The woman stood up and held out her hand, shaking his with a firm grip that made him fear for his surgeons hands. It seemed odd that such a delicate hand could wield so much strength. Nice to meet you. Im Amanda Dewhurst.
Hudson. Stack. He held his breath, waiting for the inevitable reaction. Back home, if someone didnt instantly recognize him, they at least knew his name. Oh, youre that bachelor doctor guy. At which point they would wax eloquent about their uncles heart disease or try to set him up with a little sister.
He was tired of dealing with that. He didnt want anyone bothering him, inviting him to parties, interviewing him for the paper or trying to seduce him. He just wanted to be a guy on vacation with his daughter. He didnt hold out much hope. His notoriety as a surgeon might not extend this far from Boston, but everyone knew who the Boston Stacks were. They were right up there with the Kennedys. For generations, Stacks had been senators, judges, philanthropists and tycoons.
Amazingly, Amanda didnt bat an eye. Pleased to meet you. She turned a dazzling smile on Bethany. Hi, sugar. Whats your name? Would you like a piece of candy? Amanda looked up at Hudson. Can she have a piece of candy?
I dont eat candy, Bethany said primly. It rots your teeth.
So it does, Amanda replied, her composure unshaken. How about an apple?
A tiny refrigerator sat behind Amandas desk. When she opened it, he caught a glimpse of can after can of Slimfastand one red apple. She grabbed the apple and brought it out, offering it to Bethany.
Bethany accepted the apple, thanked Amanda, then didnt eat it. She seemed enthralled with the beautiful officeand with Amanda herself, whom Hudson confessed wasnt bad to look at. She was petite, with silver-blond hair and a pixie face. Her hair was unfortunately pulled into a tight twist, piquing Hudsons curiosity. How long was it?
She wore a red skirt with a sheer white blouse and a black patent-leather belt at her slim waist. Her nails were shiny red and salon-fresh, her complexion fair and flawless, her lips skillfully painted. She was about as well put together as any woman hed ever seen, and hed spent his whole life around females with wealth and style.
The surprise was finding her in this backwater town.
What can I do for you this fine spring day? she asked.
Were looking for a furnished house to rent. Ed Hardison said I should go through Tri-County.
Amanda smiled. Youre friends of the Hardisons? Such nice people, she went on without waiting for an answer. I sold Allison Hardisons house a few months ago when she and Jeff got married. What kind of house are you looking for?
We want a house with a lake, Bethany said.
Amanda beamed. We have some lovely lakefront homes available. Are you new to the area?
Just visiting, Hudson said. Well only be here a month. Were looking for a furnished rental.
Amandas smile faltered. Oh.
Is that a problem?
Its just that most of the rentals require at least a six-month lease. But thats okay. I can find something. Let me check our listings.
We want the big houseout there, Bethany said, pointing to the outer office.
Amanda got a dreamy look in her eye. You must mean the Clooney place. Its the prettiest house on the lake. Unfortunately, its not for rent.
Hudson almost agreed to buy it. It was hard for him to deny his daughter anything. But the house probably wouldnt come with furniture, and he didnt want to spend his whole vacation buying stuff for a house he would occupy for a few weeks, tops.
Im sure we can find something else, he said.
Amandas pretty hands flew over her computer keyboard in a curiously sensual way. Hudson found himself staring at those hands, and the way her breasts jiggled ever so slightly with the enthusiasm she put into the typing. That sheer blouse revealed a lacy camisole underneath.
She called up property after property on the computer, rejecting each one for one reason or another. Some werent furnished. Some wouldnt take children. Some were already rented.
You dont have any pets, do you? Amanda asked.
No, Hudson said. Thank God.
But Im going to get a pony, Bethany said hopefully.
Amanda pored over her listings, but she couldnt locate a single rental house on the lake that didnt have some barrier to Hudson renting it. He could have offered more money. Every fussy landlord had his price. But he didnt want to call attention to his financial status. He was playing the part of an average guy, and an average guy didnt have money to burn.
I have several rentals in town, Amanda said hopefully. Theres a beautiful Victorian right on the square.
I want to be on the water, Hudson said firmly. Im here to fish.
What about the Skillman cabin? Margie called from the reception area.
Amandas face stiffened. I dont think youd be interested in that one.
Why not? Hudson asked.
