Page 29 of Mister Curb Appeal
And now I’m talking to a freaking cat. He stares at me, some might say maliciously, and if a cat could grin in triumph, he’d win first prize.
“You know this means war,” I declare. “And now I have to go shower.”
He ignores me, snuggles back down onto the plush throw he’s made his own, and closes his eyes. I guess I can see how he got his name.
Mr. Snuggles just gave me the cold shoulder.
Cat: 1.
Human: 0.
Chapter Fourteen
LEXI
The downstairs is just as beautiful as the upstairs. We even get the makings of half a smile. And that coming from Monica Chase? I’ll take it.
The kitchen belongs to a chef with stainless steel appliances and a scullery with a huge walk-in-pantry. The living area is more like a cinema with high ceilings and a large mounted flat screen TV, plush carpet and a chandelier the size of Brazil. It’s stunning. I could live here quite happily, storm or not.
But what captures the essence of the house, even if it had nothing else going for it, is the view from the back porch. It’s just as Melinda said; perfect in every way. Picturesque doesn’t even cut it.
“You have your own private mooring just in case you want to whip out the boat and sail up the lake,” Melinda continues, undeterred by Monica’s underwhelming reactions. Though, she keeps glancing at her phone, so I figure she has something else on her mind or somewhere else to be.
“I never really saw myself as a boat person,” she says, looking out to the lake. You can’t deny the serenity here. “But I sure as shit could give it a try.”
Melinda and I both laugh. Hope blooms in my chest that she doesn’t hate it.
Sure, in the summer months places get booked out well in advance, but it’s never overpopulated in Lake Haven, especially along this part of the lake because the houses are spread far apart.The perfect hideaway.
“There’s a fully decked out basement as well,” I continue. “Plus, space for vehicles or a water ski with a triple garage, and a high-tech security system.”
“Water ski?” Monica piques a brow and I see Melinda pressing her lips together from behind her.
“You never know.” I shrug. “They say water sports can get quite addictive.”
Monica contemplates while she hangs onto the intricate steel rail, even this has a swirling rose filigree design. She casts her eyes out to the water as the rain pummels down in sheets, making the lake look almost ethereal as it catches the drops blanketing the surface. “What was that about the rain letting up?” She arches an eyebrow at me, but there’s a hint of a smile. I’m starting to realize Monica might have a sense of humor after all.I mean, I can do a lot, but I can’t control the weather.
My breathing exercises have gone out the window, because something tells me that if Monica really doesn’t like this place, then it could be an extremely long wait for something else.
“My weather predictions leave little to be desired,” I admit. “Would you like to take another look around?”
Monica nods just as her phone blares out a country love song. Is that Brooks and Dunn?
She likes country music?
Okay, that was unexpected. I thought she’d be more of a heavy metal kinda gal, but looks can be deceiving.
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment?” she says, stepping back inside from the decked patio.
I nod politely, and wait until she’s out of earshot before I take a breath.
“What the hell,” I mouth.
“She’s a tough nut to crack,” Melinda says, taking the words right out of my mouth. “But I think she likes it.”
“Do you think so?”
“How could you not? It has everything on her wish list. I don’t want to be pushy, but I will be listing it tonight, and I have buyers already vying for property on the lake.”
