Hot Property

by Lacey Diamond

  Betsy watched her take time out to flick a curl off her shoulder.

  “Of course none of this will be official until the start of the New Year.”

  “And this is good news?”

  “It’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for.” Stephanie took a breather, eyeing Betsy. “You look confused.”

  “I’m a little lost. I thought you’d like the prestige of Skylar’s board position.”

  “Why should his standing in the community be more important than mine? But you are sort of right. I do like it known that I’m associated with the important people.”

  Betsy wanted to throw up. “Is there a point to all this, Steph?”

  “Of course. You were aware it’s a rule the board not allow family members to hold a position on the board at the same time, weren’t you?”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “So there you have it, my girl.” Betsy knew if she made reference to her as a girl one more time she’d slug her one. For now, she left her get away with it so she could finish giving her wonderful news. “With Skylar’s resignation, the board has agreed to give one of the two vacant seats to me. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “I suppose if it means that much to you.”

  “I would think to you too. And all the other women who have taken a back seat to a man in the business world. I mean I’m the first female board member in the history of that bank.” Stephanie stiffened and held her head proud. “You should be very grateful and proud of my accomplishment.”

  Betsy inhaled deeply and felt some of her hostility toward the woman dissolve. Maybe she’d been judging her too harshly. Maybe Stephanie was capable of doing a good deed for others. But Betsy still had this nagging feeling that acquiring that board position had nothing to do with scoring another victory for women in the business world. Stephanie Rogers had her own selfish motive.

  “Congratulations. Now can we get on with the signing of this contract?”

  Betsy quickly wrapped up her business with Stephanie and was happy to be heading back to the office, even though she was plagued with thoughts of Skylar. But anything was better than listening to more of Stephanie’s boasting.

  “She must have you twisted around her little finger,” Betsy was thinking out loud. Well, you’re certainly not the head strong man I thought you were Skylar Blakewood. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be resigning the position you worked hard to earn on the board to accommodate that woman.

  Betsy headed into the office with the full intention of spending the next several minutes reviewing the contract she planned to present to one of her clients. The man had a sharp mind and she wanted to be certain when he hit her with a question about the legal document that she could come right back with an answer for him.

  “How come you’re so frazzled when I’m the one that just had to face Steph?” Betsy quizzed Mary almost the instant she stepped inside and got a look at her partner banging shut drawers on a filing cabinet.

  “You were right. Skylar Blakewood is an arrogant, self-centered, egotistical--”

  “I’m almost afraid to ask what happened.” Betsy eased into a chair in front of Mary’s desk.

  Mary slammed another drawer and flopped down at her desk with a disgusted grunt. “The man is impossible. I told him you had a full schedule today. But that didn’t seem to faze him. He demanded that you be in his office within the hour.”

  “Oh he did, huh?”

  “If you’re not, he’s releasing you of your contract obligations. He’s firing us.”

  Betsy jumped to her feet. “We’ll see about that.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I’ll be in his office within the hour all right. And it won’t be because he demanded it. He can start looking for another agency to represent him because we’re firing him.”

  Chapter Eight

  “You can’t go in there without being announced first,” shrieked the receptionist, jumping up from her desk.

  Betsy didn’t break her stride as she charged toward the closed door to Skylar’s office.

  “Mr. Blakewood--”

  Before the panicky young woman had a chance to finish, Betsy barged inside. Her fierce stride was brought to an instant halt the second she saw him.

  “I tried to stop her,” insisted the blushing blond as she came to a stop next to Betsy.

  “It’s okay, Crystal. Obviously Miss Alexander needed to see me immediately.” Betsy returned his sharp gaze, determined to stare him down. She was successful when Skylar looked to his receptionist. “You can return to your desk, Crystal. And please close the door on your way out.”

  Betsy’s heart pounded feverishly. Her pulse raced while breathing became difficult for her. Extremely so when she heard Crystal shut the door. They were alone. And for some reason Betsy was terrified of that fact.

  “I know I told your partner I had to see you, but I really didn’t expect you quite this fast.”

  Betsy started to tremble but knew it had nothing to do with fear. Her anger had returned when he began grinning like he had succeeded in getting her to jump at his command.

  “You can wipe that smug grin off your face. I came to tell you to take your business elsewhere. The Alexander and Gold Agency is no longer representing you.” The words came so fast Betsy felt dizzy. But that didn’t stop her from turning on her heels to head for the door.

  “Then I’ll pick you up at six for dinner.”

  If his words were intended to stop her, it worked. Betsy took a deep breath and silently counted to ten before turning back to him. “I beg your pardon?”

  The smug grin returned. Maybe it never left. In any event, the very next second it was gone and he looked serious as he leaned forward in his seat. At first, his eyes avoided hers when he spoke. “I need you, Betsy.” His eyes found hers and Betsy began to melt. God how she wanted to rush over to him and feel those strong arms around her. Feel the touch of his lips on hers. “If we’re no longer doing business, I’d very much like to start dating you,” he explained.