Its small, for one thing.
Theres just the two of us.
And Im little so I dont take up much room, Bethany added.
Its furnished, Margie called.
Margie, do you want to come in here and work with Mr. Stack? Amanda asked, though the teasing tone in her voice softened the sarcasm. I could take a coffee break.
Well, Im just trying to help. Jeez.
So what about this cabin? Hudson asked. Do you have a picture of it?
Amanda sighed. Yes, somewhere. Its not in the computer yet. Im afraid it doesnt have much curb appeal. Its ratherrustic.
Bethany climbed up in her chair and leaned over the desk, to better observe what Amanda was doing. What does rustic mean, Daddy?
It means, um, old-fashioned and not very luxurious.
Like Grandma Ruths apartment?
Sort of. Hudsons mother-in-law lived in an old brownstone, with fashionably worn Oriental rugs, creaking wood floors, 1960s appliances and a rotary telephone. He supposed some people would consider that rustic. Ruth Hanover had enough money to buy any modern luxury she wanted, but she insisted nothing worthwhile had been manufactured in the past thirty years.
Finally Amanda produced a creased photo of a no-frills A-frame log cabin, not very big. But it did have a dock.
Does it have electricity and running water? Hudson asked.
Sometimes. I really dont think
Its like Abe Lincolns house! Bethany exclaimed. I want to live there, Daddy.
Well, that cinched it. Can we go see it?
Okay, Amanda replied without much enthusiasm.
AMANDA WISHED Margie had kept her suggestions to herself. She didnt want to rent out the Skillman cabin, because it happened to be next door to her own. Every single renter whod leased the cabin had been noisy, annoying and low class. The last tenant had thrown loud parties and trashed the place, and the Skillmans hadnt bothered to clean it up. Now it was empty, and Amanda preferred it that way.
Still, Hudson didnt appear to be rowdy, though it was always hard to tell on a first meeting. He was good-looking, that was for sure. Though he was at least in his mid-thirties, his body had a youthful vigor, all lean muscle and smooth coordination. His hair was short and dark, but she could tell it had some natural curl to it. He had a square jaw, square shoulders and square handsnot much softness to him.
Still, Hudson didnt appear to be rowdy, though it was always hard to tell on a first meeting. He was good-looking, that was for sure. Though he was at least in his mid-thirties, his body had a youthful vigor, all lean muscle and smooth coordination. His hair was short and dark, but she could tell it had some natural curl to it. He had a square jaw, square shoulders and square handsnot much softness to him.
She liked that.
His East Coast accent called to mind Kennedys and Rockefellers. But somehow she doubted he fell into that category, or hed be vacationing in Marthas Vineyard or some such place. Cottonwoods reputation as a fishing and boating mecca was growing, and it drew visitors from Dallas and Houston. But Boston?
The fact Hudson was even considering the rundown Skillman cabin meant he probably didnt have a lot of money. Still, a commission was a commission. Maybe hed like it here and decide to stay, and shed sell him a house.
At any rate, she wasnt going to let Mary Jo Dickens get him. Mary Jo was vying with Amanda for first place in sales this month, and Amanda didnt like it one bit. Amanda had boasted top sales every month for four years, and she intended to maintain her streak. Even a small commission might be enough to edge Mary Jo ahead of Amanda.
She unlocked the doors of her silver Lincoln with a press of a button on her key chain.
This is a pretty car, Bethany said when they were all settled into the soft leather seats.
Thank you, Amanda said. The payments were eating her alive, but she firmly believed a luxurious car put her clients in the mood to buy. So what brings you to Cottonwood?
Daddy got fired, Bethany announced, as if it were something to be proud of.
Alarm bells went off in Amandas mind. If Mr. Stack didnt have a job, how was he going to pay for even a small rental house? Lakefront property wasnt cheap, not even the Skillman cabin.
Lets call it a leave of absence, Bethany, Hudson said quickly. A long-overdue vacation, really.
And what sort of work do you do?
She wasnt sure, but she thought he tensed at the question. And he didnt answer right away. Finally he said, I work at a hospital.
She observed him from the corner of her eye. His clothes, while a bit rumpled, appeared to be quality made. He had a good haircut and nice teeth that had probably seen braces. Nice eyes, too, a very deep, sincere brown.
