by Meryl Sawyer
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Lyleen Foster seems to be doing a great job with the dogs. I had a message from Trish. Remember the friend of hers who needed a house-sitter?”
Adam recalled Whitney mentioning it. The fine hairs on the back of his neck prickled. “What about him?”
“He’s left town. Trish told him I would house-sit.”
He didn’t like the thought of Whitney staying anywhere but with him. He could tell himself that he wanted her around until they settled this mess with her cousin and the disc—but that wasn’t the reason. He cared about her. He wanted Whitney to become part of his life.
“I’m supposed to move in as soon as I get back.”
A flare of anger hit him. “You decided all this without talking to me?”
She jerked sideways to face him squarely. “You haven’t bothered to consult with me.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, although he had the sneaking suspicion he knew. He’d noticed the grim expression on her face at several points during the conversation with Miranda.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know! All that talk about Miranda and your uncle. Why didn’t you tell me?”
He put his finger to his lips to indicate they should keep their voices low. “It didn’t involve you, and I didn’t want to worry you.”
“I was already worried,” she hissed at him, but lowered her voice. “I had the right to know but you didn’t see fit to confide in me.”
He couldn’t deny it. There had been more going on than he’d permitted Whitney to learn. He hadn’t wanted to upset her any more or he would have told her that night.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I should have told you. It won’t happen again.”
“Is there anything else I should know about?”
Aw hell, he cursed silently. Why had he listened to that overbuffed jock? He should have told her that Ashley had been responsible for Lexi’s disappearance. “Lexi didn’t wander off.”
Whitney sat up straighter. “She didn’t? What happened?”
“Ashley convinced her personal trainer—Preston Block, the guy who returned Lexi—to take her. They planned to hold her for ransom until—”
“Ransom? How could Ashley possibly think I had any money? Didn’t Ryan tell her the truth about our divorce?”
“I assume he did. They wanted you to sign the property agreement immediately. There was a house Ashley really wanted, and your ex couldn’t qualify for financing unless he could show he owned everything so he could arrange for a new loan.”
“That bastard! How could he take Lexi and scare me like that?”
“Ryan had nothing to do with it. That’s what Block told me, and I believe him. He claimed it was his idea. After our visit, Ryan guessed Ashley knew something and insisted she return the dog.”
“Really?” She studied her hands for a moment. “I guess I underestimated Ryan.” She shifted in her seat, thinking about Ashley and the clothes that had appeared after the fire. “No wonder Ashley brought me clothes. She isn’t the sweet, innocent woman she pretends to be. She felt guilty for taking my dog. Why else would she have given me an expensive dress?”
Adam wasn’t going there. He hadn’t a clue what went on in women’s minds. “I suppose that’s the reason, but who knows?”
“Her reasons don’t matter. Why didn’t you tell me? I don’t get it.”
Again Adam cursed himself. “I should have, but Block was persuasive. He said you wouldn’t believe Ryan wasn’t involved. You’d cause more trouble and Ashley wouldn’t get her house. I liked you a lot—more than a lot. I decided you had your dog and it would be better to close the book on the past.”
Adam waited a few agonizingly long minutes before switching the subject and asking, “What did you tell Trish?”
“Nothing. I could pick up my messages yet I can’t seem to call out. But I intend to take the job.”
“Why? If it’s money—”
“It’s not. I’m starting over. This is the time and the place. I’m going to become a vet. I’ll need to split my time between working at the vet’s and taking classes.”
“You’re saying there’s no time for us?”
“I’m not sure there is an us. You haven’t shared things with me. You should have told me about Lexi. Every time she was out of my sight, I worried. There wasn’t any need. She’s not going to run away because she never did in the first place.”
“Would you feel this way if I’d told you about Lexi and my uncle?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve learned you can’t change the past, but you can do things differently so the future isn’t a replay of the past. I’m not going to have much spare time. When I do, I intend to spend it with Miranda.”
Adam opened his mouth to argue, then decided against it. Maybe a little distance wasn’t such a bad idea. It would give them both time to think. It would also get Whitney away from the house. He was pretty sure the media coverage had made it clear that Miranda had been the object of the firebombing—and she was no longer living there. But it didn’t hurt to be careful.
WHITNEY PICKED UP WHAT few clothes she had and moved to the address that Trish had left on the machine. She and Adam had exchanged less than a dozen sentences—all of them necessary—between Cancún and San Diego. He’d dropped her off at the mansion overlooking the ocean in La Jolla. He’d waited for her to find the hidden key and let herself in before leaving.
Whitney wandered around the home, telling herself that Adam had his pride. He wasn’t going to beg her to stay with him. Part of her wished things were different but another—wiser—part accepted the situation. She’d found her cousin and knew the truth about Lexi. Her life had a new direction now.
Time would tell if she and Adam had a future.
She heard the doorbell ring and knew it was Trish. She’d called her friend to say she was moving in, and Trish said she would meet her at the house to show her how everything worked.
Whitney opened the door and Trish breezed in, a happy smile lighting her face. “Where were you? I almost didn’t tell Ian that you were going to take the house-sitting job. For all I knew you were gone forever.”
