Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“I just got out of there, Daddy. I ran just like you told me to,” Lark confessed before shouting again.
“I’m so pissed,” she spat into the phone.
“Pull over in a safe area and text me the address of the house. I’ll phone it in and come to you. You call your office and report the incident.” Quickly, he pulled up the locator she had allowed him to activate on her phone. A red dot pulsed on the map.
Wyatt waved toward his new neighbors before he jumped back into his car. He was gone in a flash.
Chapter Twelve
Earlier that day…
“It’s nice to see you again, Paul. I have a few more listings for you to check out today. Hopefully, we’ll find the perfect home you’re looking for,” Lark assured her client as they walked out to their cars.
“Wouldn’t it be easier if you rode with me?” he asked.
“Sorry, Paul. The company set up guidelines for me. I’m afraid I have to follow what the big boss says,” she answered with a shake of her head.
“Give me the addresses then,” he groused. “Such a waste of gas to have two empty cars following each other.”
The day flew by as Lark guided Paul through a variety of houses. When she suggested calling it a day and trying again tomorrow, Paul refused.
“I’ve set aside today to tour.”
“So, let’s reassess,” Lark suggested. “Thinking of the places we’ve already toured, what do they not have that you’re looking for?”
She was used to dealing with demanding clients. Often, people wanted something specific but failed to share the most important components of their dream house.
Paul waved to the hustle and bustle around them. “I think this is the problem. There are too many people around. I want to be close to the city attractions, but I don’t think living downtown is where I need to be. Got something a bit more… traditional?”
That pause made her hesitate. What had he been going to say? He’d obviously substituted traditional for something else. That self-defense class popped back into her head. Wyatt had counseled over and over to listen to that little voice warning her of danger. Paul McLaughlin was the last person she’d consider threatening. Thin and balding, he looked like a stereotypical accountant.
“Of course. I’m sorry I hadn’t picked up on your desire for a property that offered some privacy. That definitely gives us some other options.”
Lark scrolled through her phone to find a new listing. Turning the screen to face him, she showed Paul the picture. “This one is a much more traditional house with a fenced-in yard. Shall we start with it?”
“That’s better,” he agreed.
On the way to the property, Lark watched carefully to make sure he followed her without any difficulty. She didn’t know what was bothering her. Something about Paul’s sudden change of housing style worried her. He’d never indicated any desire to be in the suburbs. Lark considered calling Wyatt, but didn’t. She was certain calling a police officer on her cellphone while driving was asking her Daddy for a spanking.
When they reached the property, Lark stepped out of her car and waved an arm around. “What do you think?”
“I like it. The exterior is in good shape. That’s always a good sign.”
Quickly, she unlocked the door and stepped back to allow him to enter before her. Her unease activated the safety protocol from her company’s training program. It detailed the need to maintain an escape route. Never let anyone get between you and an exit.
“Ladies first,” he urged, waving her inside.
“Please go ahead. I need to secure the lockbox in place again,” Lark replied, rounding the front door to fiddle with the attachment on the door handle.
By the time she finished, Paul had stepped inside to look around.
“What do you think?” she asked as she hovered in the doorway.
“It’s small. I’m not sure this will work for me.”
“Let’s see.” She glanced down at the listing information on her phone. “It’s three thousand square feet with four bedrooms and three baths. There’s an unfinished basement. Perhaps that would give you some additional living space,” she suggested.
“Maybe. Let’s look upstairs.”
Reluctantly, Lark followed him.
Room by room, Paul looked the house over carefully. Lark knew immediately this wasn’t going to be the house to motivate him to pay the hefty price tag. She followed him around the house to answer questions as she searched her memory for bigger houses that might appeal more to her client.
“How big is that closet?” he asked when they paused in the master bedroom.
Automatically, Lark turned to her right to open the door. She reached inside to turn on the light. A hint of a movement behind her made Lark twist back around. Paul stood right in front of her. She instinctively took a step back and ran into the wall.
“What…”
“You wore that short skirt just to turn me on, didn’t you?”