Good Deed Bad Deed, Marcia Morgan [summer beach reads TXT] 📗

She turned to Hugh and asked, “Do you think those two have something going?”

“What do you mean by ‘going?’ Do you mean are they involved? Sleeping together?”

“No, from the little I’ve seen I don’t think it’s gone that far yet. I just wondered if you sensed the same electricity between them. It’s not what they say—it’s their body language. Have you noticed that they actually try not to touch, at least not in front of us?”

“From the story they told, they were thrown into the deep water, relationship-wise. Their first meeting ended in an all night vigil in a hotel room, with her taking responsibility for his wellbeing. That says a lot about her. And they’ve stuck together through what’s happened so far. I’d say they seem well on their way to ‘something.’ We’ll just have to wait it out. But I do agree with you. There’s a connection between them, yet I think at this point it’s all in their heads—neither one has taken the first step as yet. It should be Ben.”

“But sometimes men are blind to these things, or they wait too long. I don’t want to let that happen. He deserves some happiness after what Valerie put him through. He stayed too long, put up with too much. Guess I have to admit I was proud of him though. We raised him to take marriage seriously. A lot of good it did him.”

“Now Paris, let us not go back there. Let’s look ahead. We’ll get this whole mess sorted out and then sit back and let nature take its course—and hope for the best. I like her too, so far.”

“I just realized—with everything that happened today I forgot to call Ben. Now I’m nervous.”

“If you can’t wait, call him on your mobile. Then you can try to enjoy the rest of the ride,” he said, his voice slightly impatient, but tempered with affection.

Paris reached for the phone in her briefcase. Her hand brushed against the file she had decided to bring with her at the last minute. She wanted to read it all again. There was something stirring in the back of her mind, but she couldn’t put a finger on it. There was a coincidence brewing, but she couldn’t quite identify it. If she stared at the words long enough, whatever it was might become clear. But now Ben was the priority.

She dialed their home and after five rings Edith answered, sounding harried and more than a little bit annoyed. “McKinnon residence, Edith speaking,” she said and then waited for the caller to speak.

“It’s me, Edith—Paris. We’re on the road—should be there in less than half an hour. I’m calling to check on Ben. Is he there?”

“They must be around here somewhere. Last time I saw them they were playing with Sir Freddie. When I got back from shopping he was following everywhere at Ben’s heels. He told me the furry rascal had been in the fountain again. Said they dried him off, and he took a nap in the sun for a while. Let me look outside and see where they’ve gotten to. Do you want to talk to Ben?”

“I don’t need to talk to him. Just see if they’re right outside. I want to put my mind at ease. I’ll wait while you check.” Paris sat quietly looking out the car window, watching the countryside whiz by while she waited to hear that her son had respected his father’s request that they both stay put. Within several minutes Edith returned, picked up the receiver and spoke to Paris. “They’re in the kitchen garden, fooling with the pea shoots. Sir Freddie is sitting outside the gate looking forlorn at having been left out.”

Paris laughed and sighed with relief. “See you soon. How’s dinner coming? Don’t answer that—it’s always coming on well. You’re a fabulous cook. You spoil us. And I have dessert, as promised.” With that, she rang off and put her phone back in the briefcase. “All’s well for tonight, but we have tomorrow ahead of us. Looks like we may finally find out what those dregs of society want from me. I know I’ll be pressured in some way. Can’t imagine what we’ll do then.”

Hugh knew that she was frightened and had no intention of leaving her side until the whole mess was sorted. In the meantime, he wanted to keep his concerns from her, as well as from Ben and Ana. He asked her if she was satisfied, at least for the moment, and she answered him by reaching over and patting his leg affectionately. They rode on in silence. Thoreau would have to wait for another day.

CHAPTER TEN

Valerie entered the bustling café, a popular spot for employees working in office buildings nearby. She was shown to a table for two in a shady corner of the outdoor seating area. Olivia had never been a consistently punctual person, and Valerie hoped this would not be one of her late arrivals. A waiter approached but she declined ordering, saying she would wait for her friend. Earlier in the day her part of London had been immersed in a sultry rain-like fog, but it had dispersed almost as quickly as it had descended. Puddles remained on the tile flooring where the tables stood protected by large umbrellas. Drops of moisture still balanced on the leaves of the few potted plants, and she noticed how they sparkled in the sunlight. A manicured boxwood hedge defined the space, and a few of its inhabitants hopped around, in and out of puddles, chirping and foraging for crumbs. Valerie made these observations while sorting out how she would present Olivia with the idea of a trip. It was cool in the shade, so Valerie pulled on her cashmere cardigan and settled back in the chair, continuing to watch the entrance for her friend’s arrival.

Pinning Olivia down to a lunch commitment had been difficult. Evidently she had a new