Read Online Remember the Time by Annette Reynolds - Free Book Online Page B

her task to the sounds of Bruce Hornsby.
    “Smells good.”
    She hadn’t heard him come in and his voice startled her. Kate turned from the pot she was stirring. Mike stood in the doorway, mopping his face with the tail of his shirt.
    “You’re wet,” she said unnecessarily.
    “Happens when it rains.”
    Kate handed him a kitchen towel and for the first time noticed the smell of wet earth coming through the open window.
    As he dried off his hair, Mike said, “Is that Kate’s famous spaghetti sauce?”
    She went back to the stove. “It’s the only thing I’m famous for.”
    “I wouldn’t say that.”
    He was behind her, peering over her shoulder. Kate brought up the wooden spoon, blew on the thick sauce, and offered Mike a taste. He was so close she could detect the faint aroma of the sandalwood shaving soap he used.
    “Ummm. Good stuff.”
    “There’s plenty. Want to have dinner?” she asked, before she could think about it.
    His eyes widened slightly. “I’d like that.” And knowing Kate’s weakness for good wines, he added, “I have a couple of bottles of a really nice Chianti a client gave me.”
    Kate nodded, suddenly ill at ease.
    Mike noticed, and quickly said, “Well, I’ll get back to work. I need to check the attic. I’ll finish up outside when it quits raining.”
    “The attic?”
    “The attic, the tower. I need to check for leaks.”
    “No!” She realized she’d said it a little too emphatically, and tempered her voice. “I mean, why don’t you check down here first?”
    “It’s raining now, Kate. It’s a perfect time to check the rafters.”
    Thinking hard, she answered, “I’m not sure where the key is to the tower room. I’ll have to look for it.”
    “Fine.” He looked at her, wondering what was in that room she didn’t want him to see. “I’ll start in the attic.” He gave her a smile. “And thanks for the dinner invite. I could use the company.”
    Back on the second floor, Mike walked past the four steps that led up to the tower, but his curiosity got the better of him and he backtracked. Checking to be sureKate hadn’t followed him, he climbed the stairs, keeping to the left to silence any telltale squeaks. Turning the doorknob, he found she was telling the truth. It was locked. He went down on one knee and peered through the keyhole, but all he could see was the window on the opposite side of the room. Whatever she was hiding would have to remain hidden. He wasn’t going to force her to open it.
    In the hallway again, Mike reached for the rope attached to the folding stepladder that allowed entry into the attic space. The trapdoor opened with a metallic groan, and a shower of dust fell on his head. Shaking it off, he pulled down the ladder and began climbing. A sneeze shook him as he entered the dark attic.
    He played the small beam from his pocket flashlight around the cavernous space until he located a bare bulb fixture, but when he tugged on the chain nothing happened. Cursing, he lowered himself down the ladder once more.
    Standing at the top of the stairs, he shouted down, “Kate!” No answer was forthcoming, so he continued down. “Kate?”
    Mike popped his head into the empty kitchen. Shrugging, he walked toward the pantry, hoping that was where she kept her spare lightbulbs. He got lucky. Picking out two sixty-watt bulbs, he reached out to turn off the light when he noticed a key hanging near the switch. It was an old-fashioned brass skeleton key and he knew which lock it opened, but he left it there.
    As he was walking down the hallway, he heard the back door close. “Kate?” She appeared in the kitchen doorway. “I took a couple of lightbulbs out of the pantry.”
    “Fine.”
    “Did you find that key?”
    She shook her head. “I really don’t know where it is,Mike.” Her lie caused her to look away from him. “Just forget about the tower. I’m sure it’s fine.”
    “You’re the boss.”
    Once in the attic again, he screwed in the bulb.