Chasing Bailey, page 12
part #3 of Lake Harriet Series
Lisa had also made a difficult decision to call her lawyer and explain how Andrew hadn’t made himself available when there’d been a health emergency for Abby. She knew she was being catty, yet also knew that Andrew would use whatever ammunition he could find against her. The lawyer said he’d speak with the judge about this new development before the ruling next Wednesday. He thought it might make a difference in their case.
Thursday night, Andrew texted her that he’d be picking Abby up, as usual, on Friday at five-thirty. She wanted to tell him no but knew she couldn’t. Abby was feeling better and he had a right to see her on his designated weekends. But after Abby had been sick last week, Lisa felt extra protective of her. She wanted to keep her safe from everything, even though that wasn’t possible. Kids got sick all the time, and she knew that better than anyone because of the job she held. But it was still hard not to worry.
Andrew arrived on time Friday evening, as always. Lisa opened the door and saw Avery coming into the yard with Bailey, returning the dog after a walk, as Andrew stepped out of his car.
“Now you’re the dog walker?” Andrew said snidely to Avery.
Avery only stared at him with his brow puckered, then turned and headed for the backyard without responding. Lisa was so proud of him for being the bigger man.
“Andrew! What’s wrong with you? You’re acting like you’re in second grade,” Lisa said as he stepped onto the porch.
Andrew wrinkled his nose. “Is Abby ready?”
“Yes. Isn’t she always? We rush around trying to be ready when you come.” Lisa had said the words more harshly than she’d meant, but Andrew had angered her with the comment he’d made to Avery.
“Then let’s go. Abby!” he called over Lisa’s shoulder. “Let’s get going, sweetheart.”
Lisa ran to get Abby’s small suitcase and toy bag as Andrew came inside to lift Abby into his arms. When Lisa returned, she handed the bags to Andrew and gave Abby a kiss on the cheek.
“You be a good girl for Daddy,” she said. “I’ll see you very soon.” To her relief, Abby didn’t seem too upset that Andrew was taking her away. She walked them to the door, and that was when she noticed that Katrina wasn’t in the car, waiting.
“Where’s Katrina?”
Andrew’s face creased into a frown. “She’s away for the weekend. It’ll just be me and Abby this time.” He continued to the car and Lisa followed. She wasn’t a big fan of Katrina, but she’d always thought it was better for Abby if both of them were there, watching her. “Will you be okay with Abby by yourself?”
He stopped buckling Abby into the car seat, turned, and glared at Lisa. “Of course we’ll be okay. She’s my daughter. It’s not like Kat did anything to help anyway.”
“Sheesh. Fine. I just figured she helped you a little, that’s all.”
Andrew took a deep breath and let out a sigh. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. We’ll be fine. In fact, it’ll be better without Kat’s whining for a change.” He finished buckling Abby in and was about to close the door when the little girl reached out her hands and said, “Baywee?”
“No, dear. The dog can’t come,” Andrew told her.
Lisa thought a moment, then told Andrew to wait a moment. She ran into the house and came out with the stuffed dog that looked like Bailey. “Here, sweetie.”
Abby took the dog and hugged it tight.
“I figured that was what she meant,” Lisa said.
“Where’d she get that?” Andrew asked.
“Avery bought it for her while she was in the hospital. She adores it.”
“Cripes. Is that guy always around?” Andrew asked, looking disgusted.
“Is it any of your business?”
Andrew lifted his hand, palm up, as if to ward off her words. “Fine. I don’t care. Date the gardener or dog walker or whatever he is.” He stalked around to the other side of the car to get in.
Lisa smiled down at Abby. “Have a good time, sweetie.” She shut the door and waved as Andrew pulled away.
When she got back to the house, Avery was standing on the front porch with his arms crossed.
“Is he always such a nightmare?”
She laughed. “He wasn’t when I first met him. But now, yeah.”
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her close. “So. You’re all alone for the whole weekend.”
