The big man grunted. “I’m taking the shoelaces off the rent,” he said.
The pups returned to the steps like homing pigeons. “Okay, you grab two and I’ll take two and come back for the food. Move fast now,” Jory warned. The dogs yipped and yelped all the way to the kitchen. They shut up long enough for Jory to get the key to the carriage house and sneak out the door, the big man right behind her.
“Have I changed so much that you don’t recognize me, Pete? Or should I call you Woo?” Jory asked quietly with a catch in her voice.
“My God, is that you, Jory?” Woo asked in stunned surprise. Both her hands were suddenly in his and he was kissing first one cheek and then the other. “Woo is fine, Pete is fine too. Ross didn’t tell me you were back here. Are you living here? Of course you are, you answered the door. Jory, it’s good to see you. It really is.”
She believed him. She looked up at him, felt like a midget next to his six-foot-four stature. He also seemed to be having trouble with what he probably perceived as her new persona. She wanted to say, It was always there, but no one allowed me to present it, but then that wasn’t exactly true either.
“It’s nice to see you again . . . Pete. Woo seems rather . . . what I mean is, it doesn’t fit you anymore. Are you working in town? I seem to recall you saying you were going back to Lancaster.”
“I did go back, but I didn’t do well in the office politics department. I resented all those billable hours I was asked to inflate. I went to work at the lumber mill and handled the company’s legal business on the weekends. I would probably still be there if Ross hadn’t called and offered me a position at his parents’ magazine. I’ve been staying with Ross for about a month now, but it’s time I found my own place. I plan to get a car, so this would be ideal, if we can come to terms.”
Terms. Did she really want Woo living here right next to her? He would be a constant reminder of her past. As nice as he was, and as much as she’d liked him in the past, she didn’t think it would work. Ross and Woo were friends, nothing would ever change that. He would talk about her to Ross; he certainly was going to mention the four dogs. What should she do? Harp on the lack of central heat. Hike the rent. Damn, she couldn’t do that, the price was in the paper. Obviously he could afford the two hundred dollars or he wouldn’t be here.
“This is nice, Jory,” Woo said as he walked around the spacious rooms of the carriage house. “Very nice. I think I could be very comfortable here. Are utilities included in the rent?”
“No. There’s no central heat, just the fireplaces. You have to light that . . . that thing behind the pantry for hot water. It takes twenty minutes till it gets hot. It’s gas. It’s very old-fashioned.”
“You sound like you aren’t anxious to rent, or is it me you don’t want to rent to?” Woo asked quietly.
“I . . . It probably isn’t a good idea, Pete. Ross and I are getting a divorce. It was his idea,” she added hastily. “I’m trying to make a new life for myself, and I would always wonder if you were . . . what I mean is . . .”
“I’d carry tales, is that it? That’s not what I’m all about, Jory. Your life is yours, mine is mine. This is a very large piece of property. I can help maintain it on weekends. Autumn is coming up, there will be lots of leaves to rake. Those dogs, now, they’re going to take some care. I like animals. Snow has to be shoveled. I can do that. I can see by the chimneys you have several fireplaces. I’m a whiz at chopping wood. I couldn’t help but notice those two downed trees at the back of the lot. If you get the saw, I’ll do the work. I’d like to rent this house, if you have no objections.”
“Ross?”
“This has nothing to do with Ross. You’re the landlord and I’m the tenant I’ll sign a lease.”
“When do you want to move in?” No, this wasn’t a good idea. This was a bad idea. She had to say so. Instead she said, “I’ll rent the carriage house to you if you don’t tell Ross you’re living here.”
“Jory, I can’t do that. It won’t make a difference. I have my own life and Ross has his. I promise not to talk about you with Ross, though. By the way, does he know you’re back? He didn’t say anything to me. All he said was he was getting divorced. I need an answer, Jory, otherwise I have to keep looking, and it’s going to be dark soon. I like to see what I’m getting in daylight.”
“There’s no furnace. It’s going to be cold in the winter.”
