Chapter Two
Lesley carried her small bag of groceries into the house. Cole’s new car was parked in his driveway. What had happened to
the flashy sports car she saw yesterday? Had he parked it in the garage? She’d only seen it that one time. And although she
wasn’t much of an auto expert, she knew enough to realize it was no ordinary vehicle.
The house felt unusually warm and stuffy. Leaving the grocery sack on the kitchen counter, Lesley immediately opened the sliding
glass door. She stood in the open doorway and unfastened the top button of her crisp linen business suit. Appreciatively,
she paused to inhale the fresh, country-scented air. Slipping off her pumps, she flexed her toes and pulled her silk blouse
free from her waistband. In a matter of minutes the transformation from rising bank executive to down-home country girl—complete
with jeans—was complete.
Whistling, she cut the steak into thin strips, added a few vegetables and broth and left it to simmer in the slow cooker.
The garden fork was set against the back of the house.
With the weather so unusually warm, it would be a good time to till under a portion of the garden.
The work was strenuous, and she stopped several times to wipe the perspiration from her brow.
Once she felt as if someone was watching her, but when she turned around, no one was there.
Rubbing the palms of her hands on the back pockets of her jeans, she stuck the fork in the ground and walked over to the side
of the house to get the hose.
She could hear that Cole was running water. With a satisfied smirk she planned her small revenge. It seemed Cole Daniels was
about to receive his first lesson in the problems the duplex had with water pressure. With a smile tugging at the corners
of her mouth, she turned the faucet as far as it would go. Nothing happened at first, but soon an even flow of water ran from
the tap.
She dragged the hose to the area she’d recently tilled and sprayed water over the grass and leaves she’d laid on top of the
earth. Not more than two minutes later, Cole stormed out the back door.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.
Startled, Lesley dropped the nozzle and swung around. “What do you mean?” she yelled back. If he hadn’t been so angry, she
would have laughed. Cole was dressed in jeans, his feet bare. His shirt was left open and clung to his wet torso. His damp
hair was standing straight on end as if someone had electrocuted him.
Rands on hips, she met his furious glare. “Is there a problem?”
“You’re darn right there is. I was in the shower when the water suddenly turned into a cold trickle.”
“You can’t blame me for that.”
“Just whose fault is it, then?”
“The city, the landlord and in some ways the state of Idaho.”
“Don’t get cute with me, girl.”
“Girl?” she fumed. “Well, listen up, bub, how was I supposed to know you were in the shower?”
“You mean to tell me I have to report to you every time I flush the toilet?”
“Now, that’s just a mite different from washing clothes or taking a shower. We’re going to have to work out a time schedule.”
“No way.”
“Fine with me.” Ignoring him as best she could, Lesley swung around, picked up the hose and continued to douse the garden.”
“Turn that off!” he shouted.
“No way,” she returned in his own words.
Hands clenched at his sides, Cole raged across the yard, heading for the outside faucet.
“I’d advise you to stay away from that,” Lesley shouted, “or you’ll be getting a lot more than a cold trickle.” She jiggled
the hose a couple of times to prove she wasn’t fooling.
“Threats, Lesley?” His voice was low and dangerous.
Goose bumps broke out across her forearms at the chill in his voice. “I’m warning you,” she said with much bravado.
“Yes?” He took a step closer.
“Don’t.” She retreated, her resolve wavering. What was the matter with her? Show some mettle, her mind shouted. Straightening
her shoulders, she faced him boldly. “We could compromise,” she suggested, angry with herself for the way her voice wobbled.
She wasn’t some country hick he could push around.
“The solution is simple.”
“Oh?”
“Turn off that thing, I’ll finish my shower and then you can do as you please.”
In a burst of temper, Lesley threw down the green garden hose, stalked to the faucet and turned off the water. Hands placed challengingly on hips, she whirled around. “There. Are you happy?”
He made an indifferent sound as if what she did or didn’t do wasn’t of interest to him, and the irritating way he looked and
spoke only served to fuel the temper stirring within her. Was she safe with this kind of man living next door? Paul Walker
had sensed that things weren’t right with Cole Daniels, confirming her own feelings.
“Before you go in, I think there’s something you should know,” Lesley warned.
“Yes?”
Lesley assumed the defensive stance her instructor had shown her. Her hands were positioned level with her face. Baring her
teeth for effect, she glared at him. “I’ve had four karate lessons.”
His robust laugh only angered her more. The man was despicable. She felt ridiculously close to tears and fluttered her lashes
furiously at the smarting moistness. She never cried.
