Read Online Inn on the Edge by Gail Bridges - Free Book Online Page B

horrified. Why on earth had I been holding hands with him?
What was wrong with me?
    I wiped my hand again.
    We heard music wafting from the dining room.
    “Villa-Lobos,” said Josh in a soft, dreamy voice, cocking
his head, listening to the sound system. He also wiped the palm of his hands on
his pants. “That’s Villa-Lobos Prelude Number One! Classical guitar. I’d know
that piece anywhere.”
    The old man clapped his hands. His face lit up. “Quite
right! Your preferred instrument, if I’m not mistaken. I assume you yourself
have played this very number, numerous times. Yes, I thought so. I chose this
morning’s musical selections especially for you, Joshua Taylor.”
    “Really? Um…thanks.”
    “It is also a favorite of mine.”
    Josh glanced at me, his look as clear as if he’d spoken
aloud— any place that plays classical guitar music must be a good place.
    I shrugged.
    Right, Angie? A good place?
    Maybe. He had a point. The music sounded like home.
Comforting.
    We followed our host into the dining hall. It was a long,
narrow room with an equally long, narrow table running down the center of it. A
chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting glinting sparkles on the ten people
seated at the table. They stared at us, curious. And I admit it, I was curious
about them too.
    I was feeling better. Much better.
    “And now—let me introduce the last of our guests!” said the
old man. “Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Taylor!”
    Greetings and scattered applause came from around the table.
    The old man clapped his hands. Four people leaped to their
feet, two men and two women. I recognized Zenith. And Zora. Zenith gave a
slight wave of her hand and tossed her Burnt Sienna hair, which was even
prettier in daylight.
    Now I was enjoying myself.
    “My Guides are the specialty of this establishment!”
continued the old man, squeezing my arm, winking at Josh. “To a person they are
exquisitely trained. Experts in their field. You shall come to know my Guides
quite well. I promise.”
    Really? How well? When?
    “First is the lovely Zenith, my treasure, whom you already
know.”
    Zenith waved again.
    “And my darling Zora. I believe you’ve spoken with her
through closed doors?” He indicated the short, energetic-looking woman with the
halo of blonde curly hair.
    I hid a smile behind my hand.
    She looked exactly as I imagined someone named Zora ought to
look, bouncing on the balls of her feet, tossing her hair, fluttering her
hands. She batted her eyes at Josh and I didn’t even mind because she was so
darned cute .
    “Pleased to meet you,” she trilled happily.
    I liked her better now that she wasn’t chirping at us to wake
up, wake up, wake up !
    The old man turned his gaze on the man across from Zora.
“And this is Vane. My own sweet Vane.”
    I almost laughed aloud. Who describes a man as sweet?
    “I’m sure you and Vane will become bosom buddies!” said the
old man, rubbing his hands together, peering at me. “Oh yes. Bosom buddies.”
    “Um…okay,” I said.
    “And this,” said the old man, pointing to the last of his
Guides, “is my dashing Valerian.”
    Valerian grinned and inclined his head. He was broad and
muscular, all chiseled arms and wide chest. He had very short, blondish hair,
worn in what I thought of as army style—a buzz cut. Or a crew cut, maybe. Not
that I could tell one from the other. And not that I was noticing his looks. My
mind was still stuck on Vane. In particular, I was thinking about the way the
veins ran along his ropy arms, just the way I liked. Valerian cleared his
throat, bringing my attention back to where it belonged. “Valerian, at your
service,” he said, looking at me.
    I blushed. “Nice to meet you.”
    Valerian was cute in his own military sort of way. Not my
usual type, but the more I looked at him, the more I imagined his type might
not be so bad after all.
    I blinked.
    My type? My type ?
    I had to stop this right now.
    The old man clapped again. The four Guides sat