  Betsy was a second away from following her heart’s lead that had jumped toward him. Go ahead and let down your guard again. I don’t have to remind you what it will lead to. Miss Sensible had returned just in the nick of time. And Betsy immediately willed herself to fight the powerful sensations invading her.

  “If you were rude to Mary because you thought I’d react as I have so we could have an affair, you were wrong.”

  “I will apologize to her. And I didn’t mean to be so--”

  “Demanding?”

  “Perhaps. But I did have something of vital importance to discuss with you. And it pertained to business.”

  “Well what is it?”

  “Does this mean you’re back on the job?”

  Silence.

  He was clever, she’d give him that. Being able to think on her toes, Betsy believed was a contributing factor in her answer. “If you’re serious about apologizing to Mary--”

  “I said I would.” He paused. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll bring you up-to-date.”

  Betsy hesitated only to reinforce her earlier decision to follow her head instead of her heart in this man’s presence. Even as she sat, she promised herself she wouldn’t be enticed by the scent of his cologne that had been swirling about the room ever since she entered.

  “Fire away.”

  Her choice of words brought a smile to his face. Then he cleared his throat and got down to the business at hand. “The supervisors called a special meeting last night. Along with the planning committee they decided to reject my proposed plan to develop the fifty acres.”

  “You can’t be serious?” gasped Betsy in disbelief.

  “I had trouble believing it at first, too. And I’m almost ashamed to say I did a lot of shouting about it.”

  “So now what?”

  “Now that I don’t get a variance to change the zoning from agriculture to residential, I sell it as one piece.”

  “I don’t kno
w if I want to hear the price we’re talking.” Betsy was already certain the price tag would exceed any of her present buyers price range.

  Skylar used his fingers to comb threw his dark hair. “I know it’s going to create a problem, but anything under a quarter of a million and I take a loss. Of course, I could scale down the finishing work. Possibly eliminate the pool--”

  “We both know you won’t cut corners,” Betsy insisted.

  Skylar’s eyes steadied on hers. “Can you get me three hundred?”

  Betsy took a deep breath to replenish her lungs with a new supply of air. “That’s a lot of money. But then, we do have a lot of professional people moving into the area willing to pay top dollar for quality work.”

  “Can you get me my price?”

  Betsy desperately wanted to. And she knew it wasn’t because of the handsome commission she’d earn, more because that’s what the man needed without taking a loss. “What are your buyers’ comments about the house so far? I mean, you have mentioned it to some, haven’t you?” Skylar wrinkled his tanned brow. His eyes narrowed. Obviously the man was puzzled when he said, “You haven’t?”

  Betsy wasn’t sure herself why she hadn’t. Now when she thought about it, she remembered a man stopping by the office the other day to inquire about any available new homes for sale in the country. Price didn’t seem an issue. But he was adamant on new and country. Not once had she mentioned Skylar’s house during the conversation.

  “You know, I’d hate to see you lose out on your commission, but before I’ll take a loss, I’ll keep the house for myself.”

  “Yourself?” Betsy was surprised.

  Before he could respond, Betsy remembered it wouldn’t be just for him, but for his new bride as well. Somehow it didn’t really bother her if Skylar kept the house for himself. But the thought of Stephanie living there with him was a different matter. After all, that hill had almost belonged to her. And knowing it might soon be Stephanie’s was more than Betsy could deal with right now.

  She shot to her feet. “I’ll get your price,” she professed firmly.

  “Good luck.”

  Betsy had a feeling it would take more than luck to succeed. But she vowed she would and made her exit as swiftly as she had burst inside.

  The instant she slid into her car and began driving, she remembered she was supposed to be meeting a client in her office several minutes ago. And yet, she wasn’t driving in the direction of her office. She was turning onto the country road that had become her favorite months ago.

  When she pulled off to the side of the road at the foot of that grand hill, her eyes immediately searched out the peak. Oddly enough, the towering white masterpiece hanging down from heaven begun to resemble her dream house. Or perhaps, she was so awed by its beauty that she couldn’t remember the original design of the house she had fantasized about for so long.

  In any event, admiring the place was a mistake. Next, she’d be falling in love with it like she had its present owner. And if that were to happen, selling it would mean trying to deal with another emotional trauma she feared she was not strong enough to cope with at present.

  Betsy had no idea what kind of mood she’d find Mary in when she arrived at the office. To her relief, she was all smiles.

  Mary glanced from the computer monitor to Betsy. “You didn’t have to rush back. Mr. Wayne is already taken care of.”

  “He signed the agreement?” Betsy’s voice reflected her skepticism.

  “Sure did. He read it from beginning to end and signed without a single question.”

  Betsy eased into a chair and pulled the hem of her sweater dress over the right knee she had crossed over the left. She knew she was stalling. But there was no way of avoiding what she had to do.

  “Mary, we’re still representing Skylar.”

  “I know.”

  “You do?”

  “I got off the phone with him right before you came in.”

  Betsy was temporarily speechless. Then, even though she felt confident of the answer, she asked anyway. “Did he apologize?”

  Mary sighed as she smiled. “Did he ever.”

