Page 13 of The Spotted Cottage By the Sea
The wind filled his ears, so he looked around, searching for the source. It took only a moment to spot her: the woman from the boat, her hair blowing in the wind, the large t-shirt with the howling wolves pulled tight over her small frame.
Here we go, he thought. She’d had some time to think on it, and she decided she wanted something from him.
A picture, if he was lucky. Or she had a script to give him. Or she’d be like that guy who one time asked him for a million dollars.
Amilliondollars!
“Hey there,” he said, offering a small wave before turning back to his kayak.
She closed the distance and stood a few feet from him, hands on her hips. “Russell.”
He nodded. “You got me.”
“Excuse me, I’m talking to you.”
He turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow. “Well, I don’t mean to be rude, but this is private property and I’m about to get out on the water.”
Wouldn’t it be funny if he just got in the kayak and paddled away? He could dream…
Her eyes widened. “Is it private property? That’s funny, because my mother-in-law’s cottage isalsoon private property.” She pointed a hand behind her before snapping it back to her hip. “And she isnotselling. If you think you can come here and take her home away, you’ve got another thing coming.”
The wolves printed on her shirt moved with each rageful point, and he couldn’t help it. He cracked a smile.
“Did you not hear what I just said?” she snapped.
“I did, and I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. It’s – I’ve never had someone wearing a howling wolf shirt yell at me before.”
Her eyes drifted down to her shirt and she frowned. “You’re trying to buy the property next door, right? You wanted to start a farm?”
“I had some ideas for the property, yes. I thought it was abandoned.”
“Well, it’s not. My mother-in-law lives there. Patty. You should get to know her. Be neighborly. Offer to mow her lawn, maybe.”
Russell’s mouth dropped open. He’d had every intention of being neighborly before moving here. He just didn’t know where to start. He knew how not to spook wolves, but not necessarily new neighbors.
“I’m sorry. Believe me, I didn’t go looking for trouble. It was your husband who offered to sell it to me in the first place.”
“Brian?” She scowled. “He’s not my husband.”
Come to think of it, he preferred the wolves. If they caught sight of him, they’d run off. There was never any yelling. Never even as much as a growl.
“He offered a good price on it. I thought it was an interesting opportunity. That’s all.”
“He offered you a good price on it,” she repeated, stepping closer. “I bet he did. I bet he told you he was in a hurry to sell.”
Russell thought on this for a moment, then nodded. “He did, actually.”
She faltered, taking her hands off her hips and letting her arms fall to her sides. “Did he already sell it to you?”
“No. He was going to call to talk about it this week, I think.”
“Oh.” She crossed her arms. “How much was he asking for it, may I ask?”
All signs pointed to this being a family issue he should steer clear of, but Russell was too amused by this furious little woman to stop talking.
He couldn’t remember the last time someone had gone toe-to-toe with him like this. Most of the time, people tried to sweet talk him. Charm him.I’ve got a movie you should look atorYour fan base would love this. They miss you.
Her charm was unintentional and wrapped in fury, and it made him feel alive. Engaged. Awake, even.
