“Are you an art expert?” Brad asked Zoe.
“No.” She didn’t bother to look at him, and her tone was flat. “I’m a hairdresser, but I’m not stupid.”
“I didn’t mean to imply—”
“No, you meant to say. Will it help you find the key, Malory?”
“I don’t know. But it means something. I have a digital camera out in the car. Can I take some pictures of it?”
“Be my guest.” Brad jammed his hands into his pockets as Malory hurried out and left him alone with Zoe. “Are you sure I can’t get you something? Coffee?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”
“I, ah, came in on this after the first reel,” he began. “You might give me a little time to catch up.”
“I’m sure Flynn will tell you everything you need to know.” She crossed the room, using the excuse of looking out for Malory as a chance to see the lovely river view.
What would it be like, she wondered, to be able to stand here whenever you wanted, to see the water and the light, the hills? Liberating, she imagined. And peaceful.
“Malory just told me she believes the Daughters of Glass exist, in reality. In some reality. And that the people you met at Warrior’s Peak are several thousand years old.”
She turned back, didn’t so much as blink. “If she believes that, she has good reason. And I trust her enough to believe it too. Now would you like to tell me I’ve slipped a couple of gears?”
Irritation flickered over his face. “I never said that to her. I thought it, but I didn’t say it. I’m not saying it to you either.”
“But you’re thinking it.”
“You know, I only have two feet, but I’m managing to stay on the wrong one with you.”
“Since I doubt we’re going dancing anytime soon, I’m not really worried about your feet. I like your house.”
“Thanks, so do I. Zoe—”
“I’ve done a lot of business at HomeMakers. I’ve found good values and excellent customer service in the local store.”
“Good to know.”
“I hope you’re not planning on making any major changes there, but I wouldn’t mind a little more variety on the seasonal stuff. You know, bedding plants, snow shovels, outdoor furniture.”
His lips twitched. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And it wouldn’t hurt to add a couple more cashiers on Saturdays. There’s always a wait at the checkout.”
“So noted.”
“I’m starting my own business, so I pay attention to how things run.”
“Are you opening your own salon?”
“Yes.” She said it firmly, despite the way her stomach muscles clutched. “I was looking at space before I got Malory’s message to come out here.”
And why didn’t Malory come back in? She was running out of steam now that her temper had leveled off. She didn’t know what to talk about with a man who lived in a house like this, one who helped run an enormous national conglomerate. If “conglomerate” was the word for it.
“In the Valley?”
“What? Oh, yes, I’m looking for a place in town. I’m not interested in a mall space. I think it’s important to maintain a good downtown, and I want to be close to home so I can be more available to my son.”
“You have a son?” His gaze zeroed in on her left hand, and he nearly sighed with relief at the lack of a wedding ring.