“Looks that way. Well, except for Bailey.”
“You’ve had a long week. Would you like to go out for dinner? Maybe to Gallagher’s?”
She reached her arms up and wrapped them around his neck. He was the perfect height for her. They fit well together. “I would love to go to Gallagher’s. And then what?”
He waggled his brows, which made her laugh. “I’m sure, as an expert romance writer, I could think of something.” He slowly lowered his head and their lips were just about to meet when she pulled away and grinned.
“You have to feed me first, Mr. Romance. I’m starving.”
Avery laughed. “Okay. Fine. But the next time I get you in my arms, I’m not letting you go.”
“Is that a promise?”
His eyes sparkled. “Tease.”
She chuckled and headed inside to change.
***
An hour later, Andrew and Lisa were sitting in a corner booth at Gallagher’s and both had ordered a beer on tap while they waited for their food. James came over for a few minutes to chat, then returned to bartending.
Avery smiled over at Lisa. She looked pretty with her long hair down, and her eyes reflected the blue of her sweater. He knew she’d had a rough week, but she looked more rested today. Although to him, she was beautiful no matter what.
“Alone at last,” Avery said, waggling his brows suggestively.
“Well, sort of.” She glanced around the busy pub to make her point.
“I’ll take whatever I can get,” he said. “Not to ruin the moment, but what was up with Andrew?”
She sighed. “He and Katrina are having problems, I guess. They’d gone away for the weekend last week, so that was why I couldn’t get ahold of him. Now, he said she was gone this weekend. He had a little fit when I suggested it might be harder to have Abby without Katrina’s help.”
“Hm. Trouble in paradise, huh? Well, that will teach him.”
“Teach him what?”
Avery reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Not to toss away a diamond for a zirconia.”
She smiled, and he detected a flush on her cheeks. “How do you know I’m not a zirconia, too?”
He leaned in closer to her. “Because I’ve seen you shine and sparkle and how tough yet beautiful you can be. I know you’re the real thing, not a cheap imitation.”
“You’re sweet.”
“I am, aren’t I?” He winked.
Their food came and they spent the next hour talking about work, his book, and how Bailey was doing on his walks. At the mention of walking, Avery asked, “Would you like to go walking tomorrow if the weather isn’t too cold?”
“Sure. Do you want to go to Lake Harriet again, or take the trail to Lake Calhoun?”
His eyes twinkled with mischief. “I thought we’d go to Lake Harriet. In fact, I made an appointment to see a house there. My house. Do you want to take a tour?”
“Your house? Really? Are we breaking in or did you call a realtor?”
“Is it breaking in if I have a key?” He grinned at her shocked expression. “I’m just kidding. I’m meeting a realtor. I want to see what Melissa left inside. And I may be in the market to buy it if this book pans out.”
Lisa cocked her head and looked at him curiously. “Didn’t the realtor know it was your house? And wouldn’t that bring up a red flag?”
He shook his head. “She didn’t know. Melissa is using her maiden name now, so the realtor didn’t know Avery McKinnon had owned the house. She recognized my name as an author and was thrilled I wanted to look at it. I guess the house hasn’t had too many bites.”
“Those houses are expensive. I’m sure it has to be the right person to buy it,” Lisa said.
“I think I’m the right person. I loved that house. But I’m actually loving the neighborhood I’m in now, so it might be a tough decision.”
“Is there a reason you’ve suddenly fallen in love with your neighborhood?” Lisa asked, looking coy.
“Yes. Everyone loves dogs there. How can I not like a neighborhood that loves dogs?”
Lisa rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s true. I don’t trust people who hate dogs.”
He leaned on the table and whispered. “Plus, there’s this really pretty blonde there. But don’t tell her I think she’s cute. She’ll probably get a big head.”
Lisa chuckled. “I doubt that.”
As they were finishing their meal, Avery looked up as a shadow fell across him. To his horror, Melissa was standing there with Ross Gunderson behind her.
