Covet thy Neighbor

by Denise Carbo

  “I’m always careful.” Well, most of the time.

  He backs out of my driveway and I wave as he drives away.

  I walk to the deck. “Boys, I’m making dinner. You have a half hour of play time and then you need to come in and wash up.” Their backpacks are sitting on the deck. “And bring in your backpacks when you come in.”

  It’s a mac and cheese and chicken nuggets kind of night. I’ll deal with the mom guilt of serving them processed food rather than a home cooked nutritious meal later. I’ve got a whopper of a headache brewing and I’m not up to the vociferous complaints I’ll get if I cook a meal with heaven forbid—vegetables. They’re going through a stage where they hate pretty much any meal that can be remotely described as healthy.

  If I bribe them with their favorite dinner, they might give me a break tonight and let me watch a comedy in peace. I could use a little laughter.

  At least I have the lunch date with Franny and Lucinda to look forward to tomorrow. Explaining the latest run-in with my neighbor—not so much.

  Chapter 7

  There are massive black gates blocking the driveway. Franny mentioned nothing about gates. Tall stone walls anchor the gates and run along the property approximately twenty feet in from the road. I spot a small box on top of a pole on the side before the gates and ease my foot of the brake to let my car roll forward.

  I brake next to the device. I assume it’s an intercom system. I’ve never been to a house with a gate and intercom before. It suddenly dawns on me Mitch is probably loaded. He’s a movie director and former actor, after all. I probably should have realized this a while ago.

  I push the button and wait.

  “Hey Olivia, come on up.” Mitch’s voice echoes from the box and the gates swing open.

  Was there a camera in there too? How did he know it was me? He hadn’t seen me sitting there gawking, had he? I ease my car through the gates and up the driveway. Tall trees line the driveway before opening to a wide yard and an immense house.

  Wow! The driveway circles around in front of the house with a large fountain in the center of the circle. Should I park in front or follow the driveway over to what is probably a garage?

  The front door opens and Mitch steps out with a smile. He waves his hand towards him, so I assume he means to leave my car here. I park and turn off the engine and take a few breaths.

  I’m suddenly intimidated. He’s always been friendly and down to earth. I never really thought of him as a celebrity or rich, until now.

  Grabbing my purse and the dip and chips I brought, I climb out of the car. He’s marrying one of my best friends and he hasn’t changed so neither should my perception. “Hi Mitch.”

  “Hi. Need help?” He jogs down the steps and takes the chips and dip from me. “Mmm, this looks good. I might need to stick around your girls’ lunch for a few minutes.”

  His wide smile and blue eyes have made many women’s hearts leap. I never told Franny, but I had one of his posters on my wall briefly when I was a teenager.

  Mitch leads me into the house and I nearly trip over my own two feet gawking at the entryway. It’s huge and spectacular. “Your house is amazing.”

  “Thanks, I’d give you a tour but I know Franny wants to do that herself. She and Lucinda are on the back patio.”

  I follow him down a long hallway into an L-shaped room with a gigantic fireplace. He leads me through a set of French doors to a blue stone patio. Franny and Lucinda are sitting at a long table with a hunter green umbrella. Franny is talking on her cellphone but lifts her hand, waves and smiles. Lucinda stands and comes over to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  Mitch sets the platter I brought down on the table.

  Franny ends her call. “Hey stranger.”

  “Hi. Franny, this place is amazing.”

  “I know, right? I can’t wait to show you around. Luce has already seen it.” She stands up and looks at her sister. “Do you want to come along or stay here?”

  “You two go ahead.” She sits back down at the table. “I’ll keep Mitch company.”

  Mitch smiles. “And I’ll keep the dip company.”

  Franny laughs and shakes her head. “I swear part of the reason he loves me is I can cook.”

  He walks over and slips an arm around her waist. “That’s only a tiny, infinitesimal slice of the reason.” He dips her back and kisses her.

