Read Online The Living Room by Bill Rolfe - Free Book Online

responded to the joy she exuded, recognizing also that there would now be plenty of time that they could spend together.

Chapter 6
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    “Hello, Nancy.” Daniel spoke slowly into the phone.
    “Daniel! Where are you? Are you home already?”
    “No, I’m still in England. Just settling in, actually. There’s a little more work needed on the old place than I’d expected. Any news I should hear about?”
    “Not really. Mr. Rothschild has been in and out for files, but he’s got things under control, and enjoying it, I might say.”
    “Yeah, he’s been off the field for a long time, but he still has more game than any of us.” They shared a laugh.
    In his day, Art had been the best in the business. He could have charged his clients three times the normal commission and they still would have stayed with him. Even though he had a waiting list of people wanting to use his services, he still charged just the industry standard, in keeping with his honest and fair belief system.
    “Could you put me through to him, please, Nancy; and take this number off the call display for emergencies. I’ll call you soon with an update.”
    “Right away, Daniel. Good luck with the house, and just call if you need me to do anything.”
    “Rothschild.” Art always answered with his last name, as if it were the only one in the book.
    “Art, it’s Daniel.”
    “Well, Daniel Clay, if you’re downstairs, you’re fired,” he exclaimed only half-jokingly.
    “No, no, I’m still in England. How’s everything going?”
    “Fine. You shouldn’t need to ask,” Art said, somewhat disturbed at the idea it might be of any concern.
    “Great. Listen, Art, this house needs a little more work and a market appraisal before listing. I could be here a couple of weeks, unless you need me back sooner.”
    Right then, Art knew there was more to Daniel’s extended absence request than dealings with a property. Art was too smart a man, and knew his protégé too well, to think for a second that some old house would keep him a day longer than it had to.
    “Daniel, you listen to me. Your clients are happy, and they are yours again when you return. I have other things to keep me busy when that day comes. Until then, you stay as long as you need to take care of that…house.”
    Daniel recognized from Art’s tone that he wasn’t falling for the house excuse. “Thanks, Art. You’re too good to me. I left my number with Nancy in case of an emergency, and I’ll give you a call when I’m on my way home.”
    They both hung up. For the first time in his career, Daniel had something other than work taking priority in both his schedule and mind.
    After his phone call, he swept the main floor and dusted out cupboards in the kitchen; however, his mind was really fixated on his dinner date a few nights before.
    A knock at the door interrupted his cleaning and he rushed to answer with anticipation. This time, he opened it to find Claire standing in her nurse’s uniform, with a well-suited gentleman at her side. Daniel froze for a second, only to thaw upon hearing her words: “Daniel, this is my superior, Dr. Abrams.”
    This came as a relief, squashing his concern that the man might be someone more personal, with an emotional attachment.
    “Welcome, Dr. Abrams.” As they walked in, Claire grabbed Daniel’s arm and winked at him.
    This was the first physical contact he’d had with her, and it numbed his entire side. She asked approval to show the doctor the glass-encased room, even though she was already heading for the stairs.
    Daniel could see the doctor was here as a favor and wasn’t really interested in the whole proposal. He had a blank expression on his face, but it was obvious he was an intelligent man. He had facial hair well groomed into a thin beard and mustache. Its grayness added to his air of being well schooled. Slightly taller than Daniel, he was easily capable of intimidating most people with whom he came into contact.
    Now up in the