Page 38 of Savannah Heat
“You should be used to that by now. Anything New York, especially in the South, calls for comment and a rude one at that,” Jenna said.
“Yeah, some things never change. The Yankee thing. I’d call it jealousy. How was Mrs. Roseland holding up?”
“She’s okay, just a little tired and stressed, I think. She’s tough, though, and will support her husband in whatever way he needs her to now and on through the election. I have no doubt about it.”
Dan put his arm around Jenna’s waist. “Speaking of tired, let’s say our goodbyes and go get your things from the hotel. We can stay at the townhouse there. All my stuff is there now anyway.”
Jenna leaned against Dan. “That sounds wonderful. I am exhausted in every way possible. A shower and a soft bed is all I ask for now.”
Dan took her hand. “Maybe I can do better than that.”
After saying their goodbyes to the senator and Mrs. Roseland, Dan and Jenna waited outside for a limo. Jenna looked at the sky. The night turned sultry, with no breeze and some distant thunder. A storm was on the way.
Dan scanned the immediate area. “No sign of Harper, Brock, or Gail. So, they conveniently disappeared—when and how?”
“Maybe they are doing something fun together, the three of them. If they have that diamond necklace one of them took—and my money is on Harper, they are celebrating somewhere.”
Dan laughed. “The three of them having fun together, with or without the necklace, conjures up so many odd thoughts, none appealing.”
On the ride back to town, Jenna wondered about Brock and what he might be doing. She didn’t think he would have had anything to do with the theft, but she did wonder if he was with Gail or Harper, or both, and why he would be. In fact, she wondered why Gail and Harper hit it off so well. But when it came to the user-type of person, it was all about motives. Gail and Harper might have similar agendas, but Brock, she wasn’t so sure about. He was not stupid and never seemed interested in making money illegally. But if they convinced him of a big payoff and no risk, what would he do? Or more likely, if they convinced him of some other scenario, how involved would he want to be?
They went back to the hotel and packed up Jenna’s things, and they left quickly, both relieved Brock was not there. One more awkward situation no one wanted to deal with at that late hour. Dan loaded Jenna’s bag into the limo, and they made the short trip to the townhouse he was using, courtesy of a friend.
Dan collected the bags from the limo and joined Jenna, who stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the stately old townhouse. “Home at last. It’s impressive, isn’t it?”
Jenna stood, not moving, just continuing to stare at the townhouse. “This is an amazing townhouse. Wow, three levels. You know, my grandmother used to walk with me down this street. It looks different in the daytime, of course, but I remember this street, this house. Whoever lived there then had the door painted a deep-blue, and there were dolphins intertwined in the door wreath every summer.”
“I’m glad you like the house. Now, let’s get inside and on to better things,” Dan said.
“Tell me about the family and your friends who live here now.”
“Your ordinary couple with three kids. These days they aren’t around here much—none of them. Two kids are in college, and one is married, I think, or all of them by now for all I know. The wife is an attorney in Atlanta, and Ray travels in his job, a security analyst for the government. He is in usually in D.C. or Atlanta mostly. Lucky for us.”
Jenna hardly moved as she continued to look at the house.
“Well, are you going to stand there all day?” Dan started gathering her luggage.
“Oh, yes, sorry. I want to see if it is as interesting as the outside.”
Dan wrestled the bags to the front door and fished the door keys from his pocket. “I’m trying to get you inside, Jenn. Stop staring at the house and come on in.”
Jenna followed Dan inside and stopped in the foyer, as she stopped to take in everything. “Why are they keeping the house if they are never here?”
“I don’t know, but I think it might have been his family home, his parents’ house, I mean.”
“Sentimental value, but real value, too. They could get a lot for this place. Location is everything, and three floors, fantastic. The more I look, the more I understand why they wouldn’t want to let it go.”
“I see right now you spent far too much time with the pretty boy, real estate guy.”
Jenna laughed. “Yes, you might be right, but I love these old townhouses. Wonder what he’d take for it?”
“Come on, let’s move on from the foyer, and you can ooh and ah over the rest of the house.” Dan moved the bags out of the way. “Oh, wait a second.” He looked at Jenna, open-mouthed. “You’re not thinking of leaving New York City to live here, are you? Seriously?”
“Not leaving it exactly, but maybe having an escape place.” Jenna picked up one of her bags and followed Dan upstairs. “The bed is huge,” she said as she unzipped her dress and removed the uncomfortable shoes, her gaze taking in the details of the master bedroom. “Oh, look at the crown molding and those windows. This place is fantastic.”
Dan kicked off his shoes. “It’s too late to have this conversation now, but I will remind you tomorrow to tell me why you want to be here and not in New York. Stop house shopping, and let’s get these bags unpacked while I still have enough energy left for other things.”
Jenna stood at the foot of the bed in her underwear, taking in every detail of the bedroom. “Oh, and look at this master suite. Why didn’t you tell me you borrowed a place like this—practically a Southern mansion?”