Page 5 of Gideon’s Gratitude (Love in Mission City #5)

Suddenly, he pushed back from the table and grabbed his plate.

“But you haven’t eaten…”

A nasty glare. “Appetite’s gone. I’m going out to inspect the damage and take Lucky for a walk.”

The dog, who’d been sleeping placidly, leapt to attention .

“All right, I’ll await your return.”

The man pointed to the phone. “Make your calls and then head over to your place when the cavalry arrives. I won’t be back by then.”

“But…” Words failed me, as they so seldom did. “I don’t want to leave your home unlocked.”

“Nothing worth stealing.” He stomped to the kitchen and dumped his plate into the sink with a clatter. He whistled, and the dog followed him through to the laundry room.

I held my breath as I waited.

Before long, the back door opened and then slammed shut.

What the fuck just happened? Gnawing hunger had me eating the food on my plate, even as my stomach churned.

Okay, so plenty of people didn’t like lawyers. Some with just cause, others simply because they saw sharks—people willing to exploit other’s weaknesses. Still others saw lawyers as rich snobs.

For better or worse, I fit into that category. Well, wealthy and of the upper classes these days. I’d been born with a proverbial silver spoon in my mouth, but I’d worked hard to achieve my own career success—separate from my father’s.

And how had Gideon been raised? If this house had been in the family for a while, it might’ve been middle class. At one time, properties up here were cheap. Now, however, they indicated status to those who bought up here. A red-hot real estate market ensured I’d paid top dollar for the land.

Once I finished my meal, I rose and moved to the kitchen.

I located a compost bin and emptied the remnants of Gideon’s meal into it.

Then I rinsed the plates, loaded the dishwasher, and washed the pans I’d used.

Wasn’t every day I did this. In fact, I couldn’t remember the last time.

Takeout and delivery were my staples. Especially since Thea had moved out with her boy toy .

Don’t think about them.

I should be happy the marriage was over.

I’d hired the second-best divorce attorney in town to represent my interests.

In the end, I hadn’t gone for Thea’s throat.

I’d provided her with alimony payments that would continue until she married.

Some women might never remarry, but she wasn’t one of them.

To her, amazingly, marriage was sacred. That she hadn’t been faithful to ours was of no relevance to her.

What surprised me was her departure. I’d been willing to look the other way, as long as she kept her dalliances private. I had a reputation to maintain.

But she’d proclaimed herself in love with the trainer, and she’d walked away from the marriage. A tidy sum and the monthly payments were all she asked for.

Once the pan was clean and on the drying rack, I snagged the phone and made my way to the window overlooking the front yard. I wasn’t great with phone numbers—that’s what my contacts list on my phone was for—but Riley had a memorable one with plenty of repeated digits and zeroes.

Disconcertingly, the phone was unlocked, so I dialed and hoped she answered.

“O’Halloran Construction, Riley speaking.”

Beatrice O’Halloran owned the construction company. The woman owned so many businesses in the valley.

“Riley, it’s Archer.” I didn’t need to use my last name. A nod to my parents’ choice of an unusual first name.

“Mr. Chamberlain, I’m so relieved to hear from you. I arrived at the worksite this morning and found your demolished SUV. I hope you weren’t inside. Are you injured?”

Her concern warmed me. That professional veneer covered a woman who felt things deeply. Who dedicated herself to everything she did. And I’d asked her repeatedly to call me Archer—which she usually did. She must’ve been worried.

“I’m fine, thank you. I apologize for upsetting you.

I’m over at Gideon Rodgers’s home. I hunkered down here for the night.

I would’ve called for assistance last night, but at the height of the storm, I didn’t want anyone coming to rescue me.

I was well cared for here. I’ll head over in a few moments.

Hopefully you have a cable I can use to charge my phone. ”

“I have just about every one known to man. My folks are always forgetting and needing to borrow one. You come here, and we’ll take care of you. My friend owns a tow company, and one of my guys brought a chainsaw. With your permission, we’ll cut up the tree.”

“Of course.” A knot in my chest loosened. Everything would be okay. “Was there any damage to the house?”

“Fortunately, no. We’d secured all the materials, and aside from the wayward tree, there was no flying debris. Your fortress is secure, sir.”

“Well, thank you, Riley. I’ll be over shortly.”

“Great. I’ll get the guys working on your SUV. It’ll be free by the time my tow-truck friend shows up.”

“Lovely. Thank you kindly.”

“My pleasure.”

I hung up and placed the phone on the table where my host couldn’t miss it.

In the laundry room, I discovered my suit hanging along with my shirt.

All were wrinkled as hell, but they didn’t appear worse for the storm they’d endured.

Maybe Pierre can restore them . My dry cleaner was a miracle worker.

Or I could donate them as I often did to the charity that helped ex-felons get back on their feet by providing them with appropriate clothes for job interviews.

I’d hired a young man from that program to maintain my extensive grounds quite a few years back.

Then I’d fronted the guy enough money to buy his own equipment and start a company that exclusively hired ex-felons.

Years on, the company prospered, and the man still took care of my home at no cost.

A good investment and a risk worth taking.

Changing into my clothes in the laundry room might not be the smartest move—Gideon might reappear at any moment, even though he promised he wouldn’t.

I headed back upstairs. After dressing, I put the clothes I borrowed into a laundry hamper.

I eyed the bed. What the hell am I supposed to do?

Strip the bed and begin a load of laundry?

Logical. So I did just that, taking a quick glance in the mirror before heading downstairs.

Not bad. My hair wasn’t the normal perfect coif, but I looked acceptable. Especially given the storm I endured last night.

A night to remember.

In more ways than one.

I shoved the sheets and borrowed clothes into the washing machine, added soap, and stared at the thing.

Selecting the correct settings took a few moments.

Or at least I hoped I selected the right choices.

I didn’t do laundry either. My housekeeper took care of all those tasks, for which I rewarded her handsomely.

Almost out the door, I pivoted back. I scrounged through the kitchen until I located a pen and paper.

I scribbled a quick note of thanks, added all the cash in my wallet, and signed with a flourish, including my phone number—in case more money was required.

I couldn’t imagine for what, but I held hope in my heart Gideon might find some excuse to call.

I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what about the man attracted me, but I felt it. The pull. The magnetism. The lure.

It'd been a very long time since I’d felt any stirrings .

Sighing, I closed the front door. Definite discomfort at leaving the door unlocked settled into my chest, but I couldn’t do anything about that now.

Gideon made it clear he wouldn’t return until I cleared out.

And, truthfully, this area of the mountain was pretty safe. Crime was almost nonexistent and, as the man had pointed out, he had little worth stealing.

I’d be in a very different position, and although my house wasn’t visible from the street, anyone who came poking around could sense the wealth. Thus, the state-of-the-art security system being installed.

At the path between the two properties, I hesitated and looked back. I had the impression of being watched—and maybe I was—but something made me pause. Fourteen or so hours. Barely a blip. Yet something profound had shifted within me.

How to even process that?

Wasn’t sure I wanted to. Let it just be a memory. The night I imposed upon a neighbor.

The night things changed forever.