A Courtesy Call (Green Division Series Book #2) Page 7

  “Maybe it’s time you let her grow up, huh. She’s an adult and gets to make her own decisions now. Looks to me like she’s made her choice,” she said low, trying to keep their conversation private. She wanted to hate him. And he made it so damn tempting.

  “If you hurt her...” Mike threatened.

  “Time to let go, daddy.” Raleigh winked with a smartass smile. “I’ll take her for a good ride.”

  “You—”

  “Aiden!” She hollered past Mike. “Why don’t you show Mike the trophy room?”

  “Trophy room? We don’t have a trophy room,” Aiden responded. Raleigh slid into the driver’s seat, turned over the engine, and threw it into reverse.

  Mike’s face turned beet red. Off onto the track they sped. Raleigh was officially on his shit list.

  Twenty minutes of driving later they returned to the garage. However, the driver configuration had changed. Cass pulled herself out of the driver’s seat.

  “That was amazing! Thank you!” Cass ran to the passenger side of the vehicle and hugged Raleigh.

  Mike stood with his arms tightly crossed and his head lowered, his eyes radiated anger.

  “Dad, oh my god, it was unbelievable. I know what I want for my next car.” Cass couldn’t stop smiling. His anger lessened with Cass’s happiness. “You have an amazing job.”

  Cass walked over to Mike’s side.

  “She’s safe and sound.” Raleigh shook her blond hair from the helmet. She wanted to get a rise out of him. Cass was the button to do so.

  Mike thought it best to not respond to her comment.

  Raleigh unzipped her fire suit revealing a fitted white tank top. It was bunched in the front and exposed her navel, until she tugged the shirt down. Mike noticed her firm muscles and his eyes followed a line from her navel upwards, to her cleavage, until he finally reached her eyes.

  “Enjoying the view?” She caught Mike’s distracted gawking. She didn’t consider herself to be a beauty queen, but any man would be distracted by the sight of a woman with little covering their upper torso.

  Damn. He’d been caught. In true male form, his appreciation of her curves was unconscious, without intent. She was the last woman on God’s green earth he’d let himself be attracted to.

  Mike’s face blushed.

  “You have my number Cass, call if you want to come to another practice before you leave.”

  “I’m free tomorrow.” Cass didn’t need time to think about it.

  “Alright.” She laughed. “I’ll be here by eight, feel free to stop by anytime.”

  “I’ll be here at eight.” Cass smiled. Raleigh smiled back and then her smile turned into a smirk when she looked at Mike. Mike had the same scowl he always wore when he looked at Raleigh.

  “We have plans tomorrow, Cass.”

  “We can see the Civil War battlefield any day. It’s not going anywhere.”

  “Don’t cancel your plans for me.” Raleigh wasn’t being sarcastic.

  “I can see a battlefield any day, right Dad.” This was a statement, not a question.

  “Mmm.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow then.” She waved and walked out of the shop. Cass changed back into her clothes and she left with Mike.

  Raleigh enjoyed enraging Mike. If he was going to treat her like a piece of shit, she’d return the favor. She genuinely liked Cass. Mike, despite of what she’d been through with him, she could do without seeing again.

  *****

  “She’s amazing Dad. I mean, when you think of a celebrity, she’s nothing like that. She’s approachable, fun, easy going.”

  “She’s wonderful,” Mike said dryly.

  “Why don’t you like her?”

  “I think she’s a bad influence, that’s all.” Mike pulled out of the gated lot. “I showed you the news articles this morning. She’s a drunk with an anger management problem.”

  “No she’s not.”

  “You’ve known her for one day. You don’t know her.”

  “I know enough. She’s a good person.” Cass pulled out of her cell phone and saved the number from the text Raleigh sent her. “Maybe you should be more open-minded.”

  *****

  “Who were they?” Aiden asked, climbing into the driver’s seat of his car.

  “A few people I know from Maine.” Raleigh buckled herself in the passenger seat.

  “Ah hah.” Aiden squinted his eyes. “You couldn’t stand that man. I saw the contempt. Yet, you invite him and his daughter for an arranged private tour?”

  “I felt obligated.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they are from my home state.”

  “How do you know them?”

  “It’s Maine, population twelve. Everyone knows everyone.”

  “Why are you so evasive about everything? Mystery girl.”

  “I prefer intriguing.”

  “You most certainly don’t lack intrigue.”

  “So, what are your plans tonight?”

  “I was thinking about Chinese and a Bond movie.”

  “That sounds like fun.” Raleigh smiled.

  “I wanted to spend the evening at home, Miss.”

  Raleigh nodded her head slightly let down.

  “You are welcome to come over to my flat and join me, if you don’t mind slumming.”

  “Sounds delightful,” she said with her best British accent.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “I’ll see you later.” Cass leaned over and kissed Mike on the cheek. He sat on the patio enjoying his morning coffee.

