Confer, Lorelei - Deadly Revenge (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (5 page)

“I agree with you entirely. I would only marry someone I could trust explicitly.” She managed to form the words and get them out, hating to be reminded of Matt’s infidelities. She sat still.

“Trust is number one in my book, too,” Dave said, putting his hands on the table and moving closer to her for a more intimate conversation. “Sounds like you learned about trust the hard way.” He folded his napkin and his hands together in front of him on the table.

She sighed deeply, tried to relax, and took a sip of her coffee. “I suppose I’m lucky. I found out my fiancé was a cheater the night before we were supposed to get married.”

“Ouch,” Dave said as he looked at his watch and sighed. “I’ve got to be somewhere shortly.” He jotted numbers on a small slip of paper. “If you need anything, anything at all, just call me either on my cell or at my parents’ house. Okay?” He handed her the paper.

“And I’m staying at my mother’s, so let me give you my number as well.” She scribbled two phone numbers on her napkin. “If you need any directions, call me.” She laughed as she slid a piece of paper across the table to him.

“How about dinner tomorrow night, Tory? Do you have any plans?”

“Not sure,” she said, drinking the last of the coffee and putting the empty cup down on the table. “I haven’t spent much time with my mother or my sister, and I’m sure they have some things planned for us to do, but I’m not sure of when or what. But I’ll let you know.” He stood to leave. “And, Dave, thanks again for your help yesterday. I appreciate it more than you know.”

* * * *

With a smile and a wave he left her sitting in the booth at Lana’s Coffee House alone with time to think. What was it about him she found so appealing? He certainly brought out the best in her because she had the feeling she’d do anything for him.
Also, he’s so attractive, so handsome.
His sparkling blue eyes seemed to bore right through her, dark hair long enough to touch his shirt collar, and his strong jaw all gave her a sense of safety, especially if she were on his side of the law. If on the wrong side of the law, she felt he would be able to get any answer out of anyone. Having just met him, she was already imagining a long-term relationship with him. Definitely trouble.

The hair on the back of her neck bristled and she rubbed it with her hand. She thought she felt someone watching her but didn’t recognize any of the other patrons in the shop nor did any one person draw her attention. She quickly gathered up her purse and jacket and left.
That was weird!

Chapter 7

The following morning Tory called the dealership about the repair on her car and the possibility of getting a rental. They estimated her car would be fixed in about two weeks or so. Most of the passenger side needed either heavy bodywork or replacement. There went the deductible.

“I’ll take you to Hickory tomorrow to pick up your loaner,” Sue said eagerly. “I’m looking forward to spending girl time, sister to sister.” Sue winked at Tory.

Tory called Dave to tell him about the loaner car.

“Too bad,” he said. “There goes my excuse for seeing you today.” He chuckled.

“How about another time?” she asked him.

“Sure, I’ll call you in a day or two, and we can set something up. Bye for now.”

“Bye.”

After enjoying her mother’s homemade chicken salad sandwiches for lunch, Tory called Trevor Braedden of Braedden Properties to check on the status of her town house rental. Finding out it was finished and ready to move into, the three excited women decided to go get the key so Tory could start to move in her things a little at a time.

They drove to Braedden Properties and entered a small, quite simple white building with minimal curb appeal. Tory gathered from the outside of the building Mr. Braedden put his money into landscaping at his rental properties and not necessarily around his office. Sue and Anne sat down in two of three black leather and chrome chairs while Tory perused the property listings tacked on the walls.

A tall, broad-shouldered, handsome man with dark hair and dark blue eyes entered the building.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Mr. Braedden. I’m Sue Mitchell and this is my mother, Anne Richards, and my sister, Tory Richards.” Sue stood and offered her hand to him.

“Hello,” he shook Sue’s hand. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m Dave Miller.” His gaze settled on Tory. She stood tall for her short stature, a sincere smile on her face.

Tory felt a jolt shoot through her body as their eyes met and he smiled, reached his hand out to shake her offered one.

“Are you the man who rescued Tory after her accident?” Anne piped up, offering her hand as well.

“I suppose I am.” Dave turned his attention to Tory. “How are you?”

Tory only had time to nod her head at Dave’s question of her physical welfare before her mother interjected herself into the conversation.

“Dave Miller, I’ve heard that name before. Why, you must be Don and Darlene’s boy. Now I see the resemblance. Your parents have been friends of mine since they first moved here years ago. I’m sure they’re just thrilled you’re finally here for a visit and so happy you’ll be staying for a little while. They’re very proud of you and all the good work you’ve done.”

Dave heard what the older woman said but couldn’t take his eyes away from Tory’s face nor did he release her hand until the door opened again.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Trevor Braedden. Sorry for sneaking in late. My wife Amber usually comes to work with me, but she’s having a difficult pregnancy and isn’t feeling well today.”

“My daughter Tory has experience with rental property management. That’s the kind of work she did in South Carolina after college. Maybe she could help out part-time till your wife is back on her feet?” Anne looked back and forth between Trevor and Tory.

Tory’s eyes widened with surprise and bewilderment. She ran her hand through her short hair and stood up tall. She couldn’t believe what just came out of her mother’s mouth. Always generally friendly to everyone she met, she didn’t expect her mother to open up this much and especially to offer Tory’s services.

