The huge rambling ranch house had five bedrooms, five bathrooms, four fireplaces, a wet bar, wine room, and an exercise room with a hot tub and steam shower. After riding all those horses, you probably really needed a hot tub.
As Becca passed through the rooms, she took pictures of the vaulted ceilings and the custom stone work on the fireplace hearths. The shiny sparkling kitchen looked virtually untouched and sported two refrigerators, a commercial-grade stove, and a walk-in pantry. Becca peeked in the pantry. No Twinkies or Chef Boyardee in this place.
She stood at a window in the expansive master suite and looked out across the estate. The house was set on a rise that overlooked the lake. In the opposite direction were acres of beautiful, serene fields with panoramic mountain views beyond. A small creek also ran through the property. With the immense acreage and all the high-end features, the place looked like it belonged in a magazine.
Becca thanked the employee and told him that she’d be outside taking photos for a while. He nodded and closed the door behind her. She wandered the property and continued taking pictures. It was possible she might have wasted a teeny-weeny bit of film on a few extra photos of the landscape and some adorable curious horse faces.
Later at the H12 motel, she was entering data into the laptop again when she heard the knock at the door she’d been anticipating. As she let Jack into the room, she announced, “I know what I want for Christmas.”
He pulled her into an embrace. “What’s that?”
“This house I’m appraising.” She threw her arms around him and returned the hug. “I’m not sure I can add numbers this large. It’s just incredible!”
Jack inclined his head to kiss her. “I hope you have some rich relatives, then.”
“A girl’s gotta have a dream. I need to get my film developed. It looks like there’s a photo place near the gift store.”
They collected Frank from the truck and walked hand-in-hand down the main street of Alpine Grove, passing cute little touristy shops. There was a big wooden bench in front of the gift store and a woman with light blonde hair was sitting on it with her legs stretched out in front of her, eyes closed. As they got closer, Becca realized that the woman’s hair was actually blonde mixed with gray, but it had been highlighted in a way that disguised the gray. Sneaky.
Jack squeezed Becca’s hand. “That’s Bea. She’s one of the owners of the land. I need to talk to her for a second and tell her where I’m at on the project.”
“Okay. It looks like she’s taking a nap though.”
They walked up next to the bench and the woman opened her eyes. She leaped up and gave Jack an enthusiastic hug. “Jack! You caught me sunbathing.” She bent down to stroke Frank’s head. “Hi Frank. Yes. I know. There’s a squirrel right over there. Please ignore him. He’s my friend.”
Jack tightened his grip on the leash and glared at Frank. Looking back up and turning to Bea he said, “It’s good to see you again. The sun is nice, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s like the weather is apologizing for last week.” Bea spread her arms wide. “I was trying to collect as much Vitamin D as possible. In wintertime, I need to get my sun when I can.”
Jack gestured toward Becca. “This is my friend Becca. She’s a property appraiser.”
Becca smiled politely. “Well, technically I’m an appraisal trainee. I work for my uncle. But I’ve almost completed my hours, so I can get certified. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Jack said, “Bea, I wanted to let you know that I should have the plans and information to you in the next couple weeks. I thought I’d get more done on it over Thanksgiving weekend than I did, so I’m a little behind schedule.”
“Oh that’s fine Jack. Did you have a nice holiday?”
Jack glanced at Becca. “Yes, actually. Much better than I expected.”
Bea reached out to touch his arm. “I’m so glad, Jack. It’s wonderful to see you looking so happy.”
Becca said, “Jack took me out to see your land, and it’s just beautiful.”
Bea nodded. “Yes, it’s a special place. That’s why we want to make sure it is preserved for future generations to enjoy. Now that my daughter finally has found a boyfriend who isn’t a creep, I have hope that there actually will be future generations in my family to see it.”
Becca giggled. “I think my mother is starting to despair about me. Did you spend Thanksgiving with your family?”
