Read Online Actions Speak Louder by Rosemarie Naramore - Free Book Online Page B

go,” Marcia said, pulling away from Ethan’s embrace. 
    He didn’t immediately speak, but watched her with sympathetic eyes.  “Are you sure you don’t want to talk?”
    She nodded her head.  “Yes, I’m okay.  Really.”
    “I have a couple shoulders if you need one,” he offered, spreading his hands expansively.
    “Thanks, but no.  I’ve taken enough of your time.”
    “Well, okay,” he said finally, still watching her with concern. 
    She turned toward the door but froze when she heard a loud bang from above.  She turned back and caught Ethan’s gaze.
    “What the heck was that?” he muttered.
    She shook her head.  “That didn’t sound good.”
    He gave a lopsided, but fearful grin.  “Did the roof just cave in?”
    Marcia glanced upward, wincing, as if she expected the roof to fall on her head.  Thankfully, no debris came raining down on them.
    “I’d better check it out,” he muttered.  He paused, as if expecting her to turn back to the door and walk out of it.  She didn’t, but started up the stairs instead. 
    “Where are you going?” he asked with surprise, bringing her to a stop with a hand on her elbow.
    “I can’t let you go up there alone,” she whispered, looking up to the landing at the top of the stairs.
    “I can’t let you go up there at all,” he told her, aghast.
    “Why?” she inquired with interest.
    “You could get hurt.”
    “And so could you.”
    “Yeah, well, this is my house, so if someone has to get hurt, it had better be me.”
    “I’m not letting you go up there alone,” she declared firmly.  “We’ll go together.”
    Ethan paused.  “You don’t think the would-be burglar has a friend, do you?”
    Marcia’s eyes widened.  “Should we call the police?”
    He considered the question, but shook his head.  “No, I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for that sonic boom.”
    She chuckled uncertainly.  “Let’s hope so.”  She started up the stairs again, but Ethan pulled her to a stop again. 
    “Would you let me go first?  Please .”
    “Okay, but don’t trip over your—”  Her eyes did a pass over his body, currently still draped with the drop cloth.  “—Toga,” she finished with a subdued laugh.
    He colored with embarrassment.  “Hey, it turns out I didn’t have any clean pajamas.  I mean, well, I don’t actually wear pajamas when I sleep, but…”
    “No explanation necessary,” she assured him, waving him quiet.
    Together they crept up the stairs, Ethan holding her arm, lest she fall off the banister-less stairway.  At the landing, he paused, glancing around.  Suddenly, another loud boom emanated from above, causing both of them to jump.
    “It’s in the attic,” he whispered.  “I’m going to grab a flashlight.”
    Marcia followed him into what was apparently serving as his bedroom.  It was dark, but her eyes adjusted soon enough.  She saw the room was stark, with its air mattress and haphazard arrangement of clothing strewn on the floor.  She saw the phone and answering machine near the mattress, as well as a large, open suitcase.  Glancing across the room, she noticed the window was absent any covering, and she realized that Ethan might be unwittingly giving the woman across the street a show each evening.      
    “Ethan,” she whispered, deciding to warn him about the nosy neighbor, “you probably should put something over that window because...”
    “Yeah, I know,” he muttered, as he searched for his flashlight.  Hadn’t he left it beside the mattress?
    “No, I mean, you really might want to cover up that window.”
    “I’ll get around to it,” he murmured.  “Where did I put that flashlight?”
    “Ethan!  Listen to me!” she hissed in a loud whisper, “Mrs. Jamison across the street is retired.  She’s lonely, bored, and has the whole neighborhood on speed dial.  If you think you’re going to make this neighborhood a permanent home some day, it would behoove you to