“Yummy.”
His heart bounced when she ran her left foot up the inside of his right leg. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Red.”
“Oh, I can finish it, you common lowlife laborer.”
When they got to her house, he asked if it was okay if he dropped her off and didn’t come inside. “I promised Dad I’d have his car back before six.”
“That’s fine. Charlene and I need some time to catch up before she leaves. I’ll carry my bag.”
“Don’t you sisters talk about me.”
“No promises.”
“Where shall we have dinner tomorrow? My house or yours?”
“Char and I are taking Rosie out tomorrow evening. It’ll have to be later in the week. You’re starting your new project on Tuesday, aren’t you?”
“Yep. I’ll call you during the day Tuesday if I can find the time. First few days are pretty hectic.” He prayed she wasn’t giving him the brush-off.
She smiled in a way that set his mind at ease. “No problem. You know where to find me, Dempsey.”
“That I do, Danaher.” When she made a move to open her door, he grabbed her arm. “Don’t even think about leaving me without a kiss to hold me over.”
“Never, lover man. Never.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Charlene’s car wasn’t parked in her driveway. She carried her bag to the porch, set it down, and unlocked her front door. The house was dark and quiet and the message light on the phone flashed. She closed the door, turned on the lights, and pressed the play button.
“Hey, sis, Skipper and I are at my house. Somebody kept calling your phone and hanging up when I answered. I tried to call your cell, but you must have turned it off. There was a blue car that kept driving past the house this morning. It was creepy, so I decided to leave, call me when—”
The message cut off. She needed to change the recording time allowed. Fifteen seconds wasn’t long enough for Charlene’s messages. Tapping *69, she waited while her phone redialed her sister’s number.
“Charlene’s superior doggy sitting service.”
“Hi, Char. I’m back. I’m on my way to your place. Are you going anywhere tonight?”
“Nope. The love of my life is in San Diego, and I’m true blue. Want to have a pajama party?”
“I’m on my way.”
Marla changed clothes, replaced the things in her overnight bag, and turned out the lights. It was full dark outside now, no moon. An icy feeling in the pit of her stomach sent chills down her legs as she was about to turn the doorknob. She put her eye next to the peephole, screamed and reared back when a shadow passed in front of it.
“Marla?” A man’s voice. “Marla, are you there?”
She yanked open the door. “Edwin, are you trying to scare me to death!”
His back stiffened, his expression indignant. “Certainly not. Why would I engage in such a schoolboy prank?”
Was this really the man she’d thought would be her forever after? She sighed and switched on the porch light. “I’m just leaving. What do you want, Edwin?”
“I can only assume you’re rushing back to your unsuitable lover. Is it too much to ask for a minute of conversation?”
She sighed and stepped back. “I’m on my way to Charlene’s for your information, but do come in, we might as well get it over with.”
“Indeed.” He brushed past her.
“Turn on the light in the living room. I need to let Charlene know I’ll be delayed.” She lifted the receiver and redialed Charlene’s number. After a brief conversation, she joined Edwin.
“What do you have to say to me, Edwin?” She sat across from him, hands clasped tightly in her lap.
“I’ve reconsidered my initial reaction to your indiscretion, and I think we can repair the breach.”
“My indes—?”
“I accept the premise that I’ve been absent for long periods of time and may have been somewhat aloof and unaware of your physical needs.”
“My phys—?”
“I assure you, I’m fully capable of satisfying your needs. I’m willing to accept a position with my employer that will not require excessive travels. We need to spend more time together.”
“Toge—?”
“I’m quite aware that for a liaison to flourish, for your physical and emotional needs to be satisfied, I shouldn’t travel so much at this stage of our relationship.”
“Our relation—?”
“I’m fully prepared to accept your impropriety and my part in it.”
“Your part?”
“I do believe however, that it is incumbent upon you to fully explain your peccadillo with the construction individual. Who is unfortunately, handicapped.”
“Handicapped!”
“Your mother explained to me that the man was wounded in the lamentable war pursued by our politicians. I know you have a deep love for the country, and no doubt that’s what brought about your untoward lapse in judgment.”
“My lapse in…?”
“So, to summarize, Marla, all is forgiven.”
“Forgiven?”
“I would like to resume our relationship as if nothing happened. I am in a far better financial position than the carpenter could hope to aspire, to support you in the future. I’ll give you time to think over my proposition, and I expect you’ll come to the realization that we are a good match.” He stood. “I’ll take my leave.”
He did just that. Marla sat in stunned silence.
Charlene did a double take. “He said what?” She slapped a hand over mouth and fell back on the sofa laughing through her fingers and kicking her feet in the air.
“Don’t laugh, Char. I’m ashamed of myself.”
Charlene rolled on her side and propped her head in her hand. “Shame is such a colossal waste of time, sis. You are not perfect and all wise. Everybody makes mistakes.”
“But I did disrespect him. The least I could have done is phone him or e-mail him when I started seeing Dwayne. Not let him find out by practically walking in on us.”
“Marla.” Char sat up. “He never respected you. He’s one of those…I don’t know how to label them, but I sometimes have to have an accountant who works under me go over tax returns with
