Irresistible by Susan Mallery

you’re selling yourself a little short.”
    He turned and saw Mrs. Ford standing in the entrance to the kitchen.
    “Hello, Walker,” she said.
    “Ma’am. How are you feeling?”
    She held up her left hand. There was a small bandage covering the cut. “Better than the last time you saw me.”
    “Buffy and Angel work things out?”
    She laughed. “They’re trying. Thank you for asking.”
    He shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t mean to come in. Zoe wanted to show me her new clothes.”
    Zoe nodded vigorously.
    “I’m sure she did,” the older woman said. “You, of course, wouldn’t want to refuse her.”
    He shrugged. “I know Elissa would have preferred…” He hesitated, not sure what to say in front of the kid.
    “Things have gotten complicated,” Mrs. Ford said. “She told you?”
    “She left me a note saying we were…” He looked at Zoe again. “I understand. She’s busy and has her own life.”
    “Ah, so that was the explanation.”
    He didn’t like the sound of that. “Meaning?”
    “You’re a resourceful man, Walker. You figure it out.”
    What? “Figure what out? Did something happen?”
    “I don’t know.” Mrs. Ford touched Zoe’s head. “Why don’t you put your new shoes away, dear? You want them to be perfect for your first day of school.”
    “Okay. Then do you want to have mac and cheese for lunch?”
    “I would love that.”
    Zoe took off down the hallway. Mrs. Ford turned back to him. “Elissa is scared. I’ve seen her worried, tired, concerned, but never afraid, and I don’t like it.”
    He didn’t like it either.
    “Who or what scared her?” Mrs. Ford asked. “She won’t tell me. But about a week ago, a stranger came calling. An older woman.” She paused. “I loathe that term, older. However, she was. A few years younger than me. Very beautifully dressed, and her car—it was lovely.”
    Walker went cold, then he got mad. “Silver? A Jag?”
    “I’m not familiar with car types, but yes, it was silver.” Her gaze narrowed. “You know her?”
    “I have a good idea who she is.”
    Zoe ran back into the living room. “I put them away.”
    “Good for you,” Mrs. Ford said. She looked at Walker. “Can you fix this?”
    “Absolutely.”
     
    E LISSA PACED the length of her kitchen. The living room was bigger and therefore more satisfying in the pacing department, but Zoe was playing and Elissa didn’t want to upset her by appearing agitated.
    Still, she couldn’t help wanting to scream her frustration. She’d only moved back that morning, taking a quick break between breakfast and lunch to move her stuff back from Mindy’s house. Zoe had been in the house less than five hours before she’d invited Walker in.
    Her daughter had told her all about his visit. How he’d admired her new clothes and shoes and had told her she was pretty. Even if Elissa managed to inoculate herself against his casual charm, Zoe was falling hard and fast.
    Under normal circumstances, that would have been enough reason for worry, but with the threat of job loss or eviction hanging over her head, the pressure was really on.
    Mindy thought Elissa should come clean, just tell him what had happened and get his take on things. It was sound advice, rational even. But what if he didn’t believe her? Walker might claim a troubled relationship with his grandmother, but Gloria Buchanan was family. When push came to shove, Elissa knew who he would side with. He hadn’t known Elissa long enough to trust her. If Gloria denied everything, then Elissa was totally screwed and right now she didn’t need the pressure.
    Still, she had to do something. While Mindy’s offer of moving in with her had been sweet, it was impossible. She, Elissa, could stay away from Walker, but how did she explain to her daughter not to talk to their nice neighbor anymore?
    “I hate this,” Elissa muttered. “I hate all of it.” The fear, the uncertainty, the pressure of having other people control her