Lucky Break (Lucky 3)

Brody Pittman met them with a wide smile. “Good morning, all! New water heater ready for install.” He sounded like a drill sergeant reporting for duty.

The man was just too pleased with himself and something about his demeanor rubbed Jason the wrong way. He couldn’t put his finger on what or why.

“That’s good news.” Lauren stepped to the side, waving the other man inside.

“I have to get the unit out of the truck, but first-” He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled

out a folded sheet of paper. “I have your estimate for the rest of the work.” He smiled as he shoved the paperwork into her hands.

“Thank you,” Lauren murmured. She didn’t glance at the numbers, merely folded the paper as she let out a prolonged sigh.

Jason didn’t blame her. They both knew the estimate would make her stomach churn, but stalling wouldn’t make things any better.

He didn’t think she’d appreciate him pointing out that fact.

“Just let me know when you’re ready to move forward,” Brody said. “I cleared my schedule and I can start immediately.” He shifted from foot to foot. “Like today,” he said when they didn’t immediately reply.

Jason frowned. Something about the man’s enthusiasm bugged him. “Just the water heater today. We’ll get back to you on the rest.” He wanted to check out the numbers, then work a better deal with the man’s boss.

“Sure thing.” Pittman turned and headed for his truck to retrieve the heater.

“Why don’t you let me look at the estimate first,” Jason said, once they’d stepped back inside. “I want to work the numbers myself and see if I can’t get J.R. to lower the price.”

She turned. “Maybe he was fair.”

“And maybe I can get him to be even fairer.” Jason knew J.R.’s wife had been bugging him to finish the basement as a playroom for the kids, but with the downturn in the economy, he wasn’t about to lay out big bucks for something that was a want, not a need. Jason figured he could work a deal.

Without warning, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his in a too brief kiss. “Thank you. You’ve been beyond generous.”

Before he could pull her close, Trouble darted into the entryway, stopping short. His black paws starkly contrasted with the white marble as he slowly began to edge forward. The cat skulked around the perimeter, stealthily tracking what could only be the mouse Lauren had seen earlier.

A quick glance told him she was visibly holding back a reaction. “Trouble, get over here,” she ordered.

“He’s not about to listen,” Jason said. “Not when he’s after prey.”

She shuddered, unable to hide her revulsion. “Can’t you get rid of it?”

“I’ll need to take a ride to the hardware store and pick up the traps.”

“Let me get my shoes and I’ll come with you.” She spoke quickly, obviously not wanting to be left alone in the house with the rodent.

Or rodents.

“Eager to visit your good friend Burt?” He gave her a knowing grin. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave you here to fend for yourself.”

She shot him a look of gratitude. “What is it with this house that animals come with it?” she asked as she opened the hall closet and retrieved her warm, furry boots.

“Abandoned houses attract all kinds of visitors,” he told her. Stepping beside her, he pulled his jacket off a hanger.

“Speaking of visitors, I need to tell the plumber I’m going out.”

He nodded, watching her behind wiggle in her sweats as she headed for the door. A behind he now had permission to snuggle with all night long.

HAVING A TANTRUM was the most activity Beth had had all year. Too bad she hadn’t gotten the response she’d been looking for. Where was her sister? She needed her to visit and give her an update on the condition of the house.

So much for crying out for attention. All Beth had gotten was a shot of Ativan and a drug-induced sleep.

Well, she wasn’t drugged anymore. She hadn’t seen her sister or her so-called boyfriend in too long. He’d been working at the prison weekly, and although their plan called for him to take time off, his absence was making her antsy.