Page 3 of A Place to Call Home
Ada pulled out her tablet. “What do you dislike most about this place?”
He went through a long and telling list. He needed room for his son, a basketball court or at least a hoop, something nearer the beach, with a little pop but not necessarily pizazz. She scrolled through her list of possibilities for the day and quickly chose three. She’d learn more talking to him at those locations.
“What do you say we move up a little in the world?” she asked with a smile.
“Does this mean a no on the cardboard box?”
She slipped her tablet into her bag. “That’s my big finale.”
They spent two more hours looking at other locations. She took notes, watched him looking over the properties, and gaineda better idea of what he was looking for. Through it all, they laughed a lot, and he spoke fondly of his son.
He didn’t seem like a jerk, but she didn’t plan on telling Shantice that. If she did, there’d be no end to the hints— subtle and not so subtle— that asking him out was the logical next step.
No, Ada would enjoy laughing and joking with him for the few days they’d likely spend looking at properties without worrying about anything beyond that. She hadn’t given up entirely on finding love; she was simply unwilling to waste her time on guys who weren’t worth it, or on guys who didn’t thinkshewas worth it, or on relationships that were doomed to fall apart.
Not again.
Chapter Two
“What did you think of her?”
Craig had been expecting that question from his sister-in-law all through dinner. “The world is full ofhers. You’ll have to be more specific.”
He met his brother’s laughing eyes. They both dropped their gazes to their plates.
Bianca wasn’t amused. “Ada. What did you think of Ada?”
“Oh, that’s who you were talking about.” He held his hands up as he nodded, pretending she’d solved a big mystery for him.
She’d recommended Ada for his house search, but he’d suspected that she had more personal reasons for the suggestion. The woman had been trying to set him up ever since his divorce was finalized.
“How would you like me to rate my impression of her?” Craig asked. “Perhaps on a scale of Gina the dog walker to Hailey the Nordstrom’s makeup counter lady?” Bianca had set him up with so many people.
“I remember Gina the dog walker.” His brother laughed. Gina had been. . . interesting.
“Don’t encourage him, Rob.” Bianca shot her husband a warning glare. “He never gives anyone a chance, but Ada is amazing. Didn’t you think so, Craig?”
He’d liked Ada, really. She was fun. “She’s very good at her job. I think she’ll be able to find exactly what I’m looking for.”
“And whatareyou looking for?” Bianca’s pitying tone was all too familiar. “I admit that Gina was a miscalculation on my part, but Hailey was great. And there was Teresa. She was. . . pretty great. If I just knew what you’re looking for.”
“I thinkIknow his type.” Rob leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed, brow pulled low. “Someone shockingly taller than he is. Skyscraper bangs are a must. The fewer teeth, the better.”
Bianca threw a napkin at her husband. “The two of you are impossible.”
Craig was immediately back to biting his smiling lips while staring intently at his plate. He loved it when his brother came around, meddling sister-in-law and all.
“What was wrong with Ada?” Bianca asked.
“When did I say anything was wrong with her?”
“Then youdidlike her.” Bianca sounded way too excited.
“As much as anyone can like a real estate agent,” he said somberly. He couldn’t resist peeking at her expression— shocked, just as he’d hoped.
“You object to her profession? It’s not like she’s a bank robber or something.”
Good ol’ Rob jumped in. “She’s also not a professional puppy rescuer. So, I’d say there’s room for improvement.”
