gaze took in the oversize couch and matching chairs in warm plaids she’d helped him choose. She had a nice touch, had even managed to bring some of her essence into these rooms, though not enough to capture the same homey feeling of her town house. Furniture alone would not make this house a home.
People—warm bodies would help. A wife and kids really weren’t a bad idea. He hadn’t actually thought much about having either, until today. Actually, he’d told Lauren he needed a wife more to get her attention, but the idea had sounded right even as he’d said it. The patter of little feet, the smells of dinner cooking and the warm greeting of a wife, happy to see him after a long day’s work, held an intoxicating appeal when faced with the emptiness of his house.
He drew a deep breath. He had to face facts. Without Lauren, he didn’t have much of a life. Though she’d been too busy to notice, it’d been months since he’d taken a woman on a date. He couldn’t work up the stomach for it. Lauren was right. Meaningless sex wasn’t all it used to be.
He had to make something more of his life.
Exhaling, he rose. He plodded to the sprawling master bedroom. It was a shame she was so wrapped up in her work that she couldn’t see that she, too, was missing out. Having her life revolve around her agency might sustain her at the moment, but once she got her business on an even keel and learned to work smart, not hard, she’d realize what he’d just begun to know over the past year.
Work did not make the world go round.
As a contractual landscaper, he’d found more work over the years than he could handle on his own. With a full crew at his disposal, he spent much of his time meeting with landscape architects, implementing construction plans on site and inspecting projects. Sure, his work fulfilled him to an extent, but it wasn’t enough.
He stripped down to his Skivvies, then stretched out on his king-size bed, made up in the green and maroon linens Lauren had handpicked for him. At least she’d squeezed time into her schedule to help him shop. He couldn’t have done it on his own.
She’d been invaluable in choosing this house, too. Perhaps it wasn’t such a monstrosity, after all. Not only did it offer the flexibility needed to accommodate his plans, its market value had already increased by a tidy sum. She knew how to pick them. Now, all he had to do was get her to turn her energies toward finding him a wife. No one knew him better than she did. If anyone could find the right woman for him, Lauren was the one.
Unless, of course, she had thoughts of filling the position herself.
LAUREN TURNED from her computer as Elliot breezed into her office the next morning. With a grand gesture, he deposited a thick stack of flyers on her desk. “For Bennett’s mass mailing.”
Stifling a yawn, she glanced over the stack. “Too bad we couldn’t afford to have them folded.”
“You need a hand?”
“No.” She waved him on. “Go appease that atrocious director. He’s called twice and wants nothing to do with me. If Bennett wasn’t so adamant about using him on the commercials, I’d tell him to take a hike.”
“Ah, but if Mr. Bennett wishes to pay for a special caterer to stroke said director’s ego, where’s the harm?”
A dry laugh worked its way up her throat. “You know the money comes out of our pocket first, Elliot.” She cocked her head. “We’re cutting it close on this one.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “You know I can’t clutter my brain with those worries. Aren’t we in the black?”
“Yes, we’re in the black. Just not as much as I’d like to see us, but we’ll survive.”
She sighed. Lately, their funds seemed to be going out faster than they’d been coming in, but with the two small jobs she’d picked up that morning, they’d survive until Bennett paid them. Thank goodness Bennett’s bend toward extravagance blended with Elliot’s elaborate campaign ideas. As long as she could keep them afloat in the interim, the Bennett account offered the hope of a tidy profit.
Elliot helped himself to coffee, while she stirred creamer into hers. “We picked up two new clients this morning, and Nancy with Magic Cleaners called to say she thought the ad was simply decadent. She’s cutting us a check today.”
“Good. That’s great.” He gestured toward the door. “I’m going to get on that caterer.”
Steam curled from her mug moments later as she sat, stretching in a wide yawn. She’d hardly slept last night. It was Adam’s fault. What made him think he qualified as husband material, not to mention father material? He’d never had a relationship that had lasted more than a few months. What was he thinking?
After a fortifying gulp of caffeine, she grabbed her phone and punched in his number. She drummed her fingers, waiting for him to answer.
“Top of the morning. Adam Morely here.”
“What’re you so chipper about?”
“Lauren, could you hold a sec? Let me finish this other call.”
“Sure.”
A short pause followed.
“Entice Advertising, they’re at 500 Sun View—”
“Adam? You’ve still got me. Who are you giving my address to?”
“Damn. Hold on.”
Curiosity filled her as silence hummed across the line. Who was he talking to? A florist? No. She shook her head. She couldn’t let Kamira’s wild imaginings get to her.
“Lauren?”
A slight shiver ran through her at the sound of his voice. She shook it off. “What was that about?”
“Um…it was nothing.”
She straightened. “Come on, Adam, you were giving out my address.”
“Oh…yeah, well, I wasn’t going to say anything in case it didn’t work out.”
Her heart thudded. “What didn’t work out?”
“Just a referral.”
“Referral?” A twinge of disappointment pierced her. “Oh.”
“I met this guy who has a carpet-cleaning service. He needs help getting the word out, so I gave him your name. No big deal. Just this one referral.”
She drew a deep breath. “Great. Thanks. As long as you’re not out trying to round up business for us when you should be working on your own stuff.”
“No, ma’am. I take care of my business, too, while I’m soaking up the sun.”
“Okay, like I said before, we’ll take all the business we can get then.”
“Sure. Hey, do yourself a favor and get outside today. It’s incredible out. The sun is shining, the breeze is light. Perfect for a walk on the greens.”
She stiffened. “Don’t tell me I’m sitting here with three hundred
