Stone closed his eyes and images of the place flooded his brain—the large, airy rooms, the tall trees on the lot, the sunsets, the pool and hot tub. “Ed, really, I have too many houses already, and I don’t have time to decorate it.”

“You won’t have to, she’ll sell it completely furnished, except for a few pictures she wants to take with her, and you’ll have a wonderful time combing the Canyon Road galleries for replacements. And you can have it cheap, if you take it before she hires a real estate agent.”

“How much?”

“She’s going to ask three million nine for it, but with no agent involved she’ll sell it to you for three million, intact, immediate closing.”

Stone felt himself slipping back into the water, after clawing his way up the beach to real estate safely. “Oh, God.”

“That’s wonderful, Stone. It’ll be great having you for a neighbor! Susannah is already excited to have you in town. We’ll throw a housewarming for you, so you can meet some people, and I’ll use my influence to get you season tickets to the Santa Fe Opera.”

The last chink fell into place for Stone. “All right, to whom do I make the check?”

“Put Joan back on, and I’ll sort it all out with her. We’ll be ready to close immediately—Gala is already ensconced in L.A., so you can have possession tomorrow, if you like. Now put Joan on before you change your mind.”

Stone buzzed Joan. “Ed Eagle wants to speak to you. Make him happy.”

“You bought another house, didn’t you?”

“Oh, shut up.” He hung up and turned back to his lunch.

Holly peered at him. “Did I just hear you make another real estate transaction?”

“A house in Santa Fe,” Stone said sheepishly.

“So much for good intentions,” she said.

“And they were the best of intentions, too. Wait until you see the place—it’s perfect.”

“I would expect no less.”

“Holly, can you take a week off from running the world and come out there with me? We can leave tomorrow.”

Holly looked sheepish herself. “Funny you should mention that—when I left this morning, the boss ordered me not to come back for at least two weeks. I haven’t even had time to figure out what to do with myself.”

“Let me figure that out for you.”

“I place myself in your hands. I’ll have to make some phone calls now and then, though.”

“If I know Kate, she probably told you to leave your phone behind.”

“Well, she did say she would order the White House switchboard not to take my calls. I think she may have even been serious.”

“If you try that, I’ll tell on you, and you’ll be in big trouble.”