Part 33 (2/2)
”We could meet in the afternoon,” she said lightly. To her surprise and dismay, he didn't reply right away, but stared out the front window. And as she watched him, she was dismayed by the sudden surge of arousal that raced through her just because he was there. She was far too accustomed to him being hers, knowing the scent of him, the strengths of his profile, the look and feel of his hands, the length of him, flesh and sinew, even the way that he breathed...
”I'm going to see some folks tomorrow.”
”Oh? Who?”
”The people who gave us that great review and got us national coverage. They're from New Orleans you know, but they're on their way up here for Halloween, covering more of the goings-on. Anyway, we're going to meet for coffee.”
”Don't you want me to come?”
”You'll see them tomorrow night, I imagine. They're going to stick around a while.”
No, he didn't want her to come!
”How curious,” she said, studying him.
”Why?”
”Did they get in touch with you somehow?”
”Um, no. I called them.”
”You did? Why?”
”Remember the book I accidentally lifted from Morwenna's shop? I still have to pay her for that, come to think of it. Anyway, there was a number in back of the book. I called it-”
”Whatever made you do that?”
”I wanted to say thanks.”
Megan wondered if he had hesitated a split second before answering.
”Thanks?”
”National coverage, Megan. Remember?”
”Yes, of course. And naturally, I'd like to thank them as well.”
”They're going to be around,” he repeated, then exited the car. She felt completely rebuffed, frustrated, and uneasy.
But he paused before shutting the door.
”I love you, Megan,” he said softly. ”Don't ever doubt that.”
The door closed. He walked over, and she heard the sound of the ignition catching in his car. She headed out of the parking lot.
A few minutes later, they reached Martha's. Megan parked the car, and Finn did the same. He came up behind her, saying, ”I'll walk you to the door.”Martha had left the porch light on for her. It cast a glow of illumination well across the yard, but Finn was frowning.
”What's the matter?”
”There's nothing but woods behind this place,” Finn said.
”A lot of New England is woods,” she reminded him.
”She should have a big German shepherd, or a Rottweiler. ”
Megan smiled. ”We're not that far! Aunt Martha has neighbors-and you know yourself, the hotel is actually not far from here, either.”
He nodded. She touched his arm. They were both getting ridiculously paranoid. ”Do you want to come in-check in the closets?”
she asked softly, half teasing, half not.
He c.o.c.ked his head, considering his reply. ”I'll come in for a minute.”
Ever considerate, Martha had left the kitchen light on as well. They walked through the shadows of the foyer and parlor where Finn hesitated. ”Don't stay here,” he said suddenly.
”What?”
”I think... it's the woods,” he murmured.
She studied him. ”Finn, it's Aunt Martha's house. Apple pie and the American flag.”
”I don't... I don't know why, but something is bothering me. I think that I really don't like the fact that we're off the beaten track.”
He lifted his hands. ”And there isn't even a great big dog. Or an alarm system.”
”Because nothing happens here,” she said. ”Come in the kitchen. I'll make tea.”
She walked through to the kitchen, aware that he was following her. There were early-American bar stools at an island counter.
”Sit,” she told him. When he did so, she filled the kettle and set it on the stove, then reached up into a cabinet for the tea bags.
”I don't want to wake Martha,” he said quietly.
”We won't wake her. Her room is upstairs, on the other side of the house.” She laughed softly and suddenly. ”Finn! Look at this.”
”What?”
Megan swept out a hand, indicating two mugs on the counter beneath the cabinet where she'd been rummaging. There was a note in front. Megan picked it up and read, ”Just in case Finn sees you home. Two very special hot chocolates. Add boiling water-and a touch of milk if you like.”
”Bless the sweet old bird,” Finn said.
The kettle began to whistle, and Megan filled the mugs with the water.
She started to walk by him to the refrigerator. He caught her arm as she walked by, spinning her back to him.
”And where is your room?”
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