Love Story Next Door!: Cinderella on His Doorstep / Mr Right, Next Door! / Soldier on Her Doorstep

“You sound tired. Where are you exactly?”

“I’m standing in my room at the Hermitage,” he grumbled. “More to the point, where are you? The concierge said you never came in last night.” He actually noticed?

“That’s right. I’ve decided to stay at the château. It will save me a lot of coming and going.”

Alex had the strange idea she was under her father’s thumb. If he only knew the truth, that her father didn’t think much about her at all. There was nothing to handle, but her host had insinuated something else and it rankled.

“I thought it was deserted.”

“Not completely.” She started brushing her hair. “The owner lives here. He’s been very accommodating and made an allowance for me. After you’ve slept a few hours, drive over to the château in your rental car and I’ll meet you at the gate.”

There was a noticeable silence, then he said, “I’m coming now.”

Clearly he couldn’t wait to see if she’d pulled through for him. Everything hinged on her find.

“In that case let me go over the directions with you.” Without Saskia in tow, he could walk around and think in peace. “See you shortly.”

Once she’d pulled on jeans and a short-sleeved cotton top in an aqua color, she finished doing her hair and put on lipstick. Slipping her feet into her favorite leather sandals, she grabbed her phone and left the room. Later, after her father had gotten a feel for the estate, she would feed him a late lunch in the kitchen before he went back to the hotel.

Last evening she’d only had a brief glimpse of the salon. Today the door was closed. Alex could be inside at the computer, but in all probability he was out hacking away at his private jungle.

This was the way it should be. Out of sight, out of mind. Didn’t she wish!

She stepped out into a day that seemed hotter than yesterday, but she hadn’t noticed because the interior of the château was cooler. It felt like being in a cathedral to walk beneath the trees. Here and there sunlight dappled their branches.

As she continued on, the crunch of her feet on the leaves must have startled some squirrels. They chattered before she saw them scamper up a trunk and disappear. She was still laughing in pure pleasure when she came upon Alex at the gate.

He was down on his haunches in jeans and another thin white T-shirt, fastening something to the wrought iron. She could see the play of muscle across his shoulders. Her heart thudded so hard she was positive he could hear it.

“Sleeping Beauty at last,” he murmured, scrutinizing her from head to toe with eyes so dark and alive this afternoon, it sent a delicious current of desire through her body.

“You’re getting your princesses mixed up.”

“No—” He went back to fastening a screw with his power drill. “You’re a woman of many parts. I never know which one is going to emerge at any given moment.”

His comment produced a smile from her. “You’re full of it, Alex, but keep it up. By the time I leave here, I’ll be taking a whole host of enchanting memories with me.”

His hands stilled for a moment. “Where are you going next?”

“To a little town on the Rhine in Germany for a month where the last segment of the film will be made.”

He dusted himself off and got to his feet. “Stand back and let’s see if I’ve done this right.” Pulling a remote from his pocket, he pressed the button. The gate took its time, but it clanged shut.

“Bravo. Too bad you didn’t get to work on it sooner. It would have kept me out and forced me to phone you for an appointment.”

Before she could take another breath, he shot her a laserlike glance. “As you’ve already surmised, I didn’t mind the surprise or you wouldn’t be living here.” His comment filled her body with warmth. “But I’ve decided this was necessary to keep out trespassers while the studio is filming every day.” He tossed her the remote. “It’s yours. I have more in the office I’ll give to Paul for anyone who needs one.”

“Thank you.”

She felt his gaze linger on her features. “Were you looking for me?”

Dana sucked in her breath. “No. My father’s on his way over from the hotel. I told him I’d meet him here.”

As if talking about him conjured him up, a red rental car appeared and came to a halt. Before Alex said anything that would remind her of his parting words last night, she pressed the button on the remote and the gate swung open.

“Hi, Dad. Drive on through.”

He nodded his balding head and did her bidding. Once he’d passed through, he stopped the car and got out. Solid, yet lithe, he’d dressed in his favorite gray work slacks and matching crew neck shirt. His blue eyes, several shades darker than hers, gave them both a stare that others might consider fierce, but Dana was used to it.

“Dad, I’d like you to meet Monsieur Alexandre Martin, the owner of the estate.”

“Monsieur.” The two men shook hands.

“Call me Alex. I’ve seen several of your films which I found remarkable. It’s a privilege to meet you.”

“Thank you. Your English is excellent.”

“He’s part Australian, Dad.”

“Ah. That explains the particular nuance I couldn’t identify.”

“Unlike your accent in English that no one could ever mistake for anything but Svenska,” Dana quipped.

“Too true.” His hooded gaze darted back and forth between her and Alex before he addressed him. “My daughter has convinced me I won’t be disappointed with this location.”

Alex eyed her father through veiled eyes. “Why don’t you take a walk down this road alone. The left fork will bring you to the front of the château. The door’s unlocked. Take all the time you want wandering around. I understand you’d rather do the discovering than be herded.”

Dana’s father looked stunned. That was because Alex had taken his cue from her. Among his many qualities, he’d just shown he was a master psychologist.

“Hand me the car keys, Dad. I’ll drive it to the front courtyard and join you in a few minutes.”

His surprised glance switched to her before he dropped them in her hand. After nodding to Alex, he turned and began jogging.

Once he’d disappeared around the curve in the driveway, she turned to Alex who’d started gathering up his tools. She could tell he was anxious to get back to his pruning. Considering he’d spent all day yesterday and last evening seeing to it she had a bedroom worthy of a princess to sleep in, she didn’t want to be the reason he was kept from his work any longer.

As soon as she’d climbed in the car, she poked her head out the window. “You handled my father brilliantly, Alex. Congratulations on being one of the few.” The last thing she saw was his dark, enigmatic glance as she started the engine.

Get going, Dana!

Afraid if she stayed any longer she’d end up blurting out something incriminating like, did he want help? she followed the driveway while studiously avoiding looking at him through the rearview mirror.

After pulling up next to her rental car parked in front, she gave her father a few more minutes lead before she got out. This was one time she was so confident of his positive reaction, it shocked her when he suddenly emerged from the château with a face devoid of animation. The look she’d expected to see in his eyes wasn’t there.

“Follow me back to the Hermitage. We have to talk.”

Chapter Four (#ulink_afeb2edc-5737-540d-97ae-0936239eabde)

ALEX was up in one of the tallest trees, cutting away dead branches, when he saw both cars leave the estate. Jan Lofgren couldn’t have been on the premises more than ten minutes. That was quick, but Alex guessed he wasn’t surprised. In less time, Dana had made the decision to rent the estate on behalf of the company.