“Why redecorate? Didn’t you buy the house already furnished?”
“The furniture came with the house, but... just look at it!”
“I see it.” He bristled, suddenly remembering all he had against her. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s just so... old. Too ornate. Too many flowers and patterns.” Her mouth twisted to the side.
“But they’re valuable antiques.”
“Ughh! I say antiques are highly overrated! I could use the money to get something more modern and comfortable.”
“I believe comfort is highly overrated.” Though he seethed at her flippant attitude, he spoke with cool reserve. “I’ll gladly take this furniture off your hands. I have a furniture restoration and antique shop. How about ten thousand dollars for everything in the house?” He didn’t feel the least bit guilty for making a lowball offer.
“That sounds great to me.”
She stuck out her hand. But before he could clasp it to close the deal, a huge ball of motley fur dashed into the room and leapt onto the back of the small couch. Kujo released a bark that shook the windows, and Adam strained to hold back the gargantuan dog. Kujo’s toenails scratched against the wood floors as he struggled against the leash.
“Can’t you control that grizzly bear?” Ash scooped the screeching feline into her arms, backing away.
“Kujo! Sit!”
To his great surprise, Kujo sat.
Adam forced his slack jaw closed and pasted a smug smile on his face. “As you can see, my dog is very well behaved, unlike that mongrel you call a cat. Kujo probably wanted to chase your mangy animal off that valuable antique settee. I hope you don’t usually allow him on the furniture.”
Ash’s eyes narrowed. “Lucky is a she, and where she goes in my house is none of your business. Why did you come here, anyway, since you hate cats and you know I have one?”
Adam sneezed into the crook of his arm. “I came because my sister-in-law Erin needs to talk to you and forgot to get your phone number.”
He retrieved a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and slapped it down on a small mahogany end table before turning on his heel and tromping out the door, dragging Kujo along.
“Wait!” Soft footsteps padded behind him.
Against his better judgment, he froze with his hand on the door handle.
“I’m sorry, Adam. That was sweet of you to come in person to bring Erin’s phone number.”
She sounded so contrite and timid a little bit of ice melted around his heart.
“It was no trouble. I was already in town.”
He was about to turn back around when she spoke again.
“Do you still want the furniture?”
Of course! She only cared about getting money and getting rid of Grammy’s antiques. She despises everything I love. How could I forget that? He would have to be careful around Ash, or perhaps avoid her altogether. She seemed to cast some sort of spell on him, making him lose his ability to think clearly.
Well, never again.
“I’ll have a check for you on Tuesday.” He walked away without looking back. And he tried to convince himself he didn’t care if she noticed him limping.
ASH DIDN’T MEAN TO upset Adam again, but she saw his shoulders stiffen when she mentioned the furniture. By then it was too late to take back the words, and his taut response confirme
d he was offended. Perhaps owning an antique and restoration shop made him very sensitive about antiques, but maybe it was more than that. She needed to keep a reign on her mouth.
As she watched him stalk away with his hulking dog at his side, she tried to tell herself it was for the best. He might be good looking—an understatement if there ever was such a thing—but they couldn’t be more opposite from one another. Yet she’d seen something in his eyes that drew her to him, something that made her feel a kind of kinship. Hidden behind his stubborn pride lurked a vulnerable soul. She suspected he’d endured some painful experiences, one of which might have resulted in his slightly uneven gait. It seemed she couldn’t be around him without saying something hurtful. Though the idea saddened her, she knew, for his own good, she should avoid Adam Walker.
And since he seems to have a bit of a temper, it will be for my good as well.