Read Cold Heart for Free Online Page A

late but she was tired. She got ready for bed and then she got a pen and paper from her briefcase. She climbed in and began making a list. Tomorrow she would tackle the rooms upstairs and figure out how to work the big industrial washers and dryers that were in the laundry room. She needed to wash all the sheets that had been used as dust covers. She would probably employ them again since it would be several months before Wildwood actually opened for business.
    Lexi was dozing a little when she heard the pounding of the big knocker at the front entry and Tucker barking. What the...? Could a woman get no peace in this place? She climbed out of bed and started for the door then remembering she was in her pajamas, went to her suitcase and rummaged through it until she found a robe. She really must unpack.
    She headed downstairs, switched on the outside lights and peered out the window beside the door before opening it. It was Michael. When he saw her he began yelling.
    “For heaven’s sake Lexi, open the door.”
    Lexi supposed she had to open the door but she really didn’t want to. Reluctantly she did but stood in the doorway so he couldn’t come in.
    “What the hell are you doing, Lexi?” Michael said throwing his arms in the air. “Why aren’t you returning my calls?”
    “Because I have no interest in talking to you Michael, no interest in being with you anymore and no interest in what your lame excuses are.”
    “Lexi be reasonable, please,” he implored. “It was one time, I made a mistake. I love you. I was planning to ask you to marry me. She means nothing to me.”
    “She was my best friend Michael and I know for a fact, it wasn’t just one time,” Lexi said. “You are wasting your time. We are done, finished, over. I was very generous in what I left for you. In fact I left practically everything and your rent and all the utilities are paid til the end of the month. After that, you are on your own. You may have to actually go out and get a job.”
    “And what about my half of this?” Michael said.
    “What?” Lexi yelled. “Are you freaking kidding me? You’d better go Michael before I call the police.”
    “Look I didn’t mean that, Lex,” he begged. “Let me come in. We can talk this through.”
    “No Michael, no amount of talking is going to change what you did. We are done, there is nothing to be said,” Lexi said very calmly. “Now I’d like you to go please.”
    “Come on baby, you don’t mean that, you’re just mad right now. You know how good we are together. You can’t just throw that away,” Michael begged.
    Lexi was about to speak when a truck came up the driveway going pretty fast and lurched to a stop. Carter jumped out and sprinted up to the porch.
    “Everything okay here?” he asked looking directly at Lexi.
    “Yeah buddy, everything is just fine here,” Michael said turning to face Carter. “I’m just having a private conversation with my girlfriend here and I’d appreciate you keeping your nose out of it.”
    “You’re not listening Michael,” Lexi said in as calm a voice as she could muster. “We are through. I don’t love you. I’m not taking your cheating ass back and I would like you to leave now.”
    “You heard her,” Carter said as he stepped closer to Lexi. “She wants you to leave.”
    “Hey, I don’t know who you are mister,” Michael threatened, “But you need to get the fuck out of here and mind your own business.”
    With that Carter grabbed Michael by the neck of his jacket and began dragging him off the porch. Michael struggled to get his feet back under him and began yelling obscenities. The two struggled and when Carter had him down off the porch he let go.
    “Lexi go and dial 9-1-1,” Carter said. “Maybe the Sherriff will be able to persuade this jerk to move along.”
    Michael straightened his jacket and ran his hands through his hair. “Back off, there is no need to get the law involved,” he said. “I’ll