I didn’t feel comfortable accepting the man’s handshake and was relieved when William stretched his hand out.
“William Strathmore, longtime friend of Pepper’s,” he said with a nod at me.
“Good to meet you, William and you, Pepper,” he said. “So have you met the famous cover model, Ian Macgregor?”
“We’ve crossed paths,” I said, offering no more.
“I’m glad we got to meet since we’ll probably see more of each other. I better be on my way, since Ian is expecting me. Good to meet both of you.” He sent us a nod and disappeared around the corner of the house.
“It seems this Ian fellow is inquiring about building a group of townhouses around the lake,” William said. “Burke is furious since he feels that he’s stealing his plans for the area.”
“Where and when did you hear this?” I asked, since Burke never mentioned it when I spoke with him and neither had Ian.
“Josie at the town’s building department. She called Burke this morning to let him know that Ian’s lawyer had called with questions about submitting building plans.”
William’s cell phone rang, and he excused himself to take it, walking off a short distance to talk.
I found it difficult to believe that Ian wouldn’t have mentioned such plans to me. But then I really didn’t know him that well. And Willow Lake Lodge was prime property that could make him money. Still, I found it difficult to believe. Or was it that I didn’t want to believe it?
“I’ve got to go, Pepper,” William said, slipping his phone in his jacket pocket. “Like I said, I’ll have the plans to you in two or three days and we’ll take it from there. And don’t overly worry the price. Your aunt told me she was leaving the place to you, and I was to take good care of you. And I intend to keep my promise to her.”
I smiled and gave him a hug. I couldn’t help but think after he left that William and my Aunt Effie would have made a striking couple.
I entered the house to find Mo nowhere in sight, his TV show having ended.
“You better not be on my bed, Mo,” I called out and smiled when I heard his paws hit the floor. He moseyed into the living and yawned at me. “Find another place for your nap. I just washed that bedspread.”
I picked up my cell off the kitchen counter and saw I missed a call from Ian and since it gave me an excuse, I hit his number.
“Hi there, Pep,” he said, and I believe my heart skipped several beats.
“Hi, I saw I missed your call.”
“Pizza and a film tonight?” he asked
“Do I get to pick the movie?”
“I was thinking Midnight Lace.”
“Oh, that’s a good one, Doris Day, one of my mom and aunt’s favorite actresses, and Rex Harrison, 1960.”
“That’s the one, so you approve?” he asked.
“I do approve.”
“Good, around seven?”
“Works for me, see you then.”
“Wait,” I said before he disconnected.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
I thought to ask him about his uncle’s will and the townhouses, since both were troubling me, but now wasn’t the time. Tonight, would be soon enough.
“Martin Sands was just here and should be at your door soon.”
“What?” he snapped. “What was he doing there?”
There was a bite of anger in his voice. “He said he took the wrong turn and asked if I’d met you yet. I told him I did, but I didn’t say any more than that.”
“Thanks for telling me, Pep.”
“Not a problem, see you later.”
“Pep,” Ian said.
“Yes?”
“Martin wasn’t overly friendly, was he? He has a bit of a reputation for thinking that he’s irresistible to every woman he meets.”
I laughed. “I don’t think I’m suave enough for the likes of him. I’d been digging around in my pumpkin patch. Besides, I wasn’t alone.”
“Don’t tell me Amy was there, Martin wouldn’t be able to resist her.”
“I would take that as an insult if I didn’t already know there isn’t a man alive that can resist Amy, since she’s so gorgeous.” I would tell him except for my brother Thomas who she has been madly in love with since she was a little girl, but that was a secret I promised Amy I’d keep until my dying day, and I would never break a promise to her. “Besides, it was a man, not a woman.”
“Sorry, Pep, I shouldn’t have put it that way and just so you know you’re far more beautiful than Amy.”
“Nice rebound, Highlander.” I laughed.
“The truth always works and I’m glad your dad was there when Martin showed up.”
“Are you fishing to find out who the guy was that was here with me?”
“Aye, I am, Pep.”
“An old friend,” I said, knowing I was teasing him and enjoying it.
“How old and do I outshine him in the looks department?”
I couldn’t keep from laughing. “He’s mature and good looking.”