The Maverick Part 22

"The owners of this unit," Diane said, sweeping her hand toward the open living area, "spend several months a year in Canada to be near their grandchildren. They left just three days ago, so the place is available for up to four months. It's actually a three-bedroom unit, but the smallest bedroom is used to store their personal items. Covered parking downstairs and valet service is included, as is weekly maid service."

"I'll take it," Griff said.

"Don't you want to see the rest of the condo?"

"Sure, but I'll take it. When can I move in?"

"Wouldn't you like to know the price?" Diane asked.

She named a price and Ca.s.s flinched. Griff said, "I'll take it."

"Fantastic," Diane said. "Let's go back to my office and do the paperwork, and I'll give you the key."

As they were walking out, Griff put his arm around Ca.s.s's waist. "Don't you like this place?"

"It's beautiful. But there used to be a stable and a blacksmith shop on this site. A shame."

"Ca.s.s," he said gently, "nowadays I don't think there's much call for a stable or a blacksmith in downtown Austin."

She smiled. "You're right, of course. So I'll excuse you for living here."

"Good. I don't think I could take all those little lace doilies."

AFTER THE PAPERS WERE signed and the money was paid, they stopped for lunch, then headed to Griff's new home to drop off his belongings. signed and the money was paid, they stopped for lunch, then headed to Griff's new home to drop off his belongings.

"We'll need the trunk s.p.a.ce for groceries later. Not only yours, but mine. I'll need everything. Did you notice if there was a coffeemaker there?"

"I think so, but we can check when we go by. Griff, you haven't stopped smiling. What's up?"

"I'm happy." He reached for her hand and squeezed it. "Happy to be here, happy to be with you. Happy."

She smiled. His words were like a soft, cuddly hug, and she reveled in the feeling. She was happy, too.

"Have you heard any more about your inheritance?"

"Nothing yet. Carrie said it might be a while yet." She'd discussed the entire situation with Griff on the phone, so he was aware of Iris's letter and her will. "Carrie called Sunny yesterday, and told her she'd spoken to Wes and Nonie about the murder. Frank knows as well, but they all decided to wait and let us tell the others in our own time."

"Good idea. How did Wes take it?"

"In stride, the way he takes everything. Said after all the years he spent as sheriff, nothing much surprises him. He was pleased about Sunny and me getting Iris's estate. I believe his exact words were 'Fair enough.'"

They pulled into the underground parking garage, and Griff spoke to someone at the valet stand for a few minutes. A man soon came out with a dolly and loaded on boxes and some of the luggage. Griff took two large rolling bags and Ca.s.s took a smaller one and his laptop case.

"Did you bring everything you own?" she asked.

"Yep, almost. A few things are being s.h.i.+pped later. Most I sold."

Though blown out of the water by what Griff said, she held her questions until they were upstairs and the helper had been tipped and left.

"I don't understand," Ca.s.s said. "What did you sell?"

"Just stuff I don't need anymore. Things which were more trouble and expense to move than they're worth. My apartment. The furniture. My car."

"But why?"

His dimples flashed as he put both arms around her waist. "I told you I was considering a move to Austin. Well, now I've moved. Want to go check out the king-size bed in the master?"

"No, I have questions. First I want to know-"

He kissed her, and the questions burning inside her went down in flames. All she could say was, "Mmm."

LATER, MUCH LATER MUCH LATER, THEY THEY showered and dressed, having left the bed thoroughly initiated. Griff wore shorts, a T-s.h.i.+rt and flip-flops. showered and dressed, having left the bed thoroughly initiated. Griff wore shorts, a T-s.h.i.+rt and flip-flops.

Ca.s.s looked him up and down as they waited for the elevator. "Way to go."

"I feel a little underdressed."

"Naw. You'll get used to it."

"Will my toes get used to these thongs?"

"Sure, they'll toughen up. What's in the bag?" She pointed to the small duffel he carried.

"Running shorts and shoes."

"For running or to wear if your toes give you grief?"

He grinned. "Got me."

They drove to her houses to check out the renovations. Ca.s.s noticed Greg's truck there, and Griff pulled in and parked behind it.

When they got out, she shaded her eyes and looked up. "Wow, the new roof is almost finished."

Greg came down the steps. "The roofers will finish it up tomorrow and may get the one next door done as well." He held out his hand to Griff. "Greg Gonzales."

"Griff Mitch.e.l.l."

"We're hoping to get a new roof on mine before we have rain."

"Yours?" Griff asked. "You buy one of these houses?"

"Buying. Good investment I lucked into. Mine is that one down on the corner. I'll either rent it out or resell it." To Ca.s.s he said, "There's not much to see inside. We're demolis.h.i.+ng the kitchen and baths. Did you get the tile picked out?"

