Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [41]
“Put it back for a rainy day, Shantara. You don’t owe me a thing.”
Shantara kissed Alex on the cheek, and Alex noticed that one of the workers he’d met earlier, Tom Lane, was watching them closely from the shadows.
As he stepped out of the darkness into the light, Tom looked quickly away, but not before Alex saw the young man’s burning cheeks.
Alex said, “Don’t look now, but I think you’ve got an admirer.”
Shantara turned and saw Tom watching them. He smiled gently at her as he moved toward them. “Tom’s had a crush on me since he was twelve. He’s still just a boy, Alex.”
“Don’t tell him that. He’s in his early twenties, isn’t he?”
Shantara shrugged. “Something like that, but he’s still too young for me.”
Alex smiled. “Don’t be so sure. Look at Bill and Rachel.”
Shantara laughed. “That’s not the greatest example in the world, now, is it? We both know how well that’s working out, don’t we? No thanks. I think I’ll stick to men my own age.”
Alex said, “That’s really cutting down on the dating pool around Elkton Falls, isn’t it? You might have to go back to your first boyfriend and start the circle all over again.”
Shantara’s laughter was infectious. “No thank you. he’s as round as a basketball and as bald as a rock.” She sighed heavily and added. “Alex. I swear I’m going to sleep for a week, and I’m starting tonight.”
Tom made it a point to approach them. His voice was stilted and formal as he asked, “Where would you like these boxes?”
“Why don’t you bring your truck over here, Tom, and we can load all this up. If you don’t mind the extra work, you can help me haul everything back to my store. I’d be happy to pay you extra.”
“You don’t have to. Shantara. I don’t mind helping,” he muttered as he turned his back on them and walked off.
“Now what was that all about?” Shantara asked. “He’s never acted that way around me before.”
“He thinks we were laughing at him instead of each other,” Alex said.
“Oh, my, I just hate ruffled feathers. Excuse me. Alex, I’d better go talk to him.”
He saw the two of them in deep conversation, then after a few minutes, Tom walked quickly to his truck with a new spring in his step as Shantara rejoined Alex.
“Whatever you said to him, it surely worked.” Alex said.
“Alex Winston, if you give me grief about this. I swear I’ll never forgive you.”
“What did I say?” Alex asked innocently.
“It’s not what you said, it’s what you’re going to say when I tell you I’m having dinner with Tom tomorrow night. I’m still not sure how it happened.”
Alex smiled at her. “I’m just going to say one thing, then I promise I’ll shut up.”
Shantara’s nose crinkled as she said, “Go ahead. I suppose I deserve it.”
“I hope you two have a nice time,” Alex said as he walked back to the inn alone.
The phone was ringing as Alex hurried back inside. It was late for anyone who knew him to be calling, but Alex hoped there was word about Marilynn’s condition.
It took him a second to realize it was Elise on the other end of the phone as she said, “I was about ready to give up on you. I’ve tried calling three times already this evening.”
“I’m sorry, Elise. I’ve been away from the desk, and I forgot to put the answering machine on with everything that’s been going on around here. How’s your father doing?”
“He came out of surgery a few hours ago. Everything went better than they expected. The doctor seems to think he’ll be out of here in no time.”
The relief in her voice was obvious.
“I’m so happy for you,” Alex said.
“So, what’s been happening there?” she asked.
For a moment Alex considered postponing telling her about Marilynn Baxter’s attempted suicide, but he knew Elise would be furious if she found out he’d been holding back on her.
“Elise,