Janet Evanovich - Full Bloom

The doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Theenie said. She hurried into the living room.

Danny was discussing what color stain he wanted to put on the floor when Theenie returned with Wes beside her. "Look who's here," she said, eyes darting about the room nervously. "He even brought his clothes."

Annie did not miss the fact that Theenie had her arms crossed as though Wes might somehow be able to see through her prim white cotton blouse. She also didn't miss Danny's raised brows. Not that she blamed him. Wes looked like the worst kind of ruffian standing there in his faded jeans, a black T-shirt, and his denim jacket. He carried a large backpack.

"You were expecting me, right?" he said.

It took a few seconds for Annie to find her tongue. "Yes, of course." She turned to Danny, who was still staring. "This is Wes Bridges," she said. "He's renting a room for a couple of weeks. Wes, this is my good friend Danny Gilbert."

Neither man made a move to shake hands. Finally, Danny nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"Same here," Wes said. He turned for the stairs and, without another word, hurried up.

Annie felt Danny's eyes on her even before she looked his way. His look was incredulous. "What?" she asked.

"You actually agreed to let that guy move in?" he whispered.

"I wasn't crazy about the idea myself," Theenie said. "Not that Annie bothered to ask my opinion, mind you, and I'm pretty sure he has a checkered past."

"It's only for two weeks," Annie said, wishing Danny wouldn't worry about her so much. Theenie said it was because he was sweet on her, even though Annie always insisted that Danny was only acting out of friendship. "Besides, he has excellent references."

"He's here to take pictures," Theenie said, giving a massive eye roll. "But I'm not going to expand on that topic in mixed company."

Danny's eyes softened. "Annie, if this is about money …"

She didn't miss the tender look, the genuine concern in his voice, and Annie was certain it didn't go unnoticed by Theenie. It was times like this that she wondered if the woman might be right about his feelings toward her. "You're beginning to fret as much as Theenie," she said lightly.

The front door opened and closed, followed by the sound of light footsteps. Annie looked up to find her other tenant, Lovelle Hamilton, standing in the doorway.

"I'm baaack," she announced with a flourish.

Annie smiled. "Welcome home." Lovelle was an ex-ballerina who'd never made it big, although to hear her tell it, one would have thought otherwise. One of her claims to fame was having met Mikhail Baryshnikov at a cocktail party. She was string bean thin due to a daily dance regimen she practiced in Annie's ballroom.

"How was your trip?" Theenie asked.

"Fabulous. You know how much I love New York, having lived there most of my life. My daughter and I shopped at all the best stores, of course. I bought everybody gifts." She glanced about the room. "What's wrong? Why does everyone look so tense?"

"We have a new guest," Theenie said.

Lovelle smiled. Even at seventy-something, the woman was still striking, her makeup perfect and her platinum blond hair cut in the latest style. No blue rinse for Lovelle. "That's nice. I hope she's easy to get along with."

"It's a he," Theenie replied.

"Oh, goody. Is he handsome?"

All eyes fell on Annie.

"I suppose some women would consider him handsome in a rugged sort of way. I prefer a more conservative look." She punctuated her remark with what she hoped was a high-handed sniff, but the truth was she'd been thinking about Wes Bridges more than she should. Her thoughts had run amok the minute she caught sight of him in those boxer shorts.

The back door opened and Doc stepped inside. "I just stopped by to see if our patient fully recovered yesterday."

"What patient?" Danny asked.

Annie waved off the remark. "It's a long story." She turned to Doc. "He's fine. In fact, he just moved in."

"You let him move in?" Doc asked, his brow furrowing. "What about the lawsuit?"

"What lawsuit?" Danny asked. "Wait; let me guess. Another long story."

Annie nodded. "Something like that."

"Would you like a cup of coffee or iced tea?" Theenie asked Doc.

"No, I can't stay. I just learned my daughter in Tampa is having gallbladder surgery, so I'm flying down to help out with the grandkids, although they're old enough to do for themselves. Don't know how long I'll be gone."

"I hope the surgery goes well," Annie said. "Do you want me to grab your mail and newspapers while you're away?"

"The Martins already offered. It's less complicated for me to travel now that Leo is gone," he added sadly.

Annie nodded. Leo had been a stray dog eating from bags at the garbage dump when Doc had found him. Doc had brought him home, cleaned him up, and the two had lived in harmony for fifteen years before Leo died in his sleep of old age some eight or nine months ago. Annie had looked after the animal when Doc traveled; in turn, he had taken care of Peaches the few times Annie went away. "Well, you have my number," she said. "Call me if you think of something."

"Thank you." Doc started to leave and then turned. "Oh, I almost forgot. Do you need to borrow my gardener? I paid him for the whole day, but he finished up early. Man works hard and fast, unlike Erdle."

"Is he good with a tiller?" Theenie asked. "Annie wants the ground tilled behind the carriage house so she can plant a vegetable garden."

"He can do anything that pertains to yard work." Doc looked at Annie. "You want me to send him over?"

"I would love to borrow him," Annie said, delighted. Things were definitely beginning to look up. "Thank you, Doc, and have a safe trip."

He nodded and disappeared out the door.

Danny stood. "I need to run home and get my sander. Maybe by the time I get back I won't be so confused." He shook his head as he let himself out.

"I think Danny is jealous of Wes," Theenie said.

Annie arched one brow. "You're not serious."

"I've noticed the way he looks at you."

"No way," Annie said firmly. "Danny and I have known each other since we were kids. He's like a brother to me." They didn't look convinced.

Lovelle said, "You have to admit he comes around a lot."

Annie grabbed her jacket from a hook by the back door. "Have the two of you forgotten that I'm still legally married? Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to Doc's gardener."

* * * * *

Wes unpacked the few clothes he'd brought with him. He opened the closet door to hang his jacket and found several men's suits pushed to one side. Annie obviously hadn't gotten rid of all her husband's clothes. He checked the pockets. Nothing. He moved to the window, pulled the curtain aside, and saw Annie talking to a man in denim overalls. Wes left his room and listened near the top of the stairs for a moment. The others seemed to be deep in conversation. Very quietly he made his way to the door next to his, opened it, and stepped inside.

The bedroom held Annie's scent, clean and fresh but not flowery or overbearing like some perfumes. Wes closed the door, taking care not to make a sound. The simple four-poster bed was covered with a bright quilt. Beside it, a night table held a telephone and several books. He checked the window again; Annie was still talking to the man. Wes turned and began to search the room.

* * * * *

Annie finished her conversation with Doc's gardener and started for the house. She heard the sound of Wes's motorcycle engine as she climbed the back steps and entered the kitchen. He obviously wasn't hanging around for lunch. She opened the refrigerator, pulled out several packages of luncheon meat and cheese and the potato and cheese soup she'd made two nights before that was popular with her tenants. She heard a noise in the dining room and decided to check it out. She pushed open the swinging door and found Theenie and Lovelle standing before an open drawer in the buffet. They jumped when they saw her.