"I did. I left all the information with Reuben at the tile store. And on Friday I'll make my final decision about cabinets and fixtures, and let you know."

"Good."

Two men came out of the house carrying an old sink and countertop, and tossed them into a big Dumpster between the two houses.

"We're about to knock off," Greg told them. "If you go inside, be careful where you step. Things are a mess."

"We'll wait for another time," she said. "I just love to watch the progress."

Greg gave a two-finger salute and walked back in the house.

"Seems like a nice guy," Griff said.

"He is. We went to school together. He played football at UCLA for a while. I hadn't seen him for years until people recommended him for his job, and I contacted him. He's even joined POAC."

"You don't say. Guess I'll have to sign up, too."

"Only if you want to. Ready to go grocery shopping? You need to stock up."

"I don't need much," he said.

Famous last words.

They laughed their way through the produce section as Griff piled some of every fruit in the store his cart, along with salads and potatoes. He was in heaven when the found they gourmet soup section. At the meat counter, he selected four giant rib eye steaks.

"Four?" Ca.s.s asked.

"I like steak. You think I can't cook? I'll cook you a steak tonight."

"Deal."

He went up and down the aisles, tossing stuff in his basket like a contestant on Supermarket Sweep. Supermarket Sweep. By the time he was finished, his cart was piled high, while Ca.s.s had only eggs, bread, peanut b.u.t.ter, coffee and milk in hers. And two oranges. By the time he was finished, his cart was piled high, while Ca.s.s had only eggs, bread, peanut b.u.t.ter, coffee and milk in hers. And two oranges.

"We'd better go by your place and stow your things first," Ca.s.s said when they were loading his car. "All that ice cream is going to melt. I don't understand why you got so much."

"I like ice cream."

"But four gallons? four gallons?"

"Ah, sweetie, don't sweat it." He gave her a peck as he heaved another sack into the trunk.

Back at his condo, the valet helped tote the groceries upstairs, and soon everything was put away. Ca.s.s reminded Griff that her eggs and milk were still in the car and needed to get into her fridge right away.

"You can bring your things up here," he said. "Remember, I'm going to cook steaks for you."

"How about we do the steaks another night? Let's drop my stuff off, and I'll buy you a bowl of chili. I need to make an early night of it. I have paperwork to do. We've decided to move forward with the frozen chili deal."

"Great. Does this mean you can retire from the cafe?"

"Why would I want to retire?" She drilled his belly with her finger. "Come on, cowboy, move it. My eggs are going to hatch."

"Let me change my shoes first. These flip-flops are a b.i.t.c.h."

WHEN THEY WALKED INTO Chili Witches, the first person Ca.s.s saw was her mother. Chili Witches, the first person Ca.s.s saw was her mother. Oh, c.r.a.p. Oh, c.r.a.p. Seemed that Gloria and Min had insisted Sunny take the night off to go to Jay's school pageant. Seemed that Gloria and Min had insisted Sunny take the night off to go to Jay's school pageant.

Gloria turned to Griff and gave him an anemic smile. "How are you this evening, Mr. Griffith?"

"Fine, thank you."

"His last name is Mitch.e.l.l, Mom. Griffin Griffin is his first name." is his first name."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Mitch.e.l.l. How very silly of me. I don't know where my mind is sometimes."

Ca.s.s rolled her eyes. Her mother was acting like that crazy Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire. A Streetcar Named Desire. Which was not her style. At all. She was playing the pa.s.sive-aggressive card, and Ca.s.s wanted to strangle her big time. Which was not her style. At all. She was playing the pa.s.sive-aggressive card, and Ca.s.s wanted to strangle her big time.

"I understand," he said. "Just call me Griff."

"We dropped off my groceries and decided to stop by and eat," Ca.s.s said.

"How wonderful. Would that table do?" Gloria pointed to one in the corner, as if Ca.s.s didn't know the layout of the place down to the last saltshaker.

"That table is perfect," Griff said to Gloria. "Could you join us?"

Ca.s.s kicked him in the ankle.

"Oh, how very sweet of you to ask, Mr. Griffith, but I'm much too busy working. And I wouldn't want to intrude."

Griff opened his mouth, and Ca.s.s kicked him again. Harder. "Another time, Mom. Would you send someone over with a couple of beers?"

When they were seated, Griff leaned over and asked quietly, "Does your mother have memory problems?"

"Nope. She's sharp as a tack. Sharper."

"I was afraid of that. I don't think she likes me."

Ca.s.s was trying to think of an appropriate response without flat out lying when Gloria came sashaying over with two draft beers on a tray. She tripped-quite theatrically, Ca.s.s thought-and dumped both foaming mugs smack in Griff's lap.

Chapter Twenty-Two.