All Through The House Read Online Free PDF Page B

read quite a bit about architectural
history, so I'm not totally at sea with what you're saying. I've sold some truly
fascinating houses. In fact, I was jealous of the buyer in a few cases!" A
random thought struck her. "I wonder if I've ever sold any of yours?"
    His shoulders moved in a dismissive gesture. "Who
knows? Have you been working for Ed Phillips for long?"
    She blinked. "No. What does that have to do with
anything?"
    "Oh, I worked for him for a while." He sounded
vague. "Would you like dessert?"
    Abigail's brow crinkled as she studied Nate. Why the
lightning-quick changes of subject? Was he just rambling, asking anything that
popped into his head, or was there some object to this? Well, two could play
that game.
    "No, thank you." She took one last sip of her
coffee and smiled. "Tell me, Nate. I'm curious. Why are you renting? I'd
think you'd want to design a house for yourself."
    There was a flicker in his dark-gray eyes, and then they
narrowed and became opaque. The wariness she sensed didn't sound in his
carefully casual answer, however. "Oh, I just haven't gotten around to it
yet. Besides, I like old houses. I might restore one someday, instead of
building my own. Hey, what would I do without a ballroom?"
    She wrinkled her nose. "Save money on your heating
bills?"
    This time his chuckle was genuine. "There is that. On
the other hand, some things are worth the price you have to pay for them."
    "True enough," she agreed. "But I happen to
know exactly what those heating bills run a month. That's a pretty steep
price."
    He just smiled. Abigail recognized defeat when she met it.
For some reason the subject of the Irving House was a touchy one where Nate
Taggart was concerned. She couldn't imagine why, except that perhaps he wasn't
eager to have to move out. Although that left unexplained Ed Phillips's curious
reaction the time she had asked about the house's occupant. It wasn't her
business, though, and she wasn't going to prod about it.
    Not that she was likely to have a chance to, she realized
with an odd feeling of deflation. Lunch was over, and their conversation had
remained casual. Nate couldn't have missed being aware that she was attracted
to him, just as she knew he was to her. But that didn't necessarily mean much.
It was beginning to look as though all he'd wanted was his stated purpose,
making a business connection with her. Abigail told herself firmly that she ought
to be relieved.
    Nate took care of the bill over her polite protest, and they
strolled out to the pickup. He held open the passenger door for her and waited
for her to climb in. Feeling self-conscious, Abigail scrambled up to the high
seat. She was well aware of the view he must have had from behind. But when he
gave the door a hard slam, his face was unreadable.
    They'd circled the block and were on the way back to her
office before he spoke again, abruptly. "I'd like you to have dinner with
me some night. I'm assuming you're not married."
    Abigail felt a twinge of excitement. Still, curiosity made
her ask, "Any special reason?"
    "Why I want to have dinner with you?" His gravelly
voice held amusement.
    She didn't back down. "No. Why are you assuming I'm not
married?"
    "You haven't mentioned anybody. Women usually do."
    "But not men?" Abigail retorted. When he only
grinned, she admitted, "I've been divorced for three years. But I have a
daughter." She waited with some apprehension. He wouldn't be the first man
who'd lost interest in a woman once he found out she had children.
    His voice was neutral, however, when he asked, "How
old?"
    "Four and a half."
    He frowned. "That must have been rough. Did you leave
him, or...?"
    "It was my decision," Abigail said with composure.
"And it was rough at first. If I'd found the strength sooner.... But I
didn't. Anyway, I wouldn't give up having Kate for anything."
    "Does he visit your daughter?"
    "No." Abigail shook her head. "He wasn't interested.
I was glad. Someday Kate may feel differently, but....