The Midnight Hour - Brenda Jackson [101]
"It will be best if we stay on the same side of the house," he said.
"That's fine," she responded, grateful that he hadn't assumed they would be sharing a bed. She followed him down a huge hall to a beautifully decorated guest room with shiny hardwood floors and an intriguing design of wallpaper that enhanced the solid blue curtains and bedspread. Although it appeared to have the tone of a masculine room, a huge vase °f dried flowers sat on the nightstand next to the bed. And just like she knew from memory, a stone fireplace was in every bedroom.
"Everything looks neat and comfortable," she said, turning around in appreciation, trying to keep her gaze off the bed. It was too big for one person and just the right size for two.
"Although I'm not here most of the time, I have a woman from town who was a friend of my grandmother, Mrs. Gillette, drop by every so often to keep the place up. I contacted her before leaving Houston and asked that she pick up a few things from the grocery store so I wouldn't have to go out," Drake said, placing her luggage on the bed.
Tori forced her attention away from the size of the bed to what Drake was saying. "That was a good idea."
He turned to face her again. "I'll leave you to rest up while I switch the security system. The one on now is the one I use to alert the local police of anything when I'm away for long periods of time."
She raised a brow. "But I thought you said the law enforcement authorities have no jurisdiction on your land."
"They don't, except for when I give it to them. The local cops and I have an understanding. Besides, Roy and I grew up together."
She raised her brow again. "Who's Roy?"
"The sheriff. You didn't meet him the last time you were here because he moved back to these parts from Wyoming a few years ago." He glanced at his watch. "I'll also start something for dinner." He met her gaze and grinned. "I also asked Mrs. Gillette to make sure she bought a gallon of milk since you seem to enjoy drinking it."
Her pulse accelerated with the look of amusement on his face. He had such a sexy grin. "Thanks."
He nodded. She then watched as he turned and walked out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Tori wasn't sure how long she had slept but she awoke from her nap to the smell of chicken frying. She slowly pulled herself up in bed, still feeling somewhat tired.
After Drake had left her alone she had quickly unpacked. Then gathering some clean clothes in her arms, and being careful not to drop anything this time, she had walked across the hall to the bathroom where she had indulged herself in a long leisurely bath in the oversized tub. Then she had returned to the bedroom, stretched across the bed, and wearing nothing but an oversized T-shirt and panties, had dozed off.
Standing, she slipped out of the T-shirt and went into the closet to get the skirt and blouse she had hung up earlier. Within minutes she was dressed and walking down the hall to where she knew the kitchen was located.
Drake glanced up from stirring something at the stove when she walked in. "I see you remembered your way," he said, smiling.
"Yes, but it would not have mattered if I hadn't. I would have simply followed the smell of food."
He chuckled. "Hungry?"
She nodded. "Starving."
"Good. Everything is ready and I can bring you up to date on a call I received from Hawk an hour or so ago while we eat."
Tori nodded again. "While you're finishing with that, I'll set the table," she said.
"Thanks."
Drake watched as she walked over to the cabinets and began taking down plates. He stopped stirring the pot of vegetables to watch