  I smile and then realize the kiss is not ending. Franny loops her arms around his neck while he deepens the kiss. I look away and meet Lucinda’s gaze. She shakes her head and we both stare out at the lake.

  The property stretches along the shore with its own private cove. The rumble and whine of engines from the boats farther out on the lake zoom by. A white sail glides into view. I tilt my face back and let the sun warm my skin.

  What would it be like to see this view out your window every day? Mitch lives on the outskirts of Granite Cove. His personal cove is probably only a few minutes from the village by water. When I tell people I live in Granite Cove, New Hampshire, they assume I live on the lake. My house is too far away to see the lake, but I take the boys to the public beach in town during the summer to swim.

  Franny and Mitch end their kiss.

  Lucinda smiles. “I don’t know whether to clap or fan myself.”

  A pink blush spreads over Franny’s cheeks and Mitch chuckles. He walks over to the table and points to my platter. “May I?”

  “Of course.”

  “Is that the blue cheese and port dip you were telling me about?”

  I nod at Franny while they all crowd around the platter and sample some.

  “Oh my God this is good,” Lucinda mumbles around the chip in her mouth.

  Franny just nods and takes another bite. Mitch sits down and pulls the platter closer to him.

  I laugh and take a seat.

  Lucinda sits next to me. “Please don’t tell me how many calories are in that.”

  “I actually have no idea.”

  “Good. I can pretend it’s not much.”

  “Okay, before I eat anymore of this delicious dip, let’s go on that tour. Then we can have lunch.”

  Franny shows me through ornate bathrooms, so many bedrooms I lose count, and ends the tour in the kitchen. “My favorite room in the house.” She walks around the giant island wider than my entire kitchen with a wide smile on her face. She leans over and lays her cheek against the white marble. “Is it wrong I want to climb up here and lie down?”

  I laugh. “Not at all, I’d probably do the same if it was mine. Your house is mind boggling.”

  “Come on, we can lie down together.” Franny hitches her butt up on the counter, swings her legs up, and lies down on the island face up. She glances over. “Come on.” She pats the marble next to her.

  Chuckling, I place my palms flat and hoist my body up on the island. Franny has a couple—okay a few—inches of height on me. I lie down next to her and stare up at the bright white coffered ceiling.

  “There are days I think I’m living in a fairy tale.”

  I turn my head to glance at her. “Enjoy it. You deserve it, Franny. The love between you and Mitch is so strong sometimes I think it’s a tangible thing you can reach out and touch.”

  She smiles. “I like that. It’s how I feel. I’m so full of love.”

  “I’m thrilled for you.” I take her hand and give it a squeeze.

  She squeezes mine back and then sits up. “Okay, it’s time for lunch.” She swings her legs over the side and slides off the island. “I made finger sandwiches, kind of as a salute to the era of the house. They’re also an easy make ahead food to serve.”

  I sit up and hop off the island while she opens the wide stainless-steel double door fridge and takes out a platter covered with tiny sandwiches. She hands it to me and grabs a pitcher of what looks like iced tea.

  “I have dessert for later, of course.” She picks up a basket with cups and napkins. “I think that’s it.”

  When w
e exit out onto the patio from a door in the kitchen, Lucinda and Mitch are chatting at the table.

  “Oh good, more food.” Mitch stands and walks over to take the pitcher and basket from Franny.

  I set the platter down and see the dip has disappeared. Franny leans over my platter and then raises her eyebrows at Mitch.

  “Would you believe me if I said Lucinda did it?”

  “Hey!” Lucinda scowls.

  “Not a chance.” Franny hands out the glasses and pours the iced tea while Mitch sets a napkin down for everyone.

  I take the cover off the platter and sit.

  “I’ll just take a few of these with me and get out of the way of your lunch.” Mitch puts four of the sandwiches stacked on his napkin, kisses Franny, and waves to us. “See you ladies.”

  After eating two of the little sandwiches myself, I tilt my head back against the cushion and enjoy the warmth of the sun bathing my face. On the lake there always seems to be a breeze, so it doesn’t get too hot. It’s the same at the bakery.

