Page 25 of Bedroom Therapy

“Deep down, they may not want to find out their spouse is cheating on them. Or they may be concerned that I’ll invade their privacy. You know, maybe poke around in their underwear drawers.”

“Oh.”

“But back to the real estate agency. The owner was very sorry about the break-in and very anxious for you to be happy. Especially after I pointed out how flimsy the lock was on the sliding glass door.”

She watched him shift his weight from one foot to the other. “What?”

“How would you feel if I hung around for a few days? Just to make sure everything’s okay. I could use the spare bedroom.”

She felt her heart leap inside her chest. She’d thought he was leaving. Now he was offering to stay.

“I’d appreciate that,” she murmured, trying not to let him see how glad she was that he’d changed his mind. “But don’t you have to get back to your work?”

“At the moment, my main job is for Esther Knight’s family. I talked to them on the phone this morning and told them I might have an important lead. Since they can afford to pay me pretty well, there’s no problem about money.”

She was very conscious of the way he’d introduced the subject of his current assignment. He hadn’t said he was on the trail of Esther Knight’s killer, probably to keep the present author of the column from freaking out.

Instead of commenting on his choice of words, she said, “Let’s have a look at the inside of the house.”

“Sure. I’ve got two keys. One for you and one for me.”

Hum. He’d thought she’d agree to his staying around, she mused as they walked up three steps to a wide porch with two wicker rocking chairs grouped on either side of a low round table.

Zachary unlocked the door, and they took a quick tour of the house. He’d chosen well. The rooms were bright and airy and furnished with comfortable but functional pieces. The master bedroom looked out over the deck and the creek. And the eat-in kitchen must have been remodeled within the past year.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s a great place.”

“Are you sure they’re giving it to me for the same rent?”

“Absolutely.” He changed the subject quickly. “I’ll go back to my room, pack my stuff and check out. Then I’ll tell the real estate office you’re taking this house.”

“Shouldn’t I do that?”

“I want you out of sight as much as possible. I’ll bring the papers here for you to sign.”

“Okay.”

He walked to the phone, picked up the receiver, and listened. “You’ve got a connection. That’s good.”

She saw a strange expression flit across his face.

“What?”

“I don’t want you out of touch.”

“I have my cell phone.” She didn’t mention that she was having trouble remembering to charge it.

“Two means of communication are better than one.”

He was being very matter of fact, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was pleased that she’d agreed to let him move in with her.

Was he just doing his job? Or was there more to it? Did he want to get to know her better? She was pretty sure she was picking up on male interest.

That thought had her conjuring up cozy pictures of the two of them snuggled on the couch in front of the fireplace. Or outside in the hot tub on the deck.

Still, by the time he’d been gone for ten minutes, she was having second thoughts. Was she making a big mistake? She hardly knew this man. But she’d let him rush her out of her rental house and into one of his own choosing. With him.

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