“But it's pretty obvious why a mother and son would up and run.”

Emma stated.

"Is it?" Robin gave her a sly smile, as is she was acknowledging an inside joke.

"Again, the husband. So like I said, this house seems a magnet for assholes."

Robin's brow furrowed in thought.

“I see what you're saying. Guess there's a lot of bad men out there.”

“Seems they gravitate here.”

“Not in your case."

"No, not at all." Emma stared down at her glass.

"Steven was a loving husband and a dedicated father. He was a good man."

“You know, Emma I wasn't going to rent this house again. Because of what happened last year and some of the previous occurrences. I don't need the money that bad. But Cliff had never pulled the ad down and you found it."

"I was going to tell you it was off the market, but we got to talking and your situation reminded me of mine. Wanting a new start from bad memories. Yours were different, and I only moved next door, but for me that was enough. So I decided to rent it to you," she laughed.

"I admit the fact there was no husband made it easy. I saw the pattern and..."

“A minute ago you acted like you hadn't."

"Wow." Robin nodded.

"You got me. I had noticed it, but figured I'd kind of play dumb seeing it has no bearing on you. I figured if I was ever going to try it again, it would be just a mom and son."

“Why that specific?" Emma wasn't sure why she was asking. Maybe it was the attorney in her, but something about the way Robin had said that had her instincts kicking in. Something was odd here. Maybe not exactly anything bad, but just off.

Robin drained her glass of wine, and when she put it down, picked up the bottle and poured more into it. This was her third glass to Emma's one. The woman could drink!

"What do you mean specific?"

"You said mom and son. I get not wanting a man after what happened to you and others, but it could be mom and daughters or a gay couple or a single person who wants a big house, some kids going to school in town."

Robin took another sip of wine. A stalling tactic, if she'd ever seen one. Wow, she was in interrogation mode.

"You're very astute, Emma." Robin told her.

"Comes with the profession."

“Or just plain old women's intuition," she chuckled.

“But you're right. I was looking for a couple just like you and your son."