Whitney followed her into the great room that overlooked the pool. In the distance the marine blue of the Pacific glittered in the midday sun. “Adam and I got away for a bit.”
Trish arched one finely plucked eyebrow and smiled. Adam and Whitney had agreed not to reveal anything to anyone about their trip to Cancún. No one was to learn Miranda’s whereabouts until this mess was straightened out.
“Sounds like fun,” Trish said with a wink. Whitney half expected the older woman to warn her about treacherous men, but she didn’t. “Ian Finsteter has an impressive collection of art.”
Whitney had wandered through the new home and had noticed a number of paintings and fine sculptures on display. Knowing the owner of the home purchased art from Trish had told Whitney the collection was valuable.
“Ian usually has the alarm on with motion sensors. He left it off until you moved in and I gave you the code.”
“What about Lexi? Won’t she set off the motion sensors?”
Trish shook her head. “Not unless she moves one of the sculptures.”
“Really? The motion sensors are under the pieces?” She glanced over to a postmodern sculpture of a ballerina gracefully pirouetting on one toe.
“Yes. It’s state of the art. The alarm goes into a special security service that only takes extremely wealthy clients. They’ll be here within three minutes if someone moves a piece of art and trips a motion sensor.”
“Lexi won’t touch a thing. I promise.”
“Where is she?”
“With Lyleen, the woman taking over my pets. She’s bringing Lexi here soon.”
Trish opened the sliding glass door that led out to the pool. “I met her. She seems…okay. Brandy’s happy, that’s all that counts.”
Whitney wanted to remind her that Golden retrievers
were easy to please and thought everyone was their friend. That was why Lexi had gone off with Ashley’s personal trainer. But she didn’t open her mouth. Why alienate Trish when she’d gone out of her way to help her?
“Isn’t this fabulous?” Trish waved her arm to indicate the pool. Off to the side was a large polished black rock precariously balanced on a much smaller rock. “Don’t touch Obsidian I. It’s a priceless sculpture by Diego Rameriz, the Spanish sculptor who died recently.”
“Is it protected by a motion sensor?”
“Of course.” Trish led her closer until Whitney could see her own distorted reflection on the glossy-black surface of the sculpture.
“I better keep Lexi away from this.”
Trish patted the rock. “She’d have to jump on it to trigger the alarm. The sensors are designed to stop thieves from stealing the art. They’re not so sensitive that a maid dusting them will cause a problem. You would need to knock this off its base to activate the alarm. Lexi doesn’t strike me as the type of dog to cause problems. That’s what I told Ian when I explained this fabulous house-sitter came with a dog.”
“Thanks. We’ll both be very careful.”
They went through the magnificent home and Trish showed her what needed to be taken care of and how to do it. Whitney explained why she’d decided to work for the vet even though Trish hadn’t inquired, which seemed odd.
“Smart move,” Trish told her when Whitney finished. “I was in my later thirties before I opened my gallery and found my calling.”
Whitney could have reminded Trish that she’d had a wealthy family backing her, but she didn’t. Despite having money Trish had suffered a lot.
“What are you doing for a car?” Trish asked.
“Tomorrow I’m contacting the insurance company to see what they can do.”
“You’re welcome to use Ravissant’s minivan. I won’t need it for a few days.”
“That’s great. I really appreciate it.”
They were standing in the opulent master bedroom—all white silk with sterling accent pieces—and admiring the ocean that stretched in an endless sweep of blue toward the distant horizon. Sometimes the beauty of nature overwhelmed Whitney, making her life, her troubles seem small.
“Hear anything from Miranda?” Trish unexpectedly asked.
How could Whitney lie to a friend who’d helped her so much? She evaded by saying, “I’m hoping she’ll be back soon.”
“Rod’s really curious why she used his name.”
The second the words were out of Trish’s mouth, Whitney got the picture. Trish was interested in the attorney.
“I’m sure you and I are the only ones Miranda told. Rod won’t have to explain all over town.”
“Rod’s not worried,” Trish assured her. “Just curious.”
Now Whitney had the complete picture. Trish wasn’t just interested in the man from afar; they must be involved. Great, she decided. Trish had let the past haunt her for too long. It was nice to know her friend had found someone to care about.
“Rod’s been trying to reach you,” Trish added. “I tried to help him by calling your ex—”
“You didn’t!”
“I did,” Trish replied defensively. “Only because Rod needs to reach you. He’s desperate to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“He didn’t tell me. You know how lawyers are. He flew to San Francisco this morning.”
“It must be about the property agreement. I’m ready to sign it and have Ryan out of my life.”
This was a new start, Whitney reminded herself. As soon as she signed those papers, her life would head in a new direction.
So why wasn’t she happier?
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON by the time Lyleen dropped off Lexi. Her dog was excited to see Whitney, but not nearly as excited as Jasper. The crested kept spinning in circles and yipping. Whitney realized she was going to miss Jasper. He had his quirks but he was a lovable dog. She would miss Adam, too, but she tamped that thought down.