“Imagine seeing you in here again so soon,” Melissa said, her glossy red lips curving into an evil Disney queen smile.
Avery glowered at her. “What do you want? Oh, yeah. You have everything I own, so there’s nothing else I can give.”
“Very funny.” She turned to Lisa, extending her hand. “Hi. I’m Melissa, his ex. Who are you?”
Lisa shook it. “I’m Lisa. I live across the street from Avery.”
“Lucky you,” Melissa said sarcastically. She gave Lisa the once-over then dismissed her by turning toward Avery again. “So. Have you thought about my offer?”
“Offer?” Avery snorted. “You mean the chance for you to extort more money from me? No thanks.”
Melissa’s eyes narrowed as her face took on a truly scary look. “Fine. I guess you’ll never see your dog again. Have a nice night.” She grabbed Ross’s hand and pulled him toward the door.
Avery felt his blood burning in his veins. He stood and yelled, “Go to hell, Cruella!”
Melissa stopped at the entrance and turned, tossing him a deadly glare. Then she and her boyfriend were gone.
James rushed over to the table. “Cripes, Avery. What was that all about? I thought I’d have to come up here and break up a brawl between you and that woman.”
Avery took a deep breath and let it out. Slowly, his anger abated. “Sorry, James. That was my ex-wife. She was trying to make me angry, and it worked.”
James slapped him on the back. “We all have someone like that in our past. You can calm down now. She’s gone.” He gave them one of his infectious grins then left.
Avery sat down. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have taken her bait.”
“It’s okay. I get it. Andrew does that to me, too.”
Avery drank down the last of his beer and put money in the folder for the food. “Ready to go?”
“Yes.” She chuckled.
“What?”
“Cruella?”
Avery grinned. “Well, she is. She’s holding my dog hostage against her will.” He slipped his arm around her waist and they headed to the door, waving to James. When they got to the car, Avery turned to Lisa. “Now. About that kiss.”
She grinned. “Take me home, Mr. Romance.”
“Okay. But you don’t know what you’re missing out on.”
She looked at him tenderly. “Believe me, I do.” They got in the car and headed home.
***
The next morning, Avery awoke with a smile on his lips. He was going to spend the day with Lisa. Last night, she had been yawning on the way home, and he knew she was beat, so he’d said goodnight at her door to let her get some sleep. And even though he had yet to kiss her, it didn’t matter. Because she was worth the wait. He’d lived a year in a sour mood, and she’d been the one to break it. He could wait a little longer for that first kiss.
But hopefully not too long.
He’d worked late into the night on his manuscript and it was slowly turning into a story he loved. Hopefully, his agent and publisher would love it too. It wasn’t the story he’d outlined and sold to them, but it was a better story, an unforgettable story like the ones he wrote at the beginning of his career. He was writing from the heart, like he’d done before when he’d been insanely in love. This time though, Melissa wasn’t his muse. Lisa was.
Which meant he was falling hard for her. A scary yet thrilling thought.
He let that wash over him as he showered and dressed. The more he thought of it, the better it felt. But, he wondered, did she like him that way?
He wouldn’t even entertain that thought. Lisa had been teasing him and gently flirting, so there must be a spark for her too. They had time to figure it all out. Something this good was worth taking slowly.
He arrived on Lisa’s doorstep at noon. They were meeting the realtor at one, so that gave them an hour to take a leisurely walk.
“Hey there,” she said, letting him inside. Bailey came running and Avery placed his hand down to stop the dog from jumping. Bailey stopped and sat, but his tail wagged vigorously with happiness. Avery laughed and bent down to pet him. “Hey there to you, too.”
“Ready to go walking?” Lisa asked. She had Bailey’s harness on and was already holding his leash.
“Yes. If you’re ready, let’s go.”
“Should I bring water?” she asked.
He motioned to the backpack he was wearing. “I have all we need.” He took the leash and clipped it on Bailey. “Okay, boy. Show Lisa what you’ve learned. Make me look good, okay?” He winked at Lisa, which made her smile.
