LITMIR.BIZ

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seems reasonable,” Mona said, “now how about you tell us what kind of business you’ll be doing?”

      He gave her a censuring look. “My business.”

      Mona chuckled. “You remind me of Lily. Stubborn as an old mule.”

      “If Mr. Bennett will be staying here, obviously there isn’t enough room for you, Gramms.” Abby locked gazes with Estelle. “I’ll help you get your things.”

      “Now, hold on there.” Candy’s voice was a little garbled until she swallowed her bite of cookie. “We have three extra rooms since Misty got married and Ginger went back east. And, of course, since Lily, God rest her soul, headed for the great beyond.”

      “Don’t forget the sewing room,” Herbert chimed in. “You gals never use it. I could even fix it up some if you like.” Mona’s suspicious gaze swung from Herbert to Estelle. “How come you never offered to help us fix things up before?”

      Herbert rubbed the side of his chin, looking slightly sheepish. “Now, that’s not true. I repaired the back steps twice. Plus you know I’m pretty busy most days.”

      “Yeah, running down to the Vegas strip and betting on those damn fool Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.” Mona sniffed and cast another piqued look at Estelle. “At least that’s what you been telling me.”

      Max was about to put an end to this ridiculous conversation when Abby’s expression caught his interest. She had an unusually expressive face, and it wasn’t difficult to see how her thoughts had unraveled. She was just as worried about anything going on between her grandmother and Herbert as Mona seemed to be. He wondered what that was about, and his interest surprised him. God knew he had many faults, but curiosity wasn’t one of them.

      Abby’s gaze slowly swung his way, as if she’d felt him watching her. An unexpected pink tinted her cheeks and she looked really cute. Not his type, but cute.

      “I could use some help in the kitchen,” Rosie said, breaking the brief silence as she headed down the short hall, “especially if everyone is staying for supper.”

      “I’ll go change my clothes and be right in,” Estelle called to her, carefully avoiding Abby’s gaze.

      “I need to talk to you, Gramms.”

      “In a minute.” The older woman waved a hand and hurried down the opposite hall.

      “And you,” Mona said, pointing a scarlet-tipped finger at Herbert. “Outside. I have a thing or two to say, and I don’t think you want anyone hearing it.”

      Worry puckered the man’s brows. “Gee, I’d really like to Mona, but I told you, I’m working.” He turned a pleading look to Max. “Maybe we should go see if Southby is back from fishing.”

      “No rush.” Max’s slow grin met with Herbert’s squinty-eyed threat. “Go visit with Mona. And take your time.”

      “Come on, Tami.” Candy tugged the leash but the iguana seemed preoccupied with Max. It stuck its long tongue out again as if trying to see if it could reach him. It couldn’t but Max inched back anyway.

      “Go. Scat.” He tried to shoo it, but it kept staring at him like he was dinner.

      Behind him, Abby giggled.

      He growled in exasperation.

      “We’re going already.” Candy jerked on the leash and this time Tami obeyed, and they started down the same hall Estelle had taken.

      “I hope there’s a back door through there,” Max called after them.

      Candy didn’t so much as look back, and Max pretty much figured she planned on sneaking the little beast into her room. The motel was beginning to sound awfully good.

      He turned to Abby. “What are you grinning at?”

      Lifting a shoulder, she pressed her lips together and slowly shook her head.

      She hadn’t smiled much but when she did her entire face changed. It lit up like sunshine on crystal-clear water. Her bow-shaped lips were a natural pink. Perfect. Tempting.

      “Didn’t your parents ever take you to the zoo when you were a kid?” she asked, letting her mouth curve again.

      “Yes, they did. In fact, I like zoos. They have bars and cages.”

      She shook her head at him.

      He snorted. “I didn’t see you running up to give it a scratch behind the ears.”

      “Touché.”

      Max’s curiosity stirred again. Her response surprised him. What he’d expected was a more down-home word or phrase, but not something Taylor or one of his other friends would say. “Tell me the truth. You don’t think it’s weird that Candy has pets like tarantulas and iguanas?”

      “You want the truth? I think it’s weird that any state would legally sanction brothels in this day and age.”

      “Oh, brother.” Max scrubbed at his eyes. He’d gotten up too damn early. “So, back to lecturing.”

      “Wrong.” She shook her head. “I’m not, really.” She studied him for a moment. “Truth time again. If you hadn’t inherited this place, would you have bought it?”

      “What kind of question is that?”

      “It’s my devious way of trying to find out what you really think of a place like this.”

      He smiled. “I think it needs a couple more cushioned rockers.”

      She smiled back, a truly terrific smile. “You’re dodging the subject.”

      “Damn right I am. You already told me that if you become mayor you’re shutting us down.”

      “Oh.” She frowned. “Sounds like you’re considering reopening the place.”

      “I might.”

      “Really?” Her expression didn’t waver. “It would take an awful lot of money.”

      “Hell, it’ll take a lot just to keep it standing.” And that was no joke. He’d obviously wasted his time flying out here.

      “Probably. But you have to do something.”

      He shrugged. “I could just walk away. Leave the place as is.”

      Shock registered in her eyes. “No, you can’t. The house isn’t safe.”

      “Then they should move out.”

      “And where do you suggest they go? These women live on social security, not fat pensions.”

      “Not my problem.”

      She stared in disbelief, then in disgust. “You own the place. It’s your responsibility.”

      “Excuse me, but I didn’t sign up for this headache.”

      “Too bad. You’ve got it.”

      He shrugged again. “Like I said, I could walk away.”

      Abby growled—literally, and convincingly enough that he glanced over his shoulder to see if the iguana was back.

      “I can’t believe you could be this…this heartless.” Abby went to the plate of cookies Rosie had left, picked out a ginger snap, sat on the couch, then took an enormous bite.

      Most women he knew took small nibbles. Not Abby. Obviously this was a woman not afraid to tackle anything. She started to say something else but her mouth was full.

      Max jumped in while he had the chance. “I’m not heartless. This is business. Maybe I should reopen it.” Sighing, he raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with it. Last week it was bad enough when I thought I’d inherited a brothel. Today I find out it’s a retirement home.”

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