arched in surprise. “No kidding? Maybe they can keep up with her. And maybe you can think of a way to make up for your traitorous behavior.”

  She stood. “Maybe I can. Maybe I already have.”

  She headed for the door before he could see the incriminating pink stain she knew had colored her cheeks. Jerry would just have to take care of himself. For once Meg was leading her own life, and it was getting pretty darned exciting.

  “Seven o’clock, Meg. I’ll be there at seven,” he called after her.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  SOMEHOW MEG had managed to get everything done that afternoon. She’d shopped for a new dress at a little country boutique and purchased gourmet goodies at the market.

  She’d called Jerry and explained what Wade had found out and warned him that the Orlando police would be following up. She’d advised, calmed and encouraged him and discovered to her surprise that he handled the news better than she’d expected. And when she told him that Mary Beth might be involved in the thefts, he even managed his broken heart with a stalwart determination to do the right thing. Still, he’d seemed genuinely relieved when she assured him that mistakes happen and of course she forgave him for having a trusting nature that got him into trouble.

  And now she was determined to get the residents of Ashford House out of her way.

  “Wow, this is the best supper ever, Mom.” Spencer shoveled another spoonful of macaroni onto his plate and then asked if there were more chicken nuggets. Meg plucked a half dozen from Amelia’s deep fat fryer, patted them on a paper towel to soak up the grease and brought them to the table.

  Spencer blew on one and took a crunchy bite. “The best part is, there’s no vegetables.”

  “Don’t get used to this,” she said. “We’re back to meat and potatoes tomorrow night.” She smiled. “Maybe even Brussels sprouts.”

  He popped another nugget in his mouth. “You’d never be that mean. So why are you being so nice tonight?”

  Gloria darted a knowing glance Meg’s way as she chewed on her salad. “Yeah, Meg, why? It isn’t like you to sacrifice vitamins for flavor.”

  Meg glanced at the clock on the wall. It said six. Wade would arrive in an hour, and she wanted to be ready. “No reason,” she said. “I just remembered you guys were going to a movie, and I wanted to prepare something quick and easy. I know you don’t want to be late….” She gave Gloria a withering glance. “You want to be there for the previews, don’t you?”

  “Right,” her cousin said. “We wouldn’t want to miss those. So what did you two decide on for our big night at the Mount Esther Twin-plex? The horror flick or the animated bunny story?”

  Jenny rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to any cartoon.”

  “Me neither,” Spencer agreed.

  “Great.
You two agree for once. Horror movie it is. Let’s go get our underwear scared off.” Gloria carried her bowl to the sink and flashed a grin over her shoulder at Meg. “By the way, where’s Gramps tonight?”

  “Playing poker with the clerk from the Quick Mart and some of his buddies,” Meg answered. “Sometimes fate just plays into your hand.”

  “Okay, then.” She hustled the kids out of the kitchen. “Don’t wait up, Mom. We might get real crazy and go for ice cream later.”

  “Have fun.” Meg began rinsing the dishes. The minute she heard Gloria’s car head down the drive to the road, she tossed the wet dish towel into the sink and left the plates soaking. Then she carried items from the refrigerator to the table and took one of Amelia’s sterling silver platters from the china cupboard. The plate would be sold on Saturday, but tonight it would contribute one last sparkle of elegance to the romantic history of Ashford House.

  She arranged meats, cheese and garnishes on the platter. At the last minute, she would add the lush globe grapes and ripe Greek olives. A loaf of crusty French bread, a jar of gourmet mustard, and a chilled bottle of Chardonnay would add the finishing touches to her picnic.

  Satisfied with the preparations, Meg slid the platter into the refrigerator and dashed upstairs to take a shower. She didn’t want the food, or even the secluded nook she’d chosen, to be the most seductive component of the night’s activities. When she stepped under the warm spray, pinpoints of water sluiced over her shoulders, and her nerves tingled deliciously. Running her hands over her slick body, she imagined what Wade’s hands would feel like when he caressed the same spots later.

  A simple shower became the prelude for what was to come. Truly, nearly everything she’d done since leaving Wade’s office, even the mundane chores which had become routine the last two weeks, had seemed part of an erotic pathway leading to a destination that both thrilled and terrified her. But what if Wade didn’t react as she hoped he would?

  She stepped out of the shower, patted her skin dry and applied lotion to her legs. No, she wouldn’t let thoughts of failure dissuade her now. She’d been too long waiting for the touch of the right man. Even if she only had this one night, it would be worth it because Wade had made her delight in being a woman getting ready for a man again.