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    The New Neighbor
    The New Neighbor
    The New Neighbor
    Ebook213 pages2 hours

    The New Neighbor

    By Diane M. Pratt

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    About this ebook

    Maisie Kane is convinced Cristian McLean is a criminal. Why else would Roy, Maisie's sweet neighbor, say his grandson had "been away for three long years"?

     

    Cristian McLean thinks Maisie Kane is trying to con his grandfather out of his life's savings, which means Cristian will be keeping a very close eye on her.

     

    Living in houses separated only by a narrow driveway and a goldfish pond, they slowly realize just how wrong their first impressions were.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDiane M. Pratt
    Release dateFeb 1, 2024
    ISBN9798224276370
    The New Neighbor
    Author

    Diane M. Pratt

    Diane M. Pratt lives on Cape Cod where she avoids the summer traffic by hiding at home with her trusty laptop, long-suffering husband, and all the chocolate she can find. Escaping from reality in a romance novel, the ultimate goal a happy ending, is her idea of a good read.  

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      Book preview

      The New Neighbor - Diane M. Pratt

      Chapter 1

      T hat should work, Maisie Kane murmured as she wrapped the dinner plates with foil. It was the third day in a row with temperatures in the nineties, which she thought was more like Florida weather, not what Massachusetts should be going through in the middle of June. She hoped Roy was hydrating and staying as cool as he could considering he didn’t have air conditioning. Nor did she, but A/C was so far down on her wish list she didn’t expect she’d ever be able to afford it. They weren’t on the kinds of terms that would allow her to ask him if he ever intended to have it put in his house, which was of the same vintage as her own, over a hundred years old, and in desperate need of either restoration or updating.

      Walking across the narrow driveway separating her house from her next door neighbor’s, she saw and felt the heat radiating from the asphalt and wondered if her flip flops were going to melt right into the tar. The soles of her feet certainly wouldn’t appreciate having to touch the ground if she was suddenly barefoot. Reaching the front porch, she pressed the doorbell and raised her voice. Roy, it’s Maisie. She didn’t know exactly how old her neighbor was, but she’d noticed he was moving more slowly lately than he had when she moved next door two years ago.

      When the door was pulled open, she felt a blast of cool air, courtesy of the window unit Roy had running in his living room. Hi, Roy. Ready for dinner? She heard the voice from the television, knowing it was time for the news, something the man unfailingly watched every night.

      Maisie, you’re very kind. Please come in where it’s cool, Roy McLean said, stepping back.

      And it was cool, which eased one of her worries. He was wearing shorts and a thin tee shirt, probably the most lightweight clothing he owned. Seeing the half full glass of ice water on the end table next to the recliner eased another worry. Tonight it’s salad and potato salad and barbecued pork. The last time I made it you said you liked it.

      Oh, yes, I remember. That was delicious. I truly appreciate you making all this for me. I wish my Ruthie was still here so you could give her some cooking tips.

      Maisie smiled with Roy and glanced at the walls with framed photos of Ruthie and Roy, along with their children and grandchildren. I bet Ruthie could have given me plenty of cooking tips, too.

      Roy laughed. Ruthie was the sweetest woman I ever met, and she always tried very hard in the kitchen, but she never was able to master cooking. Did you bring enough dinner for yourself, Maisie?

      A question he often asked, but she wasn’t going to intrude on the man’s privacy by eating with him. I’m going to have mine later when it’s cooler, but you get started on yours. She wasn’t sure what Roy had for lunch every day but she didn’t press him for details since it wasn’t her place to pester him. She wasn’t a caretaker or home health aide or even a relative, only a neighbor who’d been welcomed to the street by Roy when she’d first moved in.

      If you have a few minutes, why don’t you sit. I want to tell you about my grandson. He took a seat on his recliner, then he reached for the lap desk beside him and Maisie passed him the dishes. Thank you, Maisie. This looks wonderful. Smiling at her, he said, I’m very lucky to have you feeding me all the time.