“Is that supposed to frighten me?” Cole asked.
“No!” she shouted, afraid the brightness of unshed tears might shine from her eyes. “But . . . I think you should know I can
take care of myself.”
The humor drained from his eyes. His entire demeanor changed, and Lesley couldn’t understand why. A hard mask seemed to steal
over his face. “Good. Finish those lessons. You may need them.”
Lesley paused long enough to grab her purse and sweater and lock the front door. Then she drove straight to her sister’s.
“Terry!” She burst in the front door, her voice urgent and confused.
Terry rushed out of the kitchen, the wooden door swinging after her. “What is it?”
“A man moved in next door.”
Immediately Terry’s expression relaxed. “Oh dear. For a minute you had me frightened. A man, you say. How interesting. Married?”
“I don’t know.” Her sister apparently didn’t understand the situation, and from the look in her eye, the romantic side of
Terry’s nature had taken over. Lesley could almost see the little wheels in her sister’s mind whirling a hundred miles an
hour.
“Is he wearing a wedding band?”
“No.” She swallowed a giant breath. “It’s not what you think.”
“He’s old.”
“No.”
“Good. Young and handsome?”
“You could say that. Terry! Stop and listen to me.”
“I’m listening,” she returned with a distant look in her eye.
Only a year separated the two sisters, and when they dressed alike, it was difficult to tell them apart. Both had the rich
chestnut-colored hair and sky-blue eyes that altered to a vibrant gray when they were excited or angry. High cheekbones and
rosy complexion were a family trademark.
“I’m home.” Robert announced and the back screen door slammed, hailing his entry.
Terry kissed her husband and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Lesley’s new neighbor is a man.”
“Interesting.” Robert replied after he’d nuzzled Terry’s neck.
“No, it’s not,” Lesley insisted. “I wish the two of you would listen to me. He’s awful. Despicable.”
“Unreasonable?” Terry added.
“Yes.” Some of the apprehension drained out of her. Maybe Terry did understand.
“They’re the best kind,” Terry said knowingly. The baby let out a loud cry from the back bedroom. “Lisa’s awake. Will you
get her for me?”
Although she dearly loved her niece, Lesley didn’t think Lisa could have picked a worse time to wake up from her nap.
“What’s for dinner?”
Lesley heard Robert’s question as she moved down the narrow hall to the bedroom portion of the house. What was the matter
with everyone today? A strange man had moved in next to her, and Terry acted as if she’d been told Lesley had won the lottery.
Eighteen-month-old Lisa was standing, her tiny hands clenching the crib bars. When she saw Lesley, she gurgled happily.
“Hello, Lisa,” Lesley said in the singsong voice the child loved. “How’s Auntie Lesley’s little girl?”
Lisa held up both hands, wanting to be taken out of the crib. Lesley lifted the baby into her arms, changed her diaper and
carried her back into the living room.
Robert was reading the newspaper, his stocking feet propped against the coffee table. Lisa gave a cry of delight, and Lesley
placed the little girl on the floor and watched as the baby ran to her father’s arms. Robert scooted Lisa onto his lap. Together
the two sat contentedly and read the paper.
Terry was in the kitchen frying hamburger. “Can’t you see I’m upset?” Lesley said in an accusing tone.
“About your new neighbor?” Terry opened the refrigerator and took out a block of cheddar cheese. “I don’t understand why.
We prayed, didn’t we?”
“Then God made a mistake.”
Terry laughed. “Think about what you just said.”
“I have. God would never move someone as horrible as Cole Daniels next to me. Obviously, whoever is supposed to be there got
held up for some reason and this fellow will be moving on.”
“Then there’s no reason to worry, is there?”
Leave it to Terry to remain calm and sensible. “Yes, there is.”
“Why?”
Lesley gestured defeatedly with her hand. “I’m not sure. But things aren’t what they should be with this guy. He’s so unfriendly,
almost secretive. It’s hard to explain.”
“And you’ve got a creative imagination.”
“I knew you were going to say that,” Lesley cried. “I suppose you’re going to bring up the time I thought someone was kidnapping
Mom.”
“The thought entered my mind.” Terry sliced off a piece of cheese and handed it to Lesley. “This is a new smoked flavor; what
do you think?”
“It’s good,” Lesley murmured absently. “Terry, please would you take me seriously.”
Terry looked up surprised. “I am.”
“You’re not,” her sister accused.
“What would you like me to do?”
“I don’t know. But something. I . . . I don’t trust this guy.”
“Then lock your door.”
“I have.”