Read Online Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery by Sharon Canipe - Free Book Online

to that, Lin saw a bottle of her favorite wine, Malbec, and two
glasses.
    She smiled at
Neal. “You’ve thought of everything.”
    “I hope so,” he
replied crossing the room and embracing her once more.   “I can’t forget our wonderful weekend at
the Canyon, and I wanted this to be just as special.   I’ve really missed you.”
    “Me too,” Lin
answered as he leaned down to kiss her once more.
    Neal uncorked
the wine, letting it breathe before pouring each of them a glass He began to
further explore their quarters.   Lin
sat in one of the chairs by the window and sipped her wine, watching him as he
moved about the room.   He was a
sight for sore eyes.
    Neal opened the
door to the bathroom and exclaimed, “You have to see this! It’s more like a spa
than a bathroom.”   He beckoned for
Lin to join him.   The bathroom was
huge with double sinks, a whirlpool tub, and a huge shower with a rain head and
a long wooden bench along the back wall.
    Neal consulted
his watch.   I’ve made dinner
reservations at someplace called the Angus Barn but not until
seven-thirty.   There is certainly no
need to hurry; the restaurant is practically next door .   The management here recommended it to
me.
    “It’s a
wonderful steak house,” Lin offered, “one of the best anywhere and it is close
by.   We passed it on our way here.”
    Then we have
plenty of time to relax before we go.   Neal slowly began to unbutton Lin’s blouse, “I think a nice warm shower
would be just perfect right now and that shower is certainly big enough for
two.   I’d get lost in there alone.”
    Lin could only
nod her agreement as Neal proceeded to undress her and then himself .    He reached into the large shower,
turning on the steaming water as he led her in after him.   The warmth Lin felt throughout her body
was not entirely coming from the soft steam that quickly enveloped them. There
was no more talking.   Gazing into
her eyes with deep affection, Neal sat down on the wooden shower bench drawing
her gently down to his lap.  
    What began in
the almost tropical warmth of the luxurious shower ended almost an hour later atop
the king sized bed in a tangle of soft white towels.  
    “We’ll need to
dress for dinner soon,” Neal murmured. “It’s almost seven.”
    “Not, just
yet,” Lin responded, pulling him toward her once more.   “Just a few more minutes.   Hold me close.”
    They lay
together entwined in the damp towels, but Lin felt only the warmth of the
afterglow of their lovemaking.   Somehow she felt safe and secure in Neal’s arms.   Their relationship had had a rocky
beginning, but now it had blossomed into something special.   Last spring her trust in Neal had
waivered when she had questioned some of his actions, but he had righted that
situation and had been forthright in accepting his own responsibility for what
happened.   His efforts had helped
put an end to a dangerous art theft ring.   Since that time, Lin had felt only trust and honesty in her relationship
with Neal.   While she still was not
sure where the relationship was heading, she knew that they were in a good
place right now.

 
    ***
    They arrived at
the steakhouse just a few minutes late for their reservation.   The rustic barn-like building was
already decorated for the holidays.   A large fir tree dominated the entry area bedecked with hundreds of
white lights and glittery ornaments.   A warm log fire burned in the double-sided fireplace.
    “I can’t
believe that Christmas is almost upon us already,” Neal smiled at the inviting
scene. “It’s not even December yet, but every place I go seems to be gearing up
for the season.”
    “Well,
Thanksgiving is this week so I guess its time to decorate—get us in the
mood for shopping,” Lin responded. “It is nice though, I love the holidays.”
    “I’m especially
looking forward to this holiday season,” Neal added, “spending it with you will
be really special—your family