“You already said that, and I said I didn’t mind. I was a Boy Scout, so I know how to make a fire that will burn all day. It’s not a problem, Jory.”
“All right, a six-month lease. A month’s security in advance. Is that okay?”
“That’s fine, Jory. Thanks, I really appreciate this. You won’t be sorry.”
“I hope not, Pete. If you break your word to me, you’re out. I want that written into the lease.” Woo nodded. “I guess we should get to it, then.”
Jory locked the door and started across the lawn to the house. She could hear the dogs yipping and yelping. She wondered what kind of mess they’d made. To her surprise, the dogs were fine; the water dish was overturned, but that was it She cleaned up the water spill and set down a full bowl. “They like to stick their feet in it,” she muttered.
“That’s . . . cute.” Woo laughed.
“Not when you have to keep cleaning it up. I’ll type this up and be back in a minute.”
“Take your time. Me and the guys here will get acquainted.”
Jory felt like there was a lead weight in her stomach when she sat down to write out a short lease. “This is a mistake, I know this is a mistake,” she said through clenched teeth. Then why was she doing this? Because Woo was nice to her way back when, she recalled.
She typed furiously, one paragraph, then two. This was her lease, with no input from Woo. She thought about the last paragraph before she typed it: “This lease shall be terminated within twenty-four hours if the lessor deems the actions of the lessee are detrimental to her private life.” The last line read: “Six-month lease to be renewed at lessor’s discretion.” Jory read the document three times to be sure she hadn’t left anything out. It probably wasn’t legal in some respects, and would not hold up in a court of law, but she didn’t care. If Woo signed it in the presence of a notary, she would be satisfied. She’d meet him tomorrow at the Mellon Bank at lunchtime to sign the lease.
Woo was sitting on a kitchen chair when she returned, all four pups cradled in his lap. His busy hands rubbed bellies and scratched ears. The dogs were ecstatic. Woo looked so contented. “Making yourself at home,” she said, annoyed for some reason.
“As a matter of fact, yes. I haven’t felt this relaxed since I started to work for . . . in a long time. There’s something very relaxing about an animal. We always had a dog when I was growing up. They love unconditionally,” Woo said quietly.
She handed over the paper. “I am not amenable to any changes, Pete, so either you sign it or you don’t rent the carriage house.”
“It looks fine to me,” he replied, scanning it. “I would prefer a year’s lease, but this is fine. I hope I’ll prove a good enough tenant that you won’t have to think twice about renewing.”
“I hope so too. I’ll meet you tomorrow at ten at the Mellon Bank. There’s a notary there. You don’t object, do you?”
“No, not at all. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jory pretended not to see the wistful look he cast in the direction of the stove. She also ignored the way he sniffed the air. “What smells so good?”
“My dinner. Stuffed peppers.”
Jory walked out to the road with Woo, who shook her hand good-bye.
“Thanks, Jory. I really appreciate this. I like to pay my own way. I know Ross would let me stay in his house forever if I wanted to, but I just can’t freeload. I need to know something before I move in.” He frowned when he sensed her tension. “Jory, what exactly are the ground rules in regard to Ross? Shouldn’t I mention his name to you?”
“Pete, you and I are not go
ing to be . . . bosom buddies. I’m your landlady, and you’re my tenant. We’re not going to socialize, but you’re correct about Ross. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention him or the pending divorce,” Jory said flatly.
“Agreed. I’ll be back on Saturday with my things. Early in the morning. If you like, I can mow the lawn and trim some of the hedges.”
“Fine. You’ll have to call to have the gas and phone turned on and put in your name.”
“I’ll do that tomorrow. Do I have to be here for the hookups?”
“I’ll be here, that’s no problem.”
“I guess that’s it, Jory, you now have a tenant.”
“Good night, Pete.”
