Letters From Al by Pieper, Kathleen (i am reading a book txt) 📗

"Good morning. Is anybody up yet?" Alec tapped on the back screen door, which was locked.

"Hi, come on in." She said smiling as she unlocked the door, "The OJ is frozen, but I just whipped up a batch of muffins, and the coffee is perking. How's that for domestic prowess?" Yanking off the apron Aunt Polly wore yesterday, Maddy held open the door. "Any offer to help when it comes to dark, scary places, full of spiders, deserves breakfast as well as my undying thanks."

"Hey, who said anything about scary places? All I said was I'd help you get the lights working in the attic." Alec joked.

He looked great in washed-off jeans and a red Nebraska tee shirt that accented his physique.

"I know. But, if you look up that dark stairway to the attic, it's scary. And I'll be the first to admit that I also hate spiders. How was your day yesterday?" She pointed to a chair and sat down across from him.

"Tiring, I had to go to Lincoln. Wish you could have been with me. It was a long ride home alone." Winking he took a bite of one of her muffins and chewed vigorously.

"Sorry you were all alone. However, Aunt Polly and I finished the whole upstairs, hope you're impressed. It looks great too."

"Bet that's a relief. Did you find any of the mysterious missing jewels?" He wiggled his eyebrows and kept eating.

"Unfortunately, no," she said, lost in thought.

"It's good to get the place cleaned up, what with it being for sale and all." He got up and poured coffee for them both, keeping his back to her. "When did you decide to sell out?" He asked stiffly.

"Sell?" Maddy looked incredulously at him. "Come on. Whatever gave you that idea?" She licked the butter from her fingers. Would he be surprised when she told him she was going to stay.

"Well, the FOR SALE sign in the front yard is usually a good indication." He plopped the coffee mugs down on the table and looked accusingly at her, his blue eyes probed hers.

"Alec, quit it. Quit teasing. I’m not selling." Then she recalled the 'one-time-only' showing Leland had talked her into. Jumping up she ran to the front door and leaning on the porch rail saw what Alec was talking about. Sure enough, a big FOR SALE sign and Leland's realty name right underneath it. Darn him! Darn that Leland! Just because he was showing it once he had no business planting a sign out there for all to see. She rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

"I think that means your house is for sale." Following Maddy out, Alec stood next to her and munched on another muffin. He took a big gulp of coffee looking from her to the sign. Wiping his mouth he pointed to it. "Did someone just put that there for no reason?"

"There's a perfectly good explanation, Alec." She began.

"I suppose." Alec didn't sound convinced and walked back into the house. Maddy could have ripped the metal sign in two with her bare hands, she was so angry.

"Alec, I was so excited about telling you something first, I forgot all about Leland and this deal. Why are you acting so funny about it? I'll take the sign down."

Maddy was angry with Leland but Alec was coming in a close second. He probably wouldn't believe her now so she let her temper get the better of her.

"Hey, look. If you don't believe me and you don't want to stay and help, please don't feel obligated." Maddy felt he was overreacting. Maybe her instincts about not getting involved with him had been right. This was just too hard on her heart.

"No, I said I'd help you today. I just thought you might have told me first rather than let me see a sign on your front lawn, is all. I told you I've gotten used to having you around." Picking up the flashlight and broom he started for the stairs with her trailing behind holding the dust mop and trash bags.

"Alec, will you slow down a minute? It may interest you to know I told Aunt Polly last night I decided to stay, although I'm having a few reservations about it now. I only let Leland show the house to one couple to get him off my back. Not that it's any of your business. I have an important decision to make concerning my life, mister. I have a good job back in Chicago and dear friends, with goofy names, true. But I care about them." She didn't tell him she felt a lot closer to the friends she'd made in Nielsen lately. But he had eyes, couldn't he see that?

"Fine. Of course you do." He said over his shoulder and continued upstairs.

"Fine." Maddy mimicked, as she stomped up the last few steps and walked past him to hold the door to the attic open. "Be careful, Alec." It was an innocent statement but he glared back at her, switching the flashlight on in her face, making her squint.

"Oops, sorry. There, it works now." Chuckling, he ducked from a swing she took at him and his clowning.

"Great. Now I'll see spots before my eyes for the next hour." She grouched at him.

"Look at it this way, you won't be able to see any of that scary stuff." He was enjoying this.

"Shut up and don't electrocute yourself, it'll detract from the sale of the house and Leland will never forgive you."

"Don't worry about me. You're sure feisty so early in the morning. Maybe I ought to just lock you in here. Hey, there's an old mattress in here."

"Only in your dreams, Buster. And I'm feisty, as you put it, when people are so darned stubborn." Maddy retorted but then said 'Bless You' when he sneezed. Hesitantly they went in further, the flashlight making a dull little splash of light.

"What else do you see?" She whispered and he chuckled.

"What are you whispering about?"