Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [23]
“Anywhere is fine with me,” she agreed as they walked inside. Jenny made a point of closing the door behind her, and Alex was surprised when she slid the barrel lock in place as well.
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
“You can start by forgiving me,” Jenny said as she stepped closer. “I know what you must think of me after the foolish way I acted earlier.”
Alex took a step back. “There’s nothing to forgive. This murder has everybody out of sorts.”
She said gently, “I still don’t know what got into me.” Jenny smiled slightly. “Alex, should I be offended you weren’t even tempted by my offer of reconciliation?”
“No ma’am, that’s not it at all. Honestly, it’s got nothing to do with you,” Alex said.
“You’re telling me that there’s not even the slightest chance of us going out again?”
He hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings, but he obviously had. Alex said softly, “On a date? No, but I’d be happy to do something with you as a friend. I’m sorry.”
Jenny said lightly, “Oh well. I suppose Elise must have something to do with it. She really is quite lovely, isn’t she?”
“Jenny, there’s nothing going on between us. Our relationship is strictly business. Elise is on leave handling a family medical emergency. As soon as it resolves itself, she’ll be back at Hatteras West. Why is everyone—” His words were cut off by the telephone.
“Excuse me,” Alex said as he answered, “The Hatteras West Inn.”
“Hi Alex, it’s Elise. I just got in.”
“It’s good to hear your voice. Can you hold on one second?” He covered the mouthpiece and told Jenny, “I’m sorry, but I need to take this.”
Jenny nodded as she quietly left the room, closing the door behind her. As soon as she was gone, Alex bolted it. He wasn’t in the mood for any interruptions. “Sorry about that. So how’s your dad doing?”
“He’s scared, Alex. It just about breaks my heart to see a man as strong as he is so afraid.”
“How’s your mom holding up?”
Elise laughed softly. “She’s already tried to feed me twice since I walked in the door. I swear, if I hang around here too long, I’m not going to be able to fit into any of my clothes. Any new developments on the murder?”
“Nothing I’ve been able to pick up on. Armstrong’s playing this one pretty close to the vest. Listen, you shouldn’t be worrying about that, Elise. You’ve got enough on your mind.”
“Believe me, I could use the distraction. This place is like a big empty cave without any guests.”
Alex knew Elise’s parents ran an inn much like his own, with one important exception: there was no lighthouse on their property. “What happened to everybody?”
“Mom canceled all our reservations until we get through this. There were only a few people scheduled, and they’ve all been staying here for years, so they understood. Alex, I know I need to be here, but I still feel guilty about leaving you like I did.”
Alex started to say something when he heard a strong male voice in the background calling to her, “Elise, we need to go now!”
“Emergency?” Alex asked, concerned.
“Nothing like that, but I’d better say good-bye. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Keep me posted,” Alex said to dead air.
The conversation with Elise had done nothing to ease his mind. It seemed like she’d barely thought of him since she’d left. That male voice in the background had to be her fiancé, Peter Asheford.
Alex knew he had to stop feeling sorry for himself as he hung up the phone. Her father was going into major surgery. Of course she needed to be there with him. As for Peter Asheford, he had every right to be there as well. No matter how much he wished otherwise, Elise was engaged to another man. But he knew in his heart that she was coming back; Hatteras West had a hold on her.
What Alex had to do was to stop listening to all the tongue wagging in Elkton Falls and get on with his life.
After a sandwich and a glass of ice-cold milk, Alex decided to walk the grounds to see how badly they’d been trampled by all of the visitors to the fair. The heavy turnout was a real boon for Shantara, but it had been nothing short of a nightmare for him. Alex was beginning