  “We need a neighbor update.”

  I lower my head and peer at Franny. She’s staring at me while taking a bite of a sandwich. Lucinda is sipping her tea.

  “Must I?”

  Franny rears her head back. “Most definitely, after that comment. That means there’s more to tell.”

  Lucinda scoots her chair closer to mine. “I’ve been a little distracted moving into the apartment this week, but I still plan to help you investigate him.”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

  She frowns. “Why not? I was looking forward to it. Who knows, I might find a new career in private investigation.”

  “Mother would love that.” Franny chuckles and grabs another sandwich.

  I tell them my latest Luke encounter ending with, “I felt about this tall by the time I left.” I hold up my index and thumb about an inch apart. “I let my imagination and paranoia take over any rationality I have.”

  “Nonsense. You were justifiably concerned.” Lucinda leans back in her chair and crosses her legs. “Besides, you still don’t know all that much about him. Did he tell you this sister-in-law’s name or her parents’?”

  “No, but I didn’t ask either.”

  “I’m for giving him the benefit of the doubt. He’s fixed your sons’ playscape and given you reasonable explanations.” Franny shrugs and takes a drink.

  Lucinda raises her finger. “Let’s not forget most serial killers turn out to be the unassuming, fade into the background type that no one suspects.”

  “Luke will never fit that description.”

  Both their gazes dart to mine. “I just mean he’s a good-looking guy. He’s not about to be a man people forget seeing.”

  “How good looking?”

  I shrug at Lucinda. “Extremely good looking. Tall, well built, dark blonde hair with a slight curl to it, deep brown eyes—almost black, tan and very fit.”

  Franny rests her elbows on the table and laces her fingers together to rest her chin on them. “Interesting.”

  “What’s interesting?” I gaze between her and Lucinda. They’re both smiling at me.

  “What?”

  “You’re attracted to him.”

  “Don’t be silly. Are you forgetting I thought he was a serial killer?” I squirm in my chair to find a comfortable spot.

  Lucinda points her finger at me. “Has it occurred to you that you were dreaming up scenarios to make him unavailable because subconsciously you know you’re attracted to him?”

  I close my eyes. “You’re both crazy.”

  “Highly possible, but why not? You’re single. He’s single. You’re both attractive adults. I don’t see a problem.”

  I open my eyes and glare at Franny. “Can we please change the subject?”

  She stares at me for a few seconds. “Okay, there is something else I want to talk to you two about. You know how I started going to that book club Sally belongs to?”

  “Of course, I’ve heard you and Sally both mention it at work.”

  “Well you remember you told me you would be interested in going?”

  “Sure.”

  “Good, because it’s my turn to host this month and I’m having it here and want both of you to come. I even bought the book I chose for both of you to read. I’ll give them to you before you leave.” She looks at Lucinda. “Are you in too?”

  “Yes, it sounds like fun.”

  “I picked a historical fantasy romance because who doesn’t like to hear about a happily ever after?”

  “I could use some of that in my own life.” I pick up my iced tea and take a drink. I could use a rather large dose.

  “Me too please.” Lucinda looks at Franny. “You’re already getting yours.”

  Franny grins. “I know and I want to spread the love. I want you both to get yours too.”

  We chat for another hour before we say our goodbyes. Franny hands each of us a book before we leave. There’s a handsome blond man on the cover brandishing a sword.

  Maybe I’ll start it tonight.

  The drive home is uneventful and blessedly short. I still have work to do around the house, including mowing my lawn before it gets too tall and breaks my lawnmower. I don’t need the added expense.

  I pull into the driveway and stare at my yard.

  My lawn is mowed.

  Putting the car in park and shutting off the engine, I rest my arms over the steering wheel and stare at the freshly clipped grass. I can smell the sweet scent through the glass.

  He mowed my lawn.

