Read Online Cherry Blossoms by Patricia Keyson - Free Book Online Page B

see anything unusual.
    “ That car!”
    It was a red TVR , and meant nothing to Cherry.
    “ It belongs to Darius. What the hell’s he doing back so soon?”

Chapter Eleven
    Oliver was polite enough to open the car door for Cherry before marching off to find out what Darius was up to. Cherry couldn’t see a problem. She’d been surprised when Darius had gone to the conference, but he wasn’t the sort of man, in Cherry’s opinion, to spend a few days being told what to do. Obviously, he didn’t have an overwhelming interest in the hotel business. Hopefully Oliver would have time to change out of his damp jeans before confronting Darius.
    She opened the car boot and starte d unloading the picnic things. It had been a wonderful time and she’d loved being on the river. Crumpled up on the floor of the boot were Oliver’s socks. He said he couldn’t drive without shoes and he felt uncomfortable in wet socks. It was funny, reflected Cherry, a giggle threatening, how she found even his feet attractive. Tucking the socks into her pocket, she carried the picnic things back into the hotel. After she’d sorted them all out, she headed for the cottage.
    Cherry was delighted to ha ve all these rooms to herself. It was wonderful to have separate bedrooms and more living space. She’d stayed up late the night before trying out the oven. And it was such a luxury to have a washing machine and loads of hot water on tap. Almost without thinking, she ran herself a deep bath, pouring in vanilla and cocoa butter scented oil. Then she dashed to the bedroom for a book and the portable radio. She’d make up for her day at the river being cut short by spending some time in the bath! A luxury she’d been without while living on the boat.
    Very comfortable and warm, Cherry turned the pages of her Scarpetta crime novel, soothed by the piano music playing in the background. Suddenly, she sat upright, splashing water over the side of the bath. What on earth was she doing? Technically, she was still supposed to be at work. Because of her time on the river and the picnic, she’d forgotten that it was a working day out. Oliver had said he needed to know what sort of boats they wanted and how many. Pulling out the plug, she scrambled out of the bath, drenching her book, and dried herself before dressing in cream trousers and a lilac blouse. Her hair had gone frizzy from the humidity in the bathroom, but she had no time to try and tame it properly, just running a brush through it.
    Ten minutes later , she was sitting at the desk in the office, a pad of paper in front of her, chewing on the end of a biro.
    “ Ah good, you’ve made a start.” Oliver came into the room, looking smart in a suit again, giving no indication that he’d stormed off, fallen in the river, or kissed her so deliciously.
    Cherry pretended to be engrossed with scribbling lists onto the page and didn’t look up. Eventually, she handed over the pad and said, “Here are my ideas. I hope you’ll find them satisfactory. Now, if it’s all right with you,” she glanced at her watch, “I have to go and pick up Jay.”
    Oliver’s head jerked up. “But I thought he was with Maurice.”
    “ They’ve spent the day together, yes, but I can’t expect Maurice to look after him any longer. I think I’ve done all I can here today. If I think of anything further, I’ll make notes this evening and continue tomorrow. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
    “ Cherry . . .” Oliver started, but she swept out of the room.
    * * *
    “It was great, Mum. You should have been there. I caught a whopper!” Jay exclaimed. “It was that big.” He extended his arms as far as he could.
    “ Sounds as though it would have fed us all.”
    “Oh, most fishermen throw their catch back. It’s the thrill of the catch, not the kill,” Jay recited.
    Cherry smiled to herself. Jay and Maurice had evidently had a good time together.
    “ What shall we do now, Mum?” They were lounging on the sofa in