Right Next Door Read Online Free PDF Page B

sounded sincere.
    â€œI told him we were having strawberry shortcake for dessert and he said that’s his favorite.”
    Robin didn’t want to admit it, but she was relieved Cole wouldn’t be showing up for dinner. The man made her feel nervous and uncertain. She didn’t know why that should be, only that it was a new and unfamiliar sensation.
    â€œThanks, Mom.”
    Robin jerked her head up from the paper. “Thanks for what?” She hadn’t read a word in five minutes. Her thoughts had been on her neighbor.
    Jeff rolled his eyes. “For letting me take a piece of strawberry shortcake over to Mr. Camden.”
    â€œI said you could do that?”
    â€œJust now.” He walked over to her and playfully tested her forehead with the back of his hand. “You don’t feel hot, but then, with brain fever you never know.”
    Robin swatted playfully at her son’s backside.
    Laughing, Jeff raced outdoors, where his bicycle was waiting. A half hour later, he was back in the house. “Mom! Mom!” he cried, racing into the kitchen. “Did you know Mr. Camden owns a black Porsche?”
    â€œI can’t say I did.” She was more interested in peeling potatoes for the salad than discussing fancy cars. She didn’t know enough about sports cars to get excited about them.
    Jeff jerked open the bottom drawer and rooted through the rag bag until he found what he was looking for. He pulled out a large square that had once been part of his flannel pyjamas, then started back outside. “He has another car, too, an SUV.”
    â€œJust where are you going, young man?” Robin demanded.
    â€œMr. Camden’s waxing his car and I’m gonna help him.”
    â€œDid he ask for your help?”
    â€œNo,” Jeff said impatiently.
    â€œHe may not want you to.”
    â€œMom!” Jeff rolled his eyes as if to suggest she was overdoing this mothering thing. “Can I go now?”
    â€œAh…I suppose,” she agreed, but her heart was in her throat. She moved into the living room and watched as Jeff strolled across the lawn to the driveway next door, where Cole was busy rubbing liquid wax on the gleaming surface of his Porsche. Without a word, Jeff started polishing the dried wax with his rag. Cole straightened and stopped smearing on the wax, obviously surprised to see Jeff. Robin bit her lip, not knowing how her neighbor would react to Jeff’s willingness to help. Apparently he said something, because Jeff nodded, then walked over and sat cross-legged on the lawn. They didn’t seem to be carrying on a conversation and Robin wondered what Cole had said to her son.
    Robin returned to the kitchen, grateful that Cole’s rejection had been gentle. At least he hadn’t sent Jeff away. She peeled another potato, then walked back to the living room and glanced out the window again. This time she saw Jeff standing beside Cole, who was, it seemed, demonstrating the correct way to polish a car. He made wide circular motions with his arms, after which he stepped aside to let Jeff tackle the Porsche again. Cole smiled, then patted him on the head before walking around to the other side of the car.
    Once the salad was ready, Robin ventured outside.
    Jeff waved enthusiastically when he caught sight of her on the porch. “Isn’t she a beaut?” he yelled.
    It looked like an ordinary car to Robin, but she nodded enthusiastically. “Wonderful,” she answered. “Afternoon, Cole.”
    â€œRobin.” He returned her greeting absently.
    He wore a sleeveless gray sweatshirt and she was surprised by how muscular and tanned his arms were. From a recent conversation with Heather Lawrence, Robin had learned Cole was a prominent attorney. And he seemed to fit the lawyer image to a T. Not anymore. The lawyer was gone and the man was there, bold as could be. Her awareness of him as an attractive virile male was shockingly