      Maisie sat on the couch. It’s a few times a week, that’s all, and it’s my pleasure. She was relieved when Roy turned the TV volume down so they’d be able to hear each other better. Please eat, Roy. Your grandson? She knew very little about Roy’s family, other than the fact he’d been married to Ruthie, since she didn’t spend time with him other than the dinner deliveries. She’d started those soon after she moved in because she’d prepared far too much for one and hoped her new neighbor wouldn’t mind a serving for himself. He’d been so appreciative, and she liked her quick visits with him, that she’d continued to feed him.

      My grandson, Cristian. He’s been away for three years and now that he’s done, he’s coming home to stay with me. It’s been a long three years for him as well, I’m sure.

      She watched Roy take his first bite, his eyes on the TV screen. Been away for three years? If been away meant what she thought it meant, she wondered what this Cristian’s return would mean for Roy. How nice. At least she hoped for Roy’s sake it would be nice, but what was more likely would be this guy taking advantage of Roy every way he could, which meant she needed to protect Roy every way she could.

      I’ll be taking a cruise for almost three months pretty soon after he comes home. Ruthie always wanted to take a cruise, but we never seemed to get around to it. Remember that, Maisie. Time slips away, and you need to make time for all those things you want to do before it’s too late.

      If Roy was leaving the house in Cristian’s tender care, Maisie would have to stay alert. Who knew what the guy would get up to all alone over there? But she needed to pay attention to Roy now. There would be time later to worry about Cristian’s possibly criminal plans. I’ll remember, Roy. She’d have to add a vacation to her wish list, right below the air conditioning. I’m really happy you’re taking a cruise and that one sounds amazing. Where will you be going?

      All around the world, if you can believe it. Someone at the Senior Center recommended it and gave me the number of a travel agent, and they took care of everything. He smiled at her. I’ve really appreciated all the dinners you’ve made for me, Maisie, and I wish you’d let me pay you for them.

      We’ve talked about this, Roy. The man was at least fifty years older than she was and she didn’t like speaking to him as if they were peers, but sometimes a girl had to do what a girl had to do. You let me use your Wi-Fi password, and that’s more than enough thanks for a few meals. Now will you need any help packing? Do you have your passport? She knew he must have one or the travel agency wouldn’t have booked his trip.

      I won’t need help packing, but if I do, Cristian can help me. My passport is up to date. We always made sure to keep them up for someday. I think I’ll bring Ruthie’s passport in my suitcase. He looked at Maisie. You probably think I’m a foolish old man.

      He was just adorable and it was so sad he and Ruthie hadn’t been able to take the trip together. No, Roy. I think you’re sweet and sentimental and I know Ruthie will be right there with you in spirit. Standing, she said, Now I’ll leave you alone so you can eat your dinner. Make sure to keep drinking plenty of water, too, and I’ll see you in a few days.

      Reaching her own old house, she stepped inside and wondered again if she needed to spring for a room A/C unit like the one Roy had because her own living room felt like an oven. The fans she had only seemed to blow the hot air around.

      Well, once the sun went down it would be slightly better, and if she kept drinking ice water she’d stave off heat stroke. She wished she could stave off Roy’s grandson coming to stay with him. Picking up her phone, she called Jenna, whose opinion was always worth hearing.

      Hi, Maisie. I’d ask if it was hot enough for you but if someone asked me that I might slap them.

      Maisie laughed. I try to tell myself I’m sweating out impurities. And speaking of impurities, Roy told me his grandson is coming to stay with him soon.

      What do you mean about impurities? Isn’t that good? None of the poor old guy’s relatives ever visit him, so at least he’ll have some family around.

      Roy told me his grandson has ‘been away for three years’ and now that he’s done, he’s coming home. I know what ‘been away’ can mean, and I wonder what you think it means.

      Whoa, Jenna said. Do you think he’ll be wearing stripes or an orange jumpsuit or have a shaved head?

      I think maybe they wear street clothes once they’re out.

      I wonder what he did. What’s his name?

      Cristian, Maisie said.

      Do you know his last name?

      I didn’t want to ask, Jenna.

      How are we going to Google him with only a first name? And there are different ways to spell Cristian. See what you can find out. Hey, did you start writing your novel yet?

      No. I’m still trying to come up with an idea. All I know is it will be a romcom.

      That’s a start, Jenna said. I checked my reports today and two more people bought my book. Woohoo. More pennies for my piggy bank. Self-publishing is definitely the way to go when you’re ready, and I’ll coach you through it all.