The fiftyish woman had a nest of gray curls covering the crown of her head, but the rest was buzzed from ear to ear and along the back of her neck. Lyleen seemed a little intense to Whitney, but very competent. As Trish had said, the most important thing was the dogs liked her.
“I tried to reach Mr. Hunter but he’s not home,” the woman told her. “You said Jasper was skittish, and I knew Lexi had gotten out. Do you think I should leave such a valuable dog in the side yard?”
“No. Let him stay with me tonight. I’ll have Adam set up an appointment with you. He needs to explain Jasper’s schedule and show you the dog’s special hiding places, like under the coffee table.”
“All right. I’ll ring him again.”
They said goodbye and Whitney went over to the telephone in the media room just off the entry. Jasper and Lexi were at her heels. She remembered she didn’t have food for either one of them. She needed to make a quick run to the supermarket, but first she wanted to call Ryan.
“Ryan, it’s me.”
“Where are you?” He sounded upset.
“I’m house-sitting for a friend of Trish Bowrather’s.”
“Where?”
She hesitated. Adam had warned her to keep her whereabouts secret if possible. The killers after Miranda probably realized her cousin no longer lived in the cottage, but it paid to be careful. Also, after the way Ryan had shaken her to bully her into signing the papers, Whitney wasn’t sure she wanted him to pay her another visit.
“Where are you?” Ryan repeated.
“Why?”
“Trish Bowrather called here looking for you.” Something new entered his voice. Harder, more judgmental. “I didn’t know where you were.”
She wanted to tell him, There’s no reason why you should. Then she reminded herself that she was starting over. The past was behind her forever.
There was no reason not to tell her ex where she was living. After all, they’d been married. It would take some time before people stopped contacting Ryan when they wanted to find her.
“I’ll be at 211 Ocean Vista for the next few months.”
“That’s a pretty swank neighborhood.”
Trust Ryan to recognize a prestigious address. Whitney let the comment pass. “I want to thank you for making Ashley return Lexi. I realize her disappearance wasn’t your fault.” She waited but Ryan didn’t respond. “My attorney’s in San Francisco. He’ll be back tomorrow. I’ll sign the papers and get out of your life.”
A grinding silence greeted her words. She finally asked, “Is Ashley there?”
“Why?” he snapped.
“I wanted to tell her that she’s lucky I didn’t file stolen-property charges against her. Lexi’s a valuable dog. If Ashley comes near—”
“She’s out.” He slammed down the receiver.
Whitney hung up, a little annoyed with herself for being so peevish. Ashley had returned the dog. Why threaten her? She put the dogs in the minivan Ravissant Gallery used to deliver paintings. They had so much room that they started to play in the back.
“Settle down,” she called over her shoulder.
She was on her way to the market when she decided to drop by the veterinarian’s office and use the computer to update Lexi’s chip. She wasn’t due to start working until next week but maybe if she told them she was available she could start sooner. Heaven knew she could use the money. She was going to have to charge groceries and dog food.
“We’re closing in ten minutes,” the woman told Whitney when she walked through the door with both dogs on leashes.
Whitney explained she was going to be the new assistant, and the receptionist looked relieved not to have two sick dogs just before they closed at six.
“I don’t have a computer at home.” Whitney walked behind the counter to the computer. “I need to update Lexi’s chip info.”
“Go ahead, but did you know it can be done over the telephone?”
&n
bsp; “Really?” Whitney responded as if she didn’t know. She’d hoped to see one of the doctors and let them know she would like to work immediately. “Where is everyone?” Whitney casually asked as she logged onto the system and typed in the Web address for Pet Locate.
“They’re at a Neuticles demo.”
“What’s that?” A small charge of excitement buzzed through her body. She hadn’t had much sleep last night—just a short nap on Miranda’s sofa and another quick nap on the plane. She was exhausted and looking forward to climbing into the white silk bed, but hearing about advances in veterinary medicine interested her.
“Testicular implants.”
“No way!”
“I’m not kidding,” the receptionist assured her. “Lots of people want their dogs—you know—unable to reproduce, but they don’t like the look.”
“Oh my gosh. It sounds painful and totally unnecessary.”
The woman giggled. “I doubt if Dr. Robinson will be doing them, but she went to see what all the fuss was about.”
Whitney changed Lexi’s contact information to reflect the new address where Whitney was house-sitting and gave that phone number in addition to her cell. Lexi hadn’t wandered off, but why take chances?
While she was at it she checked to be sure Adam had updated Jasper’s information after his uncle’s death. The pets were listed under the owner’s name but nothing came up for Calvin Hunter. Pet Locate was the main chip database, but Whitney knew at least one other company was now providing the service.
“Isn’t there another chip service?” she asked.
“Sure. PetFinders.com. It’s bookmarked at the top of the screen.”
Whitney quickly located the database. Calvin Hunter’s name did not appear. “That’s strange,” she said, thinking out loud.
“Don’t you remember what service you used?” asked the receptionist.
“I’ve updated my dog’s information, but I wanted to change Jasper’s.” She pointed to her feet, where Jasper was wagging his tail at the sound of his name. “His owner died, so the info has to be changed. He’s an international champion but I can’t find his late owner’s name in either chip database.”