Page 126 of Sin City Lights

It was also quiet. No barking. At Lauren’s, the dogs would jump all over and make such a racket, they couldn’t even hear each other say hello.

“Where’s Rolf?” she asked Jannie, who approached with a friendly smile.

“Oh, I put him in aplatz.” She pointed. Rolf was on a large dog bed, sporting a white-toothed doggy grin, in a pose that reminded Eve of an Egyptian sphinx.

Her eyes widened.“He isn’t barking! And he’s—”

“He knows better. He isn’t moving from there until I give permission. Barking and rushing guests, not allowed.”

Eve shook her head in wonder.“Wow. I’m impressed.”

“A lot is not allowed here,” Ian said, pointedly looking at Adam’s slides and snickering.“I can’t believe you gave him those.”

Jannie shrugged.“He needs to lighten up.” She looked at Adam, who was smirking, and then at Eve.“Maybe there’s hope for him. Don’t stand there, come on in!”

Eve’s first impression was of light. Every surface seemed to reflect it: the shiny floors, the cream-colored walls, even the high ceilings.

The house had an open floor plan, and she could see straight to theback, where tall sliding glass doors opened to a spectacular lake view. The lake was so wide, you could barely see the houses on the other side of it. Just outside was a limestone patio showcasing a crystal-blue pool.

They passed through a large kitchen with painted off-white cabinets. On one wall, above an L-shaped cognac-colored leather sectional, hung a giant photograph framed in thick mahogany of a plane flying in front of a snowy mountain at sunset. It was breathtaking.

“Erik took that,” Jannie told her,“in Alaska.”

“It’s beautiful,” Eve said.“Your whole home is really beautiful.”

Jannie beamed.“Thank you. We like it.” She shook her head once, her hand going to her lower belly.“I… I like it.”

Eve caught a look that briefly passed between Jannie and Adam.

Her eyes were sad.

His were compassionate.

“Where do you want us?” Adam’s tone was gentle.

Jannie took a breath, exhaled, and then straightened her shoulders.“I have you in the master bedroom. All the way down the hallway. I tried to put everything I could think of in there for you, but if you need anything, just ask; don’t be shy.”

“Thanks, Freak. We’re going up to change.” He picked up Eve’s white suitcase.“Where are the other two?”

“Upstairs. Ian already got them.”

“We expect margaritas when we come down.”

“You got it. We’ll be by the pool.”

•

“Freak?”

These nicknames fascinated Eve. Not having siblings, she found this family dynamic entirely foreign. How could anyone call Jannie a freak, with a face that looked like Adam’s?

Adam lifted her suitcase onto one of two wooden luggage racks. Eve had only seen those at hotels.“Yeah,Freak. She’s a control freak and a clean freak. Always was.”

Well, she could see that.“Why do you suppose she gave us themaster?”

Adam hoisted his case onto the other rack and unzipped it.“She doesn’t sleep here anymore.” He pulled out his pair of plain blue swim trunks.“Unlesshevisits.”

“Who?”

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