Are you a doctor? she finally asked when he offered no more details.
Again, that slight tension. I do repair work.
Was he lying? Was he an escaped convict, or a non-custodial dad whod kidnapped his daughter?
Well, it was none of her business, so long as he could pay the rent. And if he really was a repairman, maybe he could do some work on the Skillman cabin. The owners would probably give him a break on the rent if he did a little patching and painting. She mentioned this possibility to him.
Im on vacation, he said. I plan to relax.
Well, that put her in her place.
Here it is, she said as she pulled into the gravel driveway. She didnt bother pointing out any of the houses finer points, because there just werent any. As Hudson wandered through the house, silently observing the ancient appliances and leaky plumbing, the worn carpet and musty odor, he said little.
Bethany, however, was running through the house as if it were a playground.
Look at this, Daddy! she exclaimed, pointing to a sleeping loft. The only access was by ladder. Can I sleep up here, Daddy, please, please? I want that to be my room.
Amanda smiled at the childs enthusiasm. Children had a way of filtering out the unpleasant and focusing on the positives. She remembered some of the places shed lived as a child. Though they might have been dumps, her father would always manage to sell her by pointing out the things children loveda tree with a tire swing, or a patio with a picnic table, or a nearby creek where they could catch tadpoles. And she could overlook leaky roofs and peeling paint.
Actually, the Skillman cabin was a palace compared to some of the places shed lived.
HUDSON WAS ON THE VERGE of grabbing his child and running back to Boston. This place was a trash heap! But then he thought about what George would say, and he controlled the urge. He could stand anything for a month.
There was no way to fake this vacation, either. Hed thought about checking into a four-star resort in Florida or California and simply staying out of touch for a month. But he couldnt lie to George, whod been his mentor for a dozen years. George was convinced Cottonwood was the medicine Hudson needed, and nothing else would do. He wanted Hudson to be bored.
They walked out onto the rickety dock. Are there fish in this lake? Hudson asked.
Oh, loads, Amanda replied.
Can I catch some goldfish? Bethany asked.
Amanda laughed. It was a musical, tinkling laugh that seemed to shiver down Hudsons spine. For the first time since hed met her, Hudson thought he saw through Ms. Super-Efficient Realtor to the real woman beneath. And he liked what he saw.
No goldfish in Town Lake, she said. But the pet store on the square has goldfish. Thats one pet you can keep in a rental house.
Who lives in that house? Bethany asked, pointing to a tidy A-frame home next door to theirs. It was similar in style to theirs, but quite a bit largerand nicer.
A fairy princess lives there, Amanda answered in a confidential whisper.
Really? Where? Where is she?
Shes standing right here on the dock with you.
I dont see her.
Amanda laughed again. Im only teasing, Bethany. Actually, thats my house.
Hudsons interest in the rental cabin ratcheted up a notch. Hed heard the saying location-location-location, and a desirable neighbor could make the location sweet.
Can I come visit you? Bethany asked.
Anytime you like. Although Im not home very much.
Neither is my daddy, Bethany said.
Another twinge of guilt. How long would it take to regain Bethanys trust? Ah, who the hell was he kidding? Hed never had it to begin with. Bethany had been only two years old when Elaine had died in a skiing accidentwhile skiing with her boyfriend. The shock of her death and her infidelity had been too much for Hudson. Hed thrown himself into his work like a demon. Immersed in a complicated surgery, he could forget Elaine and her painful betrayal.
Unfortunately, in forgetting Elaine hed also neglected the emotional needs of his daughter.
Well, he intended to make up for his shortcomings as a father. Children were resilient and forgiving. He would get back in Bethanys good graces if it killed him. And if she wanted to live in this ramshackle cabin and sleep in a loft and visit the fairy princess next door, so be it.
Ill take the cabin, he said abruptly.
Really? Amanda seemed surprised. I havent even told you how much it is.
How much is it?
Seven hundred.
A week?
She laughed. A month.
Holy cow, that was cheap. Hed never lived in a place that cost so little. Thats fine.
They returned to the Tri-County rental office, where Hudson was required to fill out an application, though Amanda assured him it was only a formality. His pen hovered over the space marked Occupation. Hed misled Amanda, but he couldnt make himself lie on paper. He wrote in doctor very quickly and hoped no one would read it.