      Good. Maybe I’ll earn enough to buy a gallon of paint so I can do one of the rooms in this old place. Glancing out the window at Roy’s house, she said, You know, maybe I can write a story about someone who was in prison and comes home to live with his grandfather.

      There’s an idea. Where’s the romcom part? Is the girl going to reform him and they fall in love?

      Maybe. I’ll really have to keep an eye on what’s happening next door, and not just to make sure Roy is safe.

      Then you’ve got the beginnings of your story. Jenna laughed. I can’t wait until you get started. Let me know if you get stuck, and keep me posted about the evil Cristian.

      CRISTIAN MCLEAN HAD just finished sorting what was going and what was being tossed when his phone rang. Picking it up from his bunk, he grinned and tapped the screen. Hey, Derrick. What’s happening?

      Hey, Cris, Derrick Henry said. Just checking your ETA so I can pick you up at the airport.

      Thanks, buddy, but I’m getting a ride since you’ll be working.

      I can take half a day to pick you up. I haven’t seen you for three years. Hope I still recognize you.

      Might need a haircut, but I haven’t changed.

      Did you lose weight? With all the weird food you’ve been eating?

      Cristian laughed and put a hand to his stomach. Maybe he was thinner than he’d been three years ago. You get used to it. And it isn’t about the food anyway.

      Yeah, you good Samaritans are all alike. Giving up years of your life for people you don’t even know.

      It’s kids, Derrick. You don’t have to know them. But I’ll tell you, when you see their faces light up, that’s what it’s all about.

      It’s really great what you do, but it’ll be damn good to have you home again and back at Darnex. Is it going to feel strange doing the nine to five and working indoors, using a mouse instead of a hammer, or whatever tools you used to build those schools?

      I’ll see what happens. Thanks again for letting me know my old job was posted. Talk about fantastic timing.

      Sure. We didn’t think Grant was going to ever retire until he worked every job in the place, but I guess he’d decided he was ready to go, and it worked out for you.

      That it did. I need to finish packing, so I’ll talk to you after I land in Boston.

      Safe travels, Cris, Derrick said.

      Cristian knew his life was going to be very different once he was back home, but he also knew it was time since Roy had sounded like he needed him. He probably shouldn’t have stayed away for so long, but he’d try to make up for it once he was back, and once Roy returned from his cruise. His grandfather was getting up there, already eighty-six, and he was healthy as a horse, or so he claimed, but you never knew.

      Cristian was also very interested to meet Maisie, the angel who lived next door to Roy, the one who was apparently Mother Theresa and Doris Day and Betty White all rolled into one. He’d been hearing about this person ever since she moved into the house next to Roy’s. Although Roy trusted her and seemed to be completely under her spell, Cristian was fairly certain she had an agenda his grandfather wasn’t able to suss out. The poor guy had been alone for five years, ever since Gram died, and Cristian wasn’t surprised Roy had attracted someone all too ready to take advantage of his trusting nature.

      Whatever was going on, Cristian would get her figured out pretty damn quick.

      Chapter 2

      On Sunday night, Maisie wrapped up dinner for Roy, hoping he liked it. She was saving hers for later, so she couldn’t even offer an opinion on what it tasted like. But she knew even if Roy looked at it and thought he’d rather eat dirt, he’d never let her know, just say something nice and once she left he’d probably throw it away. But his generation was the one to make do, so maybe he’d at least try it.

      And maybe she needed to get herself over there instead of wasting time because she was afraid the infamous Cristian may have arrived home without her noticing. She was concerned about meeting him, mostly because she wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep her suspicions to herself, but she damn well better figure it out because she didn’t want Roy to see her giving Cristian the evil eye. Even if he deserved it.

      Slipping into her flip flops, she headed over again, sweat blooming on her upper lip as soon as she stepped out onto her porch. Oh, joy. And they still had half of June and all of July, August, and most of September to drag themselves through before fall arrived. What she wasn’t spending on her electric bill because of the lack of air conditioning she was spending on water for the two or three showers she was taking every day. Most of them were with cool water, but still.

      When Roy let her into his living room, she scoped out what she could see of the kitchen, hallway, and dining room, and she confirmed Roy was still alone. "Hello,

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