She’s already regretting renting to me, Woo thought as he walked down the hill to catch the bus. Ross was right, she was beautiful. And she was nice too. But then, she’d been nice when he met her years ago. She’d been mixed-up, vulnerable, and out of her depth with Ross. She’d made a hell of a recovery. Hands in his pockets, he whistled as he loped down the hill, remembering how attracted he’d been to her back then, but she was his buddy’s girl. And he’d been a big lummox without a graceful bone in his body. She’d always been nice to him, and he’d seen through the vulnerability. Oh yes, he’d had a crush on her, one that never quite went away.
CHAPTER FIVE
Woo let himself into Ross’s house with the key Ross had given him, and pulled up short at the sight of his friend in the sun room, going over his mail. The strange look on his face made him say, “So, what’s new?”
“Read this,” Ross said, handing over the letter in his hand. “What do you make of it, Woo?”
Woo cleared his throat. “That your wife has moved back here to her father’s house. Does that bother you, Ross?”
“Sure it bothers me. Why now? Why not before? This is kind of sudden. A month ago when she was here, she didn’t say anything about moving back.”
“I’m not following you, Ross. Why should it make a difference? It says you’re to send any and all papers to her here, and she’ll sign them. What difference does it make if she lives in Florida or here in Pennsylvania? Are you afraid of running into her? Or do you have some feelings for her that you haven’t resolved? If so, this might be the time to come to terms with everything.”
“I just feel uneasy, I can’t explain it. Come on, let’s eat. The cook made your favorite, roast beef.”
“Does she ever make stuffed peppers?”
“Hell, I don’t know. Ask her. She’ll make whatever you want.”
“Ross, I’ll be moving out on Saturday.”
Ross tossed Jory’s letter onto the glass-topped table. The frown on his face was ferocious. “Moving? Not back to Lancaster? Why? Don’t you like it here? I thought you wanted to get some money ahead.”
“Four questions and one statement. You’re getting better, Ross,” Woo said quietly. “Look, we both knew this was temporary. I’ve been here a month. I don’t deal well with charity. Hold your horses, Ross, I know this wasn’t charity on your part, but it will be if I stay on. You’re paying me more than I’m worth as it is. I want to be able to walk around in my underwear if I want to, I want to mess up the kitchen and not worry about dishes in the sink, and wad up wet towels and stuff like that.”
They were at the dinner table now, and Ross was shaking out his napkin. Woo blinked as he always did at the array of crystal and silverware. What the hell was wrong with one fork, one knife, one glass? He absolutely refused to use the finger bowls. He thought of his hardworking mother and father, who never had anything half this fine. The tablecloth alone probably cost more than his father earned in three months. Ever since he’d arrived, he’d been mortally afraid of spilling something on the exquisite linen. He hadn’t truly enjoyed one meal, even though the food was perfect. “I like to eat chicken with my fingers, chew on the bones, and then lick my fingers,” Woo blurted out.
“So do it,” Ross said tightly. “Hell, we can eat off paper plates if that makes you happy. Or we can eat in the sun room. You never said anything, so how was I supposed to know this . . . offended you?”
“It doesn’t offend me. I’m simply not comfortable with things here. I don’t ever expect to live like this, so there’s no sense in me getting used to it. I’m trying to be truthful with you, Ross, and I hope we’re good enough friends that you aren’t going to take this personally.”
“Hell yes, I’m taking this personally. I’ve been knocking myself out for you, and now you tell me you don’t like . . . my style.”
“There was no reason for you to knock yourself out for me. You know who I am and what I come from. I don’t care for this lifestyle. For you it’s fine, but not me. How about a little understanding?” Woo said, laying two emerald-colored asparagus stalks on his plate.
“If that’s what you want, it’s okay with me. Did you find a place? Why did you wait till the last minute to tell me about this?”
“I just found it today. I’ve been looking, but the rents were always more than I could afford. I can afford this. It’s a converted carriage house, and I agreed to do some lawn work on weekends. For me it’s perfect. If you play your cards right, I might even invite you over for some of my cabbage and noodles.”
“So, where is this wonderful abode?” Ross said, forking a chunk of prime rib into his mouth.
