by Nora Roberts
“Im so happy for you.” Malory sighed. “And if were not careful, were going to start another weep-o-rama.”
“Since Ive leaked more in this one day than I have the entire past year, lets paint.” Dana turned, gave her biceps an exaggerated flex. “Hes right, you know. Were doing a hell of a job with this place.”
THEY worked downstairs until the walls were done, then took a coffee break, sitting on the floor to admire them. “The floors in Danas section need to be damp-mopped. You need a clean surface before theyre sealed.”
“I dont know how the sealing part goes.”
“Its easy,”Zoe told her. “Ill show you. Once theyre sealed, dried good and hard, you can start moving stuff in.”
“Wow!” Since Danas stomach jumped, she pressed a hand to it. “It gets more real every day. I ordered the shelves. If they get here when theyre supposed to, along with the other stuff I ordered—and the first shipments of books—I should be setting up in a couple of weeks. Maybe less. And I have a potential employee.”
“You didnt say anything about that.”Zoe punched her lightly on the arm. “Who is it?”
“Its a woman I met when I was working in the library. I ran into her at the grocery store, and one thing led to another. Shes personable, presentable, likes to read, wants a job, and isnt looking for a big salary. Shes going to come by sometime and get a look at the place. If she doesnt run screaming, I think Ive got myself a bookseller.”
“Zoe, how soon do you think I can start moving stock in?” Malory asked.
“I think next week.”Zoe sipped coffee, glanced around the room. “Its all coming together so well, I dont want to jinx it, but I really think next week. Its going to take me a little longer. Theres more to set up in a salon. And we still have to replace some of these windows. Plus theres going to be a good, long list of punch-out work.”
“I love it when she talks the manly talk,” Dana commented. “Now lets go up and play with the sander like men.”
“First,”Zoe said in a fair imitation of Brads most clipped tone, “its not a toy.”
“Jeez.” Dana laughed her way to her feet. “You slay me.”
Chapter Seventeen
YOU sure about this?” Brad studied Jordan, and the square-cut ruby ring in his hand. “Yeah. I think. Shed like this better than the traditional diamond.”
“I dont mean the ring. I mean what youre buying the ring for.”
“Im sure. A little queasy, but sure.”
“Im not going to take offense,” Flynn decided. “I could take offense that asking my sister to marry you makes you queasy, but I wont.”
Jordan smiled a little as he turned the ring under the light. Hed wanted them both with him when he took this step. A kind of circle, he supposed, just as the ring was a circle. He couldnt say either of them had been thrilled to be hauled off to Pittsburgh and into a jewelry stone, but theyd come through.
They always did.
“I think this is the one. I know she is.” He offered the ring to Brad. “You know more about this stuff than either of us. Give me an opinion of the rock.”
Behind the counter, the jeweler began to make noises.
“Yeah, yeah.” Jordan waved him off. “I know the spiel. Id rather hear what my pal here has to say.”
“I can assure you that stone is an excellent quality. Burmese ruby at three carats, set in eighteenkarat gold. The craftsmanship of the—”
“Why dont you get me a loupe?” Brad suggested pleasantly. “The guys buying an engagement ring. Its a moment.”
He might not have been happy, but the potential sale had him producing a jewelers loupe and offering it to Brad.
Playing it out, Brad hemmed, hawed, andhmmmed before setting both the ring and the loupe on the black velvet pad. “Youre buying yourself a hell of a rock,” he said. “It hits the three Cs— color, cut, clarity, and at three substantial carats, rounds it out nicely. Shell love it.”
“Yeah, thats what I thought. Wrap it up,” he told the jeweler.
“We should go get a beer now, right?” Flynn glanced warily at the other rings in the glass case. “And Jordan should buy, in a symbolic gesture of… oh, hell with all that. I just want a beer.” “All in good time, my pretty.” Jordan pulled out his wallet, dug out his credit card. “Weve got another stop to make on the way back.”
