The Nosy Neighbor by Fern Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

cook, a housekeeper, a gardener, and a chauffeur. Guess that was more than you wanted to know. Couldn’t think of any other way to let you know I’m available. If you were looking that is.” His expression was sheepish yet hopeful.
    “Oh,” was all Lucy could think of to say.
    “Yeah, oh. I wouldn’t marry a lawyer again if they paid me my weight in gold.”
    “Oh,” Lucy said again.
    Wylie chopped a skinny cucumber and dumped it into the bowl. His movements were deft as he cored and sliced a tomato. He tossed the salad, uncapped a bottle of blue cheese dressing, and placed everything in the middle of the table. “Do you think I should walk the dogs now, or should we eat first? Do you mind if I take off my jacket and tie?”
    “No, I don’t mind. I think you should walk them now. I’ll set the table.”
    “No, don’t do that. Wait till I get back. You need to stay off your foot. I’ll make you a good foot bath after dinner. You probably should see a doctor. If you hit your head, you might have a concussion.”
    When Wylie returned he was wearing jeans and a heavy sweatshirt. Obviously, he had stopped at his own house to change. He looked even better in casual clothes. Nice thighs under the jeans.
    Lucy enjoyed dinner despite her throbbing ankle and head. She let Wylie do most of the talking.
    “So, what are you, independently wealthy or what? The neighbors say you’re home all the time and only work a few hours a day for Nellie. Great old gal, isn’t she? I miss her in the winter.” He peered at her across the table as he waited for her reply.
    “I have a…nest egg. I live frugally,” Lucy said by way of explanation. “I got burned out and moved here to the burbs. End of story.” All she could think about was Wylie saying he would never marry a lawyer again.
    “Where’s that eye-popping ring you were sporting this morning? Are you engaged? You don’t strike me as a person who would wear something that ostentatious. Costume jewelry, huh?” Wylie said, pleased with himself at his assessment of Lucy’s engagement ring.
    Lucy shrugged as she sipped at her coffee, relieved that Wylie was satisfied with his own answer.
    An hour later, Lucy marveled at her spotless kitchen. “You do good work,” she said, laughter ringing in her voice.
    “My mother’s upbringing. She taught us to clean up after ourselves and always to offer to help out. Otherwise, she said, no one will invite you back. There were nine of us, so we had to learn how to do our own laundry, make beds, clean, and cook. You should see the hospital corners on my sheets. So, do you think you’ll invite me back?”
    “There is that possibility. My mother always said we should be neighborly.”
    “Mothers are great people. If you can make your way into the living room, I’ll build up your fire and fix that foot bath I mentioned. By morning, you’ll be right as rain, a little tender, but you’ll be able to get around. A bucket will do.”
    Lucy explained where everything was and made her way into the living room, where both dogs were sitting on the sofa. They waited to see if they had to get off. When Lucy sat down, they relaxed, their heads on their paws, the picture of contentment.
    Lucy sat up to put her bare foot into the steaming bucket of water. “Ohhh, that feels good. What’s in it?”
    “Just you never mind what’s in it. It’s an old secret family remedy my mother came up with for all us kids. We were forever breaking or spraining something. I should be going. I have to be in court early tomorrow morning. I can’t afford to have the judge chew my ass out again. Thanks for dinner and thanks for taking Coop. I’ll be sure to block the doggie door so he doesn’t do an encore.”
    Sadie slinked off the sofa and tried to be invisible, as did Coop. Lucy knew exactly what they were doing and where they were going. Sadie was going to show Clueless Cooper her hiding place under the bed, where no human had gone