[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
was around.
Feeling completely alone, he approached the stairs and began to descend. He kept a lookout
while trying to open the door, but it wouldn t budge. It was locked. He looked down at the doorknob
and saw a keyhole. Damn! he muttered, knowing at once that a key, somewhere, was needed to open
it. But where was it? Could it be hidden? Lost? He looked around on the ground, then felt along the
door frame above the door, but found nothing. He stood wondering if he should break in. He examined
the lock, finding it rusty and antiquated. Apparently it hadn t been used in years. In spite of the age, he
knew he could do it, but it would be difficult. He decided he would make a brief search for the key
first, but if he couldn t find it, then he would force the lock.
He put the picnic basket down and went up the steps, being thankful that the weather was cool
and the sun wasn t directly overhead. He could leave it there where it would be out of sight, snuggling
in a cool shadow until he returned.
He hoped it would be done with the key ... otherwise he could be suspended for breaking and
entering when the showdown finally came.
CHAPTER TWELVE
As soon as Shadoe opened the door of the inn, his eyes fell on Lucretia. He was disappointed
to see her. He had been hoping he d catch her away from the desk, but there she was, big as life, as
usual, and even uglier than he remembered.
Lucretia looked up, surprised to see Shadoe. Picnic over already? she asked.
Not quite, he said. I just thought of something I need to do. He walked to the desk
hesitantly, his mind racing as he spied the key rack behind her. His eyes followed the long board, until
he came to the very end where a hook with two keys dangled. One well used, the other old and rusty. A
word was inscribed above them & basement.
Something I can help you with? she said, bringing both his thoughts and his eyes back to
her.
You know the church I told you about? he said, almost shyly.
Yes, she said, while working.
You were right. It wasn t there when I went back. He laughed, trying to act embarrassed.
She smiled, coming under his spell. I knew it wouldn t be. After all, I ve lived here all my
life, Mr. Madison. You should learn to listen to people.
You re right, of course. I guess I must have been dreaming. How the hell was he going to
get rid of her? Finally he said, I came back to get a bottle of wine. Can t have a picnic without a bottle
of wine.
The kitchen is closed, you ll have to order it from Room Service.
Yes I know, he said, watching her closely. You know, I hate to go all the way back up to
my room. Could you do it for me since I ll be taking it with me?
I suppose, she replied, laying her pen down and picking up the phone. Any preferences?
she asked, angling her eyes up at him. White, red?
House wine will be fine & red if you have it, he said, thinking of the roast beef.
Waiting only a moment, she said, Paula, bring a bottle of the red house wine to the front
desk. Yes, thankyou. After hanging up the phone she reached for something, but couldn t find it. She
lifted papers, folders, then looked toward the door behind her.
Lose something?
Yes & would you excuse me, I lost my glasses. I must have taken them off in the back room
and laid them down. I won t be a minute.
What a break, Shadoe thought. Take your time. I ll just step over here and wait for the
wine.
He shuffled backward, but kept his eyes angled on her, ready to jump when she was out of
sight. Instead she stopped and looked back at him suspiciously. I can trust you to leave the register
alone, can t I?
Shadoe forced a laugh as if she d made a joke, then lifted his hands. I won t touch a thing &
promise.
The minute she was out of view he hurried over to the counter. Just as he was about to reach
for the keys, a girl appeared around a corner carrying his wine, followed by Lucretia stepping out of the
back room, carrying her glasses. What now? Shadoe thought. Then an idea came to him. Say & uh &
Paula, he said, suddenly remembering her name. Could you bring out two glasses and a corkscrew?
Sure, she said, then turned and disappeared around the corner.
He was jumping inside, precious time passing while he waited for the girl to appear with the
items he had requested. When she had, he quickly jumped at her, grabbing them from her hands and
putting them on the desk with the wine. Then looking at Lucretia, he cleared his throat self-
consciously. With the flair of a fine gentleman, he bowed slightly and said, Ms. Van Dare, may I
escort you to a table?
She looked up from what she was doing. What?
Please, he said, indicating toward the dining room. I d like to speak with you for a
moment. May I?
She frowned and angled a suspicious look at him. What are you up to now, Mr. Madison?
He gave her a flirtatious smile. I assure you my intentions are honorable.
Why the dining room? Why can t we talk here?
He frowned in distaste. Too officious. For what I have in mind we need a social setting.
Not sure why she was humoring him, Lucretia came out from behind the desk slowly,
watching him as if she didn t trust him.
He gently led her to the dining room, then to a table in the corner, making sure it was private,
and obstructed her view of the desk.
He pulled her chair out and she became watchful. As she slowly sat down, she said, I almost
expected you to pull it out from under me.
Ms. Van Da-- His words stopped abruptly, his face softened, and he flashed her his most
charming smile. Lucretia, he continued, his words a sexy whisper as he took her hand in his. What a
beautiful name.
Mr. Madison, what...?
Shadoe, he said, please call me Shadoe.
Is this some kind of joke? she asked, looking at him in total disbelief, then narrowed her
eyes. Just what are you up to? This isn t your way of getting an interview out of me is it?
As a matter of fact.... Unexpectedly, he stopped his flow of words and looked around. It [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl rafalstec.xlx.pl
was around.
