Nervous, distracted, Charles paused outside the brownstone in the West Village and checked the display on his signaling ’link. “It’s Dallas,” he told Louise.
Worried, uncertain, she watched him frown at the display. “Aren’t you going to answer?”
“Ah…no. No, I’ll get back to her.”
“It’ll be about the Anders case. Charles, if there’s something about it that you haven’t told her, something you’re holding back because of loyalty or discretion—”
“There isn’t.” He slid the ’link back in his pocket. “Let’s go in.”
“Actually, Charles, I’m not really in the mood to socialize, especially with new people.” She glanced toward the house. “I really think you and I need to talk.”
The nerves already buzzing in his belly kicked up to a dull roar. “We will.”
“Things haven’t been—”
“Don’t.” He took both her hands. “Just don’t. Let’s go inside first. I really need to take you inside.”
“All right.” Inside her belly, something sank. “All right.”
He led her through the iron gate, down the walk cutting through a small and lovely front garden, then up the short flight of stairs to the main level of the three-story home. But when he took out keys, she stared.
“What—”
“One minute. Just one minute.” He keyed a code on the security pad, unlocked the door.
Baffled, she stepped inside.
Floors gleamed, old, rich wood providing a lovely base for the foyer, for the sturdy stairs with their glossy rail, and on to a spacious room where a fire simmered in a hearth of lapis blue.
“It’s empty.”
“Yes, for now.”
Her footsteps echoed on the wood as she wandered into what she assumed was the living area, as she turned to look at the trio of tall windows with their carved trim.
“It’s a lovely space.”
“There’s a lot more,” he told her. “Let me show you through.”
“Why?” She turned back to him. “Why are we in a beautiful and empt
y house in the West Village with you offering to show me through?”
“I bought it.” He hadn’t meant to tell her exactly that way, but she was standing there, framed by those windows, looking at him with such serious, such somber gray eyes.
“You…you bought this house?”
“Yes. Two weeks ago.”
“Two…I see.” She smiled. “Well, congratulations. I didn’t realize you were even thinking of relocating, much less buying a home. No wonder you’ve been so distracted lately. So, show me the rest. These floors, Charles, they’re just gorgeous. Are they all the way through? And all this space!”
She started to hurry by, but he caught her arm. “You’re upset.”
“No, no, just surprised. It’s such a big step. Enormous.”
“I’ve taken a couple more. I didn’t tell you.”
“No, you didn’t tell me.” Though her eyes stayed on his face, she eased back from him. “You haven’t told me much of anything for weeks. So, let me be grown up and civilized about this, will you? Let me try. Is there a dining room? I bet there’s a wonderful dining room, perfect for dinner parties.”