THE way he looked at it, he was going to make a clean sweep. A kind of romantic hat trick. He got the girl, hed bought the ring. Now, he thought as they pulled through the gates of Warriors Peak, he was going to see if he could finesse the house.
“This is wild,” Flynn said from the backseat where Moe snored beside him, exhausted by the thrill of the car trip. “I think Im in some sort of shock.”
“Pretty wild,” Jordan agreed. “But the fact is, I always wanted this place. Even when I was a kid.”
“Okay, before you go in there and make some sort of insane offer, lets just take one more pass through the routine.” Brad shifted. “Let me point out, once again, that this place is enormous.”
“I like big.”
“Its isolated.”
“I like isolated.”
“You havent asked Dana if she wants to live up here.”
“I dont have to. I know how shell feel about it.”
“Its like talking to a brick,” Brad muttered. “Okay, if youre set on going through with this, at least take the Im-a-big-sucker-with-a-lot-of-money sign off your ass.”
“Theyre gods, son.” Jordan parked, pushed open the door. “I dont think a poker face is going to make much difference.”
“I dont know why you think theyll consider selling the place to you,” Brad continued. “They only bought it a couple of months ago. Gods or not, there are the small matters of equity, taxes, capital gains.”
“Listen to the suit.” Flynn grinned as Moe leaped over him and out of the car.
“Shut up. Youre in shock, remember? Takes a good thirty minutes to get down to the Valley from here,” Brad continued.
“The way you drive, it does,” Jordan muttered under his breath.
“I heard that. Thirty minutes,” Brad repeated, “for a mature adult who has respect for the speed limit. And thats in good weather. Fine for you, you can stay home and write in your underwear. Danas going to be running a business in town, six days a week.”
“Six?” Jordan turned from studying the house. “How do you know theyre planning on being open six days?”
“I got that fromZoe in between her sniping at me. The point is, shes going to have to travel down there most every day. And in the winter—”
“Ill buy her a four-wheel, a goddamnHumvee . Stop fretting, Mary.”
“Just for that, I hope—if theyre in the market for a buyer—they hose you.”
Rowena opened the door and was already laughing as she bent down to greet Moe. “Welcome! How lovely. Three handsome men and a handsome dog.”
“You call that dog handsome,” Jordan commented. “It must be love.”
“And so it is.” She straightened, smiled brilliantly as she looked into Jordans eyes. “So it is. Come in.”
Moe didnt need a second invitation. He raced by her, skidded on the tiles, bumped into the archway on his turn into the parlor. When they caught up with him, he was curled into a chair, his chin resting on its velvet arm, his tail thumping.
“Hey! Off the furniture, you ingrate.”
Even as Flynn moved over to haul him downmoe's big brown eyes shifted to Rowena. His tail thumped harder.
“No, please. Hes perfectly welcome to sit there. After all.” She hurried over to intervene. “After all, hes a guest.”
“Hes an operator.”
“Yes.” She stroked one of his floppy ears. “And he… whats the phrase? He has my number. No harm. Now what can I offer you? Coffee, tea?” The corner of her lips twitched as she looked at Flynn. “Perhaps a cold beer.”
“Did you read my mind or do I just look like a guy who wants a beer right now?”
/> “Perhaps a bit of both. Please, follow Moes lead, and sit. Be comfortable. Ill just be a moment.”
“IsPitte available?” Jordan asked.
“Certainly. Ill ask him to join us.” Brad waited until shed left the room, then turned to Jordan. “Okay, I cant stand it. Dont just blurt out how you want this house and always have, or somethinglamebrained like that.”
“Do I look like I just fell out of the nest?”
“Ever bought a house before?”
“No, but—”
“I have. Youre a successful author with a string of bestsellers. They know youve got money. Add some sparkly childhood dream to that and youre just asking to get taken.” Jordan took a seat. “You know, Im beginning to see why you irritateZoe .”
Brad looked down his nose. “I dont irritate her, I make her nervous. The irritation is merely a side effect of the nerves.”