Feeling completely alone, he approached the stairs and began to descend. He kept a lookout
while trying to open the door, but it wouldn t budge. It was locked. He looked down at the doorknob
and saw a keyhole. Damn! he muttered, knowing at once that a key, somewhere, was needed to open
it. But where was it? Could it be hidden? Lost? He looked around on the ground, then felt along the
door frame above the door, but found nothing. He stood wondering if he should break in. He examined
the lock, finding it rusty and antiquated. Apparently it hadn t been used in years. In spite of the age, he
knew he could do it, but it would be difficult. He decided he would make a brief search for the key
first, but if he couldn t find it, then he would force the lock.
He put the picnic basket down and went up the steps, being thankful that the weather was cool
and the sun wasn t directly overhead. He could leave it there where it would be out of sight, snuggling
in a cool shadow until he returned.
He hoped it would be done with the key ... otherwise he could be suspended for breaking and
entering when the showdown finally came.
CHAPTER TWELVE
As soon as Shadoe opened the door of the inn, his eyes fell on Lucretia. He was disappointed
to see her. He had been hoping he d catch her away from the desk, but there she was, big as life, as
usual, and even uglier than he remembered.
Lucretia looked up, surprised to see Shadoe. Picnic over already? she asked.
Not quite, he said. I just thought of something I need to do. He walked to the desk
hesitantly, his mind racing as he spied the key rack behind her. His eyes followed the long board, until
he came to the very end where a hook with two keys dangled. One well used, the other old and rusty. A
word was inscribed above them & basement.
Something I can help you with? she said, bringing both his thoughts and his eyes back to
her.
You know the church I told you about? he said, almost shyly.
Yes, she said, while working.
You were right. It wasn t there when I went back. He laughed, trying to act embarrassed.
She smiled, coming under his spell. I knew it wouldn t be. After all, I ve lived here all my
life, Mr. Madison. You should learn to listen to people.
You re right, of course. I guess I must have been dreaming. How the hell was he going to
get rid of her? Finally he said, I came back to get a bottle of wine. Can t have a picnic without a bottle
of wine.
The kitchen is closed, you ll have to order it from Room Service.
Yes I know, he said, watching her closely. You know, I hate to go all the way back up to
my room. Could you do it for me since I ll be taking it with me?
I suppose, she replied, laying her pen down and picking up the phone. Any preferences?
she asked, angling her eyes up at him. White, red?
House wine will be fine & red if you have it, he said, thinking of the roast beef.
Waiting only a moment, she said, Paula, bring a bottle of the red house wine to the front
desk. Yes, thankyou. After hanging up the phone she reached for something, but couldn t find it. She
lifted papers, folders, then looked toward the door behind her.
Lose something?
Yes & would you excuse me, I lost my glasses. I must have taken them off in the back room
and laid them down. I won t be a minute.
What a break, Shadoe thought. Take your time. I ll just step over here and wait for the
wine.
He shuffled backward, but kept his eyes angled on her, ready to jump when she was out of
sight. Instead she stopped and looked back at him suspiciously. I can trust you to leave the register
alone, can t I?
Shadoe forced a laugh as if she d made a joke, then lifted his hands. I won t touch a thing &
promise.
The minute she was out of view he hurried over to the counter. Just as he was about to reach
for the keys, a girl appeared around a corner carrying his wine, followed by Lucretia stepping out of the
back room, carrying her glasses. What now? Shadoe thought. Then an idea came to him. Say & uh &
Paula, he said, suddenly remembering her name. Could you bring out two glasses and a corkscrew?
Sure, she said, then turned and disappeared around the corner.
He was jumping inside, precious time passing while he waited for the girl to appear with the
items he had requested. When she had, he quickly jumped at her, grabbing them from her hands and
putting them on the desk with the wine. Then looking at Lucretia, he cleared his throat self-
consciously. With the flair of a fine gentleman, he bowed slightly and said, Ms. Van Dare, may I
escort you to a table?
She looked up from what she was doing. What?
Please, he said, indicating toward the dining room. I d like to speak with you for a
moment. May I?
She frowned and angled a suspicious look at him. What are you up to now, Mr. Madison?
He gave her a flirtatious smile. I assure you my intentions are honorable.
Why the dining room? Why can t we talk here?
He frowned in distaste. Too officious. For what I have in mind we need a social setting.
Not sure why she was humoring him, Lucretia came out from behind the desk slowly,
watching him as if she didn t trust him.
He gently led her to the dining room, then to a table in the corner, making sure it was private,
and obstructed her view of the desk.
He pulled her chair out and she became watchful. As she slowly sat down, she said, I almost
expected you to pull it out from under me.
Ms. Van Da-- His words stopped abruptly, his face softened, and he flashed her his most
charming smile. Lucretia, he continued, his words a sexy whisper as he took her hand in his. What a
beautiful name.
Mr. Madison, what...?
Shadoe, he said, please call me Shadoe.
Is this some kind of joke? she asked, looking at him in total disbelief, then narrowed her
eyes. Just what are you up to? This isn t your way of getting an interview out of me is it?
As a matter of fact.... Unexpectedly, he stopped his flow of words and looked around. It [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]