Mortgage and Mayhem: A Mother-Daughter Realty Team Mystery (The Mother-Daughter Realty Team Mysteries Book 1) by Carol E. Ayer

Author:Carol E. Ayer [Ayer, Carol E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-14T23:00:00+00:00

Okay, so Paul had a girlfriend. Big deal. He had never expressed an interest in me other than as a doubles partner. And, more importantly, I didn’t like him. I had to admit that he looked nice today, though. I’d never seen him in anything other than tennis gear. Today, he wore jeans, a button-down shirt, and a tie—a great look.

“Hey, Sierra. I was hoping you’d be here.” He gave me a warm smile and took my hand. My heart betrayed me with a skipped beat. He turned to his companion, who had perfect skin and a headful of ringlets. “This is my sister, Theresa.”

Relief rushed through me. Paul released my palm, and Theresa and I shook hands. Mom joined us and I introduced everyone.

“So nice to meet you, Paul,” Mom said. “I’ve heard great things about you.”

Paul turned to me and I felt myself blush. When exactly had I told Mom great things about him?

“Theresa is moving to Forest Lake,” Paul said, “and I was looking through the available houses. I saw this was your listing, so of course we had to come right away.”

“It’s a beautiful house,” Theresa said. “Okay if we look around?”

“Of course,” I said. “That’s what we’re here for. And help yourself to chocolate chip cookie bars.” I gestured to the entryway table, where I’d put down the plate.

Paul chose one and ate it in two bites. “Delicious,” he said. “Did you make them?”

I nodded.

“You’re multi-talented,” he said. “Maybe you can make some just for me one of these days.”

My cheeks felt very hot. He clearly had forgiven me for basically accusing him of criminal activity. “Sure.”

Mom nudged me and raised her eyebrows. I shook my head at her. Fortunately, Paul and Theresa didn’t see as they’d already left for the primary bedroom.

“Sierra—” Mom started.

“No. We are absolutely not talking about this. We’re working.”

Before she could respond, a couple walked in and had questions about the HOA. Mom and I told them what the current dues were. Not wanting to withhold information, I added that we’d heard the rates were due to go up soon by 20 percent.

The man let out a long whistle. “That’s already a lot. And twenty percent on top of that?”

I scrambled to come up with something positive to say. “Yes. But the HOA takes care of all the landscaping and they maintain the amenities, which include a world-class golf course, an Olympic-sized pool, and tennis and pickleball courts. You’ll have free access to most of that. There’s a bit of an annual cost for unlimited golf.” All of this was true, but I wondered if we could ethically keep hanging onto the information that a conspiracy might be going on.

The woman touched the man’s arm. “You can play golf, honey. That’s what you wanted to do in your retirement. And I’d love to get into tennis again. Let’s take a look, okay?”

The man nodded and the two set off.

A few minutes later, Theresa and Paul returned. Paul took my hand again and held it for a beat too long.

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