They took their time walking through their own neighborhood, enjoying the colorful leaves on the trees. They turned down one street, then another, until they were across from Lake Harriet. Avery’s former house was a few blocks away, so they meandered down the street. Many of the homes had mature trees and large bushes that gave privacy. The leaves had turned golden hues as well as fiery reds and brilliant oranges. It was a beautiful time of year to admire these mansions that had graced the street since the 1920s.
“My house was built in 1922,” Avery told her as they walked toward it. “Those were the days when they put a fireplace in every room and added beautiful details, much like your Craftsman-style home, except a lot bigger.”
“I can imagine,” Lisa said.
“Even though a previous owner had updated the home, it still has some of that old charm. All the light fixtures are original. They were converted from gas to electric. And there’s woodwork in the study that’s gorgeous. The floors are original, too, except they’d been stained a darker color by the time I purchased it.”
“How long did you live there?” Lisa asked.
“Only four years, but I just loved it so much. After my first two novels took off, my publisher offered me a four book, seven-figure contract. My agent said they were afraid I’d leave for a bigger publishing house. That’s when I bought the house. I’d still be in there, too, if Melissa hadn’t taken it.”
Lisa was looking at him with wide eyes. “Seven-figures? I guessed you made good money, but I hadn’t realized it was that much.”
Avery was immediately sorry he’d told her. Lisa wasn’t one to be dazzled by money, and he hoped he hadn’t sounded like he was bragging. “I was lucky, I guess,” he said quickly. “Not every author gets a deal like that. And I’m not sure I’ll ever get a deal like that again. But I’m hoping this latest novel will do the trick.”
“I can’t even imagine that much money,” she said. “But good for you. Your books are worth it.”
“Thanks.” It pleased him that she felt that way.
They finally came to his former house and stood on the sidewalk a moment to admire it. The house sat on a hill, with brick stairs that led up to the yard. Trees and shrubs hid most of the house from view.
“It’s a Tudor style, like Mallory and James’s house,” Lisa said, smiling. “Well, except ten times bigger, I’d guess.”
“It’s about six-thousand square feet,” Avery said. “So, yeah. There’s a lot of room.”
“Wow. What do you do with all that space?”
Avery shrugged. “You find uses for it. I miss having a real office space, and my gym. And the pool. I really miss the pool.”
“There’s a pool, too?” Lisa looked stunned.
“Ah, yeah.” Avery was realizing just how spoiled he sounded.
A car pulled up behind them and they turned to look. A woman in a tan suit with auburn hair stepped out and smiled at them. “Are you Avery McKinnon?”
“Yes.” Avery lifted his hand to shake hers.
“Candace Greenfield,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve read all your books but have never seen a picture of you on any of them. I’m afraid to admit that I thought you were a woman.”
Lisa chuckled. “I did too.”
“This is Lisa Evans,” Avery said.
The women shook hands, then Candace looked down at Bailey. “And who’s this?”
“This is Bailey,” Avery said. “We decided to walk here and brought him along. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. He seems like a well-behaved dog,” the realtor said.
Lisa grimaced at Avery and he nearly laughed out loud. “Yes. He is. Shall we go inside?”
Candace led the way and opened the heavy wooden door for them. They walked into a beautifully tiled entryway then through a mahogany framed door with etched glass that led to the main hall. A staircase with mahogany steps and railings rose from the center. The formal living room was on the right and the dining room was to the left. The ceiling here was extremely tall, and Avery watched as Lisa craned her neck to look at the chandelier that hung from the center.
“This is beautiful,” Lisa said, sounding impressed.
“And we’re only in the entryway.” Avery chuckled.
“Why don’t you look around the lower floor and I’ll meet you here by the stairs,” Candace suggested.
“Sounds good.” Avery led Lisa through the dining room first, then on to the kitchen. He unhooked Bailey’s leash and let him out the back door into the yard.