Damn, here it was, the question he’d been dreading. “Chestnut Hill,” he said quietly.
“What’s the street? I know the Chestnut Hill area pretty well. It’s nice out there,” Ross said, buttering a flaky dinner roll that he stuffed whole into his mouth.
“Gravers Lane. The carriage house is set back into the grounds, away from the main house and garage. It has its own driveway. It’s very comfortable. No central heat, though, but it has two fireplaces.”
“Are you nuts, Woo? It gets cold as hell here in the winter. You’ll freeze your ass off.” Ross buttered another roll, but didn’t eat it. He shoved his plate into the middle of the table. Gravy slopped over the side onto the linen cloth. He threw his napkin in the general direction of the spill.
“No, I won’t. There’s a decent woodpile, I can get a few cords more, if I have to. I can chop up logs and split wood. Actually, that’s part of the deal. I’m going to be very comfortable,” Woo said airily.
“I’m sorry, Woo. I’m edgy and out of sorts. I guess the letter from Jory . . . Jory lives on Gravers Lane. You’ll probably run into her.” This last was said so coldly, Woo blinked.
“I already did,” Woo said, laying his knife and fork across his dinner plate. “I’m renting her carriage house. I’m sorry if this upsets you, Ross.”
“You’re what?”
“I answered an ad in the paper, and it turned out to be Jory. She’s got four dogs,” Woo said, a stupid look on his face. “She didn’t mention you at all until I brought up your name. If it’s any consolation to you, she didn’t want to rent to me, I had to talk her into it. This young woman isn’t the girl I remember. I hope, Ross, that you aren’t going to make an issue out of this or have it change our friendship.”
That’s exactly what he was thinking. Woo renting from Jory. Goddamnit. “I don’t like it,” Ross said coldly, “but it is your business. I just find it a little strange that in this entire city, hers was the only place you could afford. I also find it very strange that she decided to move back here just as I filed for divorce. Maybe it’s a good idea for you to move there, after all. You can pump her and tell me what’s going on. I’d hate to be blindsided at some point down the road.”
Woo was off his chair in a second. “No, I won’t do that, Ross. Jory is my landlady and that’s all. I’m not turning into a snoop for you, and I can’t believe you’d ask me to . . . get off it, Ross. Don’t involve me. I mean that. If you’re so damn worried, then why don’t you go out there and talk to her so you can put your mind at ease?”
Ross snorted. “That’s probably exactly what she wants me to do, but I’m not going to do it. I kno
w she’s up to something.”
“I certainly didn’t get that feeling. She seems to have her life in order. She’s a hell of a looker, Ross. Those dogs . . . they’re puppies. They kind of . . . swirl, move together all at once, like a mini herd. She has a nice laugh. She looked real happy to me. I think you’re paranoid where she’s concerned. It has occurred to me that you’re a little put out that Jory agreed to the divorce and didn’t come out swinging the way you thought she would. Cut it out and get on with your life. That’s what she seems to be doing. Obviously she doesn’t need you, and you’ve said over and over that you don’t need her.”
“The Jory I knew wouldn’t . . . this isn’t like her. I’m telling you, she’s up to something,” Ross blustered.
Woo threw his hands in the air. “What, for God’s sake? She agreed to what you want. She’s given back all the money you sent. She grew up into a responsible adult and is taking charge of her life. Maybe you ought to do the same,” Woo added as he walked away from the table.
“Just a goddamn minute, Woo. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Jesus, you can’t blame me for being a little surprised and just a tad suspicious.”
Woo stopped in the doorway and turned around. “Ross, I have never interfered in your personal life. I’ve never asked any questions about you and Jory. I listened if you wanted to talk, because that’s what friends are for. Based on what little you’ve shared with me, I have to say you’re the one who’s acting immaturely. I have the impression Jory doesn’t want to have anything to do with you, which is why she’s taken back her maiden name. You’re trying to build a case out of nothing, something no good lawyer ever does.”
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