Page 119 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
"Oh. I thought when you were dating Soleil-"
"That I didn't have to change unless I wanted to? That's true. Her sunlight can keep the moon away. A fortunate advantage of our mating."
"Then why-"
"She hasn't returned my calls. When I call the Maison, the girls tell me she's busy and can't be disturbed. I guess you could say I'm in the doghouse." He chuckled but I could tell it wasn't remotely funny to him.
"I'm sorry. I thought you two made a cute couple."
"Yeah, me too. Such is love." He cleared a lump from his throat, and we said our goodbyes.
I tossed my phone into the cupholder, thinking about how I'd never gotten the chance to ask Rick how he'd found the woman. But I didn't stop when I reached his stone cottage. I was too worried about my dad. As I crossed over the stone bridge, I considered calling his office line and asking his secretary where he was. I'd never had to do that before and would have to look up the number.
Thankfully, when my house came into view, I could put aside my fears. My father was in my driveway, leaning against his car in the cold winter sunshine. Thank goodness. He was safe, and by the looks of it, extremely pissed.
* * * * *
"You are acting like a two year old," my father said, helping himself to the bottle of scotch I kept in the little cabinet over the refrigerator for him.
"How could you say that? You sold my home right from under me. Take some accountability. I told you I wanted to buy it from you and you sold me out to the highest bidder. What kind of father does that?"
He poured the scotch over ice from the freezer and sat down on a stool at my kitchen island, pulling off his gloves and hat. He was still wearing his coat. Lifting his glass, he said, "The kind of father who needs the money."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Since when? You're one of the top real estate agents in the Carlton City area."
"You might have noticed the real estate market has been in the toilet lately, Grateful. It's not just this property that isn't selling. Very few of my listings have sold in the last two years, especially the big ticket properties in the city." He sipped his drink.
Arms crossed, I leaned against the sink and pouted in his direction. "Gary paid me back. I can give you sixty thousand in cash, today, if you'll sell the house to me."
"Gary? Your ex-boyfriend? I thought he was dead or missing or something."
"You and me both. He showed up on my doorstep and paid me back everything he owed me, plus interest. So, I have the money."
His head swam back and forth on his shoulders. One well-manicured hand lifted to scratch his five o'clock shadow. "I'm sorry, Grateful. Contracts have been signed. Deposits made. I can't just undo it."
A dull ache was beginning at the base of my neck, a tension headache threatening to take over. I rubbed the spot with both hands. "I can't tell you why, Dad, but staying here is very important to me. I love this house. I love Red Grove. I have a new boyfriend who lives just up the street."
"Ah, so that's the real story. Why is it always about the boyfriend with you?"
Grrr. "It's not about the boyfriend. It's about me. I've built a life here."
The ice in his glass clinked together as he drained the last drops. He poured himself another. Geesh, at this rate I'd have to drive him home. He dug his fingers into his hair as if I was literally driving him insane.
"Is this house not positioned over a sink hole?" he snapped.
I frowned. "Actually? No. I staged the rumble to scare your buyer away."
His mouth dropped open at my admission. "How did you do that?" He held up a hand. "Never mind. I don't want to know. What about the rat?"
"Same."
"Grateful!"
"I was desperate." I placed my hands on the counter and leaned forward. "Is there any way for me to buy it, Dad?"
"No."
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "Can I ask you for one tiny concession, then?"
