The Backup Plan. Sherryl Woods

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СКАЧАТЬ beamed at the compliment. “Does that mean I can sell you something before you leave? It’s been a slow morning.”

      “You could if I had someplace to put it. Unfortunately our house is packed to the rafters, as you well know.”

      “I remember,” Maggie said. “Isn’t it time you started to look for a place of your own, if you’re going to stick around? Just think how beautifully you’ll be able to furnish it with all those antiques your folks have hidden away in the attic. I could help you sort through them.” Her expression brightened. “And I know the perfect place for you. There’s a wonderful carriage house on the market just a few blocks from here. The owner’s anxious to sell because she’s relocating to California, so I imagine you can get a good deal if you act quickly.”

      Dinah automatically shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m not ready for that.”

      “But you just said …” Maggie regarded her with confusion. “Surely you don’t want to go on living at home.”

      “It’s not forever,” Dinah said. “Just till I get my bearings.”

      “Get your bearings? Are you sure you’re not afraid that you’ll change your mind about staying?”

      “That’s one reason,” Dinah admitted. Not even to herself had she contemplated what she would do if Bobby didn’t fall right in with her plans for the two of them.

      “And the other? I hope you’re not counting on moving into someplace with Bobby,” Maggie said, frowning.

      “You say that as if it’s a totally ridiculous notion,” Dinah said, grateful that her friend had given her the perfect opening for her interrogation. She used her very real annoyance to lay out the questions she wanted answered. “Why is that, Maggie? What do you know about Bobby that you’re not telling me?”

      Maggie didn’t look the slightest bit intimidated by her accusatory tone. She held up her hands. “Not my place to say another word.”

      “You and Cord,” Dinah muttered in disgust. “You’re both tossing out all these maddening hints and innuendoes, but neither one of you has the guts to just say what’s on your mind. I never thought I’d live to see the day when I’d be lumping you in with Cordell Beaufort. You’re supposed to be my friend.”

      “I am your friend, which is why I have no intention of getting caught in the middle of this. I’ve already told you my opinion and you’ve rejected it, so I’m staying out of it from now on,” Maggie replied. “And when did you see Cord again, by the way?”

      “What makes you think I’ve seen him again?”

      “Because it’s obvious you’re still exasperated. Since you rarely hold a grudge for long, I figure he must have done something recent to get you all stirred up again. Am I right? Have you seen him?”

      Dinah saw no real point in hiding it beyond depriving Maggie of a chance to gloat. “Last night, if you must know.”

      Maggie’s eyes brightened. “Oh, really? How utterly fascinating.”

      “It wasn’t fascinating. It was exasperating.” And maybe just a little surprising, when she thought about how gently he’d held her when she’d suffered another one of those disconcerting panic attacks. “Stop trying to make something out of me running into Cordell.”

      If anything, Maggie only looked more amused. “Where did the two of you cross paths? The grocery store, perhaps? On the street?”

      “Back out at his place,” Dinah admitted defensively. “And don’t even go there. I can see that you want to make something out of that, but I went back to look for Bobby. Period.”

      “I was merely going to comment that you seem to be making yourself at home out there,” Maggie teased.

      “I’ve been there twice,” Dinah replied impatiently. Then, since Maggie didn’t seem to be buying it, she added emphatically, “Both times looking for Bobby.”

      “Has it occurred to you yet that you’re looking for him in the wrong place?”

      Dinah stared at her in sudden confusion. “What do you mean? He lives there, doesn’t he?”

      “Usually,” Maggie said.

      Dinah bit back a groan. “What does that mean? Please don’t tell me he’s living right here in town.”

      “Actually you might have better luck finding him in Atlanta,” Maggie admitted with apparent reluctance.

      “Atlanta? What on earth is he doing in Atlanta?” She frowned at Maggie. “And don’t tell me you don’t know because I can tell that you do. It’s time to start spilling some information, Maggie, or I’m going to have to wonder if you’re not as anxious as Cord is to keep the two of us apart. He has a history of it. You don’t.”

      Maggie sighed. “You’re really not going to drop this whole ridiculous notion you have about getting together with Bobby, are you?”

      “No. At least not till I’ve spoken to him and he tells me that he wants no part of what we used to have.”

      “That’s what I was afraid of. Okay, he’s over in Atlanta working.”

      “Permanently?”

      “No. He’s been handling a project over there for a while now, a few months at least.”

      “Why the hell didn’t Cord just tell me that?” Dinah grumbled, the scowled at Maggie. “Why didn’t you?”

      “I just did.”

      “You could have mentioned it the other day. I could have seen him in Atlanta by now.”

      “What would have been the fun in that?” Maggie asked. “I’ve already told you that I think you’re wasting your time on Bobby. Personally, I like the idea of you and Cord butting up against each other and setting off sparks for a while. I think it’s just what you need.”

      “I don’t,” Dinah replied emphatically. “So just tell me what you know. How can I reach Bobby in Atlanta? Do you suppose he’s renting someplace? Or is he staying in a hotel?”

      Maggie shrugged. “I have no idea. You could ask Cord.”

      Dinah frowned at the suggestion. “I am done asking Cordell anything at all.”

      Maggie’s lips twitched. “Is that because you don’t like the answers he’s giving you or because you’re starting to like the fireworks a little too much?”

      Dinah regarded her friend impatiently. “You really need to get a life.”

      “Probably so,” Maggie agreed readily. “But until I do, I’m happy to meddle in yours.”

      “Stop it,” Dinah pleaded. “Especially if you have some insane notion that Cord and I are the perfect match.”

      “Maybe not perfect,” Maggie said thoughtfully. “But darn close, and definitely hot.”

      Dinah СКАЧАТЬ