The second book in the 2001 Ways to Wed series, 2001

Phoebe Lane knocked on her downstairs neighbor's door. The sound of multi-cat yowling greeted her from the other side. "Frannie?" she called. "You home?"

"One minute, one minute," Frannie called. "I'd probably scare you if I came to the door naked, now, wouldn't I?" A moment later the door opened, and Frannie welcomed Phoebe with a smile and slightly bleary eyes. Her red beehive pouf of hair was a little flat on one side and not quite as perky as usual.

"Oh, Frannie, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you out of bed."

"That's okay, hon, come on in before the cats get out." She dragged Phoebe in by the elbow. The cats-Phoebe saw at least six-had no intention of escaping. They knew where their meal ticket was. They followed Frannie with adoring eyes and twitching tails, as she led Phoebe into the kitchen and put the coffee on. "I needed to get up, anyway, and feed my babies."

Frannie managed to hold the coffeepot under the tap with one hand while pouring dry cat food into several pet bowls with the other. Phoebe could only hope Frannie didn't get mixed up and put cat food in the coffeemaker.

"What's got you up so early on a Saturday morning?" Frannie asked.

"It's our new neighbor. His car is in the carport, so he must be home for a change. I was hoping I could get a look at him. I bet we can see his balcony from your patio."

Frannie's eyes sparkled. "The mysterious, reclusive Wyatt Madison. Why can't you spy on his balcony from the courtyard?"

"I can't see his balcony through those overachiever palm trees growing from your patio," Phoebe explained.

"And what makes you think Mr. Madison will come out on his balcony this particular morning?"