“Yeah, Im starting to get it, too,” Flynn put in, and flopped down in his chair, much like his dog. He perked up as Rowena came back, carrying a tray.
“Hey, let me give you a hand with that.” Flynn pushed to his feet, took the tray that held five pilsners of beer.
“Thank you. Please, help yourselves.Pitte will be right along.” She sat on the sofa, curled up her legs, and sent Flynn a silky smile when he offered her one of the glasses. “Its an important day.”
He felt his stomach clutch when she looked at him. “Yeah. I guess it is.”
“Youre allowed to feel a bit off-center. Its human. Ah, heresPitte .”
“Good afternoon. Rowena tells me weve things to talk about.” He sat on the sofa beside her, reached for a beer. “Youre well?”
“Seem to be,” Jordan answered. “Maybe I should start with whats happened.”
He told them first of Kanes taking Dana back into their past.
“Its interesting.”Pitte studied his beer, considered. “More straightforward than one expects from him.”
“A method that matches his quarry,” Rowena said.
“Clever of him. He doesnt attempt to trick or deceive her. Rather he tells her precisely what hes doing, allows her to see, and still experience. Yes, it was a very good strategy.”
“It might have worked. Nearly did. I dont think wed be where we are, at least not now, if Malory hadnt given us both a push.”
“The six of you are part of one whole. Vital and individual,” Rowena added, “but stronger yet for your connection. How did you resolve this thing with Dana?”
“Do I have to tell you? I can just about see the little red hearts circling over my head myself.”
“Id still like to hear what you say, and how you say it.” As he complied, she nodded, slid her hand intoPittes . “Its difficult,” she said, “to know what to let go of, what to hold. Im happy for you both, that you held each other.”
“So am I, for purely personal reasons. But it plays into the rest, doesnt it?” Jordan watched her face, wished he could read it. “Its part of the quest.”
“In a tapestry, every thread matters. The length, the texture, the hue. He wished to separate you;youdidnt allow it. The thread between you is long, and rich, and strong.”
“Why is it so important that he separate us?”
“Youre more together than you are apart. You know that.”
“Its not only that.” He leaned forward. “Help me help her.”
“You have. You will. I believe that.”
“Shes nearly out of time.”
“Youve come farther than you think, so be careful. Hell do whatever he can to break that thread.”
Jordan sat back. “He wont break it; Theres another reason Im here. Im starting to wonder if its not part of the tapestry as well. I want to buy this house.”
Brad made a strangled sound in his throat that hadPitte shooting him a dryly amused glance. “Would you care for some water?”
“No. No.” With a sigh, Brad drank more beer. “No.”
“The big businessman over there figures I should tap-dance around, and well play lets negotiate for an hour or two. I dont see the point. I dont know what your plans are for the place once this is all done, but if youre willing to sell, Im ready to buy.”
Why doesnt he just give them a blank check? Brad thought to himself. Access to his brokerage account, the deed to his condo in New York?
“Your business-minded friend has some excellent points.” Sending Brad a nod of acknowledgment,Pitte swirled his beer. “Ive developed a number of business interests over time. I enjoy…” He gave Rowena a questioning glance. “Wheeling and dealing.”
“Yes. Its an entertaining hobby. This property, beyond suiting our needs during this period, is quite desirable. A house of this size and material, with its history and its location—which includes twenty-five point three acres, both cleared and wooded, a six-car garage, an indoor swimming pool, with steam room and…”
“Whirlpool tub,” Rowena supplied on a bubble of laughter. “We quite enjoy the whirlpool tub.”
“Yes.” He lifted her hand, nipped her knuckles. “As well as a number of other details and amenities—”
“Please.” Unable to hold back, Brad lifted a hand. “This place is an enormous white elephant. Amenities and history are one thing, but its twenty miles away from the Valley—”
“Eighteen point six,”Pitte corrected blandly.
“On a narrow road that twists straight up the mountain,” Brad continued. “Its bound to cost a fortune to heat and cool. You put it on the market tomorrow, youd be lucky to get a serious offer within the next decade.”
