I’d read Jameson Lee Clemmons’ purchaser profile with interest and painted a mental image of a gracefully aging southern gentleman who resembled Colonel Sanders. No marital status was required when purchasing a house with cash, but if he showed up for our two o’clock appointment with no spouse in tow, I’d fix him up with my Aunt Meg up for dinner tomorrow night. Maybe someday she’d return the favor.
I hit the PRINT button on my computer and the laser jet wheezed to life at the same time the bell over the front door jangled. “Just a minute,” I called. Grabbing the stack of printouts of suitable properties, I headed for the reception area. “Can I help...” My words were replaced by the sound of a girlish giggle that bubbled forth. From me! But what red-blooded woman of child-bearing years wouldn’t have a similar reaction upon coming face to face with this sun-bronzed surfer type? Aged mid- to late-thirties, if I were to hazard a guess. The perfect age for me!
“I have an appointment with Tara Quinlan.”
Even his voice had a sun-drenched tinge. “Jameson Lee Clemmons?” I squeaked.
“Just J.C. please.”
“I’m Tara .” We shook hands. His grip was strong and firm, his hands no stranger to manual labor. My heart did a little shuffle step. “Let’s start with a tour of the island.”
We piled into my golf cart and headed west. The large expanse of sandy beach and the crashing surf never failed to put a customer in the buying frame of mind. “Tell me what you’re looking for,” I said.
“I’ll know it when I see it.”
“How large?”
“Nothing too big. It’s just Molly and me.”
No ring, but no surprise there was a Mrs. Clemmons. Knowing he was off limits allowed me to relax and focus on the job of finding this man and his family the perfect Home Sweet Home. “How many bedrooms?”
“Maybe three.”
Kids in his and Molly’s future maybe?
“I need a workspace and a fenced-in yard.”
All yards were fenced on the island. That didn’t narrow things down much. “Any style preference? I can offer Tudor, Plantation
“Like I said, I’ll know it when I see it. Oh, and I have to head back east tomorrow.”
There were over 100 houses for sale that would fit his vague parameters. Good thing I liked a challenge. “We’ll find the perfect house for you and Molly.”