  I was joking when I mentioned it before. I didn’t think he’d actually do it. Now I need to do something to thank him. He fixed the playscape and mowed the lawn.

  Sighing, I get out of the car. Will baked goods suffice? He hadn’t said he liked the cookies. It’s all I have to offer at the moment. One more thing to add to my to do list.

  I peruse the cover of the book in my hands. Could my neighbor be a white knight instead of the monster I painted him to be?

  Chapter 8

  I trudge down my front steps and over to Luke’s front door. I made him a pie. It’s the right thing to do and guilt is a powerful motivator.

  The cement steps in front of his house are cracked and crumbling so I hold the pie high while watching where I place my feet. Standing in front of the door, I nibble on my bottom lip. Which Luke will I encounter this time—the grumpy one or the helpful neighbor one?

  “Hey.”

  I turn my head and spot Luke standing in an open garage door on the left side of his house.

  “Umm…hi.” I walk back down the steps and over to the garage while he stands wiping his hands on a rag.

  “I made you a pie as a thank you for fixing the playscape and mowing my lawn. That was you, right?” Who else could it have been?

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “You don’t like pie.”

  “Who doesn’t like pie?”

  “There’s always that one person and the way my luck has been going lately, I figured it would probably be you.”

  The side of his mouth hitches up in the semblance of a smile. “I like pie just fine.”

  “Good.” I hold it out to him. “It’s apple.” Apple is usually a safe choice. Most people like apple.

  Luke tosses the rag on the ground next to a car and takes the pie from me. “Thanks.”

  The car is cherry red with wide white stripes on the trunk and hood. It’s an older car, older than me. My cousin would call it a muscle car and probably be asking a ton of questions and even drooling a bit.

  I stuff my hands in my back pockets and give him a quick smile. “You’re welcome and thanks again for your help.” I back up a step and turn to go home.

  “My sister-in-law got quite the laugh when I told her you thought I might be a serial killer. She laughed so hard tears came streaming down her face.”

  I wince. “Sorry about that. My overactive worry brain goes a little hayw
ire at times.”

  He shrugs. “It made Barb laugh. She wants to meet you, by the way. It got a little sketchy when Joey, my nephew, overheard though. Ever try explaining to a two-year-old what a serial killer is?”

  “Uh no, thankfully. Why does she want to meet me? To see what your crazy neighbor looks like so she knows to avoid me if she spots me in town?”

  The corner of his mouth hitches up again and this time spreads almost to the other side in a genuine smile. “No, she liked your hutzpah, as she called it. I think she’d like to connect with other moms, too. She doesn’t know too many other people in town.”

  “In that case, I’d love to meet her. Tell her to stop by any time.” So she must be a recent transplant too. Did he follow her here? They must be close. He didn’t mention how they were connected. Married to his brother perhaps? Or had he been married and Barbara is the sister of a former wife?

  “I’ll do that.”

  “You want my phone number?”

  He just stands holding the pie, staring.

  “For your sister-in-law.” Great, now he probably thinks I am coming on to him or something.

  “Yeah, hold on a sec.” Luke turns and walks into the garage and puts the pie down on a workbench against the wall. He pulls his phone out of his front pocket. “Hit me.”

  I rattle off my number and he enters it into his phone. I half expect him to reciprocate and give me his or his sister-in-law’s but he slips his phone back into his pocket.

  Okay then. I lift my hand in a wave. “See you.”

  “Off to work?”

  “Yeah, I work eleven to five every day the bakery is open.” Why am I over sharing? He didn’t ask for my hours or where I work. Will it prompt him to tell me what he does for work?

  He gives me a brief nod and turns back to the garage.

  Okay, I’ve been dismissed.

  I go back to my house, lock up, and drive to work. The Sweet Spot is slammed with customers so I jump right in.

  Two hours later, Franny and I finally get a lull.

  “Sheesh, was it like that all morning?”

  “Pretty much, Sally and I had our hands full. I’ve barely been in the kitchen all day.”