Page 28 of Highlands Homecoming

“You should set Jingles on him,” said Lindsay.

“I don’t want Jingles anywhere near him.”

Melissa drew in her breath as she looked out the front window. Another car was turning into the driveway.

“Someone else is here,” she whispered. “Maybe he got a real estate agent? Or a new lawyer?”

“I can call Drew and have him come over and pretend to be a?—”

Melissa gasped as the car door opened and Colin got out. “It’s Colin!”

“He’s there? At your house?”

“Yep.”

“They’re both there,” said Lindsay. “Egads!”

“Yep.”

“Well, that should be interesting. I’ll bring over some popcorn.”

“Not funny.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” said Lindsay.

Melissa pondered the situation for a moment. “Actually, it iskindof funny.” She never thought her ex-husband and current boyfriend would be in the same place at the same time, not to mention the whole divorce lawyer and client connection.

“What’s happening now?” asked Lindsay.

Melissa peered out the window again. “I think the shit show’s about to begin.”

Melissa stoodat the window wondering what to do.Text Colin a quick warning that Dave was there? He must know, right? Maybe it was a coincidence.She cracked open the door just as Colin slammed the car door shut. Dave turned.

Colin’s face lit up as he saw Melissa standing in the doorway, but as she nodded her head toward Dave, his happiness vanished.

Dave walked over toward the front walkway, and Melissa stood her ground, while Colin tried to brace himself for the inevitable.

“What kind of a lawyer do you think you are? What kind of MAN do you think you are? What gives you the right to go stalking after my wife when I hired you to represent me?” said Dave.

Colin held up his hands. “It was all a coincidence that we met. I was in line beside Melissa at the airport on her way here, and we got to chatting. She was on my flight, then she was on my train—we were both traveling to the same town. We became good friends. And now I am here to?—”

“Not to represent me.”

“That’s correct. I’m here to start my life over in the place I belong with the woman I love, if she’ll have me.”

Melissa caught her breath.

“Well, I hope you don’t plan on living here, because I’ve met with an enthusiastic realtor who’s ready to get things in motion.”

“You’ll need the owner’s signature in order to sell it,” said Colin evenly.

“As I mentioned, I post-dated my signature on the divorce papers, so I’m still half-owner,” said Dave.

He went to his car and tried to maneuver around Colin’s. “Get your pathetic excuse for a vehicle out of my way,” he yelled. “I’m out of here!”

Colin and Melissa stood watching as Dave backed away and then nearly crashed into another car as he drove on the wrong side of the road.

“Maybe Darwin will take care of this problem for us?” said Colin, hugging Melissa close.