  “When will you be back?”

  “When she kicks me out.” That was a no brainer. “What about you? What are you going to do? Call Jen, see if she’s feeling better.”

  “If Jen wanted to talk, she knows how to get in touch with me.”

  Cass shrugged.

  “Do you want to come with me?”

  “The invitation was extended to you, not me.”

  “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

  “That’s alright, you enjoy yourself. BE SAFE.”

  “I will, I promise. Bye.” With that she was out the door. Mike sat in utter silence.

  “What a vacation,” he said aloud. “Sitting around in a hotel by myself. Talking to myself.”

  Cass took off with the rental car restricting Mike to foot travel. Perhaps a day by the luxurious pool was in store for him. And a few drinks. It didn’t sound so bad after all.

  The afternoon slipped away by the pool. The farmer’s tan he’d worked so hard to get was spoiled by the sun’s rays baring down on his body which was only covered by swim shorts. His mind wandered to why they were there. For what Jen had done. And why Jen was so nonchalant now.

  The investigation was open and the facts were far from conclusive. All the authorities had established to that point was another vehicle was involved, but the mystery remained as to who it was. The initial finger was pointed at Jen of course. But with no witnesses to prove it was her and tire tracks that belonged to a small sedan, not the gigantic tires sported on the SUV Ben witnessed parked at the scene, they knew she wasn’t their girl. Ben was convinced that there was still something amiss, but everyone including Mike concluded Jen was the hero of the situation. The accident was in a remote location and would have been especially remote on that day considering the lack of trucks at the boat landing. It could have been hours before someone discovered his truck burning in the tree line. And if that had been the case, Mike wouldn’t be in North Carolina attempting to show his gratitude to the Good Samaritan who’d discovered him and called for help.

  To his surprise, Jen hadn’t been welcoming and acted as though nothing happened. That perhaps explained why she left the scene. Apparently she didn’t care. The woman he’d talked to on the phone a month prior was different. A warm, welcoming, and happy he was alive girl. This Jen acted as though she could have cared less if he’d lived or died.

  “I see why you didn’t answer your phone.” Cass stood besi
de the pool. A dozen people shared the pool with him.

  “I forgot my phone in the room.” Mike wiped the water from his face. “Did you have fun?”

  “Of course I did.” She pulled off her sandals and sat down at the edge of the pool. “She invited me over to her house for dinner.”

  “What?” Mike didn’t like the sound of that. That wasn’t happening.

  “She and her assistant Aiden, the man we met yesterday, are having dinner at her house. She invited me to come.”

  Mike closed his eyes and his head began to hurt. God he didn’t like Raleigh.

  “And she said you could come too.”

  “We’ve been imposing on her for the past two days. She’s only being polite. Why don’t we have dinner out?”

  “It’s up to you if you want to come or not, but I’m going. I’ll grab a taxi so you can have the rent-a-car.” She kicked her bare feet about in the water.

  “You’re really taken up with her.”

  “She’s Raleigh Jo Dawson.”

  “I know.” She’d reminded him of that fact nearly a dozen times.

  “Please come with me.”

  Mike sighed heavily. “I’ll come. What time?”

  *****

  “If you can’t stand him, why did you invite him over?” Aiden asked.

  “I didn’t think he’d come.” Raleigh peered into the living room. “I was being polite.”

  “Because you have always been polite in the past?”

  “Shut up.”

  Aiden laughed. “You really don’t like this gentleman.”

  She glared at Aiden.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” He picked up a tray of hors d'œuvres he’d prepared.

  “I guess I’ll entertain them until you can get that stick out of your behind.”

  “Your sense of humor is so original.”

  Aiden took the tray of hors d'œuvres and walked to the living room.

  “Grrrr...it was an invitation out of obligation,” she muttered under her breath. She followed on Aiden’s heels wearing the friendliest face she could muster and sat down beside Aiden.

  “Thank you for inviting us over,” Cass said, a permanent smile plastered on her face.

  “Yes, thank you,” Mike said properly.

  “Oh, no problem.” Raleigh looked at Cass.

  A silence filled the air, the discomfort between Mike and Raleigh was overwhelming.

  “So, where is it in Canada you hail from?” Aiden asked.

  “We don’t live in Canada.” Cass laughed. “We live in Maine.”

  “What is the difference?” Aiden was stone serious despite Raleigh’s clarification.

  “Maine is in the United States, not Canada.”

  “Right. Well, where in Maine is it?”

  “It’s on the west—”

  Once Raleigh thought about the answer to the question she began to cough and inhaled a chunk of food, cutting Cass’s answer off.

  “You alright?” Mike asked.

  “Yea...” She coughed more. “Just...” Cough. “Went down the...” Another cough. “Wrong pipe.” She cleared her throat. “How long are you staying in North Carolina?” She shifted topics swiftly.

