Saving Alyssa (Mills & Boon Heartwarming) by Loree Lough

permission.” Voice and hands shaking, she added, “And you said yes!”
    The noise he made was as close to a growl as she’d ever heard from a human.
    â€œIs that what you were talking about? Good grief, Billie, I was in the middle of a business conversation. You own your own company, so you should know that overlooking details can be costly. And anyway, can’t you tell when someone is totally distracted?”
    â€œEvidently,” she said, pronouncing every syllable, “I can’t.” Anything she said now would only make her look guilty: she’d thought he had heard her question, and of course she knew how dangerous the double dose could have been. She was sorry, truly sorry about the misunderstanding, but Alyssa had known he’d already given her a pill. Why had she asked for another?
    â€œI should have known better,” Billie admitted. “I’m sorry. I really am. If you’re still interested in having me build your website, you can email me. The address is in your spiral notebook.”
    With that, she hung up and went back to chopping vegetables. She was still at it when Troy joined her in the kitchen.
    â€œShoo-ee,” he said as the knife flew, “what got you all riled up!”
    â€œWho, not what,” she said, sliding bite-sized potatoes and carrots from the cutting board to the stew pot. “If that jerk was half as smart as he thinks he is, he’d be dangerous.”
    The story spewed out, like steam from a pressure cooker, and when Billie finished, her brother said, “Wow.”
    â€œMy sentiments, exactly. There’s something off about that guy,” she said, “and as soon as we’re finished eating, I’m going to find out what.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, off?”
    â€œEverything about him is a big fat secret. How his wife died. When he moved here. Where he came from and what he did for a living before. I haven’t seen the apartment above his shop, but there are no pictures anywhere downstairs. Not in his little girl’s play area, not on his desk, none, nada, zip. And you should see the way he hovers over Alyssa.” Billie sprinkled salt and pepper into the stew and gave it a quick stir. “When he isn’t completely ignoring her, that is. No wonder she sometimes behaves like a spoiled brat!”
    â€œYou can find anything with Google these days,” Troy replied. “Criminal records, divorces, land purchases. I was in security, don’t forget. I know how to dig stuff up, so if you want my help...”
    â€œThanks.” Then she laughed. “Want to hear something funny? Bud thought you and I were living together.”
    â€œWell, we are. For now.”
    â€œYeah, but he thought we were living together. ” She drew quote marks in the air. “And that you were cheating on me.”
    Troy laughed. “What! Who did he think I was cheating on you with? ”
    â€œSome brunette. I gave him the highlights of your situation and told him she’s probably a Realtor.” Billie rummaged in the drawer beneath the oven and found the lid for the pot. “Speaking of which, how did the meeting go?”
    â€œYou’re right. Cynthia is my agent. Showed me three places today. One is right around the corner, literally. Great spot. The other one is okay. Just this side of the border between Ellicott City and Catonsville.”
    â€œOella?”
    â€œYeah.”
    That’s where Jeff Graham lives, Billie thought. Wouldn’t it be ironic if those two ended up as neighbors!
    â€œAnd the third house?”
    â€œNo way.” He snorted. “I don’t have the time, the money, the energy or the skills to make that dump livable.”
    â€œSo your favorite is the one near here?”
    â€œIt’s move-in ready.”
    â€œThen why even consider the other one?”
    â€œDidn’t know how you’d feel about me living practically on top of you,