Heating Up by Stacy Finz

ready, Vance will do your landscaping.”
    â€œMaybe if you-know-who buys something, and my commission is big enough, I could put in a pool.”
    Carol laughed. “You don’t want a pool. Believe me, they’re more trouble than they’re worth.”
    But Dana sort of did and, while she was at it, a pool boy who looked like Aidan. Funny that she didn’t want him to look like Griffin.
    Through the plate-glass window she saw Harlee drive up. Uh-oh; Dana hoped the reporter hadn’t caught wind of their secret client. The buyer wasn’t even due in until tomorrow afternoon. Dana had gotten her a room at the Lumber Baron, where she planned to stay in disguise so no one could identify her. Dana thought it was crazy. What a way to live.
    â€œHi.” Harlee breezed into the office in a cute cotton tank dress. Dana wished she had the nerve to wear the trendy kind of stuff Harlee looked so fashionable in. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d pick up next week’s listings.”
    â€œGood timing,” Carol said. “I just finished typing them up. Let me print them out.”
    â€œPerfect.” Harlee walked over to Dana’s desk. “How are you doing? I heard you met with my husband today about your rebuild.”
    Dana didn’t know Harlee well, but she was married to Colin. Once or twice Dana and Griffin had socialized with the other couple, as well as Harlee’s best friend Darla and her boyfriend, Wyatt, who was a Nugget police officer. They were all about the same age, early thirties—a rare species in Nugget. But Harlee, a reporter and the owner of the Nugget Tribune , was much more outgoing than Dana.
    â€œWe did,” she said. “He drew up beautiful plans. How are you?”
    â€œI’m good, but then again, a fire didn’t burn down my house. Colin and Pat will take good care of you.”
    â€œThey’ve been great throughout this entire process,” she said. “I’m very appreciative.”
    If Dana had to pay an architect, it would eat up a big chunk of her construction money, and Colin had a fantastic eye. He’d designed his and Harlee’s home and he made stunning furniture carried in stores throughout California.
    â€œWe look out for one another in this town.” Harlee glanced at Dana’s suit. “I know Grace put together a package for you, but if you need more clothes I have tons of outfits I never wear any more . . . things left over from my big-city reporting days. You’re welcome to come over to raid my closet. I think we’re about the same size.”
    Dana blinked. It was such a generous offer. “Thank you. I might just do that.” She wouldn’t but was really quite staggered that Harlee had made the gesture.
    Carol joined them and handed Harlee the printouts. “There are a couple of brand-new listings in there.”
    â€œGreat. More than half of my out-of-town readers subscribe for these.” Harlee waved the stack of sheets in the air. “So keep them coming.”
    Carol laughed. “Hey, it’s working great for us too. Sales have never been better.”
    â€œI’d better get going.” Harlee headed for the door and called over her shoulder to Dana, “Call me when you want to come over.”
    â€œWill do.” After Harlee left, Dana turned to Carol. “That was really nice of her.”
    â€œHarlee is a nice person and Darla is a doll. I always wondered why you weren’t more friendly with those girls.”
    â€œI guess I’m more of a homebody.” What she was, was shy.
    After Paul died, she’d retreated into herself. It was easier than making up excuses to her friends about her zombie parents. In college, she’d put all her energy into her studies. Now, she supposed, she did it with real estate.
    â€œI’m taking off to preview some properties before tomorrow.” Dana grabbed her purse and a folder