"Can I come in?" he prompted gently.
"Oh! Yes, of course," Elinor said flustered to realize she'd been staring. She stepped back, opening the door wider.
The front entry hall seemed to shrink with his presence. Elinor had read about that phenomenon, but had never before encountered anyone who had the power to alter her physical perspective.
Cole glanced around the hallway. "I can't get over what you've done with this house. When I was a kid the farmers used to store their tools in here."
"I know. There were a few still here when I moved in," she said absently, noticing for the first time the manila envelope in Cole's hand.
"Why don't we go into my office," she prompted when he made no move to disclose his business with her.
"Sure."
Cole followed her into what had once been the front bedroom. After painting the walls a soft, natural hue, Elinor had used several antiques mixed with contemporary upholstered pieces to create a professional, yet homey workspace.
"Why, Cole . . ." Daisy came forward as she greeted him with an arch, meaningful smile. "I never expected to run into you here."
Elinor glanced at Daisy sharply as Cole took the older woman's hand in a warm clasp. What on earth was Daisy up to?
"I'm delightfully surprised myself, Miss Daisy," he retorted.
"Don't ever call me 'Miss Daisy'," she told him, shuddering. "It makes me feel as old as Methuselah."
"My apologies," Cole said with a smile. "I don't know what I could have been thinking of. But you're much too charming to even be thinking about age."
Daisy simpered and then broke into a natural chuckle. "You always were a scamp."
"I don't know what you mean," Cole disclaimed modestly.
Elinor watched the two of them, hoping her outrageous friend wouldn't try to turn Cole's visit into something more than it was. Daisy had a matchmaking streak that unfortunately wouldn't die.
"Shall we sit down?" Elinor gestured to a seating arrangement in the far corner.
"So what did you stop by for?" Daisy asked, maneuvering the seating so Elinor ended up on the couch with Cole.
His eyebrow flew up, laughter springing into his eyes in response to her forthright question. "I brought something for Elinor, if that's all right with you."
"Fine, fine," Daisy said airily. "Go right ahead. Don't mind me." She sat back, crossing her legs and staring off into the distance as if trying to appear invisible.
"Thank you." He turned to Elinor, holding out the manila envelope. "I brought you the prospectus on the factory."
"Oh, good. I'll take a look at it," she promised, glancing away from the warm look in his eyes.
"Cole," Daisy abruptly reentered the conversation. "Elinor needs your help with a problem."
"Daisy!" Elinor protested. "That's not true. There's no reason to involve Cole—"
"No, go ahead," he interrupted her with a lazy smile. "I'd love getting involved with you."
A sudden gurgle of squelched laughter escaped from Daisy.
"Thank you," Elinor returned frostily. "But I'm sure it's not necessary for us to be involved any more than we are."
He leaned forward, his face suddenly intent. "Oh, but it is for me. Necessary, I mean."
A shiver ran up Elinor's spine, leaving her hot and trembling inside. She swallowed hard and looked down at her hands.
"What's your problem, Elinor?" His voice had taken on the velvet timbre that stroked across her nervous flesh like an invitation.
Desperately seeking an escape, she glanced furtively at Daisy. Unfortunately her friend had gone back to pretending inattention. Sitting demurely on the loveseat, her gaze was fixed on the portrait on the wall as if she had no awareness of the conversation.
"It's not really a problem," Elinor hesitated, groping futilely for a way out of the untenable position in which Daisy had placed her.
"I'm pretty good at finding answers," he offered without vanity.
"This probably isn't in your area of expertise," she cautioned, weakening.
Cole chuckled. "That's never stopped me before. Go on, give me a shot."
Feeling backed into a corner, and yet reluctantly drawn to confide in him, Elinor took a deep breath. "My grandfather has received an offer to purchase Oakleigh and he's given me his power of attorney."
"His power of attorney to handle the sale?" Cole questioned, interest sharpening in his eyes.
Elinor shrugged. "He won't tell me whether to accept the offer or not."
"Oh, my!" Daisy bolted up from her chair. "Would you look at the time. I really have to run. More Peach Festival business to attend to. Don't forget your promise to help with the Ladies' Guild booth, Elinor."
"I won't forget," Elinor said dryly as her friend gathered her purse. "I'll talk to you later, Daisy."
"I'm going to be very busy with the festival. Don't bother getting up, I'll show myself out," the older woman said as she scurried out.
Cole watched their interchange, his mind sorting through the implications of Elinor's news. The old man was leaving the decision in her hands?
"She's really a hoot," Elinor said as the door closed behind Daisy.
"I've always liked her," Cole agreed before reverting to their discussion. "Tell me more about your problem with the contract on Oakleigh."
Elinor sighed sinking back into her corner of the couch. Her movement caused the turquoise knit of her tunic top to mold more snugly around her breasts. Cole's mouth felt suddenly dry.
Deliberately focusing on her face, he waited for her to continue. This was definitely not the time to let his hormones run away with him.
"My problem is," she announced dispassionately, "that I'm not sure if this is the best money my grandfather could get for Oakleigh." She told him the figure. "The house is all Daniel has and he needs to get enough from its sale to cover his expenses for the rest of his life."
"I see." Cole stood up abruptly, walking over to stare out the side window. He hadn't offered top dollar on the house. No intelligent businessman ever did that on a first offer.
God, what a tangle. How could he advise her about this? He'd set himself the goal of buying Oakleigh, and he wanted to get it at a reasonable price. His father's years of low-paid devotion in maintaining the place ought to count for something.