“Hmm, I can see your point,” Marla admitted. She favored him with a smile, and his reaction pleased her.
Rosalie said, “We’ve decided on the first house. There’s so much to like about it, and when we found out Dwayne built it, it was a no-brainer.”
Astonished, Marla gawped at Dwayne. “You built that house?”
“Yup, it was the first project I handled after taking over Dad’s construction company when Amber and I moved to Spring Grove. I’m proud of that house. Almost moved into it myself.”
Lips pressed, Marla shook her head. One more fact about Dempsey to add to her list of ignorance.
Marla explained the paperwork and slid each sheet across the table for them to sign. The Wylands made a decent, realistic offer. Because she was a dual agent representing both the buyer and the seller, she was sure the offer would be accepted without endless back and forth. She placed the document in her portfolio and smiled.
“I think you just bought yourself a house. The sellers are out of town until tomorrow. I’ll contact you right after I meet with them.”
Pete lifted the champagne from the ice bucket. “Time to celebrate.” The cork made a gentle sigh as he removed it. The man knew the proper way to open a bottle of sparkling wine.
“Amber.” Dwayne patted his lap. “Come sit with us while we celebrate with Uncle Pete and Aunt Rosie.”
The girl hopped into her daddy’s lap. She held the glass Dwayne placed in front of her while he poured the clear soda. “Before we toast, I’d like you to meet Ms. Danaher. Marla, this is my daughter, Amber.”
Marla took the small hand in hers. “Very nice to meet you, Amber Dempsey.”
The child grinned. “Uh huh.” Then she turned to her father. “She’s pretty, Daddy. Do you like her?”
“Yes, I do, honey.”
The unexpected warm flush crawling from Marla’s chest to her cheeks sent her stomach jittering. That small exchange between father and daughter sent her heart racing. Of course he’d answer that way. What else could he have said? It would have been rude for him to say anything else. She told herself it meant nothing. The big lummox worked for her.
Dwayne gazed into her eyes when he handed her the glass of wine, his expression unreadable. No hint of a smirk or a smile. Seeing into another person’s soul through their eyes seemed romantic bunk to Marla. The stuff of romance novels. She didn’t have a hint of what he may be thinking.
“Boss? Champagne?”
She jerked out of her reverie and took the glass. His big, callused fingers brushed against her hand, sending her pulse into overdrive. She needed to empty her glass and leave as soon as politeness permitted.
“Ms. Marla? Could you come home with us? Daddy made my favorite for dinner. We have lots and lots.”
Marla choked, champagne backing up into her nose. Dwayne’s cousins burst into laughter.
With a gasp, Marla patted her chest. “I don’t—”
“She’s right, boss. I made enough for everybody. Why don’t you join us?” He waved his hand around the table.
Rosalie shook her head. “Oh, Dwayne, I forgot to tell you. Pete and I are having dinner at Uncle Johnny’s tonight. Sorry. After the house hunting we came back here and called the kids.”
Marla was beginning to recover her aplomb. “Thank you, Amber, but my little dog…”
Amber wriggled with excitement. “You got a dog?”
“Yes, I do. He’s…”
The child tugged on Dwayne’s sleeve. “She can bring her dog, can’t she? Please, Daddy, please?” Her eyes round, she gazed into Dwayne’s face with the same expression Skipper used when he wanted ice cream.
Marla suppressed a smile. Amber had put Dwayne on the spot. He clearly struggled with what to do about it. She enjoyed his dismay.
“Well, Amber, if your daddy says I can bring my dog, I’d love to share your favorite dinner with you.” Take that Dwayne Dempsey!
Rosalie seemingly enjoyed her cousin’s discomfort as much as Marla. “Dwayne loves dogs. Don’t you, Dwayne?” She poked his shoulder. “You said you were going to get Amber a dog after you got settled in California. It’s been three years. What’s the problem?”
Dwayne raised his hands in surrender. “Look, I know when I’m being ganged-up on by females.” Facing Marla, he added, “Ms. Danaher, would you and your dog care to join us for macaroni and cheese?”
A wide grin on her face, Marla nodded. “How serendipitous. That’s Skipper’s favorite too.” She stood. “I’ll take the paperwork home, pick up my baby, and join you at your house. Half an hour?”
Amber slid off Dwayne’s lap. “Daddy, may I go with her? May I?” She grabbed Marla’s hand. “Can I come with you? I’m very well behaved.”
Chuckling, Marla squeezed her fingers. “If it’s okay with your daddy, you can come with me to get Skipper.” She gave Dwayne a sidewise glance. “I’m a very good driver, and Skipper is a very well-behaved dog.”
Dwayne rolled his eyes. “Okay, I know when I’m staring defeat in the face.” He picked up her booster seat, handed it to Marla, and smacked Amber on the butt. “You behave yourself, you hear?”
Amber bounced on her toes with excitement. “Okay, Daddy.”
The little girl chattered with excitement during the short ten-minute drive to Marla’s house. She’d probably reveal any of Dwayne’s secrets if Marla was inclined to use a child for information, which she wasn’t. The Wylands weren’t joining them for dinner, so this misadventure was probably a bad idea.
As they passed the condo construction site, Marla noticed a couple of workmen loading equipment into the back of a pickup. She’d ask Dwayne about that because as a rule nobody worked on Saturday afternoons.
At the door of Marla’s small house, Skipper’s greeting bark echoed from the entry the instant her key went in the lock. “I’m home, Skippy.”
Skipper was so surprised to see Amber with his mistress that he applied the