Pittestretched out his legs, crossed his ankles. It occurred to Jordan that this was the most relaxed hed seenPitte in the weeks of their acquaintance.
“I would enjoy doing business with you,” he told Brad. “Perhaps, at some point, there will be an opportunity. I believe it would be very stimulating.”
“Right now youre doing business with me” Jordan reminded him, .
“Yes, thats true.”Pittes gaze shifted to Jordan.
“I have a question first.” Rowena pattedPittes arm to hold him off, then looked at Jordan. “Why do you want this house?”
“Ive always wanted it.”
Brad rolled his eyes toward heaven. “Have pity on him.”
“The question is why.”
“It… spoke to me. I dont mean that literally.”
“No.” Rowena nodded. “I understand you. Go on.” “When I was a kid, I would look up here and Id think: Thats my house. Its just waiting for me to grow up. I remember telling my mother that I was going to buy it for her one day, and shed be able to stand up here, on the top of the world.”
He shrugged. “When I was older, I would drive up here sometimes, look at the place and tell myself that one day Id drive through the gates and walk right in the front door. Its beautiful, and its strong, and it may be all the way up here, but its part of what makes the Valley what it is. I couldnt give it to my mother. I want to give it to Dana. I want to build a life with her here, raise children with her here. I want to be able to look down at the Valley and know were all a part of something solid and real and important.”
“You can have the house.”
The gleam inPittes eyes winked out. “Rowena!”
“For its appraised value,” she continued, wagging a finger at her lover. “And not a penny more.”
“You wound me, aghra ”
“You wont charge him for the legal business of it, the settlement, the transfer, whatever it is. You will pay the fees and the… what are they called?” she asked Brad.
“Points.” He had to swallow a laugh. “I think you mean points.”
“Yes, all of that sort of business.” She thought for a moment. “I think thats everything.”
Pittehissed out a breath. “Women are a trial to a man. Why dont I just wrap bows around the place and gift it to him?”
“Because he wouldnt accept.” She leaned over to kissPittes cheek while he scowled. “Its always been his,” she said
. “You know that as well as I.”
“Be that as it may.” He drummed his fingers on his knee. “You and I,” he said to Jordan, “will work out the details of the thing without the female buzzing about.”
“At your convenience.”
“Shake hands on it,Pitte .” Rowena gave him a nudge. “Shake hands on the terms just set.”
“Bloody hell.” He shoved himself to his feet, held out a hand. “Might as well do it, then, or shell nag me hairless.”
Jordan claspedPittes hand, felt a quick jolt. It might have been power, he mused, or simple frustration. It was hard to tell when you were closing a deal with a god. “Thank you.”
“So you should thank me. Your friend over there will know I could turn considerably more than the appraised value in this current market.”
“That handshake binding?” Brad wondered.
“It is.”
“Without a full inspection of the property, Id say youd have gotten ten percent over appraisal. Minimum.”
“More like fifteen.” Though hed been carefully silent during the transaction, Flynn spoke up now. “When you publish the local paper, you know these things. Theres a hotelier whos tried to buy it up, turn it into a resort. He got close a couple of times,” Flynn continued conversationally. “But something always screwed the deal. Bad luck for him.”
Rowena met his quiet look, and smiled. “Indeed. Would you care to go through some of the house now, Jordan?”
Before he could open his mouth, Flynn tapped his watch. “Were running a little short on time.”
“Ah, well. Soon, then.” She took Jordans hand as well, squeezed it once. “You must see more of it, and the views, of course, from the terraces and balcony and parapet.”
“Ill look forward to it. Ill bring Dana and well…”
He trailed off, staring at her, the way she stood. Slim and quiet and somehow apart from the rest of them.
And he saw the woman standing on the parapet under a gleaming moon with her dark cloak billowing in the wind.
“It was you. All those years ago, I saw you.”
“I saw you.” She touched a hand, very gently, to his cheek. “A young, handsome boy, so troubled, so full of thoughts. I wondered when youd remember me.”