Catching Sam: Book 2 of 5: The MacDonald Brothers by Emily Matthews (best mystery novels of all time TXT) 📗

Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and she was wearing exercise leggings and a baggy, old T-shirt. Even without makeup she was pretty.

“You look pretty good to me.” He came up behind her and put his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry I showed up unannounced. It was rude of me, but I was afraid you’d tell me not to come.” He smiled into her neck, and she laughed.

“Yeah, right. Give me a second. I’ll be right back.” With that, she fled from his arms and ran upstairs.

Ten minutes later she was back. Her hair was freshly brushed, and she’d changed her clothes. He caught a whiff of perfume he hadn’t noticed before.

“Oh, much better. God, you were hideous.”

“Smartass.”

“So, you gonna show me around? Why did you need new floors? This place looks like it was recently remodeled.”

“Yeah, it was. But I didn’t care for the tile floors, so I had the dark wood put in,” she said. “This floor is pretty much what you see is what you get. Kitchen, living room, dining room.” She pointed at each from where she was standing. “There’s a room in the front that I’ll eventually use as an office, but it’s empty now. Come check out the backyard.” She led him to a set of oversized French doors.

It was almost dark, but he could see that she had a good-size patio and that her place backed up to a wooded area. Trees surrounded the house. That was one of the great things about the Pacific Northwest—lots of trees.

“You can’t see the neighbor’s houses at all from back here. It’s so quiet and private. I’ll get some patio chairs and a blow-up pool and spend all summer out here.” She grinned.

“It’s fantastic. Think how pretty it will be in a few months when all the leaves change color.”

“Yeah, I’ve never had a place with any type of solitude. I think I’m going to like it.” She rubbed her hands up and down her bare arms. “Brr. Once it warms up, that is.” She shut the door and locked it. “Upstairs is just bedrooms and bathrooms. I haven’t done anything up there yet. I don’t have nearly enough stuff to fill this house, and I want to replace some of my old things, so I’m going to have to figure out how I want to decorate and then go furniture shopping. Ugh.”

“You don’t like shopping?” He gave her a pensive look. “I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a woman say that.”

“Are you implying that I’m not a woman?” she cocked an eyebrow.

“Oh, I know you are a woman,” he said seductively as he slid his arms around her once again, this time determined not to let her go. “You are just a very different, in a good way, type of woman. You continue to surprise me, and I like it.”

“I’m sure the novelty will wear off someday. What happens then?”

“We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, her voice laced with doubt. “I’d offer to turn the game on, I know you wanted to watch some basketball, but I haven’t figured out how to hook the TV up and get the streaming stick thing working. Hey, you’re a tech guy. Think you could try?” she asked hopefully.

“I can probably figure it out,” he said as he walked over to the TV. “I apologize again for just dropping by.”

“Don’t worry about it. I was already thinking about taking a break and doing some car shopping. I’ll look online tonight and then maybe do some test driving tomorrow after work. I can’t go much longer without a car. Taking cabs and rideshares everywhere is getting old fast.”

“Why don’t you borrow one of mine until you get something?” he called out from behind the TV. He was on all fours, silently cussing to himself. He didn’t want to look like he didn’t know what he was doing, but there were so many holes. How was anyone supposed to know where anything went?

He came out from behind the TV and picked up the remote. It was very satisfying to push the power button and watch the TV come to life.

“Voilà!” he exclaimed, proud of himself.

He turned, expecting her to share his excitement, but she looked on the verge of tears. She was sitting on the couch, her feet curled up beneath her, watching him with a pensive look.

He sat down next to her and took her hand. “What’s the matter?” he asked.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Seeing you back there, struggling to get the stupid TV working and offering to let me borrow your car…just got me thinking. You’re the first person in a long time, who’s helped me with anything. I really appreciate your time.”

“I know it’s hard moving to a new city with no family or friends nearby. I’m happy to help in any way I can.” It was a genuine offer.

“You don’t understand. Even when I did live near family, they aren’t the kind of people who would drop everything, or anything really, to help out.”

“You couldn’t count on them?”

“Well, I can count on them to ask for money.” She gave a sad laugh. “I honestly think that’s the only reason they call me.”

“Do you see them often?” Sam asked.

“Not really. I went years without talking to them, but once Wayne went to prison, they began contacting me again. I did stop in to say goodbye before coming up here.”

“Who’s Wayne? And why’d he go to prison?” Sam was intrigued now.

“Oh, shit. I forgot you don’t know about that. I don’t suppose we could rewind the evening five minutes, and I’ll just be excited you got the TV working?” She looked at him hopefully.

“I don’t think this is that kind of remote.” He nodded to the device in his hand. “You can’t not tell me now. This sounds juicy. Spill it.”

“Well,