No Place Like Home by Leigh Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

was not convinced. “In that case,” she said, “you had better advise Mrs. Aynsley to take his offer, because I am not interested in buying that house at any price!”

    “ They’re really very anxious to sell,” he said. “I think you and Graham should make your offer right away. It’s the best value on the market in this city right now, and you will never see a house like it again.”

    “ Frankly, Mr. Winchester, if they were asking a dollar and a half for that house I wouldn’t be interested.”

    “ Well...” For the first time, he seemed to falter a bit. “Of course, a good decorator could do a lot with it, Kaye.”

    That was the final straw. “And I don’t recall asking you to call me Kaye!”

    She told Graham all about it that night, and was in tears by the time she had finished.

    He seemed to think that she was being a little ridiculous. “Honestly, darling, what does it matter what he calls you?” he said, patting the couch cushion in an invitation for her to sit beside him.

    Omar stared at the glitter of Graham’s cuff-link, and pounced.

    Graham swore and pulled back, eyeing the cat malevolently. “Andy’s right about it being the best value on the market just now, you know. The Aynsleys aren’t even asking the full amount that the appraiser said it was worth.”

    Kaye didn’t sit down; she was too agitated. “Graham, you haven’t even looked at the place. How can you be so certain you’d like it?”

    “ I haven’t looked at it,” he said reasonably, “because we decided that looking for a house was your job. When you’ve found the one you like, then I’ll go and see it.”

    She collapsed on to the sofa beside him, feeling suddenly exhausted. “Well, I haven’t found the one I like. I have absolutely no intention of living in the Aynsley house.”

    Graham sighed. “Very well. I’ll tell Andy that we aren’t interested in making an offer at this time.”

    “ Or at any other time, either,” Kaye said obstinately.

    “ Kaye, darling, do be reasonable. We’re looking for a very large house, and there just are not many in town.”

    “ You’re the one who had the long list of requirements,” she pointed out. “I asked for a convenient place to do the laundry, and a big kitchen.” That wasn’t quite accurate, but Kaye felt that she was under attack.

    “ And I’ve tried to tell you that you don’t need to worry about those things. You don’t think I’m going to let these beautiful fingers get hurt by dishwater, do you?” He picked up her hand. “Find yourself a pretty house, my dear, and let the maid worry about how far she has to walk with the laundry. You’ll be far too busy with your friends, and with the parties, and with the children.”

    She sighed. “All right, Graham,” she said. “I’ll stop looking for the perfect house, and if I find anything reasonable, I’ll consider it very carefully.”

    “ That’s my girl.”

    “ But I just can’t work with Andy Winchester,” she pleaded. “I simply don’t trust the man, and I don’t think I can honestly evaluate anything he shows me.”

    Graham looked wary. “What are you suggesting, Kaye?”

    She sighed. “I’d like to go back to the other agent that I was working with,” she said finally. The one , she reminded herself, who is so sure he can sell me a house that he bought himself a BMW on speculation... Oh, stop it, Kaye, she thought. It’s none of your business. Besides, he was only joking. Probably .

    “ Who is this upstart, anyway?”

    “ His name is Brendan McKenna.”

    Graham shook his head. “I’ve never heard of him. What do you know about him, anyway? Do you have any references? Have you talked to any satisfied clients? Do you even know how long he’s been in the business?”

    “ No,” Kaye admitted, “but I trust him.”

    “ Kaye, you’re a babe in the woods. You are so innocent, my dear.” He sighed. “All right. Have it your own way. But I’m putting some