  “Another four days.”

  “Good, good.” Raleigh’s eyes watered from her hacking. “There’s a lot to see down here. You should definitely see the sites before you head back.”

  “I’ve been trying to tell Cass that, but she’s pretty taken up with you.”

  “Can’t blame her, can you?” Raleigh joked. As long as the topic steered away from the potential train wreck it had neared, she would be happy.

  “Right,” Mike said, trying to hide his sarcasm.

  “You said you wanted to see my garage.” Raleigh looked over at Cass.

  “I’d love to.” She looked at Mike. “She has an Aston, Dad. An Aston!”

  “Not as impressive as my Camry,” he said lowly, smiling at Cass.

  “Come on.” Cass pulled on Mike’s hand.

  The four walked together to Raleigh’s massive garage, or warehouse as Aiden called it. Aiden pecked in the security code and one of the bays opened.

  “It’s like Noah’s Ark,” Mike commented upon looking at the toys that were lined up inside. Two of everything. Dirt bikes, motorcycles, go karts, and ATVs. Aiden hit the lights and they flicked across the four drive thru bays, enough to house eight vehicles, six were filled with cars, the other two by Noah’s Ark’s items.

  “Wow.” Cass was speechless. “I think I’ll drop out of college and do what you do. This is amazing.” Cass walked over to the Aston and opened the door peering inside.

  Mike scanned the garage, but Raleigh didn’t see the same amazement on his face. He held it inside.

  “Nissan GTR, Audi Q7, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Aston Martin Vanquish, Subaru Impreza WRX rally package, and the Judge,” Mike said without an ounce of excitement.

  Raleigh took a step back and stared. A man who drove a Camry knew what these vehicles were without inspecting the badges.

  “Where do you think my daughter gets her love of cars?” Mike walked over to the Judge and leaned inside the window checking out the interior.

  “Impressive,” Raleigh said and walked to the black GTO.

  “She’s beautiful.” Mike ran his hand down the windowsill. “Surprised you picked the 1967 6.6 liter over the 1968 7.5.”

  “It’s not all about engine size. She’s been my baby since I was sixteen.” Raleigh smiled. “And tell me she’s not more beautiful than a sixty eight. She’s gorgeous.”

  “I agree.”

  There was a silence in appreciation of the car.

  “And she might have a 6.6, but trust me, she goes.” She popped the hood. Mike looked down at the polished metal.

  “Doesn’t look like she’s ever been driven.”

  “Trust me.” She grinned devilishly. “She’s been driven.”

  Mike shook his head. For the first time since their initial meeting, they’d not been contemptuous to one another.

  Mike looked to his left and saw Cass leaned against the wall talking to Aiden. He perked up in protective father mode.

  “Trust me, he’s no threat. I think the poor boy is still a virgin.”

  “I don’t intend for that to change on this trip,” Mike said.

  Raleigh walked to the bay door.

  “Aiden, we’re ready for dinner.” That was Raleigh’s subtle hint for them to go inside.

  “Yes, Miss.” Cass and Aiden followed behind Mike and Raleigh.

  The quadrat sat down to the dinner Raleigh prepared. When she wanted, she was a delectable chef. Most of the time, she didn’t have that want.

  “That was a delicious meal.” Mike wiped his lips with a fancy linen napkin. He didn’t have to try to be nice anymore. Maybe she wasn’t as bad as the press made her out to be. Maybe.

  “Thank you.” Raleigh slid her chair back and began to clear the table. “I’ll clean the table and join you in the living room in a moment.”

  “I’ll help you.” Aiden stood.

  “Aiden, stop. You’re not working. You’re my guest. Go sit down with Cass and Mike. I’ll be out in a few.”

  “Thank you.” Aiden and Cass walked into the living room.

  Raleigh carried a few dishes into the kitchen and placed them onto the counter. When she turned Mike was right behind her, dishes in his hands.

  “Jesus, you jumped me.” She put her hand on her chest. “You don’t have to help me, you’re a guest. Go sit.”

  “Where I was raised, the cook doesn’t clean and do dishes as well.”

  “Those are my house rules.” Raleigh lowered her hand and those feelings she’d first felt when meeting him returned. Damn. It was easy to ignore the feelings when they were overshadowed by anger.

  Mike walked back to the dining room and retrieved more dishes.

  “You are a stubborn man,” she said as he walked back to the dining room.

  “And you are a stub
born woman.” Mike said as he returned with more dishes. The two crossed paths when Mike reached forward to place the dishes on the counter and Raleigh turned to grab something behind her. The result was a collision between her and Mike, him fumbling with her china to save it from an up close and personal meeting with the tile floor. Mike was able to give the fragile china a final push onto the counter before the two fumbled together to the unforgiving tile. Mike landed on his back and Raleigh landed atop of him.