“Yes. It was loud and everyone ate way, way too much. But it was one of those times I’m glad we live in town, since I guess many people didn’t have electricity because of the storm. My husband and my daughter even got along, for the most part. Then Rob fixed something on my husband’s computer, which improved his mood considerably. It was a holiday miracle.”
Jack laughed. “It sounds like it. We should get going. Becca needs to drop off some film before the photo place closes.”
“It was nice to meet you,” Becca said.
Bea said, “Lovely to meet you too, dear. I hope I see you again.”
Jack and Becca continued down the street and Becca said, “Bea is great. I think I want to be her when I grow up.”
“You want to own a gift store?”
“No. But I wish I were that nice. More likable I guess.”
“Apparently you’re nice enough to people that they give you lots of real estate information. But yes, everyone loves Bea.”
“I think some of those people gave me information just so I’d go away. Persistent is not the same as nice. I’d love to just sit around with Bea and listen to her tell stories.” Becca squeezed his hand. “So who is Rob?”
“Rob is her daughter Tracy’s boyfriend. Tracy works at the veterinary clinic part-time and does something with computers with Rob. I’ve met Tracy a few times when I’ve taken Frank in to the vet.”
Becca looked down at the dog, who looked worried with his furrowed brow and purposeful stride. “I think Frank is a little concerned that you just used the ‘v’ word.”
“He’s just hoping that if we walk faster I’ll forget the fact that he’s due for his shots.”
The next day, Becca had a long day of analysis ahead of her. It was time to wax poetic on the numbers and how they related to her opinions on the value of the house in question. Blech. Writing up her conclusions always made her a little anxious. This was definitely not the fun part.
As he had for the last few days, Jack had slipped out of the H12 sometime in the wee hours of the morning. Becca was enjoying her nights with him far too much. Some of her body parts tingled just thinking about it. But now she was starting to feel apprehensive at the idea of leaving in forty-eight hours. It was distressing that her time left with him was dwindling to the point that it was easily measurable in hours. She took a deep breath and stared at the laptop screen, trying to focus on the numbers.
Thinking about being anxious tended to increase her anxiety, which was not good if she ever wanted to get this done. Leaving Jack was the future. Right now, she had to finish this stupid analysis. They probably wouldn’t appreciate “The house is gorgeous and I want it” as an accurate estimation of value.
Becca hit a key on the keyboard and the screen flashed once and turned blue with a bunch of white text and long strings of numbers on it. She grabbed the corner of the laptop monitor and shrieked, “A problem has been detected? What do you mean check if my software is properly installed? It was properly installed two seconds ago, you piece of garbage!” Putting her hand on her chest, she attempted to take a deep breath. It would be fine. Just turn off the laptop and maybe the blue screen would go away.
The little computer did not want to return to service. The black screen that appeared was even worse than the blue screen. At least the blue screen said something other than “C.” C? What the heck was C supposed to mean? Becca stood up and began pacing the room. She sat on the bed and flipped through the skinny phone book. The only entry under “computers” was for a company in Los Angeles. Really? She flopped back o
n the bed and put her arm over her eyes, trying not to panic. Or cry. It was just a computer. With almost a week’s worth of work on it. She sat up. What about that Rob guy?
Becca put on her coat, stuffed the laptop in its bag, grabbed her room key, and ran out the door toward town. She walked into the gift store, where Bea smiled at her from behind the counter. “Hello Becca. It’s nice to see you again. May I help you?”
Becca looked around the store. There were lots of sparkly wonderful things that in any other situation she’d love to explore. But now was not the time for shopping. Right now, she had a much bigger problem. “Yes, I hope you can help me. Didn’t you say your son-in-law—or whatever—your daughter’s boyfriend knows about computers?”
“Yes. Rob. Half the time I don’t know what he’s talking about, but he is the sweetest man. He and Tracy have an office across the street and down a little ways.”
Becca put the laptop bag on the counter. “Do you think he’d help me with my computer? The laptop I’m using died and my appraisal is gone!”
