Chapter 48

“We have a resident security man slash caretaker living in a manufactured home near the driveway,” Carlton said. “His house is totally hidden behind a very tall hedge, and I guess I forgot to point it out when you were here before.”

“Don’t forget the pool and the exercise room,” Eric said. “We make good use of both, and it keeps us fit.”

“Eric is teaching two classes this term,” Carlton said, “and now that there isn’t much going on with his landscaping business, he has his book projects to keep him busy.”

“What book projects?” his mother said.

“I’m in the middle of writing a book about the history of the Raleigh family,” Eric said. “And, I’m planning to write what will be a somewhat steamy historical romance about one of the family members.”

“Really?” she said.

“Yes, ma’am, but I really don’t want to go into details about the book—at the moment, I don’t have anything but a rough outline.”

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