There was a note of censure in the other woman’s voice. As though she thought Ellie had been trying to trick her or something.
“I don’t know them. I just met Clint a few hours ago.”
“Oh, right. That’s okay then.”
She was becoming more and more confused. Ellie turned to look at Bear who just looked impatient. “Umm, this is Bear Macall.”
The other woman looked Bear up and down and nodded once then dismissed him. What a cow. She turned to Clint. “So, are you doing anything later? If not, I have a very nice bottle of cab sav at home. You could join me for a drink.”
“Is she oblivious to us standing here? Or just rude?” Ellie asked Bear.
She saw his lips twitch as the other woman gasped.
“Bit of both I think,” Clint asked, before extracting himself from the other woman’s claws. “Maybe you should do your job and show your client her house before dark falls.”
“Oh, right, yes.” The other woman sent her a spiteful look. What the hell had she done? Well, she guessed that she had been a bit rude, but she was tired, cold and she needed to pee.
The other woman continued to try to draw Clint into conversation as she opened the front door then turned on the lights.
As Ellie stepped inside and started to explore the house, she managed to drown out the lawyer’s voice. She moved from room to room in a daze.
“Wow,” she said.
“This place is impressive,” Bear commented.
She turned, not realizing he’d been behind her. They were standing in the dining room, which had a full table with eight chairs. A chandelier hung from the ceiling and there was wainscoting on the walls.
“I’ll say,” she said. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful house.”
If anything, Bear grew even more closed off. She didn’t understand what was going on with him. There was none of his normal warmth in his gaze. Had these last few days been an act? Did he not care about her at all? All her insecurities rushed forward. She wished he’d answered her question earlier about whether she would see him again.
“Looks like there is gas heating as well as two fire places. You’ll need someone to check the chimney first before you try to light it. And then buy some firewood,” Bear told her with a frown. “You got any money for that?”
“Oh, Ms. Rose left a rather substantial trust,” the lawyer walked into the room, her hand still on Clint’s arm. “I’m sure you’ll be very pleased.”
“I’d rather have my aunt than any amount of money,” she snapped back.
“Huh. Of course. Yes.” The other woman looked like she didn’t understand a word of what Ellie had just said.
“I think we can take it from here, Ms. George” Ellie said.
“What?” the other woman said.
“Is there anything else I need to do?” Ellie tried to hold onto her patience. How had this woman ever become a lawyer?
“Well, you will need to come into my office for the details of the will and to sign some papers. Oh, and Ms. Rose had a car, it’s in the garage. The key is on the same key ring for the house.”
“A car. That’s great.” It was a huge relief to know she wouldn’t be stranded here. “Anything else?”
“No, that’s all.” The other woman’s smile dimmed as though she finally understood that she was being dismissed. But she soon rallied and turned to smile up at Clint. “Walk me out?”
She thought Clint would refuse but he gave a sharp nod, walking out with the bitch.
“Why is she acting like that when she doesn’t know him?” she asked Bear.
“Because she’s more interested in who he is than what he is.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, confused.