“It couldn’t hurt to ask. Go down to the building that has the advertising agency and take the stairs to the second floor. He’s probably up there working now.”
Becca clutched the shoulder strap of the laptop bag and threw it over her shoulder. “Oh, thank you!”
“My pleasure, dear. I hope it works out.”
After committing an egregious act of jaywalking, Becca ran down the street looking at the signs on the plate-glass windows. She found the ad agency and next to it was a stairwell. Zipping up the stairs, she stopped and looked around the hallway. There was an open door with a baby gate across it. She walked down the hall and peeked into the office.
A lanky man in a t-shirt and shorts was sitting at a computer squinting at the screen. He certainly seemed to be a trifle underdressed, considering it was the first day of December. Becca tapped on the open door and a cabinet door slammed. A little wiener dog ran toward her, barking angrily. Becca stepped back away from the baby gate.
The man stood up and walked toward the door. “Sorry about that.” He pointed at the dachshund. “Roxy, that’s enough! Go lie down.”
With a final glare and a surly growl at Becca, the dog turned away and settled into a dog bed, where she could keep an eye on the evil human. The man pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose and said, “The ad agency is downstairs. So is the cute dog. I know sometimes people get lost.”
Becca said, “I’m not looking for the ad agency or a dog. Are you Rob?”
“Yes.”
As she stepped over the gate, she thrust the laptop bag into his hands. “Thank goodness I found you. Bea said you might be here. I have a terrible problem and I hope you can help me. I really need your help! There was a blue screen, then there was no screen. With the letter C. What does that even mean? If my appraisal is gone, my uncle is going to really kill me this time.”
Rob looked down at the bag in his arms, then at Becca. “Please slow down. I can hardly understand you.”
Becca took a breath and looked around the room. “It’s got to be 400 degrees in here. Why is it so hot?”
“The building restoration project has hit a little snag. They’re working on the heat.”
“Do you mind if I take off my coat?”
He sighed. “I’m kind of dealing with a deadline right now.”
Becca removed her coat and threw it over a chair. “Please help me. I think my computer died. Could you take a look at it? Just for a minute? Bea said you fixed her husband’s computer.”
Rob shook his head. “That was just a favor. I don’t really do computer repair work.”
“Please?” Becca looked into Rob’s eyes, which were an unusual and striking hazel color. He also had to have the longest eyelashes she’d ever seen on a man. If Maybelline came up with a mascara that did that, she’d buy it in a heartbeat. She patted the bag. “Just look at it? Please? I’ll pay you anything you want if you can fix it. I’m desperate.”
He put the laptop bag on a desk. “All right.”
Becca grabbed him in a hug. “Thank you so much!”
Stepping back and away from her, Rob pulled the laptop out of the bag, sat down, and plugged it in. He pressed the power button and looked up. “So what happened again?”
“I didn’t do anything. Suddenly, there was a blue screen with writing all over it. And numbers. It just sat there and I couldn’t figure out what to do. So I turned off the computer.”
Rob looked back at the screen, which had the letter C on it.
Becca jabbed her finger at the monitor. “Then it did that. A black screen with the letter C. That’s not helpful. Does it mean everything is gone?” She threw up her hands in frustration. “I swear this stupid appraisal really is cursed.”
He tapped a few keys and scowled. “Okay, let me go see if I can find a disk. Maybe I can boot from a floppy and access the data.”
“Huh? Boots?” What did footwear have to do with computers?
Rob stood up. “Just a minute. I need to go look for something.”
“Okay.” Becca walked toward the window, which faced the street. She looked out at the sidewalk below. People were walking around, once again enjoying the sun, and talking to each other. Apparently, everyone else in Alpine Grove had functioning computers.
Jack had told her he was going to be spending the day at his office working on his computer too. He didn’t seem terribly excited about the prospect of sitting at a desk instead of wandering around in the woods. Wait. Jack was supposed to meet her! She looked up at the clock. “Is that what time it is?”