  Betsy looked across the desk at her starry-eyed partner and didn’t want to hear what he’d said to make Mary look that way. But she sensed he must’ve used that deep seductive tone of his. The one Betsy had found irresistible. Well not anymore.

  For Pete’s sake, the man was engaged to be married. Had he no morals? Of course not, Betsy answered her own question. If he had, he wouldn’t have invited her to dinner, expecting God only knew what afterward. Seducing Mary over the phone was almost as bad. Betsy wondered if Stephanie knew what she was getting. It didn’t matter, Betsy decided. The two of them deserved each other.

  The wealthiest pair of unscrupulous sneaks in town, Betsy snickered at the thought to keep from crying.

  “What’s so funny?” Mary asked.

  Betsy had to think fast and came back with, “The outrageous price tag on the place now.”

  “I don’t know why you think that’s funny. Skylar told me you said you’d get his price.”

  Betsy stiffened as she stood. “And just maybe I will.” With that, she stomped up to her own office.

  She flopped down behind her desk, frustrated, angry with herself for making such a statement. She stewed for several minutes, then remembered.

  Yanking open desk drawers and rooting through the papers she had shoved in one of them the day she cleared her desk top, she finally pulled out the piece she was looking for. The sheet of paper that listed the names and telephone numbers of her A buyers. Her serious buyers who wanted to purchase immediately.

  She quickly scanned the list of names. Her hand was already on the phone when she spotted the doctor’s name.

  After the third ring, Betsy answered the greeting. “Doctor Coleman, this is Betsy Alexander from the Alexander and Gold Agency…. Yes, I think I have found you a house… Oh it’s brand new and in the country…. Six o’clock would be fine….I’ll meet you here at the office.”

  When Betsy replaced the receiver back in its cradle, she knew she should feel excited. But what she felt was a sense of loss. And it almost felt as bad as having her heart broken.

  She kept herself busy the remainder of the afternoon. She spent an hour at the bank on a settlement. Then there were house showings. She had even managed to wolf down a turkey sandwich she picked up at the mini-market on her way back to the office where she stood waiting at the door for Doctor Coleman.

  At six o’clock on the dot she saw him stepping out of his luxury car across the street. There was no point in him traipsing into the office. Might as well get it over with, Betsy told herself and went out the door locking it behind her.

  She didn’t question his decision to follow her in his own car instead of riding with her. She kept her speed down as she led the way to Skylar’s house even when her desire to get the showing over with grew more intense with each mile she traveled.

  It was a relief not seeing old Betsy parked on the hilltop as Betsy pulled in near the front entrance to the house, which she instantly noticed was still minus a front door.

  “The view is magnificent,” gasped the young doctor after stepping out of his car and slowly turning in a complete circle to take in the sight.

  “I’ve seen better,” quipped Betsy as she headed inside.

  “Well I haven’t. It’s exactly what I’m looking for.”

  Betsy didn’t respond. She was still trying to figure out the one she gave to his first comment as she began walking him through the unfinished interior.

  “As you can see, there’s a lot of work to be done yet. And did I mention the price is three hundred thousand? Pretty steep wouldn’t you say?” she inquired with arched eyebrows as she studied him from across the living room.

  A cozy room in which she envisioned herself curled up on the sofa in front of the fireplace on a cold winter night.

  “Like I told you, Miss Alexander, price is no object.”
>
  “Okay. But it is quite a drive to your office from here.”

  The man slid his hands into his trouser pockets and gave Betsy and inquisitive look. “I believe you’re trying to talk me out of purchasing this property.”

  “Now why would I do that?” Is what she said, though that’s exactly what she was doing and didn’t understand why.

  “My wife is out of town for a few weeks. If the house is still available, I know she’ll want to see it the minute she returns.”

  “Of course. And hopefully more of the work will be completed by then, too.”

  “I’d like to be in by Christmas.”

  “I’m not sure that’s realistic,” Betsy told him, knowing perfectly well Christmas would be perfect.

  Long after the doctor had gone, Betsy continued milling around inside the unfinished house, placing her furniture. Thinking she’d need to purchase several more pieces if she were to fill all the rooms.

  At some point, she realized what she was doing, dreaming the impossible. She couldn’t afford the house. But the doctor could. On top of that, he wanted to make the purchase by Christmas. The news would be music to Skylar’s ears.

  Okay, the opportunity to prove she could sell the house at the asking price and do it before the end of the year would give her reason to celebrate. After all, she’d be proving to both Skylar and Mary she could do the impossible.

  But Betsy had no intention of celebrating now or after the completion of the sale.

  She drove home in a state of depression when she should have been singing to the catchy tune playing on the radio.

  Maybe if I’d find another piece of land? Maybe then, after giving my plan direction again, selling Skylar’s house would be cause for celebration, Betsy contemplated.

  At least if the doctor bought the house she wouldn’t have to deal with Stephanie moving into it. Betsy couldn’t see that woman content with the serenity of country living anyway. She doubted she’d even notice the breathtaking views from nearly every window in the house.