“Well, I sure could use you, Tory, for a couple days a week for a few months anyway, if you’re interested. What do you think?”

Tory looked back and forth between her mother and Trevor, trying to think fast and find a way to get out of saying yes. She was on vacation after all. She had to remember this was a small town, not what she was accustomed to with thorough interviews and background checks before hiring even kitchen personnel. She couldn’t think of any reason to say no.

“We can give it a try, but on the condition it would be part-time and short-term. I need to return to South Carolina and my job in the fall. And I’m used to South Carolina lease laws, so I’ll need to be brought up-to-date with the paperwork.”

“I’m glad that’s settled.” Trevor shook her hand to close the deal.

“Mr. Braedden, sorry to interrupt, but I’m Dave Miller,” he offered his hand to exchange a healthy handshake. “I came by to schedule a time to take a look at some short-term condo rental properties. When can we do that?”

“I’m pretty sure Tory will be able to do that in a couple of days once she gets acclimated with the properties. Can you call or come by then, and we’ll get you all taken care of?”

“Sounds good to me. I’ll see you in a couple days then.” Dave grinned at Tory.

Chapter 8

Because Tory’s town house came completely furnished with linens, tableware, and small and large appliances, she was able to move in her personal belongings over the course of a few hours the next day. The two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home was large with a panoramic mountain view from each of the wide windows which were open now. The cool, fresh scent of pine and springtime air wafted in helping her easily envision herself staying for a long time to come.

Her town house had two levels with a large deck off the living dining room area, a modern, sleek gourmet kitchen, and a half bath on the first level. The master bedroom, with a view of the mountains from a large window, came with a sizeable bath and closet. Another bedroom and bath were also on the second level.

With her personal things plus a few new decorative items she’d splurged on, she felt at home at last. Being on her own was important to her. She’d been on her own since she graduated from high school eight years ago.

She had started working for Trevor Braedden as his assistant yesterday and found it was as exciting as her job in Myrtle Beach with many similarities. She saw herself soon falling into her usual routine. Work during the day, run after work, and then a quiet dinner and bedtime.

As Tory was leaving for work early the next morning, she ran into someone she recognized. Laura Peterson wore wire-rimmed glasses as thick as Coke bottles and her extremely curly dark brown hair was pulled away from her face and was fastened with hair pins. She was wearing the same outfit Tory had seen her wear many days in high school. A brown paisley print pleated skirt with a multi-brown striped blouse. Short and thin, her reputation as the worst dresser in school aggravated her natural shyness. She was bullied and called “mouser” all through school. Tory pitied her.

“Hello, Victoria, nice to see you back in town. Are you here to stay or just visiting?” Laura asked in a soft but screechy voice while adjusting her glasses on her nose.

“I’m visiting for now. How have you been?”

“I’ve been good, still working at the library. You know something, Victoria? You were my only true friend throughout high school and even now. Do you know how many people cross the street to avoid talking to me? You never did stuff like that. You never snubbed me like all the rest. You’ve always been my friend, and I will never forget it.”

“Laura, I’m very flattered. I consider you one of my friends, too.”

“Thank you. Maybe we can get together for a cup of coffee some time and get caught up. Stop by the library and we can make some plans.”

“Okay, Laura. That sounds like fun. I’ll try to get by sometime during my stay here. But wait. I want to take a picture of you. Let’s step out into the sunlight where the light is better.”

As they made their way outside to the bright spring sunlight, Laura said, “Now I’m the one who’s flattered.” She pushed her curly hair away from her face.

“How about standing over by the big oak tree? That way neither of us will be looking into the sun.”

Tory looked at her watch. She was running late and needed to get going. She quickly took a few pictures of Laura and then held out the camera in front of them together and took a couple shots.

“I promise I’ll stop by the library and drop off a copy of our pictures, okay?” She hollered on her way to the car, waving good-bye.

“I’d love that, Tory. Please keep your promise,” Laura yelled after her as Tory drove away.

* * * *

A day or so later Tory and Trevor went to lunch at a small local cafe.

“How did you start your business, Trevor, if you don’t mind my asking?” Tory asked after they had placed their orders for big salads and glasses of sweet tea.

“The traditional, old-fashioned way, with a lot of hard work and a strict budget. Our company is now prospering and growing, just like our family, but that wasn’t always the case. We started our business together from the bottom up.” He answered as their lunch was delivered by the waitress.

“We waited until we had established ourselves in a community where we could live, work, and raise a family before deciding to start a family, not expecting to have any problems. Hopefully, with bed rest, Amber and the baby will be fine. Finally, everything is falling into place.” He took a long drink of sweet tea and “aahed” as he set it down.

“It sounds like everything is coming together for you now, doesn’t it? You’ve planned everything so well. Well, except for Amber’s difficult pregnancy.” Tory shrugged her shoulders and ran her fingers through her hair.

“During our first conversation when I first showed you the town house, you interrupted my musings by asking questions, like ‘Are the appliances new? Do they have warranties?’ You were definitely all business and I decided I liked that trait and was looking forward to working with you, if only for a short period of time. You are already helping me immensely.”

“Thank you, Trevor. I find that I’m even enjoying myself by staying busy. Otherwise, I don’t know what I’d be doing.”

Chapter 9

Two days later Dave came into the office when Tory was out of the office. He spoke with Trevor.