Rob looked up from the drawer he was rummaging around in. “Yes. The clock works.”
Becca grabbed her coat. “I’ve got to go. I’ll be right back. I’m supposed to meet someone. I’m never late. It’s rude. Please, please fix the laptop. I promise I’ll come right back.”
Rob stood up. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Becca ran down the stairs and out the door to the street. She stopped to catch her breath. Ugh. It was really time to get in better shape. All this running around Alpine Grove was way more physical activity than she was used to. Trying not to pant like a dog, she walked as quickly as she could back to the H12.
Becca crossed the parking lot toward the motel. Jack was pacing back and forth in front of the door to her room. He looked up and raised his palms toward the sky. As she approached him, she said, “I’m sorry!”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hungrily. “I was worried about you. Weren’t you the one who said that you hate it when people are late?”
“I know. And we have to go back. My computer died. I left it with Rob. I hope he’s fixing it.”
Jack released her and raised his eyebrows. “Rob?”
“Bea’s daughter’s boyfriend. The computer-geek guy.”
“Oh yeah. Can he fix it?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t seem particularly optimistic, and I’m not sure what he’s doing to it. Maybe something with boots? I don’t know. His office is down the street from the gift store.” She took Jack’s hand. “Come with me. I told him I’d be right back”
“Okay. Frank will be fine in the truck for a few minutes. He’s asleep anyway. Let’s go.” They started across the parking lot and he turned to her. “I hate computers. Having to use one is the worst part of my job.”
“Tell me about it.”
Jack and Becca returned to Rob’s office, where they were aurally assaulted by the dachshund again. Becca waved at Rob, who was sitting at her laptop and doing something with floppy disks. “Can we come in?”
“Sure.” Rob gave the dog a menacing glare. “Roxy, stop it.”
Becca stepped over the baby gate and Jack followed her. They walked over to the desk and Jack introduced himself.
Rob said, “Bea told me about you. You’re the forester. She thinks you’re great.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m glad you’re the one dealing with this computer prob
lem. I’m useless at that kind of thing.” Jack looked around the room. “Is it really hot in here?”
Rob stood up and faced Becca. “I think the hard drive is dying. But I was able to get your recent data files off the machine. The laptop might run for a while again, but honestly, I wouldn’t trust it.”
“What do you mean?”
Rob handed her a pile of floppy disks. “Here’s a backup of everything you did over the last few days. Fortunately, you gave your files names like “Edgewater Appraisal,” so I could tell what they were.”
“Well, that’s what they’re about. What else would I call them?”
“Some people get a little too creative with file names. Or not creative enough. Names like File 1 are never helpful.”
Becca rummaged around in her bag for her wallet. “I suppose not.”
“You should take the laptop in and get the hard drive replaced.”
Becca ran around the desk, grabbed Rob in a fierce hug, and shoved some bills into his hand. “Thank you so much! I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost everything. This appraisal is already so late as it is.”
Looking somewhat alarmed, Rob backed away, looked down at the money in his hand, and then began shutting down the laptop. “No problem.”
As Jack and Becca walked back outside, Jack turned to her and said, “You really need to stop tackling men you don’t know without warning. It stresses them out.”
“What can I say? I’m a hugger.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “Maybe you could restrict your hugging to men you do know.”
She looked at his face. “I know you.”
“My point exactly.”
They stopped by the photo place, picked up the package of appraisal photographs, and returned to the H12. Becca sat on the bed. “I guess because of this stupid dead laptop, tomorrow I can’t finish up the appraisal like I planned. Maybe I should just leave tomorrow instead of Sunday.”
Jack leveled his gaze at her. “Do you want to do that?”
“No.” She really didn’t. The time she had left with Jack was already evaporating far too quickly. “I guess I could leave really early on Sunday and maybe go into the office for a couple of hours after I get back. I’m almost done with it. Do you think Kat might be an early riser? I wonder how early I could pick up Mona.”
Snow Furries (An Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy Book 4) Page 18